The Bedford Buccaneer
September 18, 2023
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, September 18th- Alex Hirshberg presentation for Families- 7-8:30 in the BHS auditorium
Thursday, September 21st-Back to school night-6:30-8:30pm
Monday, October 9th-No School
Monday, November 6th-Make Up Picture Day during FLEX
Tuesday, November 7th-No School-Staff Professional Day
Friday, November 10th-No School
Wednesday, November 22nd-Early release-11:15am
Thursday, November 30th-BHS Conferences-4:00-8:00pm
BHS Rotating Day Calendar 2023-2024
Please see previous communication sent out about Back to school night
Dear BHS Community,
We hope the school year is off to a positive start for your student(s). Back to School Night is scheduled for Thursday, September 21st from 6:30-8:40 PM. We are eager to welcome you into Bedford High School where your students spend much of their days. We think it is a vibrant and welcoming place. There will be a brief presentation and introduction to the BHS Administrative team in the auditorium from 6:30-6:55pm. Parents and caregivers will then walk through their child’s schedule, meet with teachers, and hear more about the courses.
Our administrative team wants to make sure that the opening remarks are useful. Please consider submitting your question(s) or topic(s) you would like the high school administration to address in the opening remarks by using this form linked here. We are limited by time, but will do our very best to incorporate answers to your questions within the presentation.
The schedule for the evening is as follows:
6:30-6:55 - Introduction from BHS Administrators
6:55-7:05 - Transition time
7:05-8:39 - Attend scheduled classes (schedule below)
8:40 - End of Back to School Night
In preparation for the evening, please take a screenshot of your child’s or childrens’ schedule(s). Also, ask your student or students to fill out the grid below for you with teachers and room numbers. Hard copies will be provided to students in their advisories on Wednesday where we will remind all students to help their parents and caregivers with this task.
We will have plenty of student volunteers to help with directions and to assist you with questions. We will also have some student musicians playing as you arrive and throughout the evening. The evening is intended to offer an introduction to teachers and courses. Our counseling department will also be present if you would like to swing by for an introduction. The night is not intended for individual conferences. If you have specific questions or concerns about your child, please reach out to the teacher, teachers, or counselor by phone or email to arrange for a longer conversation or schedule a meeting time.
There is plenty of parking in front of and behind the high school. You may also find some parking at JGMS (middle school) and walk up the path.
Looking forward to a wonderful night on Thursday.
Sincerely,
Heather Galante (Principal), Dan Hudder & Tom Casey (Assistant Principals)
Alex HIRSHBERG
Family Training Event: Prepare the Child for the Road, Not the Road for the Child: Building Resilience to Emotional Distress, Alex Hirshberg, Psy.D., Monday, September 18, 2023, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
The research is clear: rates of anxiety and depression are increasing in children and adolescents. What is less clear is why this is happening. At this evening training event geared to parents and guardians and other adults who support children and youth, Dr. Hirshberg will outline some of the factors contributing to the current mental health crisis and provide practical strategies to support parents/families in raising children who are resilient to emotional discomfort, so that they can achieve at high levels. District staff have also been working with Dr. Hirshberg, so this event is designed to strengthen the partnership between educators and families
STUDENT information
Activities Fair-September 19th during FLEX block in the main gymnasium.
Activities Fair is an opportunity for new and returning students to explore different clubs offered at BHS.
Click here to view clubs
AMC 10/12 Math Exam:
The AMC 10/12 B math exam will be given after school on Tuesday, November 14th in the BHS library. The test will begin immediately after school. More information about the exam can be found at https://www.maa.org/math-competitions/amc-1012. Please sign up using this form by Friday, October 13th. If you have any questions, email patrick_morrissey@bedfordps.org. Thank you. Mr. Morrissey
Stage Crew
If you are interested in joining our stage crew for our fall play, please fill out this Google Form. Read the document linked at the top of the form to help you choose which crew jobs you are interested in.
We will have our first stage crew meeting on Tuesday, Sept 19 from 3-4.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Ms. Faulstich
Class of 2026-Clothes and book donation
Have a bag of clothes lying around somewhere that you’ve been meaning to donate for some time? Is it time for a closet or a bookshelf purge? The class of 2026 is here to help! Bring any old or unwanted clothes or books into BHS to support the class of 2026 and we will take them off your hands. We are accepting items that suit all age ranges. Items can be dropped off in the PE office, H206, or delivered to myself or Mr. McLaughlin. If it’s easier, you can give your items to any member of the class of 2026. We are accepting donations through Thursday September 21. Let me know if you have any questions.
Best,
Ms. Duffy & Mr. McLaughlin
Extracurricular Club-Student Meetings
Ping Pong Club
If you're interested in joining a super competitive club, keep looking. If you're interested in joining a very chill club that meets once a week or every other week to play ping-pong and hang out in the cafeteria, please complete this Google Form
Horticulture Club
We plan on having meetings every Tuesday, 2:30-3:15 in H107. Please sign up using this google form.
Please email Harrison Sachs at harrison_sachs-2024@bedfordps.org or Ms. Billouin at beth_billouin@bedfordps.org if you have any questions.
S.A.D.D.-Students against destructive decisions
Meetings are before school at 7:15 am in room D107A. We will plan to meet twice a month with time changes or date changes based upon availability of students. We look forward to seeing you represent your school and community.
Please reach out to Mr. Humphrey-charles_humphrey@bedfordps.org
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
Interested in Health Care take a look at this opportunity at Boston Children's Hospital
Per Diem - Peer LeaderThe Congressional Youth Advisory Council
The Congressional Youth Advisory Council is intended to be a civic engagement opportunity open to Massachusetts 6th District students in their junior or senior year of high school. The council is a year-long commitment, consisting of policy discussions, meetings with the Congressman and staff, and legislative writing.
The nonpartisan council is designed to provide youth with the chance to have their voices heard on public policy, engage with elected representation, and develop the skills to address the critical issues facing our country. We have no doubt that the student who participate in the council will help contribute to the next generation of leaders.
Applications for the 2023-2024 Youth Council are open until September 30th, 2023, at 11:59pm EST.
We will be sending out a Google Form for senior thanks to all seniors. Please encourage your senior to submit theirs to us.
Deadline: October 6, 2023
Submit your child’s baby picture. Please submit one baby picture using the same submission method as the senior portraits, enter "Baby" for the grade information, and spell the student's name how you would like it displayed with the picture.
Deadline: October 6, 2023
Take and submit your senior portrait. Please submit your photo to HJeShare.com using the school code "Bedford". IMPORTANT: When uploading your portrait, please select the “Portrait” option as you upload in order to link your senior's name to the image.
Deadline: October 27, 2023
Submit your family congratulatory ad for the yearbook! You can design, purchase, and submit your ad at YearbookOrderCenter.com using the school code 13423. Choose the option that says “Start Your Ad.”
Deadline: October 27, 2023
Deadline: October 27, 2023
Order your yearbook online by going to YearbookOrderCenter.com and using the school code 13423. All sales will be correctly priced online. If you have difficulty making an online purchase, you can also order over the phone: 1-866-287-3096.
Deadline: 12/31/23
Athletics Information
Link to the Athletics Webpage
Link to Schedules
Link to Athletics Handbook
Link to Baseline test at home instructions
Follow Athletics on social media
Twitter: @BedfordBucs
Instagram: @bedfordathletics
Football Ticket Prices
$5-Students and Seniors
$7-General admission
Career Conversation
Career Speaker Series Medical Field
Please join us for a Career Conversation with Dr. Shiva Gupta on Thursday October 5th during Flex Block in room D-109.
Dr. Gupta is an Internist (Board Certified in Internal Medicine) and a Bariatrician (Board Certified in Obesity Medicine). Dr. Gupta currently works at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, a member of Mass General Brigham system. She is also a teacher for Medical students and Residents from Tufts and Mass General Hospitals. Additionally, she works as a Tele hospitalist for the Guam Memorial Hospital located on the island of Guam.
Please complete the following Google Form if you are interested in attending.
AP EXAMS
The AP Exam Registration and Payment window will officially open through Total Registration on Friday, September 29th. The last day to complete your payment in Total Registration without a late fee ($40.00) will be October 31st at 11:59pm. Please also note that the cost per exam this year is $105.00.
Steps to Completing Registration:
Students should FIRST ensure they are registered with their class Join Codes in myAP. Please see your teacher for your specific class section Join Codes. Join Codes should not be shared between students as they are specific to each class section. Please visit https://myap.collegeboard.org/ to register with your class Join Code if you have not already.
AFTER you have registered in myAP, payments will be processed with Total Registration (link will be shared 9/29/2023). Please be sure to register for your class specific section. You will receive a confirmation email once your registration is complete. If you, or your student, qualifies for financial assistance, please mark ‘yes’ when asked during the registration process.
Self Study Exams:
Bedford High School does not offer Self Study Exams coinciding with classes offered as part of the BHS Program of Studies. Students may still register for Self Study Exams not offered as a class at Bedford High School. If you or your student is interested in taking one of these exams, you are encouraged to reach out to the surrounding school districts to see if they offer testing to out-of-district students; no contact lists can be provided.
Students will have access to the Self Study registration link sent through the BHS Student News email announcement on 9/29/2023.
Please note: Self Study exams will NOT show up on student transcripts or impact GPAs as the subject has not been formally instructed by a teacher at BHS. Colleges will know a Self Study exam has been taken if and when the student sends the final AP score directly to the college through the College Board website. BHS does not send any AP Scores to colleges regardless of whether or not a student has Self Studied. It is strongly recommended that students have a conversation with their parents about whether or not self-studying an exam makes sense for the student’s school/life balance. The AP Coordinators encourage students to review the AP Score usage policies to see if AP credits are accepted.
For further questions, please reach out to the AP Coordinators, Jennifer Funk (jennifer_funk@bedfordps.org) and Samantha Thyne (samantha_thyne@bedfordps.org).
CHALLENGE sUCCESS
To view the webinar on Balancing Sleep and Screens please click here.
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
Hope your kids have had a good start to the school year. Thank you to those who have already sent in the necessary paperwork, orders and epi-pens (if applicable) for their kids. For those who have not, please see the list below. Thank you so much. I realize it is a very busy time of the year! Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns. - Annmarie
Emergency Forms - Please send in your student’s completed emergency form as soon as possible. Please reach out if there is a new medical diagnosis or health concern you would like to share with me. Emergency Information Form
Epi-Pens - For those students with an epinephrine device, please be sure to send in an updated device along with the doctor’s orders (Allergy Action Plan) for the current school year. Food and Insect Allergy Action Plan Bedford Public Schools
Physicals - Incoming 9th graders are required to have an updated physical for high school. Physicals completed within the past 12 months are acceptable. Students who plan to participate in sports are required to have an updated physical every year.
Annmarie Vaughan, BSN, RN
High School Nurse
781-275-1700 x4416
Counseling Corner
New Faces to the Counseling Department!
BHS and the counseling department have warmly welcomed two new faces to the department.
Julie DeMatteis - Director of Counseling, Grades 6-12
Christina Duran - Administrative Assistant
Senior Seminar - September 22nd 8:00am - 8:55 am in the Auditorium
The counselors are meeting with the class of 2024 in the Auditorium on Friday September 22nd at 8:00am to review a few crucial steps in the post-secondary process: Naviance, the Common Application, and a few additional nuts and bolts.
The meeting will start promptly at 8:00am, please bring your charged I Pad to the meeting
Save the Date!
Senior Parent Night - September 27th 6:30-7:30pm in the Auditorium
PSAT REGISTRATION
Dear Bedford High School 10th and 11th graders,
Bedford High School will be administering the PSAT on Saturday October 14th. The PSAT is only offered to 10th and 11th graders.Students should arrive at the high school no later than 7:45am with their fully charged school issued I-Pad. Here are the important dates for the registration process:
Fri, Sep 22, 2023 at 7:45 AM - Registration Begins
Fri, Oct 6, 2023 at 2:24 PM - Registration Ends
Friday Oct 13, 2023 - Registrations that have not been paid for will be canceled and exams will not be ordered.
The cost of the PSAT is $30.00
The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a great tool for students considering college. The PSAT/NMSQT measures critical reading skills, math problem-solving skills and writing skills. Bedford High School recommends that students take the PSAT/NMSQT in order to receive feedback about strengths and weaknesses, enter the competition for National Merit Scholar scholarships (11th graders), and to help prepare for the SAT.
For the 2023 PSAT/NMSQT, students at Bedford High School will be registering online. This registration will take a few minutes and can be completed from any computer with internet access. In order to register, students should click on the link provided on the school website or visit www.TotalRegistration.net/PSAT/220112 to register .Registration is not complete until students have printed the pdf of the confirmation page that is provided at the end.
Bedford High School is excited to offer families the convenience of paying exam fees online at the time of registration. Please be sure to have a debit or credit card available before beginning registration. Paying online is a great way to make sure that payment has been made while avoiding mailing payment.
Here are the important dates and information for the registration process:
This year the PSAT will be administered electronically. There is no paper and pencil option available.
All students must bring their fully charged SCHOOL ISSUED iPad on the day of the test. Bedford High School will NOT provide iPads, charging devices, or any other technical support on the day of the test.
If you arrive without your iPad or your iPad shuts down because it is not fully charged your exam will be canceled.
Please contact Mr. Brian DeChellis, brian_dechellis@bedfordps.org , if you have questions or require financial assistance.
Dual Enrollment
Middlesex Community College is offering dual enrollment to college-ready high school students. With their schools approval, they will earn BOTH credits that will be counted on their high school transcript AND credits for college courses that will appear on a Middlesex transcript at the same time. In addition to information that may be provided by the course specific teachers, information regarding the Dual Enrollment program will be emailed to eligible students. The deadline for submitting all necessary paperwork is Friday, September 22nd by the end of the school day. Please reach out to Mrs. Duran - Counseling Administrative Assistant for any additional questions.
Senior Transcripts
Senior transcripts have been mailed home for review, please be on the lookout for those and review them carefully. If any discrepancies are found, please reach out to your counselor and sign the Permission for Release of Records Form included in the mailing and return to Mrs. Duran in the Counseling Office by Friday, September 22.Parent/Guardian & Student Sign off Agreement Form
INFORMATION OPT OUT
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.
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.
YEARBOOK Information
Order your yearbook online by going to YearbookOrderCenter.com and using the school code 13423. WATCH FOR A FLASH SALE ($25 off) the first week of school! All sales will be correctly priced online. If you have difficulty making an online purchase, you can also order over the phone: 1-866-287-3096.
Deadline: 12/31/23
BHSPA NEWS
Important Information for BHS Caregivers from the BHSPA (Bedford High School Parents Association)
Welcome to the 2023-24 school year. We are excited to announce that the BHSPA will be using Membership Tool Kit (MTK) this year. The BEST/PTO successfully launched use of MTK last year, so families with younger students may already be familiar with the name.
The Bedford High School Parents Association (BHSPA) and the Middle School Parents Association (MSPA) are coming together to provide a one-stop information center for caregivers of both Bedford High School (BHS) and John Glenn Middle School (JGMS) students. Caregivers will be able to stay in-the-know with school-specific communications, a combined JGMS & BHS Student Directory (later in the fall), and much more.
We are asking all caregivers to please register at our new site: https://www.bedfordpco.org, where you will be prompted to login and then create an account. If you already have a Membership Toolkit account login with another organization, you can use the same log-in on our site.
Register Today!
- Go to: https://www.bedfordpco.org/
- Click the Register/Login button.
- If you already have an account with another organization that uses Membership Toolkit you can use the same email and password to login. Then proceed to steps 7 & 8 below. If not,
- If you do not have an account with another organization that uses Membership Toolkit, select "Create Account" and fill in the name, email, and password information.
- Click "verify my email" and then check your email for a link to complete the process. The link expires in 2 hours. If you do not receive the email, check your spam or junk folders.
- Once you have verified your email address, log back in and finish the registration process.
- Complete the Parent/Family and Student Information.; once done, click the "Save" button.
- Complete the Directory/Publish Preferences; once done, click the "Save" button.
Once the Primary Account is set up, the Primary User can add other email addresses to their account, which will allow a Secondary User to have their own login information, with access to the family account.
Please note that our site is active, but under construction. While under construction, both parent associations' websites will continue to be up and running separately.
Questions? - Please don't hesitate to contact us at bhsbucsparents@gmail.com.
School Lunch Information
BEDFORD SEPAC (Special Education Parental Advisory Council)
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 781-275-1700) 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 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