The Bedford Buccaneer
August 1, 2022
IMPORTANT DATES
Friday, August, 19th- First day of Football and Golf 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 Note from the Principal
Dear BHS Families,
Greetings from Bedford High School! We are more than halfway through the summer and we hope all of you are enjoying the time to rest and recharge. The past couple of years have been filled with unusual circumstances so we are excited to return to a more typical opening and school year. However, we are acutely aware there will be some challenges to overcome and address as we emerge from a pandemic. Our administrative team remains hopeful and steadfast in our commitment to a high quality education while fostering a welcoming, safe, and inclusive school community.
Included in this newsletter is preliminary beginning of year information and requisite forms that will need to be completed and returned. For new families, please know that communication from Bedford High School will be sent every Monday from Ms. Loveless-Patterson. Please check your email every Monday as there will be new and helpful information shared in preparation for our new school year and updates provided throughout the school year.
We look forward to welcoming our 9th graders, new students and their parents/caregivers on August 30 from 6:30-8:00pm at BHS for an orientation. A formal agenda will be shared in an upcoming bulletin. Details about schedules, arena day and first week of school format will also be sent in the Monday newsletter to families and students.
In the meantime, please take time to fill out the forms and review the newsletter. We are so looking forward to having all students return for a new year on Tuesday, September 6. We miss the energy of our students throughout the summer and are thrilled to welcome them to another year!
Sincerely,
Heather Galante (Principal), Tom Casey & Dan Hudder (Assistant Principals)
Please fill out 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. 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
Please email Nancy_Thorsen@bedfordps.org with any questions.
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
Waivers granted by the USDA for free meals for all students ended June 30, 2022. With the end of this free meal waiver, the National School Lunch Program as operated in Bedford Public Schools will need to return to the traditional system where students receive free, reduced-price, or full-price meals. Students may qualify for free or reduced priced meals via an approved 2022-2023 Massachusetts Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals. Application can be found here or printed copies in the main office.
Many families use a prepayment program called MySchoolBucks to add money directly to a student account. MySchoolBucks.com does charge a small transaction fee for this service. Families can set up a free account at MySchoolBucks.com website by following the prompts for a new account.
Prepayments can also be made with the cashier at each register using cash or check. Please make any check payable to Bedford School Lunch Program; there is no fee for this type of prepayment. Prices for meals are currently $3.10 at Bedford High School.
Please click here for the student pin letter
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.
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)
2021/2022 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