Hello Bedford Schools,

We are members of Bedford High School’s Relay for Life Committee, a dedicated student-led group which works to organize fundraisers and recruit participants for the relentless fight against cancer.

Relay For Life is an organization which directly benefits the American Cancer Society by funding research for a cure, patient care/support, rides to life-saving treatment, and so much more!

Each year, Bedford is one of the many towns to host a Relay for Life overnight event. During this activity-filled, magical night, team members take turns walking around the Bedford track. The event is 14 hours in length (although participants can leave as early as they want) and each team is asked to have a member on the track at all times to signify that cancer never sleeps. Cancer patients do not have the ability to stop fighting because they're tired and neither do we.

Bedford’s 2023 Relay event will happen from Saturday, May 27th at 4pm to Sunday, May 28th at 6 am. Additionally, the months leading up to the event are a time to build your team and start fundraising. Each Relay for Life team and our high school’s Relay committee work hard year-round to raise funds and awareness for cancer in various ways.

We currently have 6 teams signed up who have already started fundraising for our event, but we would like to get as much of the Bedford community involved as possible. Anyone can create a team, or join the event as a solo participant, through the Relay for Life website by clicking the link below and then the “Join this Relay” button! (https://secure.acsevents.org/site/STR?pg=entry&fr_id=104020 ).

You can build a team with your friends or family and compete against other teams in the town to see who can raise the most money to donate to the American Cancer Society. Fundraising for the event is also a perfect way for students to develop leadership skills and put their creativity to work!

All individuals who raise $150 by the day of the event can stay overnight at the turf in Bedford with their teammates to celebrate everyone’s hard work in the united fight to end cancer. If an individual does not raise $150 they will only be allowed to stay until 11pm. Participants can also earn a free t-shirt and other merchandise depending on how much they fundraise.**

Throughout the upcoming months the Relay for Life Committee will be holding different events in the town and schools. Keep an eye out for emails or follow our Instagram (@rflbedfordma) for more information about these opportunities.

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to the Relay for Life Committee using this email address: bedfordmarelayforlife@gmail.com

You can also visit the Relay for Life website to find out more information about Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society (https://secure.acsevents.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=relay_learn)

We hope to see you all in May,

The Bedford Relay for Life Committee

**If the child is under the age of 18 and raised $150, a parent or guardian must fill out the attached youth participation form in order to stay overnight. The parent can email the form to bedfordmarelayforlife@gmail.com.

Link to youth participation form: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nrA1mhwYhlBLtR4F5GCIhIFAWlkoZGKV/view?usp=drivesdk

Each team must have a chaperone (a parent or guardian over the age of 18). If you would like to be a chaperone, please reach out using the email above!

.For all things Postsecondary related, please visit the

BHS Counseling Department’s Post-Secondary website

Counseling Department Monthly Newsletter: Check your email for the January edition of the Counseling Connection Newsletter available January 10th!

Counseling Department Programming

Wednesday 2/15/2023 - Junior Parent/Caregiver Webinar will again be held via Zoom! We will give an overview of the college process, post-secondary planning resources, and tasks that juniors can do before senior year. The webinar link will be provided within the next week.

Postsecondary Planning - Grades 9/10 from Big Future/College Board

• Create a four-year high school plan. Think about what you’d like to accomplish in the next four years

• Start thinking about your life after school, including the types of jobs that might interest you. Of course, these will change — often — but it’s good to start thinking about the possibilities.

• Meet with your high school counselor. Your counselor knows how to help you get the most out of high school. Be sure to take some time during the school year to discuss post-high-school plans with him or her.

• Participate in extracurricular activities. Academics aren’t everything. Explore your interest in a sport, school club, music or drama group, or community volunteer activity

• Explore summer opportunities. Look for a job, internship, or volunteer position that will help you learn about a field of interest.

Juniors

Attention all students who took the PSAT on October 15th. 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

Scholarships - Class of 2023

College scholarship applications are coming up shortly. The Counseling Department is updating a document with local scholarship information that will be available shortly. Stay tuned.

Scholarship Transcript Requests

It is the students’ responsibility to submit transcripts for scholarship applications. We are happy to print and/or email you a copy of your transcript.

If you need an “official transcript” we will give it to you in a sealed official envelope.

You can request your transcript(s) directly with Mrs. Brownrigg, or send her an email at: Julie_Brownrigg@Bedfordps.org

Scholarship Letters of Recommendation

Students should reach out to the staff member who wrote the recommendation, so they can either release the recommendation to the student or send it in on their behalf.

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 2023-24 academic year opens on January 1, 2023. For more information on eligibility or to apply, visit mcsf.org/apply. Email Scholarship@mcsf.org with questions, or call 866-496-5462.

FINANCIAL AID REMINDER - The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is the key to unlocking college financial aid from federal, state, and local sources. Filling out the FAFSA helps keep college an option for the fall. Fill out the FAFSA as early as possible to maximize the aid you'll receive!

Sunday, January 22nd, and Monday, February 20th, FAFSA Day Massachusetts: Get FREE Help Applying for College Financial Aid! Click the date that works best for you and Register Here.

FAFSA Day is a non-profit, volunteer-driven program providing free assistance to students and families seeking to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

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!

Bedford SEPAC Literacy Discussion

Wednesday, January 11th, at 8 pm at Bedford High School LGI Room

Bedford SEPAC Daytime Meetup

Thursday, January 12th, at 9:15 am at Bedford Whole Foods Seating Area

Come grab coffee or breakfast and meet in the eating area near the registers to chat with other parents/caregivers.

Bedford SEPAC Meeting

Wednesday, January 18th, at 8 pm on zoom

Marianne Vines, Director of Bedford Special Education, and a guest from Bedford Recreation will join us to discuss inclusive recreation and summer programming.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86404810950?pwd=bWRSdnNSeDhseU5BOXJhUDlpQ25BUT09

Meeting ID: 864 0481 0950

Passcode: 333333

Engaging Minds presents Executive Function Skills

Wednesday, February 8th, at 7 pm on zoom

Executive function skills have become increasingly important for students of all ages. Join Engaging Minds to learn actionable strategies you can use at home to help strengthen your child’s executive function skills to keep them on a successful path this school year and beyond.

Registration: https://engagingmindsonline.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3q1Im6OpRW-Wo6IxRtIOAw

Bedford SEPAC General Meeting

Thursday, February 16th, at 8 pm on zoom

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4172275285?pwd=OTZaeHZOM3lSY1h4Z0J5SndVMTk0Zz09

Meeting ID: 417 227 5285

Passcode: 333333

Bedford SEPAC General Meeting

Wednesday, March 15th, at 8 pm on zoom

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4172275285?pwd=OTZaeHZOM3lSY1h4Z0J5SndVMTk0Zz09

Meeting ID: 417 227 5285

Passcode: 333333

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BEDFORDMASEPAC/

Webpage: Bedfordsepac.com

IMPORTANT

Please report all cases of COVID-19 (both home tests and tests from a healthcare provider) to your child’s school COVID email: bhscovid@bedfordps.org

The cold and flu season is upon us! Please report any positive cases of communicable illness such as flu, strep, RSV and COVID when you call the school to report your child's absence. Please continue to screen your child for illness before sending them to school. We appreciate everyone's cooperation in helping prevent the spread of illness as we enter the cold and flu season. Although not mandatory, we encourage anyone with mild symptoms to wear a mask to prevent the spread of germs in the classroom setting. Thank you.

Please see a message from the Bedford Health Department regarding respiratory illness prevention.

Respiratory Illness Prevention

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

Bedford Public Schools will be following the recommendations of MA DPH and DESE guidelines.

We encourage families to:

• Keep home rapid antigen tests on hand. Pick up a free at-home test kit, available for Bedford residents from one of the following town offices during normal business hours: Health Department, Council on Aging, Town Manager’s Office or the Bedford Free Public Library. Order your free at-home test kit from the Federal Government- https://www.covidtests.gov/

• Continue to screen daily for symptoms before sending your child to school.

• Stay up to date with vaccinations/boosters

• Keep masks on hand to be used as indicated for those returning to school after testing positive for COVID-19.

Students and staff who are sick should stay home.

Anyone who is sick, and has multiple symptoms should stay home and can return when:

• they have tested negative using a home rapid antigen test and have been fever free for 24 hours without the use of a fever reducing medication

• their symptoms are resolving

• or if a medical professional makes an alternative diagnosis.

Students with MILD symptoms (for example, a single symptom of a runny nose) should test negative with a home rapid antigen test before coming to school.

Per MA DPH it is recommended to test with a home rapid antigen test a second time within 48 hours if the initial COVID-19 test is negative.

Returning to school after testing positive for COVID-19

Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 will still need to isolate for 5 days at home. Those individuals may return to school after Day 5 wearing a mask through day 10, as long as they are asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving and fever free without the use of fever-reducing medication for 24 hours.

• Day 0 - is the date of the positive test/symptom onset- whichever came first

• Day 5- isolate through this date

• Day 6- return to school if symptoms have significantly improved or resolved AND fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication.

• Day 10- wear a well fitting mask at all times (except when eating or drinking or outside) through day 10.

Always report positive cases of COVID-19 to your child’s primary care provider. Students should get cardiac clearance for sports either in person visit or phone triage by their provider after testing positive for COVID-19.

This school year the Bedford School Lunch Program will revert to our pre-pandemic cafeteria process with one big change. All meals at all schools will be free for all students the entire school year.

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

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? 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 2022-23 Bus Routes have been posted on the Transportation Web Page

Know who to contact for help? (please see page 6)