The Bedford Buccaneer
October 30, 2023
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, November 6th-Make Up Picture Day during FLEX
Tuesday, November 7th-No School-Staff Professional Day
Friday, November 10th-No School-Veteran's Day (Observed)
Tuesday, November 14th-School Council meeting- 2:30-3:30pm
Wednesday, November 15th-Financial Aid Night, Presented by MEFA-6:30 PM - 8 PM in the LGI
Monday, November 20th-Parent/Caregiver Workshop on Marijuana and Vaping-7:00-8:00PM-BHS LGI
Wednesday, November 22nd-Early release-11:15am
Thursday, November 23-24th-No School-Thanksgiving Vacation
Thursday, November 30th-BHS Conferences-4:00-8:00pm
Tuesday, December 12th-School Council meeting- 2:30-3:30pm
Monday, December 25th-Monday, January 1st-No School-Vacation
Tuesday, January 9th-School Council meeting- 2:30-3:30pm
Monday, January 15th-No School-Martin Luther King Day
Tuesday, February 13th-School Council meeting- 2:30-3:30pm
Monday, February 19th-Friday, February 23rd-No School-Winter Vacation
Tuesday, March 12th- School Council meeting-2:30-3:30pm
Friday, March 15th-No School-Staff Professional Day
Tuesday, March 26th-Wednesday, March 27th-Delayed Opening-ELA MCAS
Tuesday, April 9th- School Council meeting-2:30-3:30pm
Monday, April 15th-Friday, April 19th-No School-Spring Vacation
Tuesday, May 14th- School Council meeting-2:30-3:30pm
Monday, May 20th -Last day for Seniors
Tuesday, May 21st-Wednesday, May 22nd-Delayed Opening-Math MCAS
Tuesday, May 21st-Friday, May 24th-Senior Finals
Monday, May 27th-No School-Memorial Day
Thursday, June 6th- Graduation-Tsongas Center
Friday, June 14th-**Tentative Last Day of School**-If no snow days
Wednesday, June 19th-No School-Juneteenth Holiday
BHS Rotating Day Calendar 2023-2024
Congratulations to Boys and Girls Cross country
On Friday in Boston, the Bedford High girls cross country team captured the Dual County League Small School Championship at Franklin Park. This marks the first time the Bedford girls had been victorious at the league meet, capping a historic season which featured an undefeated dual meet schedule and their first ever regular season crown.
Leading the way for Bedford was senior Samantha Sheahan, who earned the DCL Small individual title and finished 9th among all DCL runners. Sophomore Addi Poulter was second in the Small, followed by junior Anna Massaro in sixth, junior Vivian Liu in twelfth, and senior Elena Protasowicki in thirteenth. Bedford bested runner-up Weston by a mere two points, 30-32.
On the boys side, senior Johnny Garraway led the boys to a third place team finish by placing third in the DCL Small and 13th overall. The boys scoring five also included senior Carter Rauch (17:27), freshman Sahill Rotella (19:32), senior Oren Brosgol (19:54), and senior Anthony O'Brien (20:26).
Picture retake day-Nov 6th during Flex
If this is the first time being photographed, just have the student/staff go to the camera and we’ll create a proof for them that will be sent to the school (and/or to their family email if we have that information). These proofs will be delivered approx. 4 weeks after picture day. An order code will be on the proof along with ordering instructions.
BHS Teacher/Caregiver Conferences are November 30th from 4pm to 8pm
The sign up time will open on Wednesday, November 15th at 8am.
If you sign in before 8am you will not see anything until you refresh the page.
https://www.myconferencetime.com/bedfordhs/
The signups will close at 11am on November 28th.
Once it is closed, there is no access to it.
You are able to sign up with 2 teachers for each student.
Each conference is 10 minutes.
Do not sign them up back to back.
You will need time to get to your second conference.
Some teachers do fill up quickly. If this happens please contact the teacher by email to arrange another time and date.
https://www.bedfordps.org/node/30/people-by-department
Also, teachers will have their schedules hanging on their doors. If there are empty spots you can sign up.
If you have issues after Wednesday, November 15th at 8:05am with signing up your student(s) please feel free to contact me, Brenda Sweetland 781-918-4406 or email at brenda_sweetland@bedfordps.org.
Fall Play: Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare: November 17 and 18 at 7pm
The Performing Arts Department presents Shakespeare's Twelfth Night (adapted by E. Holmes) on November 17 and 18 at 7pm.
Tickets can be purchased at bhschorusandtheater.weebly.com/tickets and will also be sold at the door. Come support the hard work of the 40 students involved in the cast and the crew!
Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth parent/caregiver workshop on Marijuana and Vaping
Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth Parent/Caregiver workshop on Marijuana and Vaping
Registration link coming soon.
congratulations to our National Merit Commended Scholars and the Semifinalists
Gabriel Arakawa, Bryan Bai, Daniel Bendersky, Taelyn Albrecht, Jacqueline Cutrona, Joseph Patterson, Evan Kelly, Zachary Shen, Alex Zhang, Hayden McAllister, Cameron Zhu, Andrew Lum, Healy Weisman, Benjamin Sedran, Rachael Hsu, Caroline Liu, Julia Ke, Christina Kolak, Kaylyn Sethakosee, Rei Brown
Women of Science
From the Women of Science Co-chairs Lisa Morrison & Heather Kurzman:
Each spring Bedford High School hosts the Women of Science Scholarship Competition. This year we are looking to develop new community partnerships with local science and technology companies. Corporate sponsors can help us create opportunities for students to gain access to role models they may not otherwise have through providing financial support and/or female volunteers.
If you work in a technology-/science-related field and feel that your company would be a good fit as a corporate sponsor please reach out to us at: Lisa_Morrison@bedfordps.org or Heather_Kurzman@bedfordps.org
If you have not yet responded to the Bedford Public Schools October Military Impact survey, you will be receiving your final reminders in the last few days of the month.
Please look out for the superintendent's email (via DocuSign) and respond to your student's customized survey.
STUDENT information
Hope to see you there!
BHS Jazz Ensemble
Below is a link to register and join the BHS Jazz Ensemble for this year. We'll be having our first meeting on Monday, November 13th, and our rehearsals will be every Monday from 2:30-3:30.
I'm looking for band instrument players who aren't getting this message in class, and piano, bass, or guitar players who want to play some jazz, pop, and rock. Piano, bass, and guitar players must be able to read music and preferably chord symbols for jazz accompaniment.
Link is here.
https://forms.gle/pqoFFLQa62a8c4iX7
Thanks and hope you're all having a great fall.
Mr. Felker
Senior Pep Rally Shirts
Info:
All orders will be placed through CustomInk.com. The last day to order is Monday, November 6th, so we get them delivered on time. The shirts will be $20. Click here to purchase your shirt.
Extracurricular Club-Student Meetings
Horticulture Club
We plan on having meetings every Tuesday, 2:30-3:15 in H107.
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
2023 Scholastic Art Awards
This is an annual art competition for middle and high school students where you can submit a single piece of art or a portfolio (a series of work) to be judged. Each single entry is $10, and each portfolio is $30. We had several students win awards last year, and some years we have students that have had work go to the national level. Please click here to take you to the website for information
If you have questions, please send Mr. Hagan an email or reach out to Ms. Beattie, Mr. Sheinfeld or Ms. Wagner.
AP EXAMS
As of September 29th at 4:00pm, students are now able to register and pay for AP exams through Total Registration. Students will be able to register and pay for their exams without a late fee ($40.00) until the evening of Tuesday, October 31st, 2023. This year, the cost per exam 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 (www.TotalRegistration.net/AP/220112). 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.
Student ID numbers are now required in order to complete the steps in Total Registration. This number can be found in the student’s Aspen account under the “My Info” tab. The required ID number is labeled as “Local Identifier” followed by a number beginning with 5050…. Students will not be able to pay for their exams without this Student ID number.
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.
If you are interested in taking a Self Study Exam, first complete this form (Self Study Registration Form 2024) BEFORE you will be able to pay for your exam in Total Registration. This form must be completed before October 31th, 2023, at which time the form will stop receiving responses. This form may only be completed by students (i.e. not parents/caregivers), and students will be emailed the next steps of the Self Study registration process by one of the coordinators.
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.
If you have any additional questions or concerns, please reach out to AP Coordinators, Jennifer Funk (jennifer_funk@bedfordps.org) and Samantha Thyne (samantha_thyne@bedfordps.org).
Counseling Corner
Upcoming College Rep Visits
College Rep Visits will take place in the counseling suite unless otherwise noted. Please RSVP in Naviance by going to College Visits under the College tab and clicking Register Now.
Champlain College Tue October 31, 2023 8:00 AM
Merrimack College Tue October 31, 2023 1:30 PM
Rivier University Wed November 1, 2023 8:45 AM
Champlain College Tue October 31, 2023 8:00 AM
Merrimack College Tue October 31, 2023 1:30 PM
Rivier University Wed November 1, 2023 8:45 AM
Saint Anslem College Fri November 3, 2023 8:00 AM
Gordon College Thu November 9, 2023 10:30 AM
University of Hartford Thu November 16, 2023 10:30 AM
Western New England University Fri November 17, 2023 10:30 AM
Financial Aid Night, Presented by MEFA
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
6:30 PM - 8 PM in the LGI
This informative presentation will be conducted by a representative from MEFA and will include time for Q&A. Potential topics covered may include the following:
• Types & Sources of Financial Aid
• The Application Process
• How Financial Aid Decisions Are Made
• Paying for College
• Free Resources
Kai Chun, former BHS student of the 2020 graduating class is a current student at the United States Naval Academy. Kai will be visiting the BHS counseling department on Monday, November 27th at 10:30am and will be available to speak with any Junior or Senior that may be interested in attending the Naval Academy. You must sign up for this event; please use the link to let us know you will be attending.
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
PARENTS:
I have Covid tests that have an extended expiration date of 1/23/2024 (ignore the 1/2023 date).
If you would like your child to bring a Covid test home, please have them stop by the nurse’s office to pick one up. Covid tests will only be administered at school if permission is given through the link below.
I am still missing physicals and emergency forms for some students, as well as Epi-Pens and allergy action plans for students with allergies. Please be sure to send in the necessary items for your child as soon as possible. Thank you.
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
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
Winter sports registration is now open!
Instructions are found here: https://www.bedfordps.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif2786/f/uploads/sports_registration_instructions5_0.pdf
Follow Athletics on social media
Twitter: @BedfordBucs
Instagram: @bedfordathletics
Football Ticket Prices
$5-Students and Seniors
$7-General admission
CHALLENGE sUCCESS
To view the webinar on Balancing Sleep and Screens please click here.
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. If you have difficulty making an online purchase, you can also order over the phone: 1-866-287-3096.
Deadline: 12/31/23
Online Student Directory
Register by November 1 to add your student's information to the 2023-24 Student Directory!
This year we will be offering a FREE Online Student Directory for caregivers of students at BHS & JGMS.
Visit us at: http://bedfordpco.org/, where you will be prompted to login. If you already have a Membership Toolkit account login with another organization, you can use the same log-in on our site.
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. You can then proceed to the numbered steps below. If not,
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.
Complete the Directory/Publish Preferences.
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.
Questions? - Please don't hesitate to contact us at jgmsparents@gmail.com
BHSPA Grants for the BHS Community
As part of our mission to contribute to different initiatives, programs, and events that impact the students, faculty, staff, and supporting the community at BHS, the BHSPA has many events that we regularly fund and support. We also invite faculty, student groups, and individuals to submit grant requests for special projects, programs, and tools that will have a positive impact on the BHSPA community. If you have an idea to propose, please download, fill out the application and follow the instructions.
BHSPA Fall Appeal
The BHSPA Fall Appeal is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we can only do it with your help! We are halfway to our fundraising goal of $8,000 and need your donation to help us make this goal! The BHSPA is a caregiver volunteer organization which raises and distributes funds to support the various initiatives, programs, and events for the BHS community. All caregivers are members of the BHSPA. We collect no dues, rather, we solely rely on donations and fundraising. Thank you for supporting BHSPA!
BEDFORD SEPAC (Special Education Parental Advisory Council)
Come and discuss special education programming in Bedford and how we can best support our children.
Thurs, Dec 14, 2023 at 7:30 PM
Thurs, Jan 18, 2024 at 7:30 PM with guest Marianne Vines
Thurs, Feb 15, 2024 at 7:30 PM
Thurs, Mar 14, 2024 at 7:30 PM
Wed, Apr 24, 2024 at 7:30 PM with guest Marianne Vines
Thurs, May 16, 2024 at 7:30 PM
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4172275285?pwd=OTZaeHZOM3lSY1h4Z0J5SndVMTk0Zz09
Meeting ID: 417 227 5285
Passcode: 333333
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