The Bedford Buccaneer
March 18, 2024
IMPORTANT DATES
Tuesday, March 26th-Wednesday, March 27th-Delayed Opening-ELA MCAS
Tuesday, April 9th- School Council meeting-2:30-3:30pm
Monday, April 15th-Friday, April 19th-No School-Spring Vacation
Tuesday, May 14th- School Council meeting-2:30-3:30pm
Monday, May 20th -Last day for Seniors
Tuesday, May 21st-Wednesday, May 22nd-Delayed Opening-Math MCAS
Tuesday, May 21st-Friday, May 24th-Senior Finals
Monday, May 27th-No School-Memorial Day
Thursday, June 6th- Graduation-Tsongas Center
Monday, June 17th- Last Day of School
Wednesday, June 19th-No School-Juneteenth Holiday
BHS Rotating Day Calendar 2023-2024
A Message from Superintendent Chuang
Dear Bedford Public Schools Community,
At the next School Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, I am excited to share my Entry Plan Findings Report with the community, which will be posted to the BPS website the following day. I am committed to creating ongoing opportunities for parents, students, and staff to provide feedback as we embark on the strategic planning process, so I ask anyone interested in engaging in this process to complete this 2-minute Strategic Planning Survey #1 to help me determine if this weekly Superintendent Update (which yields ~5000 views per update) is a helpful way to gather feedback. Because I want to ensure feedback is as representative as possible across all of our stakeholders, I ask you to identify your role/demographic characteristics to the maximal extent possible. I look forward to the next season of our work together.
Onward,
Cliff Chuang 莊 宏 毅
Superintendent, Bedford Public Schools
Youth Risk Behavior Survey Reminder
Per the email sent out by Keith Mangan on February 26, 2024 please refer to email with full details about the YRSB.
On March 19 and 20, we will administer the Youth Risk Behavior Survey at BHS for 9-12th graders.
If you have any questions about the Youth Risk Behavior Survey or would like to opt your child out, please contact Keith
Mangan (keith_mangan@bedfordps.org) or Julie DeMatteis (julie_dematteis@bedfordps.org).
MCAS Schedule and Information
Responsible and healthy phone use in students
Join CGN and Ana Homayoun, author of That Crumpled Paper Was Due Last Week and Erasing the Finish Line, live on Friday, March 22nd for expert guidance on how to get a handle on the growing issue of phone addiction in adolescents, as well as how to plan and prioritize time for the things that matter most.
Student Information
The BHS Lookout
The Lookout Student Newspaper is excited to share our February Newsletter with you.
Buccaneer's Book Library
BPS Performing Arts Department
BPS Performing Arts Department calendar
Counseling Corner
Dollars for Scholars
Local Scholarship Opportunities are available to all 2024 graduating seniors at BHS who plan to continue their education at a 2 or 4-year college or trade/technical school. The online scholarship application period will be open from March 1st to March 21st. Please visit bedfordma.dollarsforscholars.org for more information and/or to apply.
Representatives from Dollars for Scholars will be available onsite at BHS on the following dates and times:
March 20th: 1PM - 2PM (after school), Computer Lab - H205
March 21st: D Block, Counseling Office
2024 App Handout Dollars for Scholars BHS with Q&A.pdf
There have been significant issues with the 2024-2025 FASFA. MEFA recently released a podcast that is worth a listen: Keeping Up with the FAFSA's Current Roadblocks
Managing the transition to college while living with a mental health condition is a unique scenario that the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) understands.
The annual “College and Your Mental Health” program prepares students and parents/caregivers for transition and success in a college environment for those living with a mental health condition. Our panel includes a student currently balancing college life and mental health challenges and administrators from Middlesex Community College, UMass Lowell, and Boston University.
We encourage students, parents/caregivers, and counseling staff in your community to join the local Central Middlesex affiliate of NAMI for a webinar, where your identity is private, on Monday, March 18th, 7:00-8:30 pm.
A list of agenda topics and registration details are available here: namicentralmiddlesex.org/newsletter/february-2024/college-and-your-mental-health.
Attention, Seniors, it is time to order your diplomas! An email was recently sent out by Mrs. Powell, requesting students to confirm the spelling of your names in Aspen. If your name is spelled incorrectly or you would like to see a different version of your name displayed, follow the instructions included in that email and complete the “Diploma Name Survey” by March 20th.
Extracurricular Club-Student Meetings
List of Clubs and Activities
Student Opportunities
Attention Sophomores! Leadership opportunity
2024 Summer Political Internship Program
If you know of someone who may be interested, please direct them to apply here. The deadline is April 5, 2024.
To learn more, visit our Political Internship Program page on our website.
Sandra Day O'Connor Civics Challenge
Sandra Day O'Connor Civics Challenge: The O’Connor Institute Civics Challenge is open to all 6th-12th graders and provides an opportunity to earn cash prizes. Students are challenged to choose one civics topic and express their knowledge through various art forms. Entries will be accepted through March 29, 2024.
Click here for more information about topics, rules, and formats.
American Battle Monuments Foundation's Essay Contest
The American Battle Monuments Foundation is sponsoring the Past is Prologue essay contest. Eligible students ages 11-18 compete for prize money ranging from $10,000 - $1,500. Essays are due April 12, 2024.
Click here for the essay prompt, contest rules, and additional information.
If you have any questions, email essaycontest@abmf.org
Civics Essay Contest - National Center for State Courts
Each year, the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) invites elementary, middle, and high school students in grades 3-12 to enter our essay contest. The contest promotes civics education and deepens students' understanding of the U.S. government.
Since 2014, the contest has grown from 65 to over 1700 entries.
Prize money will be awarded to the top three winners from elementary, middle, and high schools. Essays will be accepted online through midnight ET, Friday, March 22, 2024. Winners will be announced on May 1.
Click here for the essay prompt, contest rules, and additional information.
Email Molly Justice if you have any questions.
What if you had the opportunity not just to learn American history, but to live it? Check out this summer opportunity.
National History Academy’s Residential Summer Program
Please click here for the application
Class of 2024
The Bedford Education Association is pleased to announce that we will be offering two $500 scholarships to graduating seniors who are planning to enter the field of education.
To apply, follow this link to the BEA Scholarship Application form. Please complete the form by Tuesday, April 9, 2024. If you have any questions, please contact BEA President Mr Sunderland at presidentbedford@gmail.com
Attention Seniors - it is time to order diplomas!
Please log on to Aspen and check under the "My Info" tab to see if your name (first, middle, last) is spelled correctly. If it is and this is how you want your name to appear on your diploma, then there is no need to do anything.
If your name is incorrect or you would like to see a different version on your diploma (no middle name for example), then please complete the Diploma Name Survey by following these steps:
1. Log on to Aspen
2. Go to the "Pages" tab on top
3. Click "Page Directory"
4. Add "Class of 2024"
5. Click on the "Academic Box" to find the Diploma Name Survey
6. Click on the blue word (new)
7. Complete the survey (you will not be able to come back later)
8. Click Finish
*** Your diploma is an official recognition of high school graduation so it should be written in a form of your LEGAL name.***
This survey will close on March 20, 2024. ALL name changes must be sent to me by this date.
See me with questions or concerns.
Nancy Powell
School Council
School Council Website
Meeting dates-Time is from 2:30-3:30pm unless noted
Apr 9 (2:30-4:00)
May 14 (2:30-4:00)
AP Exams
The AP Exam registration and payment deadline has passed as of Tuesday, November 14th, 2023. No further exams are able to be ordered at this time. Please note that refunds will no longer be available for canceled exams as of March 1, 2024 through the May exam administration date. Partial refunds are available up until the March 1st deadline.
Should you (or your student) be interested in canceling your exam, you must request a cancellation through Total Registration. Please feel free to contact the AP Coordinator directly with any question you may have at samantha_thyne@bedfordps.org.
Nurse's Office
When calling the absence line please school due to an illness, could you please specify whether the illness is Flu, cold/respiratory, gastrointestinal or COVID related.
Absence Line: (781)918-4561
or select #1 from the main menu of (781)275-1700
Handwashing
The Bedford school nurses want to remind everyone that the flu season is among us! Handwashing is the best way to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to other people.
According to the CDC, studies have shown that hand washing can prevent 1 in 3 diarrhea related illnesses and 1 in 5 respiratory infections such as the cold or flu. Norovirus is the most common cause of gastroenteritis (nausea/vomiting and diarrhea illness), and it is highly contagious! Spreading easily in places where people are sharing spaces at home, schools, hospitals, and dorms.
Wash your hands:
Before, during, and after preparing food
Before eating food
Before and after caring for someone who is sick
Before and after treating a cut or wound
After using the toilet
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
After handling pet food or pet treats
After touching garbage
Avoid touching your face- eyes, nose and mouth
Most viruses are spread by person-to-person contact, for example, if you touch your face after a common handshake and then inadvertently touch your face, viruses can gain entrance into the body via the eyes, nose or mouth. Germs can easily be transferred onto other objects such as handrails, doorknobs and tabletops and then can transfer to another person’s hands. People frequently touch their face often without even realizing it - up to 200 times a day!
How to wash your hands
The CDC has developed recommendations for handwashing & hand sanitizer use based on several studies.
Wet your hands with clean running water (warm or cold) and apply soap.
Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap.
Scrub all surfaces of your hands, including the palms, backs, fingers, between your fingers, and under your nails. Keep scrubbing for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song twice. Rinse your hands under clean, running water.
Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them
The CDC recommends that hand washing is more effective than using hand sanitizer. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, but sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs and might not remove harmful chemicals.
How do you use hand sanitizers?
Apply the product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).
Rub your hands together.
Rub the product over all surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry.
References
Athletics Infomation
Link to the Athletics Webpage
Link to Schedules
Link to Athletics Handbook
Link to Baseline test at home instructions
The BAA Scholarship Application is available upon request from Mr. Mangan
MIAA Tournament Brackets
Spring Sports Registration is Open!
Interested in playing a spring sport? Please register in Aspen. Registration must be completed by a parent/caregiver. Instruction below.
https://www.bedfordps.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif2786/f/uploads/sports_registration_instructions5_0.pdf
Follow Athletics on social media
Twitter: @BedfordBucs
Instagram: @bedfordathletics
Student Item Drop Off Location
To minimize visitors entering the building this year we have moved the student item drop off location to the vestibule located by the main doors. Please ring the bell and we will let you in. We encourage you to try to meet your student after school for the items but in the event that does not work please leave items on the table right inside the vestibule.
The high school is not responsible for electronics, money, keys, sports equipment, etc. left at the table. Students can check for the item dropped off in between classes and at lunch.
If your student forgot their school iPad please bring that into the main office.
BHSPA
BHSPA Grants for the BHS Community
As part of our mission to contribute to different initiatives, programs, and events that impact the students, faculty, staff, and supporting the community at BHS, the BHSPA has many events that we regularly fund and support. We also invite faculty, student groups, and individuals to submit grant requests for special projects, programs, and tools that will have a positive impact on the BHSPA community. If you have an idea to propose, please download, fill out the application and follow the instructions.
Bedford SEPAC (Special Education Parental Advisory Council)
Come and discuss special education programming in Bedford and how we can best support our children.
Wed, Apr 24, 2024 at 7:30 PM with guest Marianne Vines
Thurs, May 16, 2024 at 7:30 PM
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4172275285?pwd=OTZaeHZOM3lSY1h4Z0J5SndVMTk0Zz09
Meeting ID: 417 227 5285
Passcode: 333333
Bedford SEPAC (special education parent advisory council) is a volunteer group of parents/caregivers that work to provide networking and support for Bedford parents/caregivers of children receiving special education services. In conjunction, they work closely with the school administration on special education needs and concerns. All are welcome!
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BEDFORDMASEPAC/
Webpage: Bedfordsepac.com
How Do I...
Get dismissed? Please bring a note to the main office in the morning. (or call 781-918-4561) Students will be given a dismissal pass to show the teacher and head right out of class at the dismissal time. This helps us to reduce the number of class disruptions.
Get a locker? Your Advisor will supply you with a lock. You will select a locker, then your Advisor will record your locker number and combination just in case you forget it. It happens!
Get a Parking Sticker? The Parking Sticker application may be found here.
Get my Aspen ID? If you need your ID or are having trouble logging in please contact tech_support@bedfordps.org
Find my lost items? The lost and found bin can be found in the student office.
Pick up a dropped off item? We encourage you to try to meet your student after school for the items but in the event that does not work please leave items on the table right inside the vestibule. (Parents/Guardians, please label item your dropping with name) Please note; we do not interrupt classes for drop offs. Students can check for the item dropped off in between classes and at lunch.
Bedford High School Parent/Guardian & Student Sign off Agreement Form here
Find out more about grading and courses? You may find this and many other helpful pieces of information in your Program of Studies found here
The 2023-24 Bus Routes have been posted on the Transportation Web Page
Know who to contact for help? (please see page 6)
Bedford High School
Bedford High School Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 7:45am - 2:24pm
Wednesday 7:45 am - 12:55 pm
9 Mudge Way, Bedford, MA 01730
Phone: 781-275-1700
Absence Line: 781-918-4561
Fax: 781-275-6664