Bethel-Tate Schools Tiger eNews
February 2021
Remote Learning Days for Staff Vaccination
In order for Bethel-Tate staff to receive the first COVID-19 vaccination dosage, the district will have a remote learning day. Once the district has received confirmation of the first vaccination date, we will notify our families.
Please be mindful that your child’s remote learning day will likely be more self-paced and self-directed than the most recent remote learning days. Once the vaccination date is confirmed, teachers will be communicating with parents and students about what their remote learning will look like that day.
We are grateful that our staff has this opportunity to receive the vaccination and appreciate your flexibility. The vaccination is one important tool in our fight against this pandemic. Please continue following guidelines to wear masks, social distance, wash hands, and limit large gatherings.
Academic Team Having Record Season
Bethel-Tate High School's Academic Team is having one of the best seasons ever! Currently ranked 4th in the SBAAC League with the potential to move to even higher, the A-team has 14 players and lots of smarts!
"BTHS recently defeated Western Brown 58-44 to make our first-ever three-peat since I've been coach starting in the 2017-2018 season. I'm very proud of their teamwork and dedication to making the team the strongest it's ever been," shared Emily Smith, Bethel-Tate Art Teacher and Academic Team Coach. "The success of my team is in direct thanks to all their teachers that my players have had in their time in Bethel-Tate Schools."
Way to go, Tigers! Keep up the great work!
Board of Education Meetings Highlights
The Bethel-Tate Board of Education has held its regular meeting and special meetings in January and February.
Special Meeting-January 15, 2021
The Bethel-Tate Board of Education held a special meeting at Bethel-Tate High School that was live-streamed via Zoom to discuss the options for an operating levy in May 2021. The Board is required to pass a resolution of necessity by January 29, 2021, in order to put an operating levy on the May 4, 2021 ballot.
District Treasurer Karen Royer shared the district’s financial forecast showing the need for additional revenue. She also shared potential levy scenarios based on the revenue needed to maintain different levels of operation. The forecast shows the need to renew the current emergency levy and request additional millage to maintain the current operating budget. Mrs. Royer also shared that the district’s bond issue, which collects 1.5 mills annually, will drop off in 2021. This reduction will offset the majority of any proposed increase in taxes.
The Board discussed the budget needs and different levy scenarios. The Board of Education must first determine the revenues needed to operate the district, and the Clermont County Auditor determines the millage required to collect this dollar amount.
The Board agreed that they do not want to make further cuts to the budget and needed to look at the revenue that would, at a minimum, maintain the status quo and the current quality educational offerings to avoid a significant tax increase on the community.
Mrs. Royer said the renewal of the existing emergency levy would continue to bring in $1,100,000 annually. An additional $410,000 in revenues with no other revenue changes or expenditures should keep the district in a positive financial situation through the fiscal year 2024. The auditor will certify the millage needed to collect the renewal and an additional $410,000.
Regular Meeting-January 19, 2021
Bethel-Tate Board of Education held its regular Board meeting on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, in the Bethel-Tate High School cafeteria. It was the first Board meeting where the public could attend since the COVID-19 restrictions were put into place. The meeting was also broadcast via Zoom. The Board plans to continue holding its regular meetings at the high school unless COVID-19 restrictions change. To maintain social distancing, additional seating with an overflow area will be available if needed in a classroom where the meeting will be projected on a screen.
The Board approved the following:
- Resolution of necessity to be filed with the Clermont County Auditor. The Board of Education is seeking the renewal of the existing emergency levy and asking the auditor to certify the amount of millage needed to annually collect an additional $410,000 in property tax revenues.
Donation of 18 used laptops, used HP docking stations, HP CPU towers, and power cords from Batavia’s social security administration.
Special Meeting-February 1, 2021
Bethel-Tate Board of Education held a special meeting via Zoom on Monday, February 1, 2021, to approve the resolution to proceed with the submission of the renewal tax levy and providing for an increase. The renewal operating levy and the new operating levy will be on the ballot on May 4, 2021.
The Board approved a transfer of $300,000 from the general fund to the permanent improvement fund to cover physical improvements planned over the summer.
BTMS Girl Scouts Plan Community Garden
At the regular Board of Education meeting on January 19, Bethel-Tate Middle School students in Girl Scout Troop 4620 presented their proposed plan to plant a Community Pollinator Garden. Their mission is to provide an opportunity to educate the community about the importance of native pollinators by preserving the fragile population of bees, birds, and butterflies in our area.
The troop plans to build the garden in the vacant field next to William Bick Primary to enable easy and safe access to William Bick Primary and Hill Intermediate. The garden will be 30 feet deep by 40 feet wide. It will include five raised garden beds, an in-ground garden bed, an arbor, and an educational board in the center, allowing visitors to learn about the garden and overall project.
The Board commended the students for their plan and approved the school property’s use for their garden project.
William Bick Primary Students of the Month- January
Kindergarten
Claudia Combs
Corbin Dickson
Kylee Foltz
Annabelle Lee
Elizabeth Riehle
Georgia Rose
First Grade
Jackson Faulkner
Abby Lyons
Gavin Naegele
Scarlett Nickell
Jazmin Martin
Second Grade
Ashley Hansel
Lily Meade
Bristol Paeltz
Bentley Ross
Clermont County Sponsors 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Program
Clermont County Library has a free reading program geared to building important skills to help prepare your child with reading skills and kindergarten preparedness.
Sharing books helps your child learn pre-reading skills:
- Understanding the sounds letters make
- Developing a bigger vocabulary
- Building background knowledge
Sign Up
- Register: Sign up at any of our 10 branches or online. Pick up your starter kit at the library.
- Track Your Reading: Fill in a circle on the log sheet for each book you read with your child or log the book online.
- Every Book Counts: Even if your child wants to hear the same book again and again, count it each time. Count the books your child hears in storytime, in daycare or preschool, or with a friend or family member, as long as your child listens to the entire book.
- 100-Book Milestones: Each time you read 100 books, bring your log sheet to the library to receive a sticker and a special reward. Take home a new log sheet for your next 100 books.
- 1,000 Books: You did it! Come celebrate at the library and receive a free book.
- Keep on Reading: Don’t stop at 1,000! Keep on reading together; there’s more learning ahead!
Grab and Go Meals Offered on Mondays
Bethel-Tate's Food Service Department provides “grab and go” meals for our online learning students on Mondays from 5-6 p.m. Meals are distributed out of the red building in the side parking lot of the middle school.
If you have any questions, please call Darlene Parks, Food Service Director, at 513-734-2271, ext. 7190.
Calendar Check
February 15: NO SCHOOL - Presidents Day
February 16: Board of Education Meeting, 6 p.m., Bethel-Tate High School
March 22-26: NO SCHOOL - Spring Break