BES Parent Newsletter

As many of you already know, school will open for face to face learning on Monday, September 28. Thank you for completing the survey letting us know if you prefer remote only or a blended (face to face one week/ remote the next week) approach for your child (or children).

Here is how the blended vs. remote data shakes out per grade level:

Kindergarten: 84% Blended 16% Remote only

1st grade: 85% Blended 15% Remote only

2nd grade: 85% Blended 15% Remote only

3rd grade: 74% Blended 26% Remote only

4th grade: 78% Blended 22% Remote only

5th grade: 82% Blended 18% Remote only

This week we are meeting with teachers and finalizing instructional plans as well as coordinating with Bethel Middle and Pisgah High Schools to make sure we have bus transportation figured out for all who need it. Dividing students into an "A" group and "B" group sounds easy in theory, but it is extremely complicated in reality. Be on the lookout for another parent newsletter this Friday with more detailed information about how things are going to look instructionally starting September 28.

Our after school program will be open starting on Monday, September 28. The program is open from 3-6 pm and is available for students who are in school face to face during that week. Our program is a state licensed and inspected program so we must have an application/registration in hand before the student can be in the program. Registration paperwork available in the office now.

A couple of sign up dates have already passed but there are several more opportunities. Please see the information flyer below.

We value your opinion and would love to have you be a member of either our School Improvement Team (SIT) or our Parent Advisory Council (PAC).

The SIT is made up of teachers and parents and meets approximately once per month, almost always on a Monday afternoon just as soon as car line is over (3:20ish). We meet in the library but there is always the option for folks to join virtually. Our School Improvement Plan is usually due in September but all schools in NC have been given an extension this year due to COVID-19 so our plan is due in December.

The PAC is simply made up of parents, members of the school admin team , and one of our Title One teachers. This group meets about four times per year and the day/time for these meetings can be decided by the members once I know who is interested.

Please let me know if you're interested in being involved in either one of these groups. It's actually a lot of fun sometimes. We learn a lot about each other and see things from each other's point of view. We can only make Bethel better if we work together.

I'm working on adding every parent's email address to my google contacts using the information on the Return to Learn intent survey. It is a slow process but communication is vitally important. There are 278 contacts in my list right now so if you know someone who isn't getting my newsletters, please share this with them and let them know I'm working diligently on my contacts list.