Bobcat Blast

June 15, 2023

Summer Updates - July 10, 2024

Good Morning Bethany Families,

Welcome to the first Bobcat Blast Newsletter for the 2024-2025 school year. You will receive this newsletter every Thursday during the school year, filled with crucial updates and information.

We hope you have been staying cool in this 100+ degree weather. Luckily, it looks like today it will be going down in temperature a little.

The school office is currently closed for the month of July, but that does not mean we aren't planning for this upcoming year. Please read through this newsletter for important information.

School Office Reminders

School Office Opens: August 1st

School Office Hours: 7:15am – 3:45pm

School Phone Number: 503-356-2030

1st day of school – August 26th

School Starts at: 7:45am, please note the new time from last year.
School Ends at: 2:20pm

School Supplies

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You will not find a school supply list for Bethany. Rather than every family having to do their own shopping, we collect money for supplies. We began this a few years ago and it has worked well. This year we are asking for a donation of $35.00 per student.

This system has several benefits:

All students in a class have the same supplies
Supplies purchased in bulk are less expensive
Teachers only buy what they need. (prevents stockpiles or waste)
Flexibility to purchase more enriching and creative materials for projects.

You are now able to pay by credit card online. Please see the links below for the Online Payment System and the directions on how to pay if this is your first time. You may also bring cash or a check to the school office when we open in August.

These donations are flexible, and confidential--only the office knows who donates and how much.

We understand that some families are not able to afford the cost of supplies. All children will receive the same supplies, regardless if they are able to contribute towards the cost. Some families may be in the position to make an extra donation towards helping others. If you would like to help by giving extra money, please click on the "Donations" tab that appears on your child's grade level page.

Online Payment Link

Instructions for Online Payment System

School Calendar

As a parent, it's crucial to know when your child's school will be closed for various events. Planning ahead can help you make arrangements for childcare, schedule family vacations, and ensure that your child doesn't miss any important school days.

Our school events calendar includes all the important dates you need to know, such as:

Vacation Days: Find out when your child will have time off for holidays, including Thanksgiving, Winter Break, Spring Break, and more.

Conferences: Learn when parent-teacher conferences are scheduled. You will receive information from your teacher on how to sign up, as we get closer to the dates.

Teacher Workdays: Discover when teachers will be working but students will have the day off, giving you a chance to plan activities for your child.

We will have other events added to our calendar through the school year, and will share that information through the weekly Bobcat Blast Newsletter.

Bethany School Calendar

Lemonade In The Shade

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The first official event of the 2024-2025 school year

August 23rd

2:30 - 3:30: Meet your teacher and see classrooms

3:30: Join other Bethany families outside to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.

Volunteering At Bethany

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We want to encourage families to sign up for volunteering. We have a new system for the 2024-2025 school year, so all volunteers need to apply. This includes parents who have been volunteering for years, EVERYONE needs to do the new background check. This is going to lead to thousands of applications and long waits for your application to be approved if you wait until the fall. By doing it this summer you will hopefully be approved by the time school starts. I know that some parents have already been approved.

Our Jog-A-Thon will be in September and needs a lot of volunteers. If you would like to help you will need to have your background check completed.

Volunteer Information and Application

Summer Lunches

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All children, ages 1 through 18 years, are eligible free meals. All children and students from the community are welcome to participate. There is no application or registration required. Children are required to be present and meals must be eaten onsite. Food may not be permitted to leave the premises.

Meals will be served Monday through Thursday; some sites start June 17, while other sites start July 1. Times vary by site, so please check the Summer Meal Program webpage for complete information. You also can text the word “FOOD” to 304-304 for information.

Westview High School is the closest lunch site to Bethany.

Meal Information for Westview:

Meals available Monday - Thursday from June 17 - August 8, 2024.
Breakfast: 8:00-8:30am** (only available July 1-25)
Lunch: 10:30-11:30am.
No meal service June 19 – June 20 and July 4.

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School Meals

Free Meals for All

Starting this school year, all BSD students will be eligible to receive one free breakfast and one free lunch at school daily.

Families do not have to apply, and there are no income requirements. This change is due, in part, to more generous eligibility requirements at the federal level and more funding through the state’s Student Success Act. Research indicates that universal free meals improve student health and attendance in addition to reducing bullying and behavioral issues.

Student meals include an entree, sides and a milk. Students must take the entire meal to be eligible for the no-cost option; students who only opt for milk do not qualify for free milk. This is a federal requirement meant to encourage students to eat a well-balanced, school-made meal.

The district will continue to charge for à la carte items such as milk, second entrees and snack items.