The Bedford Buccaneer
December 6, 2021
IMPORTANT DATES
Thursday, December 9 - All Night Graduation/Senior Fashion Show planning meeting 7pm
Friday, December 10 - Last day to submit Senior parent ad and business ad to yearbook
Friday, December 10 - Meet and Greet Director of Counseling Les Eggleston 8:00am (virtual)
Tuesday, December 14 - School Council virtual meeting 2:45pm
Friday, December 24 -31 - Vacation
Thursday, January 6 - *POSTPONED* Ground Up Student presentation-New date TBA
Tuesday, January 18 - School Council virtual meeting 2:45pm
Thursday, June 2, 2022 - Graduation at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell at 6:15pm
Thank you!
Bell ringing season is upon us and Red Kettle Club is looking for your help!
Bell ringing happens at Stop and Shop around the holidays and all money raised goes to help local citizens in need. We are looking for volunteers to sign up for a 2 hour slot. You can even ring with a friend! The following dates we are looking for volunteers are (12/1-12/22 from the hours either 2-4pm or 4-6pm).
Bell ringing is a great act of kindness and as a bonus it counts as community service hours. The help is much appreciated!
Please sign up for a shift below!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904044BA8AE2FA0FA7-bell
As always, feel free to email us (danielle_digangi-2023@bedfordps.org or ella_buckley-2023@bedfordps.org) for any questions or concerns.
Happy Holidays,
Danielle DiGangi and Ella Buckley
Red Kettle Club Co-Presidents
BHSPA News
BHSPA Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday is a celebration of the spirit of giving and the positive impact each and every person can have. Every donation made to the BHSPA goes directly to our BHS community through programs, enrichment and activities. Giving Tuesday donations can be made using this link #GIVINGTUESDAY.
Recent BHSPA Funding:
- Funding of 10 new picnic tables accommodating outdoor lunches, classrooms, meetings, etc.
- Ice cream socials for each class to re-connect upon returning to in-person classes in 2021. It was the first time the classes were together as a whole in over a year!
- Teacher/Student grants to fund school projects including technology equipment for BHS NOW, funding grade specific initiatives and club requests.
- Preparation and distribution of Student Directories (this year it will include a teacher directory with email addresses!) - coming soon!
- Sponsorship of Teacher/Staff Appreciation events
- and so much more (check out BHSPA.org for more information!)
If you haven’t had an opportunity to contribute, there is still time!!! Donations are accepted all year, using our online DONATION LINK at BHSPA.ORG.
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
ANG Celebration/Senior Fashion Show-First Planning meeting December 9th at 7pm
On the night of June 2nd, 2022, the Bedford High School All Night Graduation (ANG) Celebration committee will host a chaperoned, safe and substance-free overnight celebration for graduating seniors. This event enables our graduating seniors to celebrate, reminisce and enjoy their last time together as a class. During the course of this overnight event, the ANG committee, with your support, provides food, entertainment, games and door prizes for the seniors in attendance.
The BHS Senior Fashion Show is an evening of fun and entertainment as our seniors model a variety of fashions. It is held in March and is the major fundraiser for the All Night Graduation Celebration.
On Thursday, December 9th at 7pm via Zoom, we will be holding our first planning meeting for this year’s ANG celebration and Senior Fashion Show. Several committee chairs will be done after this year when their youngest children graduate. If you would be interested in shadowing a committee chair this year and taking over the role next year, please attend the meeting to hear about the many open positions and needs. If you are not sure, but want to hear more, you are also welcome to attend.
If interested, please email us at BedfordANG@gmail.com and we will send you the Zoom link.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Dawn Kociubes and Kerry Rackey at BedfordANG@gmail.com.
Counseling Corner
For all things Post-Secondary related, please visit the
BHS Counseling Department’s Post-Secondary website.
Virtual College Visits
You can sign up for virtual college visits through your SCOIR account, in the calendar section.
Monday 12/6
3pm - Emmanuel College
7pm - University of Oregon
Wednesday 12/8
3pm - Dean College
Thursday 12/9
11:30am-12pm - Middlesex Community College
Monday 12/13
3pm - Bennington College
7pm - Penn State, main campus
Counseling Department Programming
Virtual Meeting with the Director of Counseling PreK-12
When: Dec 10, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Time
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://bedfordps-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0oceqorzMsGtcGVSfXTWgRiGB2Dvyb_zR2
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Bedford High School Career Pathway Program
Have you ever wanted to know about the field of Occupational
Therapy….
Dec 10, 2021 10:30 AM - see Google Classroom for Zoom link
Please join us this Friday to hear from Cyndy Tulmieri, Occupational Therapist. She will talk about the job, day to day responsibilities, and her path to becoming an Occupational Therapist.
Occupational therapy (OT) is a branch of health care that helps people of all ages who have physical, sensory, or cognitive problems. Occupational therapists help with barriers that affect a person's emotional, social, and physical needs. To do this, they use everyday activities, exercises, and other therapies to make people as independent as possible.
Wednesday 1/19/2022 - Save the Date
Junior Parent/Caregiver Seminar will again be held via Zoom!
More information to come closer to the date.
SENIORS
The counseling office has submitted an updated transcript (to include Term 1 grades), to all colleges to which students have applied under Early Decision or Early Action admission plans.
Transcript requests for the 01/01/2022 deadline is 12/10. Get your requests in early!
Bedford High School is closed for December vacation from 12/24/2021 - 01/03/2022. Any request received during that time will be processed when school is back in session.
Google Classroom Resources: Remember there is a wealth of information in the Google Classroom for the Class of 2022 right now! We encourage you to look back at the posts. For example, there are several videos that will assist you with SCOIR (i.e. How to request your transcript in SCOIR)
Financial Aid
How To Check Your FAFSA Status
Forbes – November 16, 2021 : Your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is your biggest ticket to college financial aid. After you submit it, keep tabs by checking the status of your application. Here’s how
Scholarship Opening for Military Families
The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation awards need-based scholarships to the children of Marines attending accredited colleges, community colleges, and career technical education programs. The scholarship application for the 2022-23 academic year opens on January 1, 2022, and will close on March 1, 2022. For more information on eligibility or to apply, visit mcsf.org/apply. Email Scholarship@mcsf.org with questions, or call 866-496-5462.
PSAT/NMSQT Scores
Attention all students who took the PSAT on October 16th. Students and their parents/caregivers can access student scores online on December 6 (The College Board will send an email on this date). For more information click Getting the Most from the PSAT/NMSQT Score Report
Scheduling an Appointment with your School Counselor
Our School Counselors are available to students throughout the school day. They can schedule appointments at the following links:
Mr. Alan Chang Mr. Brian DeChellis
Job Board
Looking for a job? Check out the job board behind Mrs. Tobe’s desk in the Counseling Suite
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:
Have you ever wanted to know about the field of Occupational Therapy...
Please join us this Friday to hear from Cyndy Tulmieri, Occupational Therapist. She will talk about the job, day to day responsibilities, and her path to becoming an Occupational Therapist.
Occupational therapy (OT) is a branch of health care that helps people of all ages who have physical, sensory, or cognitive problems. Occupational therapists help with barriers that affect a person's emotional, social, and physical needs. To do this, they use everyday activities, exercises, and other therapies to make people as independent as possible.
Time: Dec 10, 2021 10:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://bedfordps-org.zoom.us/j/89132394452
Meeting ID: 891 3239 4452
Join this presentation on Dec. 8th to listen to a panel of students, mental health clinicians, and Dr. Denise Pope as they discuss the current challenges facing students and what adults can do to support them. Cost $25 https://givebutter.com/ChallengeSuccess2021
Can't make it? All registrants will be sent the recording afterwards.
A Healthier Approach to College Admissions
DEC 14th at 4pm PT | 7pm ET
What is “fit” and why does it matter?
Are students who attend higher-ranked colleges better off later in life?
What do college rankings really measure?
In this workshop, participants will learn strategies to help reduce pressure around the college admissions process and ways to support students' well-being and readiness for life in college and beyond. With the pandemic inserting more uncertainty into this process, we will include a Q&A at the end to answer some of your most pressing questions. $10 per person.
Appropriate for parents, students, college counselors, and educators.
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Join our Bedford Challenge Success community on social media!
Twitter: @chalsuccessbhs
Instagram: @challengesuccessbhs
Facebook: Challenge Success Bedford High School (this is a closed group)
For more information about BHS-Challenge Success please contact Cynthia Vitti (cynhere@comcast.net) or Lori Popkewitz Alper (lorialper@gmail.com)
COVID Safety Checks every Wednesday before school
We are continuing our weekly COVID-19 safety checks (formerly known as pooled testing) every Wednesday before school. It is a PCR test processed at the Broad Institute in Cambridge.
The sample for the test will be a nasal swab, and we will collect two swabs per person- one for the "pool" tube, and one for an individual tube. The tube with multiple samples will be tested, and in the event that there is a positive result, testing will be done on the individual samples. If there is a positive result, the individual’s parent/guardian will be notified directly.
The testers will be staff from our testing vendor (CIC) and school nurses. We are testing students in the main lobby and we will have students who are signed up come before school, from 7:20 am -7:45am.
All students are encouraged to participate. This is an important safety measure to help keep our schools safe and identify any asymptomatic cases of COVID-19, before they spread to others.
The link to sign up is here.
For more information on our COVID-19 testing please see our website here.
The Screening checklist can be found on the Bedford PS website HERE.
When calling to report that your child will be absent on the absentee line please indicate the reason why your child is out, and what their symptoms are. If you are unsure whether or not to send your child, please keep them home, and call or email the school nurse at Nancy_Thorsen@bedfordps.org before sending them to school.
As always, thank you for doing your part in keeping our community healthy and safe!
Nancy Thorsen BSN,RN
781-275-1700 ext. 4416
Absence Line: (781)918-4561
or select #1 from the main menu of (781)275-1700
BEDFORD SEPAC (Special Education Parental Advisory Council)
All parents & guardians of Bedford special education welcome!
Web: bedfordsepac.com
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/groups/BEDFORDMASEPAC/
BEDFORD SEPAC (Special Education Parental Advisory Council)
All parents & guardians of Bedford special education welcome!
Web: bedfordsepac.com
Facebook group: https://www.facebook. com/groups/BEDFORDMASEPAC/
December SEPAC Meeting - CANCELLED
Thursday, December 16, 2021, at 7 PM on zoom
*Cancelled*Cancelled*Cancelled*Cancelled*
January SEPAC Meeting
Thursday, January 20, 2022, at 7 PM on zoom
Including Marianne Vines, Director of Special Education
All parents & guardians of students receiving Bedford special education services are welcome!
zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82403699724?pwd=aC9jUUpiZkNhajQ5cnAvNHI2RlNuZz09
Meeting ID: 824 0369 9724
Passcode: 294265
Massachusetts Sibling Support Network Presents - No sibling left behind
Thursday, January 27, 2022, at 7 PM on zoom
All are welcome!
No Sibling Left Behind:
Designed for parents of young siblings or professionals.
Addresses the overall sibling experience of what it’s like to grow up with a brother/sister with a disability. Provides strategies to support siblings.
Explores current trends in sibling research and the growing sibling movement.
Includes an adult sibling panel that will address questions and concerns.
zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88131145041?pwd=eTcwMnFNeExOYkxaUW5mZElKc3FwZz09
Meeting ID: 881 3114 5041
Passcode: 562772
2021/2022 SEPAC Monthly Meeting dates
PLEASE NOTE: December 16 meeting was CANCELLED
January 20 (guest Marianne Vines)
February 17
March 24
April 28
May 19 (guest Marianne Vines)
June 9
Meetings begin at 7 PM
*Location and/or Zoom to be shared 2 weeks prior to meetings on SEPAC Facebook and webpage
Senior Dates and Deadlines
December 10th- Business Ads- Anyone with 2 business ads gets a free yearbook.
December 10th- Parent Ads. The 2021-2022 forms will be sent to the parents.
January 21- Yearbook orders. The cost is $85.00. You may place your order here
Please make checks out to BHS 2021/2022 yearbook.
After January 21 the cost will be $100.00
Important Information for the Class of 2022
Please help us to have a successful yearbook by getting an early start.
Send all pictures that you would like to be considered for the yearbook to www.hjeshare.com. Enter the school code: Bedford (capital B). Please identify who the students are in the pictures. Please use full names not nicknames when you submit your baby picture. Please only submit one baby picture. If you do not identify your baby picture you run the risk of not being in the yearbook.
The official photographer for the senior portraits is Mark Lawrence Photographers. Their phone number is 603-882-0116. Please contact them for an appointment. If you have any questions in regards to any of the information. Please contact Mrs. Santos. Her email is karen_santos@bedfordps.org
If you decide to take your own pictures. Please be aware of the size. It must be 2.5 X 3 with a DPI of 300. Yearbook staff will contact you if your picture does not follow these guidelines.
If you have any questions in regards to any of the information. Please contact Mrs. Santos. at karen_santos@bedfordps.org
Past Due Dates
October 22nd- Senior Portraits-Please contact Mark Lawrence Photography @603-882-0116 to make your appointment.
October 8th- Senior Class Photo
The senior class photo will be taken on the football field. The picture will take place during flex block that day. (10:22-11:32) It will not take the whole time. Seniors please listen for the announcement on that day. Let Mrs Santos know if you have any questions.
October 8th- Individual baby pictures/Elementary photos. Please make sure when you upload your baby picture to include your name, first and last. If there is no name you run the risk of not being in the yearbook. Send to: www.hjeshare.com
Enter the code: Bedford(capital letter “B”)
October 8th- “Senior Thanks” (limit of 175 words) Please note: Text slang and most abbreviations are not acceptable. Drug or alcohol references are not acceptable. Send your “senior thanks” in a word document to: bhs2022yearbook@gmail.com
Graduation is Thursday, June 2, 2022
Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell
6:15pm
There are no tickets for the event as there is ample seating for all friends and family members. Mark your calendars. It will be here sooner than you think!
February vacation Sicily Trip
Students who expressed an interest in the Sicily trip, please see Mrs. Arena in C105 for sign up information!
1. There is room on the Sicily trip for a few more students, please contact me asap!
2. All travelers need to be fully vaccinated.
3. Passports need to be valid through August of 2021
Sorry, the Galapagos trip is full!
Thanks!
Sandra D Arena
April Ecuador Trip Enrollment
BHS will be taking a trip to Ecuador over April break 2022. There are still a few spots left. Look over the flyer for more information and if you are interested in attending. Please let Mr Griffin know to get enrolled. There is a limited number that we can accept.
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)
Get a parking sticker? You will not need a sticker until the end of September. Please fill out the Google Form here and your Assistant Principal will deliver it to your lunch or Advisory. There is no fee for parking at Bedford High School.
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