On behalf of our Board of Education and
entire district staff, I welcome you to the Bethel Public Schools. As
your partner in your child’s education, it is our shared vision to make
Bethel Public Schools a premier district in the state and nation and to
be on the leading edge of educational excellence by providing a rigorous
core education driven by a technology-powered pedagogy and access to
significant opportunities to learn and grow through authentic real-world
experiences. We understand that the new global, knowledge economy
calls all students to be innovators, critical thinkers and creative,
collaborative problem solvers. As such our mission is to prepare
students so they possess these skills and have the knowledge and
background to work effectively with others in a truly global society.
We are committed to providing such an inspirational educational
experience that our graduates will be compassionate, active citizens of
the world and proud ambassadors of Bethel wherever their education and
experiences may take them.
As you begin the process of registration
and immersion into our schools, I invite you to explore our websites,
contact our principals and PTO’s, and get a full picture of all that we
offer students at every age. Much scientific research points to strong
partnerships between families and schools as a strong factor in the
success of children. There are numerous ways to get involved in the
schools and I urge you to engage with our parent/teacher organizations
to learn of those opportunities. We have made a number of changes to
our registration procedures in an effort to improve and streamline the
process. Our staff is here to assist you each step of the way. You can
expect to encounter highly professional, engaging, and helpful
individuals in every department of our system. Should you have any
questions or concerns or need any assistance please feel free to contact
our staff either via email or phone. I look forward to meeting you in
person and again, extend a very warm welcome to our schools.
Sincerely,
Christine Carver, Ed. D.
Superintendent of Schools
How to Enroll Your Child
Welcome to Bethel Public Schools. It is important to understand that the registration process occurs in several stages:
Parent responsibility:
• Online registration
• Meeting with District Registrar to turn in all required documentation*
*If you do not have all of the required paperwork at the time of your appointment, you will need to return at a later date/time with the rest of the documentation to complete this step of your registration process. Once all required documentation has been turned in, the school nurse will review and sign off on the health forms and move the students to the final step in the registration process.
District responsibility:
• Review of health forms by nursing staff to ensure that all mandated health requirements are met
• School assignment and scheduling of classes
When all of the paperwork is submitted, the placement process typically takes approximately 24-48 hours. Once the steps are complete, your child will be able to begin at his or her new school.
Please note - Due to the high volume of registrations in August - if all required documentation has not been submitted to the District Registrar by August 14th, there is a chance that your child may not be able to start on the first day of school.
Read the information below and follow
the appropriate links to learn what you need to know about the Bethel
Public Schools (BPS) registration procedures and policies for all
students, along with downloadable forms.
BPS How to Register Your Child
Required Document Check-Off List
BPS Cómo registrar a su hijo - Traducción al español
LISTA DE VERIFICACIÓN DE DOCUMENTOS REQUERIDOS
BPS Como Registrar seu Filho - Tradução para Português
LISTA DE VERIFICAÇÃO DE DOCUMENTOS NECESSÁRIOS
When to Register
According to Connecticut law, your child
must be five years old on or before September 1st to register for
Kindergarten. There is no deadline for registration, but the Bethel
Public Schools urges parents to register early. To be admitted, a child must meet all documentation requirements and health requirements.
Parents of students transferring to BPS from other school districts should enroll their children as soon as possible upon moving to Bethel. Registration for transfer students is ongoing.
**Connecticut state law (C.G.A Sec. 10-184) requires that to attend a school district, the child must reside in that district. Reside means where the child physically lives. There are some common misperceptions regarding residency.
Applicant Owns Property in Bethel but resides in Another Community: Many people assume if you own property in a community, but live or reside in another community that you have the authority to send your child based on choice. This is not accurate. The child must physically reside in Bethel for them to attend school in the Bethel Public Schools.
Shared Custody in Which a Family Lives in Bethel and Another Community: If parents have shared custody of a child and one of the parents live in Bethel, the child may attend our schools if they reside more than 50% of the time in Bethel. If the custody agreement is 50/50, the parent may choose which district to send their child.
The Connecticut State Department of Education sets guidelines to establish residency. Those guidelines can be viewed at this link.
2025-2026 Kindergarten Registration
Beginning July 1, 2024, the Connecticut General Statute requires that children turn five years old on or before September 1 of the school year in order to enroll in kindergarten.
Kindergarten registration will begin on January 6, 2025.
Information will be in the Superintendent’s Newsletter, on our website, and sent to the local preschools.
We look forward to partnering with you in your child’s education!
If your child turns 5 after September 1st
** The State of CT has not yet confirmed if families will be able to request a waiver for their child to attend kindergarten if their date of birth is after September 1st. Once that information is available, we will share it with you. For your information, please see the assessment and approval process the Bethel Public Schools will adhere to if the state allows waivers for the 2025-2026 school year below.
Kindergarten Early Entry Assessment Process
Processo de avaliação de entrada antecipada no jardim de infância
Proceso de evaluación de ingreso temprano al jardín de infantes
Bethel Public Schools waiver application period for the 2024-2025 school year has closed as of September 4, 2024.
Registration Process
Step 1. Begin the online registration process by clicking on the link below. Use this link to begin the online process to formally register your child for the current school year. Please note - this is only the first step of the registration process. Once the short form is approved, you will receive an email from PowerSchool Server with further instructions.
Kindly read all of the emails you receive as they contain a lot of information.
For Grades K-12 , please use the link below. If registering for this school year, please be sure to choose the 2024-2025 school year when filling out the short form.
BPS Pre-Registration Form K-12
For Circle of Friends - please use the link below.
BPS Pre-Registration Form Circle of Friends
Step 2. After creating the Parent Portal account and completing ALL of the online Enrollment forms, you must call and make an appointment with Mrs. McCollam, District Registrar, at 203-830-7355 to bring in all of your paperwork. Please note, the office is open during the summer for appointments.
Registration Hours are by Appointment ONLY
Tuesdays 8:30 to 10:30 AM & Thursdays 2:00 to 4:00 PM (Summer hours vary)
No walk-in registrations will be accepted. Please call the District Registrar for an appointment.
Step 3. Bring the required documents listed below to your appointment with the District Registrar.
PLEASE NOTE: If you do not have all of the required paperwork at the time of your appointment, you will need to return at a later date/time with the rest of the documentation to complete this step of your registration process.
To register your child for school, you will need several documents. These include:
Required Document Check-Off List.pdf
1. Child's original birth certificate with a raised seal AND a copy.
2. Proof that the adult registering the child is the parent or legal guardian (name on birth certificate matches the parent's picture ID. Court documents of legal custody if divorced or separated).
3. Proof of residency: MUST supply the following:
-
Home Owner - Real Estate Tax Bill, Copy of Property Deed, Current Mortgage Statement, or Settlement Statement (new home-owners only) AND one current (1) utility bill (cable, electric, gas, telephone or cell phone showing the name and address)
-
Rent/Lease -
-
SIGNED Lease or Rental Agreement. Lease agreement must be unexpired and signed by landlord/property owner & tenant (landlord contact information must be provided as they will be contacted to verbally confirm residency at this address) AND two (2) current utility bills (see above) showing your name and address.
-
Notarized Landlord Affidavit Form must be provided if there is no lease and you are renting month to month/weekly or your lease is expired (landlord contact information must be provided as they will be contacted to verbally confirm residency at this address) AND two (2) current utility bills (see above) showing your name and address. Notarized Landlord Affidavit
-
Section 8 Agreement with dates of tenancy AND two (2) current utility bills (see above) showing your name and address.
-
You must provide the name and phone number for the landlord/property owner at the address you are renting from. This will be used to verbally confirm residency at this address.
-
If you do not own or rent but are living with a Bethel resident- Both the Bethel resident and the parent need to provide residency documentation.
-
From the Parent - Notarized affidavits, Resident Parent/Legal Guardian & Residency Affidavit Forms (these forms are on school website). These affidavits must be accompanied by two (2) current utility bills (see above) or mail (see below) with your name and the address on them.
-
From the Bethel Resident - Notarized affidavits, current Real Estate Tax bill or current mortgage statement AND one (1) current utility bill must also be presented with the owner’s name and the address. Residency Affidavit Forms
If you live in a household where all utilities are in someone else’s name or utilities are included as part of your rental agreement, please choose (2) two of the acceptable residency documents that display your Bethel address: Valid driver’s license or valid CT DMV photo identification (stickers not allowed); valid automobile registration; current homeowners insurance or automobile insurance; current payroll stub; current bank or credit card statement; current letters from governmental agencies; or current court documents. Submission of a utility bill may still be required to prove that the residence is occupied.
NOTE: Motor vehicle tax bills and water/sewer bills are NOT acceptable for proof of residency.
4. Student meets Requirements for Homeless or Unaccompanied Youth Status (Liaison to be contacted: Dr. Christine Sipala, 203-794-8616 or [email protected]).
5. State of CT Dept. of Education Health Assessment Record Health Assessment Record (Age 5 - Grade 12). Current physical and immunizations for K-12 filled out and signed by your physician. Immunization Requirements It is the parent's responsibility to bring in the form filled out and signed by the physician.
6. Request for Records or Official school records from another school system or country, if applicable and available. Please fill this out and bring to the registration appointment.
7. Free/Reduced Lunch Application (if applicable) can be found on our School Lunch Information webpage in both English and Spanish: School Lunch Information
8. Special Services Registration Form if applicable
9. Required Document Check-Off List
School placements will not be made until all documentation has been provided to the registrar and the student has been cleared medically by the school nurse.
Once the child has been cleared by BOTH the registrar and the school nurse, the school will then call the parent/legal guardian with further information and the start date. Parents/legal guardians are asked to not go to the schools until they are called.
Please be advised that when all paperwork is submitted, the placement process typically takes 24-48 hours. Once the above steps are completed, your child will be able to begin at his or her new school.
Please note - due to the high volume of registrations in August - if all required documentation has not been submitted to the District Registrar by August 14th, there is a chance that your child may not be able to start on the first day of school.
If you have any questions regarding the process, please feel free to
contact the District’s Registrar. Again, we welcome you to the Bethel Public Schools.
Where to go for your Registration Appointment
Bethel Public Schools Registrar’s Office
Mrs. Laurel McCollam, District Registrar
Bethel Board of Education
PO Box 253
1 School Street
Bethel, CT 06801
Phone: 203-830-7355
Fax: 203-794-8723
E-mail: [email protected]
School Contact Info:
F.A. Berry School
200 Whittlesey Dr.
Bethel, CT 06801
203-794-8680
|
A. H. Rockwell School
400 Whittlesey Dr.
Bethel, CT 06801
203-794-8690
|
R.M.T Johnson School
500 Whittlesey Dr.
Bethel, CT 06801
203-794-8700
|
Bethel Middle School
600 Whittlesey Dr.
Bethel, CT 06801
203-794-8670
|
Bethel High School
300 Whittlesey Dr.
Bethel, CT 06801
203-794-8600
|
|