Bethlehem Central High School

Infobox_School
name = Bethlehem Central Senior High School


imagesize = 140 px
motto =
established =
type = Public
affiliation =
district = Bethlehem Central School District
grades = 9-12
president =
principal = Charles Abba
head of school =
dean =
faculty =
staff =
students =
enrollment = Approx. 1,722
athletics =
conference = Suburban Council, Section II
colors = Orange and Black
mascot = Eagle
location = 700 Delaware Avenue
Delmar, New York 12054
information = (518)-439-4921
website = http://bcsd.k12.ny.us/high/BCHShome.htm

Bethlehem Central High School is a high school in Delmar, NY, just south of Albany. The school serves students in grades 9-12 from the towns of Bethlehem and New Scotland.

Construction on the original school was finished in 1932, but in 1952 its original premises were deemed too small and it moved to its current location in 1954. The former building now serves as the district's Middle School. The words "Bethlehem Central High School" were permanently carved into rock on the original building, leading to confusion for out-of-towners trying to locate the school. This original building is located at 332 Kenwood Avenue in Delmar, New York. Currently, Bethlehem Central High School is located on 700 Delaware Avenue in Delmar. Bethlehem Central is ranked 776 on Newsweek's "1200 Top US High Schools." Also Delmar was 20th in the top 100 best places to live in the USA.

Notable alumni

Famous alumni include Scott Sullivan, class of 1979 and WorldCom Inc.'s former chief financial officer, who was sentenced to five years in prison for engineering the telecommunication titan's $11 billion fraud scheme. Ironically, his senior yearbook quote read, "Be careful of what you want. You may get it."

Hall of Fame

2005 Inductees
*Rear Admiral (select) Dennis E. Fitzpatrick '76 - became commanding officer of the USS "John F. Kennedy" in October 2004. He joined the Navy in 1981 as a pilot. In 1989, he was named Instructor Pilot of the Year. He earned a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College and in 1999 was selected for the Nuclear Power Program. As of April 1, 2008, he has been nominated for appointment to the rank of Rear Admiral (lower half). Fitzpatrick is currently serving as head, Fleet Warfare Requirements and Program Planning Division, N80, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Va. Dennis’s at-sea tours include executive officer of USS "Theodore Roosevelt" during a deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom after September 11 and as commanding officer of USS "Shreveport". His awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal with Combat "V"; Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three Gold Stars and Combat "V"; Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various unit and campaign awards.
*Neal Shapiro '76 - Former president of NBC News where he oversaw the global operations of NBC’s News division and was also responsible for the news operations of MSNBC, the 24-hour cable news network. For eight years, Neal served as executive producer of Dateline NBC and was instrumental in turning the program into an award-winning primetime network newsmagazine and the first with a multinight franchise. He has been involved in the production of major breaking news stories, including the Oklahoma City bombing, the Columbine tragedy and the terrorist attacks on September 11. In addition, he was executive producer of several acclaimed news specials, including reports on corporate layoffs in America, migrant farm workers and welfare reform. Neal began his career in broadcast journalism at ABC News, where he served in various producer capacities and earned a George Polk Award, two Emmy awards and an Investigative Reporters and Editors award.
*Jo-Carol Block Davidson '74 - a popular and beloved singer, songwriter and stage performer in the San Francisco area, was a prominent neighborhood activist and civic leader. Jo-Carol worked tirelessly to preserve local parks, most notably San Francisco’s Cayuga Park, and was particularly active in AIDS awareness and fundraising, earning her a special citation from the Mayor of San Francisco. Upon hearing of her sudden death in 2003, the California State Assembly issued a proclamation honoring Jo-Carol for her humanitarian and civic work and her service to the arts, and they adjourned in her memory.

2006 Inductees
*Eva Marie Saint '42 - Academy Award-winning actress who played graceful leading ladies in many films starting in the 1950s. She won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in On the Waterfront (1954) and is best known for her roles in A Hatful of Rain (1957), North by Northwest (1959) and Exodus (1957). Saint also appeared in several made-for-TV movies and won an Emmy in 1990 for her role in the miniseries “People Like Us.” Most recently played the role of Superman's mother in the film Superman Returns. She also has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Saint is also involved in charities such as the Epilepsy Foundation, and she and her husband offer an annual award to future filmmakers.
*Honorable Joseph Cannizzaro '72 - a New York State Supreme Court Justice, graduated from Albany Law School in 1982 and spent his career as an assistant public defender, a private practice attorney and a principal law clerk. In 2000, he was elected to the New York State Supreme Court. Cannizzaro was active in his community as a little league coach, a religious education instructor and a member of the Albany City School’s PTA and The Parents Association at LaSalle Institute. Cannizzaro died in 2005.
*Dr. Richard Jadick '83 - an osteopathic physician, completed a combat tour of duty in Iraq during 2004 and 2005 as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, assigned as a battalion surgeon to the First Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Jadick is credited with saving the lives of more than 30 Marines who were wounded during fierce combat operations in Falluja, Iraq. In January 2006, he was awarded the Bronze Star with “Combat V” device for heroic valor. Earlier this year, he was profiled in a cover story in Newsweek magazine. Prior to attending medical school, Jadick was a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps.
*Robert "Bobby" J. McGrath '04 - an award-winning American actor much lauded for his performance in Taking Woodstock. While a student at BCHS he was known for being a bit of a prankster and hooligan. Currently, he resides in West Hollywood with his wife and three children. [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0831367/ Taking Woodstock IMdB] ]

Current Events

Currently, the school is having difficulties selling parking spots to students, as the cost to park at the school is $120. This has resulted in an overabundance of parking spaces.

In 2006, the school has added a new no hat policy (which includes no hoods). This policy was met with considerable student protest, culminating in a petition circulated by students that accumulated over 800 signatures over the course of a day. The issue has attracted much local media coverage in both the "Times Union" and local television news formats. Hats have been banned because of relation to suspected gang symbols. School has also banned handkerchiefs, bandanas and other things commonly associated with gangs.

The school is still under construction after several months. Several additions are currently underway by contractor Sano-Rubin Construction Services. A new gymnasium has been added, as well as a new gate station, as will be several new wings on both the second and first floors of the building. Sano-Rubin is also responsible for adding 3 new science labs, relocating the Pupil Personnel Services, expanding the Counseling Center, expanding and relocating existing art rooms, expanding the cafeteria, and relocating the fitness center.

As the district's budget for 2006-2007 was rejected by voters, many budget cuts were made and a revised budget passed on June 20, 2006.

The school's Science Bowl team finished first in their regional competition in the 2005-2006 school year, earning them a trip to the national competition in Washington, DC.

Bethlehem High School has a history of producing excellent Masterminds teams, having won several championships in their league.

Recently, controversy has surrounded the school due to underage drinking and over-consumption of alcohol by its students, specifically at school dances and sporting events. Due to heavy student drinking at the unofficially-titled "Mardi Gras" dance on March 3, 2006, the district adopted a new policy on school dances. The major changes included the use of passive alcohol screening devices and increased chaperone presence. The move drew applause from some but ire from others, especially students. Many seniors, including the Student Senate President, encouraged a boycott of the popular "70s 80s" dance, which was next on the schedule. The boycott seemed to be effective, with only approximately 300 students attending the dance (in previous years, attendance had been more than double that total). Theft has also been a problem in the 2006-2007 school year. A series of thefts, affecting dozens of students, has resulted in the loss of many electronics, including iPods and calculators.

In 2006, the school stopped providing afterschool bus transportation on Fridays, severely limiting the educational resources available to the students.

At the start of the 2007 school year, the school enacted a new policy requiring students to have signed passes to go on the late busses.

Athletics

Bethlehem Central believes that participation in sports provides a wealth of opportunities and experiences that assist students in their education. Accordingly, the district offers students opportunities to participate in more than 20 sports across three seasons. The district is a member of the New York State Athletic Association, competing as a Class AA school in Section II. BC's league affiliation is with the Suburban Scholastic Council, competing in the Council's gold division.

The Eagles compete in the following sports:

*Baseball
*Men's and Women's Basketball
*Men's and Women's Bowling
*Cheerleading
*Men's and Women's Cross Country
*Field Hockey
*Football
*Men's Golf
*Gymnastics
*Ice Hockey
*Men's and Women's Indoor Track
*Men's and Women's Lacrosse
*Men's and Women's Soccer
*Softball
*Men's and Women's Swimming
*Men's and Women's Tennis
*Men's and Women's Track
*Men's and Women's Volleyball
*Men's Wrestling
*Masterminds
*Science Academic Bowl
*Science Olympiad

After budget cuts on June 20, 2006, 3 major School sports, Ice Hockey, Cheerleading, and Gymnastics, were cut from the budget. There were multiple fund raisers for all the teams, allowing all of them to play their sports by the season. The 2007 budget approved by the school board restored funding for these teams. [ [http://bcsd.k12.ny.us/news/070329adoptedbudget.htm Board of education adopts 2007-08 proposed budget] ]

In 2006 the Men's Soccer Team made the Final 4 in the state championship. The 4 members of the Girl's Swim Team made the state championship as well, placing 3rd in the 200 yard Medley Relay. That same year's Men's 200 freestyle relay was ranked 2nd in New York State as well as named All American.

The Girls Lacrosse Team is recognized as one of the best lacrosse teams in the suburban council.

chool Spirit

In 2006, prior to the Men's Soccer Team's rise into the Final 4, the BC Hooligans were formed, growing from 40 students, mostly upperclassmen, to over one hundred, including a full band, with bass, horns and drums. The group is conducted by Mr. Thomas Fris, a math teacher at the school. The students made up their own arrangements of songs to go along with the team, playing fan favorites as well. Many fans consistently attended games after word spread through the school. The largest attendance of fans was most likely at the Section 2 Championship against Saratoga High School, where approximately 400 members of the student body were present to witness the Eagle's victory. The following year, the Hooligans continued this new school tradition by attending both men's and women's soccer games.

Lab School

Founded by James Nehring in 1992, the Lab School [ [http://bcsd.k12.ny.us/high/LabSchool/labschool_description.htm BCHS Lab School Teacher Pages ] ] of Bethlehem Central High School was headed by Jane King until the 2005-06 school year, when she chose to take a job in Clifton Park, NY overseeing the creation of a biomedical curriculum. Its current head is Stephen Smith, who also oversees the school's newspaper, "The Talon".

The Lab School is a school-within-a-school and has a total of around 111 students in all four grades (9-12). It is focused more on hands-on projects and has an overall passing average of an 80 or above per year, instead of the regular 65. Students also participate in an internship their senior year. This internship must meet various guidelines as set forth by the school in order to meet various educational requirements. Throughout this internship, the participating student must keep a journal of their hours and experiences and hand it in at the end of the year for a grade.

Each year, there are several field trips that the Lab School takes. These include several trips to the Capital Repertory Theater in Albany, NY, the YMCA Camp Chingachgook and the YMCA Silver Bay Camp (both in the Adirondack Mountains). Each Spring there is an educational trip taken to either Williamsburg, VA, Washington, D.C., Boston, or Philadelphia. Every two years, the Juniors and Seniors take a week long trip to the Florida Keys for a marine biology experience.

References

External links

* [http://bcsd.k12.ny.us/high/BCHShome.htm Bethlehem Central High School]
* [http://bcsd.k12.ny.us/ Bethlehem Central School District]
* [http://bethlehemcentralseniorhigh.org/ Alumni website]