October 24, 2023

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I am writing to let you know that the Berlin Central School  District will be offering a Driver Education Program beginning the week of November 6, 2023. John Gelatt will be the instructor for this course. 

The cost of the program is $395 per student. Payable to Berlin Central School District. This covers the cost of the instructor and the materials used for the program. Payment plans are available for those students who are unable to pay the full amount in one payment. This course will also enable the student to drive after 9:00 p.m. once the student turns 17 years of age. It also eliminates the need to take the five (5) hour pre-licensing course.

Driver Education includes two parts:

• 24 hours of classroom instruction (1.5 hours per week for 16 weeks) 

• • • Classroom instruction will happen on Wednesday 5:30 pm -7:00 pm for all students at the Berlin Middle High School. 

• 24 hours of hands-on driving accompanied by the instructor

• • The driving component will take place on Wednesdays and Sundays.
  • Wednesday Driving Component (one group of four students)  4:00 pm -5:30 pm
  • Sunday Driving Component (three groups of four students) 8:00 am – 9:30 am,
    9:30 am -11:00 am, 11:00 am -12:30 pm.

The total commitment for the course will be 1.5 hours of class time and 1.5 hours of hands-on driving accompanied by the instructor per week.

In organizing this program, we have established the following guidelines:

1. The permission slip must be completed and returned to Mrs. Hudson in the BMHS Main Office by November 1, 2023.
2. Minimum of 12 students, maximum of 16 students.
3. Students who are seniors will have top priority on a first come – first served basis. Students who are juniors are second in priority and sophomores will be third in priority.
4. Your child must be at least 16 years of age by  November 1, 2023.
5. The program will begin November 8, 2023 and will continue after that date on Wednesdays and/or Sundays.
6. No student will be awarded a certificate unless he/she has completed the course requirements for class and driving time as well as any homework assignments.
7. Students must complete the payment plan by the end of the course.

 

Please return the permission slip to the Main Office by November 1, 2023. Payments can be made by check to the main office. Please make checks out to Berlin CSD. 

The long-term benefit of driver education has significant value relative to driver safety and insurance reduction. We are pleased that we are able to provide this service in our school district.

Sincerely,

David S. Bernsley

Principal

Berlin Middle/High School

17400 Route 22

Cherry Plain, New York 12040

(518) 658-1500 x1005

dbernsley@berlincentral.org