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Greetings from Bethany!

Welcome to our online resource for current parents, where we are gathering together important information, links, and updates for you.

This is the new home of the Bruin Weekly.

You can find important information on this hub, including resources, contact information, recent news, calendar events and more.

Lower School
Middle School
Upper School
Athletics

Calendar adjustment

To help the Bethany community as a whole and parents of all grade levels, we decided to separate one calendar into two. All events are still available, but you may need to resubscribe.

Website calendar

To view calendar events online, select Calendar at the top of this page.

When you are on the calendar page, have a look at the right side of the screen. By default, below the monthly calendar, both Academics and Athletics should be checked. From there, it is up to you—select Academic, Athletics, or both.

Subscribing to the calendar

If you would like to sync the calendar to your own devices, select which calendar you want, then choose the 'Subscribe' link above the monthly calendar. When it is shared with your device, it would likely be named as 'Bethany Christian Schools -Academics' OR 'Athletics' OR 'Custom Calendar'.

We hope that this is helpful for you. You are welcome to send an email to [email protected] if you have any issues or questions.

Information and upcoming events

Middle School Play
The Odyssey: By Thespis and the Peloponnesian Midwest Regional Third Place Chorus, is in two weeks: 7pm Friday and Saturday, May 2 and 3. More information and tickets available online.

The Elkhart County Health Department has asked schools to make information available regarding the measles outbreak that has extended into Indiana. For more information, see these pdf documents.

If you tried to click on this Teacher of the Year nomination link the past two days and were unsuccessful, please try again—it should work now. We have not received many nominations yet. The deadline for nominations is next Thursday, May 8.

The lower school is excited to be hosting 150 grandfriends tomorrow! They will enjoy a fun presentation from lower school students, tour the lower school wing, and have a light snack. Thanks to everyone who is helping to make this special day happen—we can’t wait to celebrate with our extended Bethany family!

Summer Workers
Bethany will be hiring student workers for the month of June to help clean the building and prepare it for another school year. Work begins on Tuesday, June 2, and will be five hours a day (8 a.m. to 1 p.m.) Monday through Friday. The last day will be June 27, but there may be some limited work available the following week. Applications will be available outside the maintenance office following Spring Break and due by April 25 (Fish Fry day). Workers must be 14 years old by June 2.

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5-9.
We encourage all students and families to take time during this week to write a note of gratitude to your teachers. PTO is planning activities that will take place each day of the week. If you would like to help with the activities by providing supplies, use this Sign-Up Genius link If you don't have time to volunteer, but would like to contribute, cash donations can be dropped off in the main office labeled "PTO". Thanks for supporting our beloved teachers!

Save the date
PTO will be hosting an all-school outdoor movie night on Friday, May 9, at dusk. The movie will be shown in the lower school parking lot and amphitheater. Bring blankets and your own snacks and drinks—PTO will not be selling concessions. Bring the family for this fun event!

Employment Opportunities
We are currently looking for qualified candidates to fill positions here at BCS. As valued members of our community we would love your help in spreading the word! If you know anyone who would be a great fit, in our advancement department or as a teacher, please encourage them to apply. See the full list of openings.

The Banana Slug String Band has a concert on May 8 at 7pm at the Goshen Theater. Everyone is welcome to attend!

From Admissions
If your child currently attends BCS and you would like them to attend next year, you do NOT need to reapply for admission. We will automatically re-enroll your child unless a parent informs us they will be attending elsewhere.

Previous and General Announcements

Parents in Prayer
Parents in Prayer meets Friday morning (8:30) in the office conference room. Anyone is welcome to join. Prayers may be submitted using this form. For more information on Bethany’s PTO, calendar of events, and how you might get involved, click here.
Text Alerts
If you wish to receive text alerts from Bethany (including weather delays/cancellations), opt in by texting “Y” to 67587 from the wireless device you wish to receive texts. In order to receive texts, you also must have the mobile device number on file with Bethany. If you have opted in and still do not receive the text from our next schoolwide broadcast, contact the technology director, Benji Hurst.
Drop off and pick up
Reminder, parents who are dropping off and picking up students in the south lot should NOT take a shortcut through the middle of the parking lot. Please drive along the outside and be patient as students are picked up. We appreciate your help in keeping all students safe.

As we enter the winter season, and on days with the start of school delayed 90 minutes, please include extra travel time into your morning routine so that you can safely get to school on time.
Morning building access
There will be change to our morning building access time. Starting this coming Monday, February 24, Bethany will open its doors at 7:15 a.m. instead of 6:45 a.m. For students who arrive earlier, there are still two heated entryways available at the main office and cafeteria entrance, where they may wait until the school officially opens. If your student routinely needs to be dropped off before 7:45 a.m., please continue to notify the office so we can plan accordingly.
BCS eLearning Day Expectations/Reminders
With winter weather again approaching, we wanted to send some reminders about days off and our eLearning Day expectations. Delay and cancellation information is available online.

We adhere to state guidelines and expectations relating to eLearning days. State guidelines allow for three asynchronous eLearning days where work can simply be posted, but no student/teacher interaction must occur. While we may utilize these asynchronous eLearning days for specific reasons, our normal eLearning day will involve teachers and students interacting and/or meeting virtually during the normal class schedule time. The following guidelines will be followed to help ensure a productive eLearning day:
- students will be reminded to take home necessary materials the day before when possible
- the normal class schedule will be followed for that specific day (schedule reminders will be sent home via email and text)
- attendance will be taken for each class
- teachers are encouraged to meet virtually (Google Meet, Zoom) to share information, explain the lesson, have discussions, etc.
- class information as well as links for Google Meet and Zoom will be posted on Google Classroom
While in person learning is always best, we are well positioned to offer a valuable eLearning day experience. We appreciate your efforts to help make learning continue when we are forced to cancel school.
Parents, please make sure to contact your students during the day through the office. Do not text or call students as they are not to be on their phones during most of the day. We appreciate your help!
With the new Indiana state law and Bethany expectations relating to technology (cell phone) use, we are asking that parents communicate with their student through the Bethany office during school hours. The office will communicate with students on your behalf. View the new technology policy in the Student-Parent Handbook that was emailed to all families.
If you know your student will have a planned absence, please notify the office as soon as possible so we can make teachers aware and can make academic preparations. If you have a student who is home ill or has a medical appointment, please notify the office as soon as possible that day. Contact the office at [email protected] or call 574-534-2567.
Parents who are not receiving text messages from the school and would like to, text Y to 67587. Parents who want to stop receiving messages need to opt out by texting Stop to the same number.

For more dates to remember, see the calendars in the upper right of this page.

Lower School

Parents of K-5 Students: Art to Remember PUZZLES are back in stock! If you want to order a puzzle with your child’s artwork on it, the portal is still open until Monday, April 28. (Link)

ILEARN for grades 3-5 will occur several times each week through May 5. Your children’s homeroom teachers will provide you with a detailed schedule. Be sure they get a full night’s rest, eat a good breakfast, and are on time to school.

Our Lower School teachers maintain a Google Site to share classroom updates and photos, keeping you connected with what’s happening in your child’s class. These sites are refreshed every Friday morning and are accessible We encourage you to check in each Friday to stay informed and enjoy a peek into your child's week!

Class Newsletters (updated weekly by faculty)
Kindergarten	4th Grade
1st Grade	5th Grade
2nd Grade	6th Grade
3rd Grade

Middle School

ILEARN testing for grades 6-8 will be taking place the next two weeks beginning on Monday. Most testing will take place in the mornings. Lower school will continue their testing next week as well. Please avoid planned absences during these times.

Upper School

Math Study Table
Continuing each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Math Study Table is open to all Math 7, Math 8, and Algebra 1 students. Study table will be held in room 112 (Mr. Mast’s room) from 3:35-4:15. This is a great place for students to receive individualized assistance on assignments and test preparation.

Athletics

Sports action

Middle school tennis hosts Elkhart at 5:30.
The varsity and JV girls tennis teams play at NorthWood at 4:30 tonight.
The golf team plays Trinity and NorthWood at 5:00 at Warren Golf Course (note change in venue).

Soccer open field for grades 4-8 meets the next two Wednesdays from 3:45-4:45 pm.

Students planning to play athletics next school year (2025-26) must have a physical after April 1 (2025) and before their first practice. While doctors’ offices may have the IHSAA physical form, they typically do not have the required concussion and sudden cardiac arrest forms. You may pick up a physical packet that includes all three forms in the Bethany office or print from the Bethany Athletic Forms link.

Summer Sports Camps

We are offering dynamic summer sports camps designed to engage young athletes in skill development, teamwork, and fun. These camps are led by experienced coaches and high school athletes, providing participants with quality instruction in a supportive environment. Find more information and register online.