About Bethlehem Opportunities Unlimited

Bethlehem Opportunities Unlimited (BOU) is a not-for-profit organization that promotes prevention education and safe, healthy activities for the youth in our community. Our ongoing purpose is to prevent drug and alcohol use and other risky behaviors among young people residing in the Town of Bethlehem or attending school in the Bethlehem Central School District. To help meet these goals, BOU awards grants for a wide variety of initiatives targeting students, parents, younger children and the community. BOU also collaborates with other organizations such as Student Senate and Bethlehem Parks and Recreation to promote healthy youth development. To learn more about BOU or join our Board, please contact the BOU Board (boubethlehem@gmail.com). Donations can be made by check payable to “BOU” and mailed to BOU, PO Box 492, Delmar NY 12054. BOU is a 501(c) (3) organization.

Nov. 14: Talking with Your Teen “Overwhelmed and Under Pressure”

Bethlehem Opportunities Unlimited is pleased to present another Talking with Your Teen forum. This year’s forum is titled Overwhelmed and Under Pressure and will be held on Thursday, November 14 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm in the high school cafeteria. Our focus this year is anxiety and stress management and the wellbeing of your teen. This is a free educational forum geared for 6th to 12th graders and their parents/guardians.  

BOU is pleased to feature our panel presenters: Jennifer Smitkin, Psy.D, Owner, Psychology Wellness Practice, a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist; Kristen Connor, BCSD Supervisor K-12 Guidance and Counseling; Matt Bixby, BCSD PE and Health Education Teacher; and Kara Kowalski, BCSD Student Assistance Counselor.

Parents and teens will gain an understanding of our district’s health education, guidance and counseling departments and the programs and services provided to our students. Dr. Smitkin will address the topic of anxiety and share techniques to manage stress. There will be time for some questions at the end of the forum 

We will also have informational tables with staff from NYS Office of Mental Health and Mental Health Association of NYS, Inc.

Download or print event flyer for Talking with Your Teen.

List of Events

• Talking with Your Teen “Overwhelmed and Under Pressure” – Thursday, November 14, 2019, BCHS Cafeteria, start at 6:30 p.m. Download or print event flyer for Talking with Your Teen.

• Life After BC – Thursday, January 2, 2020
  BCHS Room G-100, starting at 7 p.m. (BC alum panelists arrive at 6 p.m.)
• 8th Annual Community Spelling Bee – Tuesday, March 3, 2020
  (Snow date: TBD)
  BCHS Cafeteria and LMC, starting at 6:30 p.m.

Grants & Activities

Anyone can apply for grant funding. Most applications are developed by parent organizations, collaborations of District staff, or community groups. Grant application forms can be obtained by clicking below. Submit completed grant applications to bougrants@gmail.com. Applications are reviewed by the BOU Board for consistency with goals, cost-effectiveness, and available alternative funding.

• Grant Request Form [PDF]

Below are grants that were awarded in the 2014-2015 school year:

• BC Physical Education Dept. Color Dash 5K
• BCMS Costume Ball
• Bethlehem Youth Court Training
• BCHS Girls Night Out
• BC Kids Vote Too
• 5th Grade “Survivor” Day at Town Park
• Bethlehem Senior Celebration

Supporting BOU, “Memo to School” Pads for Sale

“Memo to School Pads” are for sale for $3 in the main offices of all BC schools or at any BOU event. Individual donations, fundraising events and these sales benefit the BOU’s youth activities and prevention education programs. BOU will be selling pads at each of the school open houses. See list of Open Houses below:

• Eagle Elementary Open House 
  Thursday, September 12, 2019
  Grades K-2 at 6:15 p.m., Grades 3-5 at 7:30 p.m.
• Elsmere Elementary Open House
  Thursday, September 12, 2019
  Grades K-2 at 6:15 p.m., Grades 3-5 at 7:30 p.m.
• Glenmont Elementary Open House
  Thursday, September 12, 2019
  Grades 3-5 at 6:15 p.m., Grades K-2 at 7:30 p.m.
• Hamagrael Elementary Open House
  Thursday, September 12, 2019
  Grades K-2 at 6:15 p.m., Grades 3-5 at 7:30 p.m.
• Slingerlands Elementary Open House
  Thursday, September 12, 2019
  Grades K-2 at 6:15 p.m., Grades 3-5 at 7:30 p.m.
• Middle School Grade 6 Open House
  Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• Middle School Grade 7 Open House
  Thursday, September 19, 2019 at 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m
• Middle School Grade 8 Open House
  Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m
• High School Open House
  Wednesday, September 25, 2019 at 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.