Bethel-Tate Schools Tiger eNews
September 2020
Dear Bethel-Tate Parents,
Our educators are grateful to finish another successful week in Bethel-Tate Schools. We are happy to have our students back and we want to keep everyone healthy so we can keep them here!
Our team did an awesome job preparing our buildings and making sure our staff and students have a safe environment to teach and learn. Our teachers had a productive two weeks before students came to prepare for their classes and to be trained in proper PPE, our new health protocols, and sanitizing and cleaning practices. In addition to overnight cleaning, we have two custodians cleaning and sanitizing the building and high-touch areas throughout the day.
As parents, you should be proud of your children. They have done an awesome job wearing their masks, keeping social distancing, and washing their hands. We must continue encouraging our students to stay positive about this new norm. By following these protocols, we can keep our students in school in person.
Thank you,
Melissa Kircher
Superintendent
Bethel-Tate Awarded Ohio Connectivity Grant
Bethel-Tate Local School District was awarded the BroadbandOhio Connectivity Grant providing $148,436.84 in state funds to expand broadband services in Ohio and help families in need access hotspots and internet-enabled devices.
Ohio had set aside $50 million of state funding through the federal CARES Act to provide internet connectivity and devices to students for purchases made between July 1 and December 30, 2020.
Devices and services that are eligible expenses include:
- Home internet paid for by the district for students;
- Hotspots/Mifis with a service plan;
- Mobile hotspots (including on buses);
- Public Wifi infrastructure; and
- Other technology that provides a connection for the student.
Students who are eligible for assistance through this grant will be notified by the district via a letter to their home by the end of September.
Those eligible groups include:
- Economically disadvantaged students, as defined for EMIS reporting, including, students on free lunch.
- Students who might have chronic conditions.
- Students who do not have other access to the internet.
All Bethel-Tate Students to Receive FREE Meals Through 2020
Bethel-Tate Local School District participates in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, which allows families to apply for free or reduced-price meals. The district received notification from the USDA that all Bethel-Tate students will be eligible for free lunch and breakfast meals starting on Tuesday, September 8 through December. Students who are attending in person or remotely are eligible for one free breakfast and one free lunch daily. After December 31, 2020, students will return to free or reduced status.
Our Food Service Department will have "grab and go" meals for Bethel-Tate online learners this Tuesday, September 8, at 5:00-6:00 p.m. for this time only. Moving forward, we will begin distributing the rest of the "grab and go" meals on Mondays from 5:00-6:00 p.m. for the online students only. We ask that the student or parent/guardian pick up these meals and will ask for the name of the student and the parent/guardian.
If you are currently of free and reduced status, you still must fill out the application for 2020-2021 as soon as possible: Free and Reduced Lunch Application 2020-2021
Daily Health Screenings and Symptom Check
Please remember it is important for all students to have a COVID-19 symptom assessment at home prior to leaving for school each day. Health checks should include taking temperatures and assessing symptoms. Symptoms of COVID-19 may range from mild to severe and can appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus.
Symptoms to Check for Daily Prior to Leaving Home for School:
- Fever of 100°F or higher*
- Cough*
- Shortness of breath*
- Difficulty breathing*
- Loss of taste or smell*
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
If your child is experiencing one of the top five symptoms* (fever, cough, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell) consult your healthcare provider. If your provider suspects your child has COVID-19, you must isolate your child for 10 days. He or she cannot return to school until symptom-free for 24 hours. If your child is evaluated by a healthcare provider and is not considered a probable or confirmed case, he or she can return to school after they are symptom-free and fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication. You must also have a note from your healthcare provider before returning to school if your child has one or more of the top five symptoms*.
If your child has two or more of the lesser symptoms (muscle or body aches, headaches, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting or diarrhea) you must keep your child at home until they are symptom-free and fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.
District Passes OHSAA Inspection
The Bethel-Tate School District values the importance of extracurricular activities for our students. The Governor and Ohio Department of Health orders have given our students the opportunity to participate in interscholastic sports under strict guidelines.
The test of these new guidelines came at our first home football game on August 28 where OHSAA sent someone to conduct a thorough inspection. We are proud to report that the district passed the inspection. We appreciate all the cooperation of our coaches, athletes, staff, and fans to make this possible.
The OHSAA inspector observed players, coaches, and spectators to make sure they were not congregating, wearing face coverings, spacing appropriately for groups, and maintaining social distancing. The facilities and equipment had to meet the inspection standards as well.
To reach our athletic department health and safety guidelines, go to: https://www.betheltate.org/Athletics.
Online Virtual Academy Students Welcomed Back
Bethel-Tate's Online Virtual Academy, our remote learning option, officially started on August 31. There are currently 260 students enrolled in our virtual academy from grades K-12.
Our online teaching team is excited about the new school year and are committed to making
sure each student succeeds while having the best learning experience possible. Parents or students who have questions or need support should first reach out to their teacher for specific content questions.
Bethel-Tate Middle School Apex questions or concerns contact:
Dr. Davis at christen.davis@betheltate.org or Mrs. Reynolds reynolds_r@betheltate.org
General questions for all other grade levels:
Mrs. Berlinger, Bethel-Tate's Online Virtual Academy Supervisor
No School on Monday, September 7
Reminder:
Bethel-Tate Local School District will be closed this Monday, September 7, for Labor Day.
Have a great long weekend!
Virtual Events
For the health and safety of our school community, each of our schools conducted virtual open houses so parents could meet our teachers and get a glimpse of their child’s schedule without worrying about large crowds in our facilities. The current health order still prohibits the district from hosting mass gatherings of more than 10. As we move forward throughout the year, we will continue to be creative to find ways for our community and students to still celebrate key events with their safety in mind.
New Arrival and Dismissal Times
William B. Primary School
8:50 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Ebon C. Intermediate School
9:00 a.m. - 3:10 p.m.
Bethel-Tate Middle School
7:20 a.m. - 1:35 p.m.
Bethel-Tate High School
7:10 a.m. - 2:10 p.m.
Board to Hold Strategic Planning Session
The Bethel-Tate Board of Education will hold a strategic planning session prior to the regular Board of Education meeting on September 22, 2020. The work session will begin at 5 p..m. and the regular meeting will follow at 6 p.m.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the meeting will not be open to the public but will be live-streamed. The link will be posted on www.betheltate.org.