March 27, 2025 at 7:00 PM - Bethel Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

• Girls Basketball played Northwest Catholic in the STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME on March 15th, at Mohegan Sun. Championship Game Fan Bus - Thank you for the incredible outpouring of support from the community, over 100 donations, and local businesses in getting our fans to the Championship game. Thank you Putnam House Restaurant for sponsoring a student fan bus to the championship game, and Terzian & Son General Contracting for sponsoring student tickets. While the girls lost to Northwest Catholic, they played a great game and were the second seed in the state.   In addition, Emma Huedephohl was recognized on the achievement of the 1000-point milestone.  Lastly, congratulations to our Unified Team for playing Oxford at the half-time show.  
• Please join me in congratulating Olivia Chamberlain and Sam D'Amico for being named the 2025 SWC leadership award recipients.  In addition, Emily Turek and Josh Heyel as the 2025 CIAC Scholar Athletes.  
• Congratulations to Chiru Akkili for being named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist.   He is one of only 15,000 students in the nation to receive this honor.  
• Congratulations to our DECA team who recently competed in the DECA State Career Development Conference. Congratulations to Aidan Badia who place first in the state in the Financial Consulting Competition.  
• Bravo to our students who performed in the musical, Urinetown, last weekend.   The play was very well acted, and the music was phenomenal.  
• A huge shout of thanks to Maddy Tamburri for organizing the Unified Prom last weekend.   This was Maddy's capstone project and the prom was enjoyed by students from Bethel, as well as unified programs from other communities.   I would also like to thank all of our special education and PPS who volunteered to support the project.  
• Congratulations to the BHS debate team, who took first place overall in a tournament at Fitch High School (Groton) in February.   

Teacher, Rookie, Pillar of the Year, CHAMP, and Friends of Bethel Award Winners

Each year our schools and the district award a Teacher of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Pillar of the Year.  In addition the district awards the Friend of Bethel and CHAMP award to individuals who have significantly impacted our schools and programs. Please see the recipients below!

Congratulations to all!

2025 Pillars of Year

Bethel High School - Kristan Giroux

Bethel Middle School - Danelle Egan,

Ralph M.T. Johnson School - Julia Malota

Frank A. Berry School - Bernadette Apellaniz-Bryant

Anna H. Rockwell School - Dr. Carolyn Keller

Bethel Public Schools - 

Michael Tonucci

Cyndi Giordano-Donati

Lindsay Jankun-Harsch

Brittany Pizzano

2025 Rookie Teachers of the Year

Bethel High School - Lori Spero

Bethel Middle School - Brianna Ferraro

Ralph M.T. Johnson School - Nicole Bentson

Frank A. Berry School - Kayleigh Murphy

Anna H. Rockwell School - Noemi Gristina

 

2025 Teachers of the Year

Bethel High School - Dr. Reine Issa

Bethel Middle School -Marie Jowdy

Ralph M.T. Johnson School - Gregory Reid

Frank A. Berry School - Aimee Bajor

Anna H. Rockwell School - Elaine O'Keeffe

 

2025 Friends of Bethel Award

Greg Henry, Parent, All Sports Booster Club President & School Volunteer

2025 CHAMP Award

Brandon Husvar, Network Administrator

Creativity, Innovation, & Excellence Recognition 2025

We give recognition to staff members who demonstrate creativity & innovation for the students in the Bethel Public Schools, aligned to our mission, core beliefs, and strategic focus areas.

Aimee Bajor

Diana Bernardo

Christy Bibb

Zachary Craybas

Irene Drake

Melissa Dube

Catherine Emerick

Heather Farisello

Robyn Gerety

Danielle Legnard

Sheila Levine

Sabrina Luis

Danielle Lynch

Taryn McCormick

Gina McKenzie

Laura Montero

Jeff Moscowitz

Kelly Muckell

Kit Nielsen

Joe Perreault

Donna Rick

Debbie Tierney

Samatha Tisi

Danielle Troetti

Kim Trombetto

Rationale: 

The Month of March is Connecticut Board of Education Appreciation Month.  We want to take this opportunity to say "thank you" to our hardworking and dedicated board members.  We thank you for the time and effort you devote to board business.

Rationale: 

• Bethel CT Public Schools Mail - Anti-bullying program eliminated - C. McGuire
• Letter - Kindergarten Paraeducators - K. Luchsinger & K. Sprock
• Bethel CT Public Schools Mail - Education budget - K. Rissolo
• Bethel CT Public Schools Mail - Rockwell School Cafeteria - K. Schmitt
• Bethel CT Public Schools Mail - Fwd_ Rockwell School Cafe - K. Schmitt2
• Budget meeting - L. Davenport
• Bethel CT Public Schools Mail - Proposed Budget Cuts - K. Poklrma
• Bethel CT Public Schools Mail - The Critical Importance of Full-Day Preschool for Circle of Friends - J. Kurtz
• Bethel CT Public Schools Mail - Support our Education Budget - A. Crumb
• Bethel CT Public Schools Mail - Support for proposed school budget - J. Valencia
• Bethel CT Public Schools Mail - Input to public hearing because cannot make it in person as planned - C. McQuire
• Bethel CT Public Schools Mail - Protecting arts education in Bethel Public Schools - from a former student - I. Tipton-Krispin
• Bethel CT Public Schools Mail - Bethel School Budget - M. Emrick
• Bethel CT Public Schools Mail - Schools Budget - Z. Wahba
• Bethel CT Public Schools Mail - THE BUDGET!! PLEASE READ - J. OConnor
• Bethel CT Public Schools Mail - Letter regarding public hearing 3_19_25 - A. Schneider
• Bethel CT Public Schools Mail - Board of Finance Budget Meeting - J. Sedlor
• Bethel CT Public Schools Mail - Proposed BETHEL EDUCATION BUDGET CUTS - D. Morey
• Bethel CT Public Schools Mail - Re_ Communication from the Superintendent 3-5-25 - B. Ochs
• Bethel CT Public Schools Mail - Re_ Communication from the Superintendent 3-5-25 - E. Abel-Tatis

Rationale:  (Please note:  The Board welcomes Public Participation and asks that speakers please limit their comments to 2 minutes.  Speakers may offer objective comments of school operations and programs that concern them.  The Board will not permit any expression of personal complaints or defamatory comments about Board of Education personnel and students, nor against any person connected with the Bethel Public School System.)

Rationale:  Monthly Data  -  We include in the BOE agenda the monthly data as requested by the BOE.  

Rationale:   

 

Rationale: 

We are bringing forward the following curricula that has been revised in the Science Department including: 

• Physics 43 Curriculum 

• Science Research Curriculum
   

Rationale: 

CTE New Courses & Curriculum

We are bringing forward 2 new courses in our CTE program Python 1 and Python 2.

• Python 1 provides students with a foundational understanding of programming using the Python language. This course is ideal for individuals with little to no prior programming experience and aims to introduce the essential concepts and techniques used in Python programming. Students will learn how to write, debug, and run Python programs while becoming familiar with the structure and syntax of the language.

• Python 2 is designed to provide students with essential concepts and techniques used in Python programming. Students will learn how to write, debug, and learn the structure and syntax of the Python programming language including more computational theories.

• The curriculum for each course is linked:

  • Python 1

  • Python 2

Rationale: 

We are bringing forward several curricula that have been revised in the CTE Department, including: 

• Intro to Business

• Marketing 1

• Accounting 1

• Technological Design

• CAD

Rationale:  Every year between February and March, the Board of Education, based on recommendations from the administration, approves the school calendar for the next school year. It is important to note that our school calendar contains 181 school days for our students and 186 days for our staff (five professional learning days).  Regardless of how many weather-related closures or holiday breaks, we still complete the 181 days for students.