The Bedford Buccaneer
May 18, 2020
IMPORTANT DATES
April 23 - May 23 - Ramadan
May 11-May 22 - AP Exams
Tuesday, May 19 - Grades 11 Student Meeting 12pm (link below)
Tuesday, May 19 - Grade 9 & 10 Student Meeting 12:45pm (link below)
Wednesday, May 20 - Grade 11 Parent Meeting 6:00pm (link below)
Wednesday, May 20 - Grade 9/10 Parent Meeting 7:00pm (link below)
Wednesday, May 20 - How to Plan Ahead for those Applying to College in the Fall 7:00pm
Thursday, May 21 - Senior Awards Ceremony 7:00pm (Invitation sent by Ms. Sweetland)
Friday, May 22 - Last day of classes for seniors
Friday, May 22 - Junior Prom canceled
Friday, May 22 - Bedford Food Pantry 1-3:00, for more details please click this link
Tuesday, May 26 - Make up day for seniors (collect missing work but no scheduled classes)
Tuesday, May 26 - BHSPA/MSPA annual meeting & elections 1:30pm (Zoom)
Wednesday, May 27 - Senior collection & delivery 12-4:00 (details to be emailed this week)
Thursday, May 28 - Official last day for seniors (all make-up work due but no classes)
Thursday, June 18 - Last day of school for students
Thursday, June 25 - Graduation (NEW DATE) Tsongas Arena 6-8:30 pm
Friday, June 26 - Bedford Food Pantry 1-3:00pm For more details, please click link
Wednesday, July 22 - Senior Prom (tentative) Tewksbury Country Club 7-11:00 pm
Thursday, August 13 - Graduation postponed date (if needed) Tsongas Arena 6-8:30 pm
TBA - Student Access to BHS to collect belongings; information will be emailed asap
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Dear BHS Families,
I hope that you had a nice weekend, though I am sure all of the days feel as if they blend together now. Governor Baker recently announced the phases of re-opening while practicing caution. The town will provide an update outlining what that means for Bedford in the upcoming days.
I know that it may be challenging to keep up with all of the communication, especially if you are a parent managing emails from additional school(s). Therefore, all communication sent from Bedford High School is now linked to the main page of the BHS website. There are links to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) w/ COVID updates and a link to my twitter handle. There are also pages for the Class of 2020 info and Weekly Updates (Monday Memo) sent to students. This way, you do not have to search your email.
This week, Mr. Casey, Mr. Hudder and I invite you to parent meetings on Wednesday night for parents of 9th, 10th and 11th graders. The times and links to the zoom meetings are in this bulletin. We also have class meetings as well. Though most of the information can be shared in an email, we find that meetings can be helpful to clarify questions and to offer reassurance. If you are unable to make the meeting, the presentation will be shared.
To our parents of seniors--we start to celebrate the class this week and next with some special events. This would have been their last full week of classes so some of them may need an uplift. Letters from faculty members are being sent, a virtual awards ceremony will take place on Thursday evening and I will deliver graduation signs once they arrive. More details will be shared in a separate email to parents of seniors later this week.
As always, please reach out to me, Mr. Hudder or Mr.Casey with any questions or concerns.
Best,
Heather Galante
Principal
Twitter: @bhs_galante
Important Links to Student and Parent Meetings
Grades 11 Student Meeting
May 19, 2020 12:00 pm
https://meet.google.com/otx-vqus-ipf
Grade 9 & 10 Student Meeting
May 19, 2020 12:45 pm
https://meet.google.com/gii-ruef-gyr
Grade 11 Parent Meeting
Topic: Class of 2021 Parent Meeting
Time: May 20, 2020 06:00 pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84709279883?pwd=NjFOQy9RRWszb0U1SXlXcXhpclBjUT09
Meeting ID: 847 0927 9883
Password: 1c0DGP
Grade 9/10 Parent Meeting
Topic: Class of 2022 & 2023 Parent Meeting
Time: May 20, 2020 07:00 pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83199951662?pwd=QWxJdEc4ZStuZjJJUExsbFlOckRDUT09
Meeting ID: 831 9995 1662
Password: 4edaNZ
Bedford Minuteman Salute to Grads
In an effort to recognize graduating seniors, The Minuteman will compile a gallery of the members of the Class of 2020. But they need your help! Please email a photo of your senior – whether it be a class photo or the candid photo that your son or daughter wished could have been their senior photo.
Please make sure your email includes the following:
1) The subject line of your email should be “Salute to Grad photo.”
2) Your son/daughter’s name, hometown and name of the high school should be in the message
3) The photo should be sent as an attachment to the email.
Send your email by the end of the day on Sunday, May 17 to Bedford@wickedlocal.com .
Thank you for helping us recognize the Class of 2020!
Class of 2020 Post Grad Email Collection
Please use this Google Form to fill out some post graduation contact information. The Class of 2020 would like to be able to keep you informed after graduation in the event the July 22 Prom does not happen at that time. If it does not, we WILL be hosting an event for you at a later date. Please fill out this brief form so we can keep you updated. Your school email will no longer work at some point after graduation. Post grad email collection form link .
One more week! So proud of all of you!
Ms G & Ms. F
IMPORTANT INFO FROM 2020 SENIOR PARENT COMMITTEE:
CALLING ALL SENIOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS!
PHOTOS ARE DUE TODAY (May 18)! Since we have many photos that were collected from the JGMS Moving On Party back in 2016 for the current seniors, we want to use them for a video to be shown to 2020 families.
If your senior went to the JGMS Moving On Party in 2016, please supply a maximum of 2 photos from your student’s high school years, ideally candids or in groups of other BHS seniors. Nothing younger as we have the Moving On submissions.
If you did not submit any photos in 2016 for the JGMS Moving On video, please supply up to 5 photos from toddler through high school years. This applies to all seniors who have moved into the District since 2016 and did not attend JGMS for 8th grade.
IMPORTANT: If you want your senior to be EXCLUDED from the video, you must let us know by writing to bhsbucs2020@gmail.com by May 18, 2020. Otherwise, the senior might appear in group photos even if you didn’t submit the photo yourself.
Photo requirements:
DEADLINE: Monday, May 18th. Yes, it’s short notice, but this will be a huge undertaking for us.
Submit digitally to bhsbucs2020@gmail.com. If you do not have a scanner, please use your cell phone to send the photo and forward to our email. (Use your cell to photograph your printed photo and then email it from your phone.)
Send photos as .JPG preferably.
Photos should be of the senior alone and/or in group photos that include your child and other BHS seniors. We cannot use photos of younger or older students or other children. Candids are preferable. Examples of photos: your senior in activities and sports, action shots, winning some recognition, their “Inthe20one” Instagram photo, senior yearbook photo, etc.
Please do not submit family photos as we are only focusing on the seniors themselves.
We will include an assortment of photos, but, because of time constraints for the movie length, quality of photos, issues with non-seniors being in photos, etc., we reserve the right to not include all submissions and to crop when needed.
By submitting photos, you agree to the use and display of the photos in any and all media without restriction, pre-approval, or compensation.
If you have any questions about this project, please contact bhsbucs2020@gmail.com or Raelene Houck (mom of Quin).
PARENT COMMITTEE FOLLOW-UP MEETING
5/19/20 @ 6 PM via Zoom If you are interested in helping with the planning of a few parent run events intended to celebrate our seniors please join us at our next Committee Meeting scheduled for 5/19/20 at 6 pm via Zoom. Please email bhsbucs2020@gmail.com if you are interested and we will forward the link. Please check the “Senior Parents (2020)” tab on the BHSPA website (https://bit.ly/2SOLXj2) for more information.
Senior Awards Ceremony (Virtual)
Thursday, May 21, 7:00 pm
All Night Graduation Announcement
We are so sad that we will not be able to provide your students with an All Night Graduation Celebration this year due to the social distancing requirements. We know that a lot of you are wondering what we will be doing with the funds we have raised for ANG 2020. As everything was shut down prior to the Fashion Show, and additional fundraising was not able to take place, there has only been a minimal amount of funds raised. Shortly, we will be offering refunds to any business or family that has donated thus far. After all refunds are processed, any remaining funds will be put toward an event celebrating the senior class, as determined by the class of 2020 officers and their advisors.
If you have any questions, please email us at BedfordANG@gmail.com. Please continue to read the Monday BHSPA emails for any updates.
Sincerely,
Dawn Kociubes and Kerry Rackey
Seniors-Google Accounts & Naviance
For seniors, google accounts are typically disabled a week after graduation. Our technology department is able to allow continued access through July 1st. If you would like to preserve or keep any of the documents on your google drive, start transferring those to a new account or download them. After Jul 1, 2020, you will no longer be able to retrieve your documents from your school accounts. Your Naviance will be available and able to be accessed until September.
Senior Spotlight
The Class of 2020 has been posting on their Instagram and Facebook pages Senior Spotlights daily to celebrate their success and future endeavors. To get a Senior Spotlight, please Instagram Direct Message, Facebook message or email Olivia Lee (olivia_lee-2020@bedfordps.org) the following:
A picture of you
Your future plans (college/university, job if entering the workforce, etc.)
If attending college, what you will be studying/majoring in
A "Key to Success" *
*What is your advice to others? Don't be afraid to challenge the definition of success!
Note: There is no rush or deadline for submitting this information! Take your time.
Class of 2020 Instagram: instagram.com/inthe20ne
Class of 2020 Facebook Page: facebook.com/inthe20ne
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Community Service Update
Hi Seniors,
I hope you are all hanging in there during this tough time. I'm thinking about all our students, but you especially. Sending you lots of good vibes. Due to the March school closure due to Covid-19, Seniors will not be expected to complete the community service expectation. Students may still submit community service hours, but the expectation of completing 20 hours will be waived. If you have hours you would still like to submit, the information and links are available at https://www.bedfordps.org/high-school/parent-information/pages/community-service-bhs-students Stay well and keep busy!
Ms. Faulstich
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SAVE THE DATES
Senior Prom (New Date)
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
7-11:00 pm
Tewksbury Country Club
1880 Main St, Tewksbury, MA
(If the social distancing ban has not been lifted by then, the class officers will work on planning a reunion get-together over the Thanksgiving break.)
BHS Graduation (New Date)
Thursday, June 25, 2020
6:00 – 8:30 pm
Tsongas Arena, 300 Arcand Dr, Lowell, MA
Alternative Graduation date if postponed:
Thursday, August 13, 2020
Please note: If the ban on social distancing has not been lifted by August 13, we will plan for a virtual ceremony with some in person elements for that date. The graduation will not be postponed beyond August 13.
No tickets required
Parking information: http://www.tsongascenter.com/parking.php
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BHSPA & MSPA Joint Annual Meeting Tuesday, May 26 via Zoom
Parents/Guardians! Please join us for a joint BHSPA/MSPA annual meeting & elections on Tuesday, May 26th at 1:30pm via Zoom. If you are interested in running for a position or just hearing about the parent organizations, please email bhsbucsparents@gmail.com and we will provide the Zoom link.
Counseling Corner
Mental Health and Well-Being
The MGH Center for Cross-Cultural Student Emotional Wellness is excited to announce a collaboration with the MGH Institute of Health Professions (IHP) and the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s “Let’s Talk!” Conference to launch a free COVID-19 educational webinar series focused on the emotional well-being of Asian and Asian American students. There are different target audiences for each webinar including Asian American students, international students, parents, schools, and community members, though attendance is free and open to all who are interested. For questions, please contact us at info@mghstudentwellness.org. To register here for the next webinar. Separate registration for each webinar is required.
HARVARD PILGRIM HEALTH CARE
Harvard Pilgrim’s mindfulness program is offering the communities we serve a sense of stability with programming designed especially for the public. Mind the Moment: a coffee-house in the cloud, for building community, feeling connected, and getting centered.
Every Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. ET, and every Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. ET, we’ll be getting our minds limbered up for the day with short bursts of mindfulness instruction, followed by mini meditations, all featuring our team of expert instructors.
Link for Tuesdays: https://zoom.us/j/946535238
Link for Fridays: https://zoom.us/j/580279161
Power up with us via your computer or mobile device, and then check out our archive of back episodes on the Mind the Moment YouTube page.
BRYT FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP
Bedford Public Schools is a member of the Bridge for Resilient Youth in Transition (BRYT, pronounced “bright”) network and as such all families are invited to participate in their virtual support groups. We know that this is a challenging time with things changing rapidly. While we practice social distancing let’s be sure that we are also connecting.
When: Ongoing, Tuesdays at 3:00 pm and Wednesdays at 8:00 AM
Who: All families that could use some extra support during this difficult time
Where: Online at Zoom same link each week
Weekly Sessions:
Tues 3:00 PM group join with link: http://zoom.us/j/2663874038
Wed 8:00 AM group join with this link: http://zoom.us/j/812329394
WILLIAM JAMES VIRTUAL PARENT SUPPORT GROUPS
Parents Helping Parents of Massachusetts offers online support groups (daily via Zoom), a parental stress helpline, materials, resources and more. Visit their website, https://www.parentshelpingparents.org/.
William James College's Center of Excellence for Children, Families and the Law and Brenner Center for Psychological Assessment and Consultation are also presenting a series of groups on the following topics. For dates, times and login details please visit our Public Events Calendar
Page.
Free/Reduced Lunch Program
A MA program called Pandemic EBT, which will provide families that receive free/reduced lunch with a $28.50 (per week, per child) benefit on EBT cards during the school closure. According to the MA website, the cards will be mailed out to families in May. Some additional information is here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/pandemic-ebt-p-ebt
Post-Secondary Planning
Webinars Hosted by Summit Educational Group
Composing an Effective and Compelling College Application Essay
Tuesday, May 19, 2020 7:00 - 8:30 PM https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2799903467995129104
How to Plan Ahead for Applying to College This Fall
Wednesday, May 20th from 7:00 - 8:15 PMhttps://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/801301391288064270
Panelists include:
· Kelly Bellavance, Associate Director of Admission, Boston College, Boston, MA
· Henry Marrion, Senior Admission Counselor, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
· Jan Suter, Senior Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
· Susan Davidson, Associate Director of College Counseling, Rye Country Day School, Rye, NY
· Rick Hazelton, Director of College Advising, The Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, CT
Moderated by:
Whitney Longworth, Director of Business Development, Summit Educational Group
Drew Heilpern, Chief Brand Ambassador, Summit Educational Group, Newton, MA
Topics covered will include:
· Current academic landscape (SAT/ACT test cancellations, school closures, virtual learning, P/F school grades)
· How are counselors advising students remotely?
· Without being able to visit school campuses right now, what resources are there for students to use?
· How might all of this reshape the fall in terms of students' timelines?
· What will holistic review look like this fall?
There are a number of resources in the Google Counseling Classroom for the class of 2021 including interviews with college admission representatives about the pandemic impact on college admissions.
Scoir
Scoir has partnered with Peter Van Buskirk to provide a "behind the scenes" look at how colleges are dealing with the admission process during a national crisis - COVID-19. A 25-year veteran of the college admission process, Peter Van Buskirk is dedicated to helping families find student-centered solutions in college planning. Over the past several weeks, Peter has been interviewing deans of admission at institutions around the country. It's our hope that these interviews lend families further perspective on how specific colleges—and higher education in general—are responding to the coronavirus.
View the Scoir Webinar Series Here
MEFA
MEF talked with 4 college administrators to find out how families can appeal for more financial aid and what colleges are providing. Link available here:
https://www.mefa.org/videos/financial-aid-appeals-during-covid-19/
Useful Post-Secondary Planning Resources & Links:
NACAC College Admission Status Update Coronavirus Impact: https://www.nacacnet.org/college-admission-status-coronavirus
College Visits and Tours: www.youvisit.com/collegesearch
Campus Tours: www.ecampustours.com
Campus Tours: www.campustours.com
Military Information
Free Tutoring Resource for Military Connected Students
Tutor.com/military, an online tutoring program for active military connected students has been temporarily expanded to include U.S. Department of Defense affiliated personnel and their families to alleviate the academic stress experienced during the COVID-19 public health crisis. The program provides on-demand academic support 24/7 online in more than 100 subjects for students in kindergarten through college. The program is available at no cost to any adult or child in a Department of Defense civilian or Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve or Wounded Warrior military family who is trying to continue learning while managing unexpected changes to their routines.
Standardized Testing Information Updates
Comprehensive AP Updates - NEW Information
AP Exam Schedule May 11- May 22
1,160 Accredited 4-Year Colleges and Universities with ACT/SAT-Optional Policies (for Fall 2021 Admission) See the searchable database of schools
ACT scheduled for April 4 has been postponed to June 13, go to ACT.org for more information
SAT and SAT Subject Tests scheduled for June 6 have been postponed, further information is available on the College Board website
Counseling Communications and Resources
Join Us on Twitter: @BedfordCounsel1
Previous Counseling Communications While Away From School
BPS Mental Health Resource link is here
Follow us on Twitter @BedfordCounsel1
May is Mental Health Month
May is Mental Health Month - a timely reminder of how important mental health is every month, and especially in times of crisis. The K-12 counseling team has gathered and created a few practical tools and tips for students and families to support mental health and well-being.
Mindfulness Breathing Technique
BPS has partnered with Riverside Trauma Center on a number of counseling supports and initiatives. In this video, Trauma and Loss Counseling Coordinator, Marlene Kenney, walks you through a spiral breathing exercise to help calm the body and mind: Spiral Breathing Exercise Video
CBT Seminars
JGMS counselors created a collection of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy videos (CBT) that are available with additional resources in all the Google Counseling Classrooms (Grades 6-12). CBT is short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy that takes a hands-on, practical approach to problem-solving. Its goal is to change patterns of thinking or behavior that will change the way someone feels. We have received a lot of positive feedback from students who have viewed and practiced the techniques in the webinars. We encourage parents and caregivers to view them with their children.
Strategies to Nurture Resiliency in Ourselves & Our Children
In April, Dr. Robert Brooks, Ph.D. Child Psychologist, Harvard Medical School Faculty presented strategies to nurture resilience in ourselves and our children. Dr. Brooks is a renowned author and speaker on resilience, motivation, and family relationships. This was sponsored by the BHS Challenge Success Committee and brought to you by generous grants from the BHSPA and the MSPA. The presentation was recorded and is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzhqkjKE1Wg
Virtual Parent Support Groups
Bringing together parents and caregivers raising
children with Mental Health and Behavioral Health Challenges
Every Wednesday 6:30-8:00 p.m. Online
Every Thursday 9:30-11:00 a.m. Online
Join these virtual groups via a computer or a smartphone* Participants can turn their video off for the group if they prefer to join by audio only. Facilitated by a professional with experience raising children living with mental and behavioral health challenges. RSVP and receive easy-to-follow directions for joining the group!
RSVP to:
Catherine Picciotto
Catherine_Picciotto@waysideyouth.org
Phone 781-966-5690
Tracey Rooney
Tracey_rooney@waysideyouth.org
Phone 781-966-5689
*Parents without access to a computer or smartphone may call the facilitator for
1:1 support via telephone
Made possible by the Department of Mental Health &
Wayside’s Parent-Peer Partnership Program – Waltham Location
Work Permits
We know that many of you are trying to secure summer employment and there are new guidelines in place so that we can help you during this departure. You can download the application. Once you have the employer sign it, you must have a parent sign as well and submit a physical if under 16. Once all of the above is complete, send the completed information and application to Mrs. Powell and she will prepare the work permit. The link to the application is below and you can reach Mrs. Powell at nancy_powell@bedfordps.org . Feel free to reach out to her with any questions.
Link to Youth employment permit application
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/youth-employment-permit-information
Board of Health-Social Distancing
As you know, Bedford is adhering to the social distancing guidelines put forth by the Governor. Our BOH shared the following PSA and informational videos for students and families.
https://www.mass.gov/doc/how-young-people-can-prevent-covid-19-with-social-distancing/download
Bedford Food Bank open at John Glenn Middle School
The town of Bedford will offer a temporary food bank at John Glenn Middle School on Fridays.
1:00-3:00 - open to the public
For all the details, check this link.
We expect the Bedford Food Bank to operate for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis. The food pantry and community dinners will resume when the food bank closes down and it is safe to reopen.
Help with Digital Access
MCAS
MCAS has been officially cancelled for this school year. There will be no ELA, math or science exam.
Have Unwanted Textiles Piling Up? Put Them in Our Bin For The Win & Turn Trash to Cash!
You can now recycle your used textiles through drop bins at the back right corner of the high school parking lot! By doing so, help the schools green initiatives earn some CASH! It's also environmentally friendly. 95% of textiles are recyclable and it diverts TONS of textiles from the trash. Unwanted clothes, towels, sheets, shoes, stuffed animals and more. Learn more about what can be donated and what actually happens to the textiles here Thanks for your support!
**Please make sure your items are bagged & tied (not loose), and are put IN the bins, not left outside**
Bedford High School
Phone: 781-275-1700
Absence Line: 781-918-4561
Fax: 781-275-6664