A few questions and answers regarding Beta...

1. I don’t believe you’ll have started school as of Sept 1st, so can my child turn the Beta materials in at the start of school or do we need to get it to you before then?  It is true that we are unsure of when the school year will begin.  Please just have the materials ready by the first of September.  IF we are able to start on time, our first Beta meeting date will be September 14th.  Please be flexible on these dates as we do not know what the future holds.

2. The community service hours need to be completed by November correct? A total of five community service hours need to be completed by November.  I will provide opportunities for community service during the school year.  However, most students find it useful to start their service hours in the summer.

3. Can the recommendation come from a teacher or a community member?  Both of those options are acceptable.  Recommendations can also come from coaches, religious leaders, and even work placement supervisors.  The recommendation just needs to come from someone outside of your family who knows your child well and can speak to their character.  

4. This process has changed quite a bit since my older child was a member. Yes, in an effort to more closely align with Beta Club standards and protocols our club now follows new guidelines.

5. Could we organize a small group of kids and pick up trash in town for community service?  And if that would be acceptable, can a parent sign the service form or do we need to organize that through an actual organization in town? It is up to you if you wish to hold such an event.  My hope would be that you focus on adhering to the state guidelines for safety during COVID.  Neither I nor Beta are responsible for the choices of our members and parents outside of Beta sponsored events.  As a gathering, you may not use the Beta name or emblem.  There are a number of suggestions listed on the Beta blog for community service at a distance.  A parent signature is fine for any of these options.  

2020-2021 Junior Beta Club

Dear Eligible Students and Parents,  

Recently an email went out to parents sharing eligibility guidelines for the 2020-2021 Junior Beta Club.  To recap, if you earned honors or high honors in all four quarters of your seventh grade year, you are eligible.  In addition, you must log 5 hours of community service before the induction ceremony in November.  Applications and community service logs are found in the right hand browser of this website.  All materials are due to Mrs. Wilson by September 1st.  I also recommend scrolling to the bottom of this page and signing up for email notifications.  

With that being said, it is really hard to tell what the future holds.  Community service at this time is a bit tricky with social distancing.  On this blog is a list of suggested community service activities you can do from afar.  You are asked to have at least 5 hours of community service completed by the November induction.  Keep in mind, I will also provide opportunities for you to earn service hours once the school year begins.  If you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out.  I look forward to meeting you in the fall.  Stay safe, stay healthy, stay happy, and stay productive!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Wilson

Junior Beta Sponsor

Congratulations On Earning All Star Status!

Dear 2019-2020 Junior Beta Club Members,

I just received confirmation that our club has earned "All Star Status". In order to be considered for this award, Junior Beta clubs must demonstrate service hour completion of 50-70 hours per member.  

I know you spent a lot of time working with your committees to develop service projects (all that hard work counts even if COVID prevented you from completing the project). In addition, you worked independent of your peers to better the Somers and MBA community by working at food banks, tutoring younger students, and volunteering with various organizations.  Most notably, COVID did not stop your dedication to serving others- the service forms have been pouring in.

Your hard work and dedication have paid off. I am so happy for you.  As recipients of this honor, you will each receive an All Star Service pin (which I will mail to you).  The organization will send a congratulatory letter to Mrs. Martello and our chapter receives a plaque.  

Bravo for a job well done.

Best regards,
Mrs. Wilson (Sponsor)

Still Looking For Ways To Serve?

Join Unicef in their efforts to fight hunger!

1. Play short, interactive Kid Power Ups daily. Choose from dance to yoga to SEL topics!
2. Unlock lifesaving nutrition and save children around the world.
3. Earn Kid Power Coins and support local causes in the Kid Power Exchange®.

Unicef Kid Power

Light A Candle In Honor Of Those We Have Lost And Those Who Are Still Fighting

As we continue to live in these uncertain times, it has become clear COVID-19 will have lasting effects on our community and world.  I would ask that Beta students and families take a moment to light a candle on Sunday evenings as a remembrance to those we have lost to COVID-19.  In addition, I ask you please take a moment to send positive mental messages of hope to COVID-19 sufferers.  Together we are stronger! Please stay safe, stay healthy, stay happy, and stay productive.

Service From Afar

Project Ideas:

1. Work with Operation Gratitude to send items to first responders and/or our troops, called #VirtualVolunteerism by the organization. https://www.operationgratitude.com/

• Handmade With Love Items. There is something about receiving a handmade item that warms the heart. If you knit, crochet, or sew, we are calling on you to get out your needles and hooks and redouble your efforts during these challenging times. If you love to craft, consider hand-making greeting cards so our Deployed Troops can write to their loved ones at home.  Every Handmade With Love item is an expression of deep appreciation for the service and sacrifice of our recipients. 
• Make Paracord Bracelets. We include handcrafted paracord bracelets in every one of our Care Packages, because they’re both functional and meaningful. You can purchase the cord in bundles of 5 by visiting Operation Gratitude’s eBay site, or you can respond directly to this email to order 100 or more paracords for your family and friends.
• Write Letters. We hear time and again that handwritten letters are the most cherished items in our Care Packages. You can learn more about how to write a letter to a Deployed Service Member or a First Responder on our website. This is a great activity for volunteers of all ages! 

2. Write letters to people in nursing homes

• Send them a video (with permission from the director) to brighten their day.
• Create greeting cards and send them.

3. Post positive messages in public places

• Inspirational videos to be posted on the schools message board.
• Poster of thanks posted in the grocery store to employees.
• First responder thank you hearts in your windows.
• Rainbow decorations on your home and lawn (representing the rainbow after the storm).
• Send a thank you email to your teachers.
• Create positive chalk messages in public places.

***Be sure to add any community service you do over the summer to the Community Service Log. Remember, you are required to have five hours of service before the November induction ceremony.*** I am posting the form here: Service Hours Log

Stay safe, stay healthy, stay happy, and stay productive! I look forward to seeing the amazing service projects you develop from afar!!!!!

Induction Ceremony

On March 5, 2020 the Junior Beta Club at Mabelle B. Avery Middle School inducted 38 new members.  To qualify as a member of the national organization students must consistently exhibit exemplary effort and achievement, while demonstrating ideals of service and leadership.  This year, inductees maintained honors in all four quarters of seventh grade, as well as honors in the first and second quarter of their eighth grade year. 

Additionally, students were expected to sit on one of four service committees.  Each committee developed service projects in an effort to better our school community, the town of Somers, and our country.  Planned projects include a movie night to raise money for the American Red Cross, “bracelets for donations” in contribution to the Connecticut Children’s Hospital, spirit days to fund Easter baskets for the Children's Shriners Hospital, and a teacher appreciation breakfast.  

Movie Night to Raise Money for the American Red Cross

 We want to extend a big thank you to those who attended the movie night at SES.  What a night it was!  We may not of had a huge turnout but the students who did attend were more than willing to buy snacks and make donations.  The night closed with the national service committee earning $551.27 for the American Red Cross.  We were OVERJOYED to have made and surpassed our goal.  This could not have been possible without your support.  We know you could easily have said the dreaded, "Sorry, I can't," but instead you chose to make time for our cause.  Thank you!

Founder's Day- October 25th

Mrs. Wilson will be holding a Founder's Day celebration on Tuesday, October 22, 2019 in honor of Dr. John W. Harris.  Participants will be working with Any Soldier Inc. to write letters to service men and women overseas who may not receive much or any mail.  State approved snacks and drinks will be provided.  Time spent at this celebration will count toward service hours.   Make a soldier's day, take a moment to write a letter, and show your Beta pride!

Official National Beta Video

Junior Beta Club at MBA

Junior Beta Club meets once a month and emphasizes community and school service projects.  The club is reserved for eighth grade students who made honors in all four quarters of their seventh grade year, as well as honors the first quarter of their eighth grade year.  Furthermore, students must have 5 hours of community service.  Students must notify the Junior Beta Club sponsor (Mrs. Wilson) of their interest in the club in September, as well as obtain a service hour log.  As long as all requirements are met, students will be officially invited to join Junior Beta Club at the end of quarter one. An induction ceremony for National Junior Beta Club will be held in November.


*Please note- club requirements for the 2020-2021 school year reflect changes made due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Beta applicants will be required to have earned high honors for all four quarters of seventh grade, as well as high honors for quarter one of eighth grade for the 2021-2022 school year.*

Constitution

Believing that exemplary student effort and achievement should be encouraged and rewarded, and seeking to cultivate the ideals of service and leadership in our citizens of tomorrow, the governing body of the National Honorary Beta Club has instituted this organization for the promotion of these ideals and those stated in the Beta Creed, among elementary and secondary school students. To implement this purpose, The National Junior Beta Club Constitution has been adopted.

Link: National Beta Club Constitution

Mission Statement

To promote the ideals of academic achievement, character, service and leadership among elementary and secondary school students.

• ACHIEVEMENT - Recognizing and honoring high academic achievement
• CHARACTER - Preparing young people for life and empowering them to be successful
• LEADERSHIP - Developing the leaders of tomorrow
• SERVICE - Demonstrating our motto: Let Us Lead by Serving Others