The Bedford Buccaneer
April 3, 2023
IMPORTANT DATES
Tuesday, April 11-School Council-2:30-4:00
Monday, April 17th-Friday, April 21st-Spring Vacation
Thursday, April 27th-Poetry Slam-6:30-8:30pm-BHS LGI
Tuesday, May 9-School Council-2:30-3:30
Friday, May 12th -43 Annual AFJROTC Awards Night--6:00-7:30pm-BHS Auditorium
Tuesday, May 16th-Wednesday, May17th-Math MCAS
Wednesday, May 17th-Senior Awards Night-7:00-8:30pm-BHS-Invites will be sent out
Thursday, May 18-Junior Prom-6-10pm
Thursday, May 25th-Senior Prom-6-10pm
Monday, May 29th-No School
Thursday, June 1st- Class of 2023 Graduation
Thursday, June 1st-Friday, June 2nd - All Night Graduation party for BHS Class of 2023
Tuesday, June 6th- 9-11th Grade Awards Night-7:00-8:30pm- BHS-Invites will be sent
Tuesday, June 6th-Wednesday, June 7th-Science MCAS(9th Grade)
Friday, June 16th-Tentative Last Day of School-If no snow days
Hello BHS!
April is World Autism Awareness Month. Bringing awareness to Autism means hearing from the perspectives of individuals on the spectrum and their thoughts on this annual event. Unlike some other awareness campaigns, Autism Awareness month is not universally liked by the Autistic community. The Autism Society of America, and many other advocacy groups, continue to campaign to change the name to Autism Acceptance Month. Another recent shift has been with the puzzle piece symbol, which many in the community feel is too closely related to the idea of people with Autism “not fitting in” to societal expectations. The infinity symbol is now being widely embraced.
Here are some quotes from individuals on the Autism Spectrum that represent this sentiment:
“For us, ‘acceptance’ signifies acknowledgement of our differences, while ‘awareness’ suggests that they’re merely tolerated. When autistic people say we want acceptance over awareness, what we’re essentially saying is society needs to change, not us.”
“Autism is a major part of a person’s identity and treating it like a problem to be solved is demeaning. Awareness is not enough and acceptance is the conversation we need to be having”
“The most radical act you can perform as an ally to Autistic people is to accept them exactly as they are and beyond that to celebrate them and their neurotype.”
In 2023, the CDC reported that approximately 1 in 36 children in the U.S. are diagnosed as having Autism Spectrum Disorder. Many members of our BHS community are touched by Autism, including students, staff, and community members. This month, we celebrate neurodiversity and inclusivity for all, especially those with Autism.
In an effort to highlight Autism Acceptance Month, the BHS Library will post a series of Instagram pieces that include direct words from our students. Please follow @BedfordHSLIB and stop by the library in April, to see our Autism Awareness display.
Sincerely,
Tina O'Donnell & Sara McCarthy
BHS Interact Club Fundraiser
$3/bag or donation of any amount accepted
Pay with cash or Venmo @BedfordFundraising
Candy will be delivered during Advisory!
Selling during lunch Tuesday/Thursday
All money collected will be donated directly to the St. Vincent de Paul society to aid victims.
Thank you for your support! @bedford_interact_club
Poetry Slam
APRIL Is the MONTH of the MILITARY CHILD
In an effort to support and honor our students from Hanscom Air Force Base the high school will be hosting a couple of events during the month of April.
1. A breakfast on April 14th during Flex Block in the back cafeteria.
2. PCS (Permanent Change of Station) party for our students who will not be returning to BHS next year. This event's location and time is TBD.
Purple is the color of the Military Child...when you combine the colors of all of the service branches, you get PURPLE. To celebrate our students, we are encouraging everyone to wear purple on April 14th for a "Purple Up Day"....
Please reach out to Brian DeChellis at brian_dechellis@bedfordps.org with more questions.
Class of 2023 Krispy Kreme donuts Fundraiser
Order a box of Krispy Kreme donuts this spring! Orders can be placed online for the next couple weeks. All orders are due by midnight on Monday, April 10th. Pickup will be a couple days later on Friday, April 14th, at BHS in Ms. Billouin’s room H107.
Please use the Google Form here
Thanks for supporting the Class of 2023!
Senior dates and deadlines
Senior Whale Watch field Trip-May 16th-$40 per student-Bus may not be back by 2:24pm
See Mrs Billouin and Mrs Hinz for permission slip.
Senior spirit week- May 15-19th
Senior Awards Night-May 17th-7:00-8:30pm-BHS-Invites will be sent out
Senior Prom Stroll- Thursday, May 25th-
Senior Prom-Thursday, May 25th-Danversport Yacht Club 6-10pm
CSF Dollars for Scholars Scholarship Award & Reception-May 30th-BHS Auditorium.
Check-in for students starts at 6:30 pm. The Award presentation begins at 7pm.
Class Breakfast and Graduation rehearsal -Wednesday, May 31st 8:30-10:30am-Cafe
Pay all financial obligations, receive school records and receive cap and gown.
Graduation-Thursday, June 1st-6:15pm Sharp-No Tickets Needed
Seniors arrive at 5:30pm for line up
All Night Graduation Party-June 1-10:30pm to June 2-5:30am-Tickets will go on sale in May
Vaping Devices Installed & Activated
New Location-Student item drop off
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.
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
*Allergy Season*
Dear parents/guardians, as most of you know, spring allergy season is upon us and some people are affected to different degrees. I just wanted to remind you that I do not provide allergy medication, including nasal sprays, antihistamines or eye drops. Please be proactive about your student’s allergies and have them take their prescribed allergy medication before school, so they will be comfortable for the duration of the school day. Depending on the severity of the pollen allergy, those with seasonal allergies can feel pretty miserable during this time of the year. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you. - Annmarie
Annmarie Vaughan, BSN, RN
High School Nurse
781-275-1700 x4416
Counseling Corner
For all things Postsecondary related, please visit the
BHS Counseling Department’s Post-Secondary website
Important Dates:
April 2023 5 Naviance Help Session #2 for Class of 2024 Caregivers
3 & 6 Grade 10 Seminars
Counseling Department Monthly Newsletter: Did you know? Translated versions of our newsletter are available upon request. Watch your email for the April edition of the Counseling Connection Newsletter!
Counseling Department Programming
Naviance Help Sessions for Class of 2024 Caregivers:
The BHS Counseling Department offers an opportunity for parents/caregivers (Class 2024) to meet virtually with counseling staff to learn how to register a Naviance account, receive college search tips, and ask questions about using Naviance. The next help session will be held virtually on April 5th @ 12:00 PM. Advance registration is required. Registration Link
Unable to attend? Contact Ms. Brownrigg and she can assist you in scheduling a session with a school counselor.
Sophomore Seminars will be held beginning the week of April 2nd. School counselors will lead classroom discussions where:
Students will learn about suggested careers based on identified traits, skills, and career interests.
Students will register a Naviance Student account and save their favorite careers.
Students will reflect on how their personality and career preferences relate to post-secondary goals.
NACAC National College Fair
Students can explore what college fairs are available through www.nacacfairs.org and www.collegefairguide.com.
Scheduling for School Year 2024
Important Dates
Tuesday, April 4, 20202
Course request verification information available in Aspen
In the Family Portal on Aspen
Click the Family tab.
Click the Schedule side-tab, and then click Requests
You can review the student's course selections: Upper Table - "Requests" - what the student will be scheduled for
this includes the courses that were recommended for the student as well as courses that the student has selected through the Aspen Portal - Lower Table - "Course Request Adjustments" - these are the courses that were recommended
Friday, April 7, 2022
Deadline for submitting any corrections to course request verification information to the counselor.
SENIORS: Scholarships - Class of 2023
Students will be notified by the middle of May if they are receiving a scholarship and will be invited to attend their award ceremony on May 30th where they will receive their award.
Koplik Certificate of Mastery Application Deadline Pending - 2023
Please note that an initial application for the Koplik Certificate of Mastery may not be submitted after your child has graduated from high school. It is highly recommended that you work with your BHS counselor or school’s Koplik coordinator (Mr. Eggleston) to discuss the application process well in advance of the May 1st deadline, even if your child is exploring other post-secondary options. Drop off your completed application in the BHS Counseling office and we will submit the application on your behalf. More information on the Koplik Certificate of Mastery is available on the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s website: https://www.doe.mass.edu/scholarships/mastery/ .
Students
Testing Supports
College Board and the Jed Foundation co-created a resource on strategies to help students calm their nerves before, during, and after a test. Check out this new resource How to cope with test anxiety
Relay for Life
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!
School Lunch Information
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
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. After completing the form is bring a copy or picture of the vehicle registration and license to the main office to get parking permit. 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.
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 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)
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