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The Bedford Buccaneer
August 15, 2022
IMPORTANT DATES
Friday, August, 19th- First day of Football Fall Sports
Monday, August 22nd- First day of Fall Sports (All other sports)
Wednesday, August 24th-iPad orientation(For class of 2026 and new students)
Tuesday, August 30th-Arena Day-8:30-11:00am
Tuesday, August 30th-Class of 2026 and New Student Orientation-6:30-8:00pm
Thursday, September 1st-iPad orientation(For class of 2026 and new students)
Tuesday, September 6th-First day of School
Thursday, October 6th-Back to School Night-6:30-8:30pm
Thursday, October 6th-Picture Day
Monday, October 10th-No School
Tuesday, November 8th-No School-Teacher Professional Development
Friday, November 11th-No School
Thursday, November 17th-Picture Retakes
Wednesday, November 23rd-Early Release-11:15am
Thursday-Friday, November 24-25th-No School
Thursday, December 1st-Parent/ Teacher Conferences-4:00-8:00pm
Friday, December 9th-Freshman/Sophomore Semi
Friday, December 23rd-Early Release-11:15am
Monday, December 26th-Monday, January 2nd-Holiday Vacation
Monday, January 16th-No School
Friday, January 27th-Junior/Senior Semi
Monday, February 20th-Friday, February 24th-Winter Vacation
Friday, March 17th-No School-Teacher Professional Development
Monday, April 17th-Friday, April 21st-Spring Vacation
Monday, May 29th-No School
Thursday, June 1- Class of 2023 Graduation
Friday, June 16th-Tentative Last Day of School-If no snow days
A message from the Principal
Dear BHS Families,
We are really excited to start the school year and the preparation continues. The schedule process is complex and takes many months and much teamwork to build and finalize. We are nearly done with the hiring process for our new faculty members which means that our schedules are also near completion.
Students received a list of courses through the Aspen portals in June. Student schedules in the matrix form with teacher assignments will be available for viewing after 3:00pm on Tuesday, August 16. Please read through some helpful information in advance of the publishing of the schedules:
Students can access their schedules by logging into their Aspen accounts and clicking on the “published reports” section of the portal pages
Advisory placements are complete and are different from Flex Block assignments for the 2022-2023 school year
Flex Block placements are by grade level and alphabetical; Advisories are multi-grade level.
Please read through the detailed information in the counseling section of this bulletin. Counselors will handle all schedule change inquiries and facilitate schedule changes when necessary.
Counselor assignments are viewable in the Flex Block section of the schedule.
As we complete the hiring process, a few teacher assignments and/or room assignments may change. It will be important for all students to look at their schedule in September.
Prior to the opening of school, counselors will be in the office between August 16th and August 25th to meet with students (by appointment ONLY) and assist them in making necessary schedule changes. Start by completing the Schedule Change Request Form and emailing your counselor. This process is intended to give priority to addressing errors or making sure that all students have a schedule before we address preferential changes (when a student is modifying their course requests). Students with preferential changes should attend Arena Day (no appointment necessary). Some changes in requests may need to wait until after August 30th. Please reach out to Lester Eggleston, Director of Guidance or your counselor with any questions regarding schedules.
What: Arena Day
Date: Tuesday, August 30th
Time: 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Where: BHS Counseling Department
This information will also be sent to students through “student news” in their email accounts. Additional information about the start of the year and the opening day schedule will be shared in the next bulletin.
Sincerely,
Heather Galante (Principal), Dan Hudder (Assistant Principal (A-K) & Tom Casey (Assistant principal (L-Z)
Please fill out the these 3 mandatory forms:
- Emergency Information Form
- Parent/Guardian & Student Sign off Agreement Form
- iPad Agreement Form
Links found to each form below
Please fill out the Emergency Information Form and return it to the Student/Main office or email to bhsforms@bedfordps.org. Every student needs to have an updated Emergency Information Form which includes permission for the nurse to give Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen.
When calling the absence line please state if your student is ill or not ill.
Absence Line: (781)918-4561
or select #1 from the main menu of (781)275-1700
Nancy Thorsen, BSN, RN
Nurse Office: 781-918-4416
Nurse Office Fax: 781-687-6141
Parent/Guardian & Student Sign off Agreement Form
Ipad orientation for class of 2026 and new students
iPad Orientations
Bedford High School is a one-to-one school where all students are provided with an iPad for instructional purposes. Orientations for the iPads have been scheduled for both rising freshmen and new students. Please read through the information. The same information is available through a link on the Bedford High School home page.
The student and parent/caregiver(s) must be in attendance at the orientation. There are two available options for the orientation, and student/parent(s) must attend one (and only one) of the sessions:
Wednesday, August 24, at 6pm
Thursday, September 1, at 6pm
Registration required to attend orientation. Register online at https://bit.ly/3v06vbD (there is also a link on the Bedford High School home page).
iPad Orientation will cover:
- The role of iPads in Bedford High School
- BPS Computer Acceptable Use Policy
- Family obligation
- iPad Agreement - Must be signed prior to students receiving their assignment
- iPad assignment and step-by-step setup
If you have any questions regarding the iPad orientation, please reach out to your child’s Assistant Principal. Mr. Hudder (daniel_hudder@bedfordps.org) is assigned to students with last names A-K and Mr. Casey (thomas_casey@bedfordps.org) is assigned to students with last names L-Z.
As a reminder we have Class of 2026 and new student orientation on August 30 from 6:30-8:00pm at Bedford High School
Safety/Drop Off/Parking
We will continue to keep all external doors locked this year. Cars may not be idle or parked directly in front of the main entrance as it needs to be cleared for emergency vehicles and for busses. Please know that you are subject to ticketing by the Bedford Police Department if you park in the restricted lane.
Students with vehicles should park in designated student parking spots and need to have a valid BHS parking sticker by October 1. The Parking Sticker application may be found here.
If you are dropping off your student, please do so at the front of the building in the student lot or at the side near the public library. Do not enter the bus loop at the front of the school as it causes safety issues for students unloading.
INFORMATION OPT OUT
School Lunch Information-Update
UPDATE: The Commonwealth approved free lunches for the 2022-2023 school year for all students. Parents do not need to put money in their students' lunch account. A letter will be sent out soon from Food services. For additional questions please contact the Food Services office at 781-275-9129.
Free and reduced lunch application can be found here or printed copies in the main office.
Please click here for the application directions
Please click here for FAQ
BHSPA News
The BHSPA meets monthly over Zoom on the 4th Thursday of the month at 8am. If you are interested in attending the meeting or learning more about what the BHSPA does, please email: bhsbucsparents@gmail.com Every donation made to the BHSPA goes directly to our BHS community through programs, enrichment and activities.
Counseling Corner
Schedule Change Process for 2022-2023
Prior to the opening of school, counselors will be in the office between August 16th and August 25th to meet with students (by appointment ONLY) and assist them in making necessary schedule changes. Start by completing the Schedule Change Request Form and emailing your counselor. This process is intended to give priority to addressing errors or making sure that ALL students have a schedule before we address preferential changes (when a student is modifying their course requests). Students with preferential changes should attend Arena Day. Some changes in requests may need to wait until after August 30th.
What: Arena Day
Date: Tuesday, August 30th
Time: 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Where: BHS Counseling Department
Preference-based changes that are able to be made by counselors
Changing the level of a course from AP or Honors to CP
Changing which elective courses you are taking - including physical education, social studies, and world languages electives
Dropping courses that are not needed for graduation requirements (so long as you maintain the minimum credit load for the year)
We are unable to make changes based on wanting a different lunch or wanting to be in the same class as someone else.
What if I am absent from Arena day?
If you are missing a graduation requirement you need this year; you are enrolled in a course you have already completed; you are enrolled in a class you are not permitted to take; you are missing a Special Education service; you are under-credit, that can be resolved now! Fill out the Schedule Change Request Form and email your counselor!
Other questions?
Email your school counselor!
Alan Chang alan_chang@bedfordps.org
Brian DeChellis brian_dechellis@bedfordps.org
Janel Halupowski janel_halupowski@bedfordps.org
Anna Septembre hermance_septembre@bedfordps.org
Samantha Thyne samantha_thyne@bedfordps.org
Link to Schedule Change Request Form Link to Level Change Request Form
Meet the COUNSLORS-Samantha Thyne
I'm originally from Hopkinton, Massachusetts, went to Emmanuel College studying Art Therapy and then University of Massachusetts Boston studying School Counseling for graduate school. I am so happy to be at Bedford High School, working with my students and coaching the BHS Swim & Dive team.
As a previous student athlete, I still enjoy swimming and other water sports. In my free time I like to cook, paint, read and go hiking. I love to travel and hope to see more of the world as soon as possible. My favorite places to visit are Ireland, Italy and Croatia. These three are my favorite because of the hiking opportunities and the incredible quality of food.
Career Pathways Program at Bedford High School
Bedford High School is partnering with the local business community to expose our students to a variety of career paths. Students become motivated and self-directed when they discover a potential career field of interest. Hands-on exposure and information to careers help students make informed post high school plans.
There are three aspects to our Career Pathways and Planning Program:
Career Speakers: We host two Career Speakers per month. They will be held via ZOOM during the student's Flex Block Period (10:22am-11:30am). Interested students sign up ahead of time. Sessions are approximately 40 minutes in length. Topics our speakers cover include, but are not limited to: a day in the life, the personal journey (what was your path like), necessary education, advice for high school students, what you enjoy most, and then questions.
- Job Shadow Program: Provide students with a half-day immersive experience on a job site, allowing students to observe, interact, and learn from experts in the field. Students can be placed individually or in small groups depending on the business/occupation. Prior to being placed students take a Career Aptitude Test to help them determine a particular area of interest. The Job Shadow Program would happen once a year for our sophomore class in early spring.
- Internships: Would only be offered to seniors who have a demonstrated interest in a particular field. The internships would provide real world experience and responsibility, students must complete an interview with the participating company. Students would be placed based on company approval. Internships can occur during or after the school day. (More information to follow on our Internship Program).
If you would like to participate in our Career Program, please complete the following GOOGLE form or contact Brian DeChellis at 781 275-1700 ext. 4414 or brian_dechellis@bedfordps.org
Google Form Link:
Challenge Success partners with schools, families, and communities to embrace a broad definition of success and to implement research-based strategies that promote student well-being and engagement with learning.
Keep an eye out this Fall for more information on how Bedford High School and Challenge Success plan to work together to transform the student experience.
BEDFORD SEPAC (Special Education Parental Advisory Council)
2022/2023 SEPAC Monthly Meeting dates
Meetings begin at 7 PM
*Location and/or Zoom to be shared 2 weeks prior to meetings on SEPAC Facebook and webpage
Need a student parking sticker?
How do I...
Get dismissed? Please bring a note to the main office in the morning. (or call 781-275-1700) 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 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? Please stop by the student office and look for the student drop off area sign. (Parents/Guardians, please label item your dropping with name) Please note; we do not interrupt classes for drop offs. Please stop by between classes to check for your item.
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
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