Art | Career & Technical | English Language Arts | English as a New Language | Health & Physical Education | Mathematics | Music | Science | Social Studies | World Languages
Art
The Bethlehem Central Art Program is based on the knowledge that art is a significant part of a student’s life and is an essential part of their education. Art is fundamental to human growth and provides students with intellectual, creative, and emotional experiences that connect them to a common core of knowledge. Art serves as a tool for building self-confidence through personal expression and communication. Art provides invaluable opportunities for students to use their imagination and problem solve using their own creativity. It allows a forum for expression of the human spirit and validation of feelings in studying, creating and responding to art. Art education will heighten an appreciation for visual literacy and the challenges of creative self-expression needed in the 21st century.
Contact:
Art Supervisor
Melanie A. Painter
mpainter@bethlehemschools.org
(518) 439-4921 ext. 2056 or5196
Career & Technical
The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department at Bethlehem Central includes programs in business education, family and consumer science, technology education, and school-to-work. In our swiftly changing and increasingly technical world, it is vital that our citizens be technologically literate. If people in a society are knowledgeable about current technologies, we are more likely to make rational decisions about the use of technology. Students in our technology classes practice solving hands-on, real-world problems using the informed design process. We use math and science knowledge in a practical manner throughout the design process. While we strive to make all students aware of the importance of basic technological literacy, we also encourage them to consider careers in engineering and other technical fields. From the energy crisis to the crumbling state of infrastructure across our country, our society continuously faces serious problems. Through our technology program, we will endeavor to show students what tremendous positive impact engineers can have in the world as they work on finding solutions to these problems.
Contact:
Career & Business Education
James Smith
jsmith@bethlehemschools.org
(518) 439-4921 ext. 2053
Technical Education
Jennifer Gonyea
jgonyea@bethlehemschools.org
(518) 439-4921 ext. 1061
Family & Consumer Sciences
Zachary Tacelli
ztacelli@bethlehemschools.org
(518) 439-4921 ext. 2010
English Language Arts (ELA)
Our mission is to enrich the mind and spirit of each of our students by employing the major components of our English language. Through the study of literature and the elements of the English language we intend to prepare our students to contribute to the greater good of our society and our planet. The members of our English department are responsible for providing instructional and assessment strategies that are supported by our collective wisdom and experience as well as strategies that are supported by current research and by our intuition. We are responsible for creating a non-judgmental learning environment that supports our students’ social and emotional development. We believe that among our many values, commitment to our teaching, respect for our students and colleagues, and empathy for all are paramount to the success of our work.
Contact:
ELA K-12 Supervisor
Daniel Hash
dhash@bethlehemschools.org
(518) 439-4921 ext. 2050
English as a New Language (ENL)
The English as a New Language (ENL) Department works with approximately 55 students each year. These students hail from almost 20 different countries, and speak almost 15 different languages. The home language of these students include Bosnian, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. We encourage our students, parents and ENL teachers use this site as a resource for the development and growth of students’ language skills.
Contact:
ENL Supervisor
Kurt Hassenpflug
khassenpflug@bethlehemschools.org
(518) 439-4921 ext. 2054
Health & Physical Education
The mission of the Bethlehem Central School District health education program is to help students become self directed learners who will be able to obtain, interpret and understand basic health information and services, and develop the competence to use such information and services in ways that enhance health. By promoting both skills and knowledge, students are better able to achieve and maintain physical, social and emotional health which will contribute to a better quality of life for the individual, the family and the community. The Bethlehem Central School District physical education program is based upon the acquisition of knowledge and skills that are the foundation for engaging in physical activity. Our mission is to empower all students, as independent learners to sustain regular, lifelong physical activity as a foundation for a healthy, productive and fulfilling life. Physical education is a sequential education program of age appropriate units and lessons. It is based on physical activities undertaken in an active, caring, supportive and non-threatening atmosphere in which every student is challenged to be successful.
Contact:
K-12 Supervisor for Physical Education, Health, and Family & Consumer Sciences
Zachary Tacelli
ztacelli@bethlehemschools.org
(518) 439-4921 ext. 2010
Mathematics
The mission for the BCSD Math Department is to help prepare students for success in their future lives by developing mathematical skills, knowledge and awareness that will allow them to adjust to inevitable societal change.
Contact:
K-12 Mathematics Supervisor
William Clairmont
wclairmont@bethlehemschools.org
(518) 439-4921 ext. 2055
Music
The Bethlehem Central School District Music Education program provides a high-quality music experience to each child in our program. Music faculty and staff are committed to offering expert instructional experiences to enhance and educate our students’ musical education. We strive to enable our students to realize their potential in musical expression, creativity, understanding and appreciation.
Contact:
Music Supervisor
David Norman
dnorman@bethlehemschools.org
(518) 439-4921 ext. 2129
Science
The mission of the Bethlehem Central School District Science Program is to provide students with high-quality instructional programs that enable them to become engaged students and citizens. Through three-dimensional student-driven instruction students will participate in science instruction that is evidence-based and relevant to their lives. Students will think critically of the content presented to them and use the scientific method to advance their science knowledge.
Contact:
Science Supervisor
Jennifer Gonyea
jgonyea@bethlehemschools.org
(518) 439-4921 ext. 2048
World Languages
The mission of the BC World Language program is to develop confident and independent language learners who have the ability to communicate proficiently in the target language. We work to foster in students the cultural competencies and communication skills needed to be successful in an interdependent world.
Contact:
World Languages Supervisor
Kurt Hassenpflug
khassenpflug@bethlehemschools.org
(518) 439-4921 ext. 2054
Social Studies
The primary purpose of the social studies program is to prepare students to become thoughtful individuals whose academic background and skills will enable them to function successfully in an increasingly complex and changing world. The social studies curriculum will provide students with a scholarly framework of knowledge, the skills necessary to process information, and the capacity to understand, comprehend, value and appreciate diverse cultural differences and historical perspectives.
Contact:
Social Studies Supervisor
Nick Petraccione
npetraccione@bethlehemschools.org
(518) 439-4921 ext. 2053