District Updates
Superintendent Message: Changing To Distance Learning
There is a very real potential that our students, like those in many other states, may not return to school this academic year. According to Colt Gill, Director of the Oregon Department of Education, we are in the midst of a “historic transformation of our education system.”
ODE is asking all districts to shift to Distance Learning, potentially through the rest of the school year, rather than providing weekly supplemental education for students.
This is a huge shift for most school districts, including Bethel. In the next two weeks, we will:
– Connect with each family to determine their access to the internet, digital devices and the most practical way for families and students to receive learning materials
– Assess our district’s technological capacity to provide Distance Learning online
– Develop lessons that can be shared online and on paper that meet the needs of all students at all levels
– Accelerate the training for our teachers to provide students lessons in different formats
– Communicate regularly with parents/guardians, who will play an important role in the effectiveness of Distance Learning
Specific information about high school students Continue reading
District Finalizes Draft For Additional Funding
Bethel School District’s application to request additional state funds from the Student Investment Account has been finalized and is ready for public feedback.
The District’s draft plan comes after months of preparation and more than a dozen meetings seeking input from students, staff and the community. The District would like your input regarding the plan.
Read Bethel’s SIA application here.
Click here to email your feedback before Monday’s School Board meeting
The community can view Monday’s special Board meeting online via Zoom on Monday, March 30, 4:15 p.m.
La aplicación del Distrito Escolar de Bethel para solicitar fondos adicionales estatales de la Cuenta de Inversión Estudiantil se ha finalizado y está lista para ser publicada y recibir comentarios.
El plan del Distrito viene después de meses de preparación y más de una docena de reuniones en busca de aportes de los estudiantes, empleados y la comunidad. El Distrito quisiera saber su opinión sobre el plan.
Lea la aplicación de SIA de Bethel aquí.
Haga Clic aquí para enviar su opinión por correo electrónico antes de la junta del Consejo Escolar del Lunes.
La comunidad puede ver el lunes en línea la junta especial del Consejo a través de Zoom. El Lunes, 30 de Marzo a las 4:15 p.m.
Student Enrichment Resources
Bethel staff have been working to plan materials and activities for students in all grade levels during the extended school closure period. The District intends to offer continually updated supplemental enrichment for all students while schools are closed.
Supplemental Materials: Materials will be available on April 6th in two formats: online and hard-copy paper packets. These will be made available each week throughout the closure. The district is working to ensure that all supplemental materials are accessible to all of our students.
Enrichment: In the meantime, the District has vetted and collected resources to support academic enrichment for students. Click here to access these enrichment resources.
Check-In: Bethel teachers will be contacting families to share more information about the supplemental materials, and simply because they miss their students!
High School Students: All families have questions about what is happening with high school students. The Oregon Department of Education is currently working on a plan to address the unique needs of high school students during this closure. We know that high school students and their families are concerned about credits, as well as various tests such as SAT, IB and AP. We will communicate details once guidance from ODE is provided.
These are unprecedented times which result in many questions. We will share more information with you as soon as we get it. In the meantime, take good care of yourself and those around you.
Esta semana estaba programada para las vacaciones de primavera, cuando teníamos un calendario escolar oficial. Todavía estamos intentando tener una idea más clara de qué esperar para los próximos meses.
Mientras tanto, nuestro personal de Bethel ha estado trabajando para planificar materiales Continue reading
UPDATE: Schools Closed Through April 28
Through Executive Order 20-08, Governor Kate Brown has ordered all public schools to remain closed for another six weeks, through April 28. That period may be extended or terminated earlier by the Governor.
Supplemental education and learning supports to students will be developed and delivered through independent study and other appropriate options.
School meals will continue while schools are closed, including through spring break. Bethel provided more than 7,000 meals to children during the first week of the school closure.
All School employees will continue to receive their regular pay. They may be required to assist with the provision of supplemental services and emergency management activities.
More details will be provided as they become available from the Governor’s office, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), the Department of Human Services (DHS), and other agency partners.