January 23, 2023
THIS WEEK’S HEADLINES
BPSD WISHES EVERYONE A HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR
Happy Lunar New Year to everyone celebrating it from the Bethel Park School District. This year is the Year of the Rabbit. It's a time for celebrating life, family, health, wealth, and multi-generational traditions.
FIVE BPSD TEACHERS CHOSEN FOR THE TRANSFORMED TEACHER INNOVATION FELLOWSHIP
Five BPSD teachers have been selected for this year’s transformED Teacher Innovation Fellowship. They are Katelynn Heider, Jess Mahoney, Lynne Surrena, Melissa Toth, and Jenine Wessel.
GRADUATING SENIORS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR CAPS AND GOWNS INFORMATION FROM JOSTEN’S
Students graduating in June may have received an email from Josten's with different promotions for purchasing merchandise for graduation. This is not a spam email. Josten’s is the official ordering company for BPHS Caps and Gowns, Announcements, Yearbooks, and other Senior Accessories.
Throughout the year, they offer early incentive packages. If you have not ordered a cap and gown package, including the tassel, the current price is $45. The price will increase the longer you wait to order. For your convenience, here is the link to the BPHS store on Josten’s website.
https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1045653/Bethel-Park-High-School/
You may also call 1-800-567-8367 to place an order. Please get in touch with the BPHS Main Office (412-854-8581) with questions.
HARTMAN NAMED BETHEL PARK ROTARY SOTM
The Bethel Park Rotary Club’s December Student of the Month is Bethel Park High School senior Jack Hartman. He was recently recognized at a small luncheon at The Garden Restaurant.
BETHEL PARK LIBRARY CARDS FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 9-12 ARE NOW AVAILABLE
The Bethel Park School District and the Bethel Park Public Library are partnering to improve access to educational and recreational materials through the Student Library Card Initiative. An integral part of this program is for every student in grades 9-12 to obtain a public library card.
If you don't want your child to have a library card, please return the attached form to Mrs. Jessica Schroeck in the high school's main office by no later than Feb. 1, 2023. FRANKLIN STUDENTS VOLUNTEER AT MELTING POT MINISTRIES TO HONOR MLK
Last week, the country celebrated MLK Day. To honor the legacy of Dr. King, Bethel Park students volunteered their time to help Melting Pot Ministries organize classrooms and sort many books the volunteers brought to donate to the students.
BETHEL PARK TO PARTNER WITH CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF PITTSBURGH ON NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ELEMENTS
Students from Bethel Park’s five elementary schools and some of their teachers met recently with representatives from the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. The group collaborated on some potential ideas for the new elementary school, scheduled to open in the fall of 2025.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SNOW BALL: JAN. 27 [SOLD OUT]
Benjamin Franklin Elementary School will hold its Snowball Dance from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 27. That event has reached its capacity and is no longer accepting new signups.
BASEBALL TEAM FUNDRAISER
Bethel Park High School Baseball is holding a tasty BBQ fundraiser just in time for Super Bowl Sunday! Funds raised will help support the players' purchase of team gear, equipment, and more.
Baby Back Ribs $23 per rack (11-12 bones in rack) - Fully cooked and roasted for 4+ hours
BBQ Pulled Pork $12 per 18oz. (1.2lbs.) container - Fully cooked, ready to heat, and serve
Big Ben's BBQ sauces 18 oz. bottles $7 each - Mild BBQ, Hot BBQ, Habanero Hot.
The ribs and pulled pork are fully cooked and sealed. They can be refrigerated for up to 4 weeks or frozen for extended periods.
Orders can be emailed to [email protected]. Orders are due by Sunday, Jan. 29. Pick up orders on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at the High School Stadium parking lot by the Athletic Entrance between 4:30-6:30 p.m. Payment is due at the pickup time.
A huge THANK YOU from the players, coaches, and families of BPHS Baseball. We genuinely appreciate your support!
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
Kindergarten Registration for Fall 2023 will open in February 2023. Please be on the lookout for more information as we draw nearer to the opening of the registration portal.
BETHEL PARK DART TRANSITION NIGHT: FEB. 1
Bethel Park School District will host a DART Transition Night for the families of incoming kindergarteners from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1, at Bethel Park Administration Building [301 Church Road, Bethel Park, PA 15102].
Some of the topics covered will include an overview of the continuum of Student Support Services (SSS), an introduction to the SSS team, an explanation of the re-evaluation procedures, procedures for the development of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), and a reminder of the most important dates on the school calendar.
For more information or to register, email [email protected]., or call 412.854.8735. DART is a program run by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit for Discovery, Assessment, Referral, and Tracking (DART). Click here to learn more about the program.
POLAR PLUNGE: FEB. 24
BPHS will participate in its first-ever Polar Plunge on Friday, Feb. 24, at Acrisure Stadium. The group seeks to raise at least $2,500 for the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania. Registration: $35 and includes a free shirt and the chance to take the plunge!
LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE TRIP
Bethel Park High School will send a delegation of students on an educational travel experience to Iceland & the Leadership Conference in Berlin, Germany, in the Summer of 2024!
Questions: [email protected]
FRENCH CLUB TRIP
There’s still time to enroll in the Grand Tour of France in June 2024. Please direct any questions to [email protected].
Slots are filling up quickly! Here’s the link where you can enroll: www.eftours.com/2608056ns
PROJECT-BASED LEARNING
Neil Armstrong Middle School fifth graders enjoy learning independently through their Project-Based Learning unit. The students were encouraged by their teacher, Mr. Stephen Yost, to pick a topic of interest and create a project to demonstrate what they’ve learned. The subjects were as varied and exciting as the students who made them. Here are a few examples of the students' creative creations.
THE BETHEL PARK MINUTE
Bethel Park School District Superintendent Dr. James Walsh regularly addresses timely or hot-button issues facing BPSD during video segments he calls “The Bethel Park Minute.” The informal videos are typically brief and a way for Dr. Walsh to answer questions he’s receiving and to address or dispel some of the misconceptions that may arise. The most recent edition boasts Bethel Park’s newest athletic team’s dominant start to its season, the upcoming Polar Plunge fundraiser for Special Olympics, and the phenomenal Electrify Your Strings Performance.
TECH TALKS: BUILDING DIGITAL HEALTH AT BETHEL PARK
In January, Bethel Park school director, and mother of five, Mrs. Gail Hoppe, will host free parent workshops to collaborate with parents and students to help build a digital world where kids can thrive. Sign up for the free workshops here.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
DISTRICT NEWS
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS WEBSITE
Visit our new facilities microsite, http://bpsdbestinclass.org, for the latest developments and most accurate information regarding the ongoing construction projects at Independence Middle School and Bethel Park Elementary Center.
BETHEL PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT’S STRATEGIC PLAN
The district recently released its Strategic Plan (2021-2026), including its Comprehensive Plan (2021-2024) and its ongoing long-term Facilities Planning. See Superintendent Dr. James Walsh’s explanation of the plan. You can also see the district's Professional Development Plan and Induction Plan.
DISTRICT CALENDAR
For the most -up-to-date information on events happening within the Bethel Park School District, please consult this daily View All Events Calendar.
UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A REMOTE INSTRUCTIONAL DAY AND A SNOW DAY
Inclement weather can sometimes impact the operation of our schools, especially in the wintertime. Click here to review the procedures and schedules the district will follow in case of a school delay or closure.
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS
The Bethel Park School District encourages the involvement of parents and guardians in our schools. Pennsylvania State Law requires every volunteer with direct contact with students must have clearances on file with the school district. The required clearances are the Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151), Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check (Act 34), and the FBI Federal Criminal History Record (Act 114). PA Clearances are free to volunteers, and the FBI Clearance is $22.60. Volunteers who have resided in Pennsylvania for the past 10 years and have never been convicted of a Disqualifying Offense can sign a waiver to eliminate the need for FBI Clearance.
Click here for complete details on how to become a volunteer in the Bethel Park School District. Please be sure to follow the checklist in the attached link.
IMS NEWS
SCHOOL BOARD NEWS
SCHOOL BOARD ACTION SUMMARIES
Bethel Park School District provides school board action summaries after each meeting. The summary includes a short description of the main topics and action items. These summaries are meant to supplement minutes, which are approved and posted after the next regularly scheduled meeting. We hope these summaries provide some basic information and context around the reports, presentations, and action items. Also, you can follow the agenda for the next school board meeting here and watch the school board meetings streamed live online or on-demand on the school district's YouTube channel.
SCHOOL BOARD 2023 MEETING CALENDAR
The school board’s current meeting calendar can be found on our website. All school board meetings begin at 7 p.m. and are held in the Dr. Thomas A. Knight Memorial Community Room in the Bethel Park Administration Building unless otherwise noted. There are no school board meetings scheduled for July. If you cannot attend the school board meetings in person, know they will be live-streamed through the school district’s YouTube channel. Meeting dates and times are also available on the school district’s website.
ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS
BETHEL PARK PARTNERS WITH PEACHJAR E-FLIER SYSTEM
Bethel Park School District is partnering with Peachjar to provide an electronic alternative for distributing fliers.
Peachjar’s e-flier management system electronically approves fliers and emails them to parents’ and guardians’ inboxes. Parents can view e-fliers from their smartphones or computer. In addition, fliers are also posted on the school's website for easy viewing. More information about Peachjar can be found on their website.
The district is encouraging schools to use Peachjar because it saves time for school staff, it sends fliers directly to parents rather than using students as the distribution channel, and it saves paper.
EMPLOYMENT NEWS
Bethel Park School District is looking for bus drivers and aides. The benefits include a signing bonus, a competitive starting salary, health care coverage, and entrance into the state pension system. Interested applicants should visit the Employment section of the website or call 412.854.8414.
Metz Culinary Management is growing and is seeking Team Members for full and part-time roles in a busy Student Dining Services setting. Whether you enjoy cooking, serving, or customer relations, our Food Service Team comprises multi-talented individuals, all contributing to the Culinary and Hospitality services, ensuring our Students, Staff, and Guests enjoy a fantastic dining experience!
Metz Culinary Management offers flexible schedules, mostly daylight hours, competitive wages, benefits, and Career Growth in the Contract Dining Services Industry! Interested parties should reach out by calling 412.854.8754.
BLACK HAWKS ATHLETICS
For those unable to attend the games, Trib High School Sports Network often broadcasts our games live at https://tribhssn.triblive.com/broadcast-calendar/. The games are also often broadcast live on local radio stations.
In December, after coaching the Black Hawks for four seasons, football coach Brian DeLallo stepped down to focus on his health. Earlier this week, he was named coach of the year in the Class 5A Allegheny Six football conference after leading Bethel Park (10-2) to the conference title and the school’s first-ever No. 1 seed in the WPIAL playoffs.
The boys basketball team, somewhat improbably, remains very much in the thick of the conference title hunt and some of that may be due to their coach’s uniquely European background.
Earlier this week, Bethel Park football standout Aidan Currie signed his college letter to attend and play football for CalU.
The Bethel Park girls tennis team will host its annual Chick-fil-A Team Spirit Day fundraiser [1620 Washington Rd., Pittsburgh, PA, 15241] on Thursday, Feb. 11 from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Please mention “Spirit Day” when ordering your food.
SPORTS SCHEDULES
Stay updated with the latest information and changes to the BPHS sports schedules at https://bpathletics.bigteams.com/main/calendar/. Get information on all Bethel Park sports teams or those you’re interested in. Sign up on the site to have updates and schedule changes emailed to you, so you will know if something is canceled due to inclement weather. It’s a great Octoberway to stay in touch with our athletic teams, mainly when unpredictable weather necessitates postponements and rescheduling! Go Hawks!
ALUMNI NEWS
CARTER ‘01 NAMED 2023 WPIAL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
Last week, the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) introduced its 2023 Hall of Fame class, which featured 15 inductees across seven categories, including two with strong ties to Bethel Park athletics.
Emily Carter ’01, a standout swimmer for the Hawks, and assistant athletic director Laura Grimm (Serra Catholic HS, ‘06) were among the inductees.
MEIS GAINING NOTICE IN PIRATES’ FARM SYSTEM
The Pittsburgh Pirates farm system is filled with young talented arms. From Quinn Priester and Mike Burrows to Luis Ortiz, Bubba Chandler, and Anthony Solometo, the future of the Pirate pitching staff looks bright. One name not often mentioned with those prospects but, based on his production so far, probably should be, is Bethel Park’s Justin Meis.
COMMUNITY NEWS
NAMS JAM IS LOOKING FOR CHAPERONES FOR ITS FEB. 3 EVENT
Bethel Park Recreation will host the next NAMS Jam for fifth and sixth graders living in Bethel Park, from 7-9 p.m., on Friday, Feb. 3.
Admission is $5 per person, paid at the door, and located on the side of the gym. Activities will include SNOWY BINGO, crafts, and a caricature artist. The event will also feature a film in the auditorium. The gymnasium will also be open for basketball and other ball sports. Guests can also make purchases at the FCCLA-sponsored Snack Bar.
Also, children must be picked up/signed out by an adult. They may not leave on their own.
Finally, organizers are STILL LOOKING FOR CHAPERONES FOR THIS EVENT! Any volunteers interested in chaperoning the Feb. 3 NAMS Jam or learning more about what clearances you might need should contact James at the Bethel Park Community Center at 412-831-6800, Ext. 224.
Please note this is not a Bethel Park School District event! The municipality is required to keep separate records from the school district. The deadline to volunteer is Tuesday, Jan. 31.
As always, the Bethel Park Recreation Department thanks you for your continued support!
TIES & TIARAS [SOLD OUT]
Bethel Park Recreation’s “Ties &Tiaras” event, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 25, has officially sold out.
BETHEL PARK YOUTH LACROSSE ASSOCIATION REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
Bethel Park Youth Lacrosse registration for grades K-8 is OPEN until Feb. 13. www.BethelParkYouthLacrosse.com.
2023 SPRING REC BASEBALL REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Registration is open now and will go on until 3/1/23. This is a firm close of registration date. We need time to coordinate coaches, teams, and uniforms. Spring Rec Baseball is for ages 4 to 14 (T-Ball to Pony)! Please visit our website at www.bethelparkbaseball.org to register today!
2023 JR. LEGION/COLT & LEGION REGISTRATION IS OPEN
For HS-age players interested in playing Jr. Legion / Legion baseball for the Spring/Summer 2023 season, we have opened registration on our website at www.bethelparkbaseball.org. Please sign up at your earliest convenience to book your spot. There will be a tryout in the spring—more details to follow.
YOUTH UMPIRES NEEDED FOR THE SPRING SEASON
Youth umpiring is for ages 12 and up. If your child is interested in umpiring this upcoming spring season, please email us at [email protected]. We will add you to the list and be in contact in the spring for our umpire training! If you have any questions, just let us know.
BOY SCOUT TROUP 215 WELCOMING NEW MEMBERS
Want to join the Scouting community? Troop 215 from Bethel Park Presbyterian Church would love to welcome you! Troop 215 has been around for 100 years and is looking for new scouts to continue its legacy. If interested, please get in touch with Scoutmaster Craig Blocklin ([email protected]) or Senior Patrol leader Nathan Disori ([email protected]) for more information on how to join Scouting!
BETHEL PARK’S DANCHIK IS COLLECTING NECESSITIES FOR THE HOMELESS
Bethel Park sophomore George Danchick is working towards Eagle Scout status in a project with Red Door Ministries, which provides necessities for the area’s homeless.
George is looking for travel-size shampoo, soap bars, conditioner, body wash, razors, and deodorant for the cause. Look for donation boxes outside the Rite Aid and the Dollar Tree in the South Park Shops.
Danchik also accepts monetary donations via Venmo to buy products for those in need if you want to donate to his cause, Venmo George at @Toni-Danchik-1.
FCC ANNOUNCES AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service. This new benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for families on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 from purchasing a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.
Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail-in application.
You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting www.fcc.gov/ACP or calling 877-384-2575.
IMPORTANT LINKS
· Bethel Park School District: www.bpsd.org
· eSchoolPlus/PowerSchool Home Access Center Login:
https://bpkhac.eschoolplus.powerschool.com/HomeAccess/Account/LogOn?ReturnUrl=%2fHomeAccess
· Twitter: www.twitter.com/bpsdinfo
· Facebook: www.facebook.com
· Instagram: bethel_park_school_district
· YouTube: BETHEL_PARK_SCHOOL_DISTRICT
· Linked In: www.linkedin.com
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
The Bethel Park School District will not discriminate in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual preference, disability, age, religion, ancestry, union membership, or any other legally protected classification.
The announcement of this policy is per state and federal laws, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Employees and participants who have an inquiry or complaint of harassment or discrimination, or need information about accommodations, for persons with disabilities should contact:
Dr. Zeb Jansante
Title IX Compliance Officer
301 Church Road
Bethel Park, PA 15102-1696
412.854.8420
412.854.8430 (fax)
[email protected]
If you are receiving this newsletter in error, please email Mr. James Cromie at [email protected], and you will be promptly removed from the list. Also, if someone you know is not getting this newsletter but would like to receive one, please encourage them to contact Mr. Cromie. Finally, all of this year’s email newsletters are posted on the district’s website, so you can go back and look at past editions if you’d like.