The Bedford Buccaneer
April 27, 2020
IMPORTANT DATES
April 23 - May 23 - Ramadan
Tuesday, April 28 - Principals Advisory 12:00
Wednesday, April 29 - 7:00 pm Strategies to Nurture Resilience in Ourselves and Our Children
Friday, May 1 - Bedford Food Pantry 1-3:00 for more the details please click on this link
Sunday, May 10 - Dollars for Scholars College Attendance Form due
Thursday, May 21 - Senior Awards Ceremony (Virtual) 7:00 pm (link will be sent)
Friday, May 22 - Junior Prom canceled
Friday, May 22 - Bedford Food Pantry 1-3:00 for more the details please click on this link
Thursday, June 4 - Graduation, Tsongas Arena 6-8:30 pm
Wednesday, June 24 - Last day of School
Thursday, June 25 - Graduation postponed date (if needed) Tsongas Arena 6-8:30 pm
Wednesday, July 22 - Senior Prom (new date) Tewksbury Country Club 7-11:00 pm
Thursday, June 25 - Graduation postponed date (if needed) Tsongas Arena 6-8:30 pm
Thursday, August 13 - Graduation postponed date (if needed) Tsongas Arena 6-8:30 pm
TBA - Student Access to BHS to collect belongings; information will be emailed asap
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Dear BHS Families,
We know that news of the school closure through the end of the year was challenging to hear. This is not what educators had in mind when we chose to enter the field of education. We also know that this is a challenging time for families who are trying to keep their child(ren) motivated at home while working from home yourselves. Teaching and learning remotely is challenging for all. Our teachers are working hard to adjust to this new normal and are doing their very best to recalibrate their curriculum to meet the needs of students. A student survey was included in the Monday Memo (included in this bulletin). Please encourage your student(s) to offer their feedback.
The counseling department continues to collaborate with the main office team, the district team, colleges/universities and other schools around grading and transcripts. These are important decisions that are being made. A comprehensive document will be shared with students and your parents in the upcoming weeks. Please know that we are taking into account our work with Challenge Success and our focus on equity when making decisions. Colleges and universities have reassured secondary schools saying that they will be incredibly flexible given the pandemic. They are aware that transcripts will look different for the next few years. Colleges and universities are also in crisis trying to figure out how to educate their collegiate students. We are all in this together and doing our best to ensure that our students are well positioned for post highschool endeavors.
Even though we are not in session, we are still working on the master schedule, have faculty, leadership and department meetings and are also working on professional development for next year. We are also hiring new faculty members as we say goodbye to Ms. Harvey, Mr. Byrnes and Ms. Blake who are all retiring at the end of this school year. They have all meant so much to our school community and this is a challenging way to end a career.
I am really proud of our BHS faculty as they continue to adjust to this new way of teaching. I am really proud of our students as well, who miss school and are reaching out with notes of gratitude and appreciation. Even though we are apart, we will continue to find ways to remain connected and teach in a meaningful way.
It seems fitting to plug our Challenge Success event on Wednesday evening. Dr. Bob Brooks will be hosting a webinar/presentation (information and link below) entitled Strategies to Nurture Resilience in Ourselves & Our Children. Bedford TV is also recording it for future viewings. Special thanks to our MSPA and BHSPA for sponsoring the event. We will continue to communicate every Monday through this bulletin. Information sent to students in the Monday Memo is included here as well. Stay safe and hang in there.
Warm Regards,
Heather Galante
Principal
Bedford High School
Twitter: @bhs_galante
Student Speaker - last chance
In addition to your faculty speaker, Mr. Morrissey, your class President, Jonathan Pierre, will also speak. In the past, an additional student speaker has been selected. The student and faculty speakers help to personalize the commencement ceremony. If you have a story or message to share with your class, please consider submitting and presenting your speech to a panel of faculty members and students. Date TBA-may be done virtually at the beginning of May.
If you are eligible to graduate, you are eligible to be considered as a speaker at graduation-no further prerequisites
Interested seniors should submit a speech to Mrs. Sweetland in the Main Office by Thursday, April 30th. You may email the speech to brenda_sweetland@bedfordps.org
The speech should be about 3-5 minutes in length (rubric is attached to this email)
Please consider writing, submitting and presenting a speech for consideration.
Senior Awards Ceremony (Virtual)
Thursday, May 21, 7:00 pm (link will be sent)
Seniors-Google Accounts & Naviance
For seniors, google accounts are typically disabled a week after graduation. Our technology department is able to allow continued access through July 1st. If you would like to preserve or keep any of the documents on your google drive, start transferring those to a new account or download them. After Jul 1, 2020, you will no longer be able to retrieve your documents from your school accounts. Your Naviance will be available and able to be accessed until September.
Senior Spotlight
The Class of 2020 has been posting on their Instagram and Facebook pages Senior Spotlights daily to celebrate their success and future endeavors. To get a Senior Spotlight, please Instagram Direct Message, Facebook message or email Olivia Lee (olivia_lee-2020@bedfordps.org) the following:
A picture of you
Your future plans (college/university, job if entering the workforce, etc.)
If attending college, what you will be studying/majoring in
A "Key to Success" *
*What is your advice to others? Don't be afraid to challenge the definition of success!
Note: There is no rush or deadline for submitting this information! Take your time.
Class of 2020 Instagram: instagram.com/inthe20ne
Class of 2020 Facebook Page: facebook.com/inthe20ne
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Community Service Update
Hi Seniors,
I hope you are all hanging in there during this tough time. I'm thinking about all our students, but you especially. Sending you lots of good vibes. Due to the March school closure due to Covid-19, Seniors will not be expected to complete the community service expectation. Students may still submit community service hours, but the expectation of completing 20 hours will be waived. If you have hours you would still like to submit, the information and links are available at https://www.bedfordps.org/high-school/parent-information/pages/community-service-bhs-students Stay well and keep busy!
Ms. Faulstich
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SAVE THE DATES
Senior Prom (New Date)
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
7-11:00 pm
Tewksbury Country Club
1880 Main St, Tewksbury, MA
(If the social distancing ban has not been lifted by then, the class officers will work on planning a reunion get-together over the Thanksgiving break.)
BHS Graduation
Thursday, June 4, 2020
6:00 – 8:30 pm
Tsongas Arena, 300 Arcand Dr, Lowell, MA
Alternative Graduation dates if postponed:
Thursday, June 25, 2020
or
Thursday, August 13, 2020
Please note: If the ban on social distancing has not been lifted by August 13, we will plan for a virtual ceremony with some in person elements for that date. The graduation will not be postponed beyond August 13.
No tickets required
Parking information: http://www.tsongascenter.com/parking.php
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Attention Seniors: CSF Dollars for Scholars 2020 Application Announcement
The CSF of Bedford Selections Committee is hard at work evaluating scholarship applications and will notify scholarship recipients in late May.
Please remember to complete CAF form and return it with your college awards package (if applicable) by May 10th to CSF of Bedford Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 585, Bedford, MA 01730 or by email to bedfordma@dollarsforscholars.org.
(CAF form is attached or can be downloaded from the Student/Parent page at http://www.bedfordma.dollarsforscholars.org)
If you are unable to download the form, please send an email with your mailing address to bedfordma@dollarsforscholars.org and we will send you a form in the mail.
We are sad that our scholarship award recipients will not receive a much-deserved recognition at a public ceremony this year since we have cancelled our awards reception due to the ongoing covid19 crisis. We wish you and your family health and safety during this difficult time.
Selections Committee,
CSF Bedford Dollars for Scholars
This form must be sent by May 10, 2020.
Work Permits
We know that many of you are trying to secure summer employment and there are new guidelines in place so that we can help you during this departure. You can download the application. Once you have the employer sign it, you must have a parent sign as well and submit a physical if under 16. Once all of the above is complete, send the completed information and application to Mrs. Powell and she will prepare the work permit. The link to the application is below and you can reach Mrs. Powell at nancy_powell@bedfordps.org . Feel free to reach out to her with any questions.
Link to Youth employment permit application
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/youth-employment-permit-information
HOW TO TAKE A BALANCED APPROACH
TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
One of the many unfortunate and disconcerting side effects of COVID-19 is the additional anxiety that high school students are feeling right now about the college admissions process. Stress levels about college are often high this time of year as seniors make their final acceptance decisions and juniors and sophomores feel the pressure to achieve top grades and test scores. And now families have the added layer of uncertainty due to canceled admit days and college tours, changes to grading policies and SAT/ACT testing and dates, and the elimination of most extracurriculars.
We urge students and parents to keep the big picture in mind and remember that all students across the world are experiencing these uncertainties together. Hundreds of colleges such as Case Western, Harvard, and Oregon State have proactively shared how they will make adjustments to honor the disruptions students are currently encountering, and have emphasized that students will not be disadvantaged as a result.
Challenge Success recently provided guidance to policymakers and education leaders to adopt a grading policy that includes a shift to Credit/Incomplete or No Record as a way to support student well-being and equity. Watch this 60-minute Q&A webinar with Denise Pope and a panelist of experts to learn more.
As always, remember that a student’s entire future does not depend on this one decision. Research confirms that what you do in college matters more than where you go to college. As Dr. Pope recently said in a message to families, use this unexpected time at home to broaden your definition of learning and embrace playtime, downtime, and family time.
Keep reading for practical ways that parents, students, and educators can reduce unnecessary stress and take a more balanced approach to the college admissions process during COVID-19 and beyond.
Stay safe, healthy, and balanced.
The Challenge Success team
Explore our resources to support families & educators during remote learning
Strategies to Nurture Resilience in Ourselves and Others
When: Apr 29, 2020 7:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/95880242515?pwd=WnBjcERQdzVFYUZNVFpoVkZTQ0pFQT09
Password: 425055
Counseling Corner
“TAKING CARE OF OURSELVES TODAY IS THE MOST COMPASSIONATE THING WE CAN DO, NOT ONLY FOR OURSELVES BUT FOR THE WELL BEING OF THOSE AROUND US.”
Dr. Blaise Aguirre, McLean Hospital
Director of Adolescent Dialectical Behavior Therapy Center
Mental Health and Well Being
The MGH Center for Cross-Cultural Student Emotional Wellness is excited to announce a collaboration with the MGH Institute of Health Professions (IHP) and the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s “Let’s Talk!” Conference to launch a free COVID-19 educational webinar series focused on the emotional well-being of Asian and Asian American students. There are different target audiences for each webinar including Asian American students, international students, parents, schools, and community members, though attendance is free and open to all who are interested. For questions, please contact us at info@mghstudentwellness.org. To register here for the next webinar Living through a pandemic: understanding, coping, and finding meaning on Thursday, 4/30 7:00-8:15pm. Separate registration for each webinar is required.BRYT FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP
Bedford Public Schools is a member of the Bridge for Resilient Youth in Transition (BRYT, pronounced “bright”) network and as such all families are invited to participate in their virtual support groups. We know that this is a challenging time with things changing rapidly. While we practice social distancing let’s be sure that we are also connecting.
What you can expect: This group is designed to allow families to drive the conversation. Maybe you need suggestions. Maybe you need to vent. Maybe you need to know other people are facing the same challenges. Whatever it is you need we are here for you!
When: Ongoing, Tuesdays at 3:00 pm and Wednesdays at 8:00 AM
Who: All families that could use some extra support during this difficult time
Where: Online at Zoom same link each week
Weekly Sessions:
Tues 3:00 PM group join with link: http://zoom.us/j/2663874038
Wed 8:00 AM group join with this link: http://zoom.us/j/812329394
William James is offering free, virtual support groups for parents.
Parents Helping Parents of Massachusetts
Parents Helping Parents of Massachusetts offers online support groups (daily via Zoom), a parental stress helpline, materials, resources and more. Visit their website, https://www.parentshelpingparents.org/.
Additional Groups
William James College's Center of Excellence for Children, Families and the Law and Brenner Center for Psychological Assessment and Consultation are also presenting a series of groups on the following topics. For dates, times and login details please visit our Public Events Calendar page.
Post-Secondary Planning
Many colleges and universities have already altered their admissions requirements for the class of 2021. You can find the latest information regarding grades summarized here College Admissions Information w/ Regard to Covid-19.
Other useful links:
NACAC College Admission Status Update Coronavirus Impact: https://www.nacacnet.org/college-admission-status-coronavirus
College Visits and Tours: www.youvisit.com/collegesearch
Campus Tours: www.ecampustours.com
Campus Tours: www.campustours.com
Junior Counseling Seminars (Session 3) Began last week with a webinar to view at your convenience. After viewing the webinar students are invited to small group interactive sessions with their counselor and an individual post-secondary planning meeting via zoom. Please see the email to juniors and parents/caregivers for more information.
Boston College Fair Guide - DIGITAL
Since the College Fair was cancelled and we cannot provide you hard copies of the College Fair Guide, please accept this digital edition. Students and parents will find important information to help in the college search process.
FAFSA and Massachusetts State Aid
Military Options
Many recruiting stations have been closed for personal visits, but are still available to discuss your future in the military. You may ask a recruiter about education programs such as R.O.T.C., the military academies, the Post 9/11-GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program. Serving in the military is not only an honor but can be a great way to finance your education.Standardized Testing Information Update - AP, ACT, SAT.
About 51 universities and colleges have dropped the ACT/SAT requirement for at least fall 2021 in recent months, according to a list by the National Center for Fair and Open Testing, or FairTest, a nonprofit organization working to end the misuse of standardized testing. See the full CNN article here.
ACT scheduled for April 4 has been postponed to June 13, go to ACT.org for more information
SAT and SAT Subject Tests scheduled for June 6 have been postponed, further information is available on the College Board website
AP Letter Containing the Latest Info and Updates. Please click here to view the College Board website regarding AP Exam updates and the AP Parent Webinar about how to help your students prepare for AP exams is available here:
https://globalmeet.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1302024&tp_key=73070ccd21
Scheduling Timeline/Information
Updated Scheduling Timeline Link
Course Request Verification Sheets detailing student’s course recommendations and requests for SY 2020-2021 is now available in the Aspen student portal. The report will be visible on the homepage titled "Student Requests - Publishable." Please double check that you are:
Meeting all graduation requirements
Have requested 36 credits or 34.5 if you have Independent Directed Study
Have an alternate course for electives
That your levels are correct. The last digit of the course number is the level:
Level 5 = High Honors Level 4 = Honors Level 3 = College Prep Level
Please connect with your counselor to make corrections by April 27.
Counseling Communications and Resources
Previous Counseling Communications While Away From School
BPS Mental Health Resource link is here
Follow us on Twitter @BedfordCounsel1
Remote Learning Student Survey
As you know, Governor Baker announced that schools will remain closed for the rest of the 2019-2020 year. Teaching remotely is new for all of our teachers and for our students. This is not ideal and we are working on how to best meet the needs of students. We have put together a survey to solicit your feedback for our planning purposes. Please answer the questions in an honest and thoughtful manner. The results are very important to BHS administration and faculty. Your feedback will be used to assess and inform our current practices with remote learning during this current time of closure. Please complete by Friday, May 1st. Click here to access the student survey. Please note that email addresses are collected as part of this process.
Junior Prom-cancelled
Dear Class of 2021,
I hope you are all well and getting into the swing of things with online learning. I know it’s not the same but it’s still pretty cool for teachers and students to connect with technology. I know in light of recent events motivation is harder to achieve, but we will get through this one step at a time. It is with unfortunate disappointment in light of Governor Baker’s school closure that I must inform you that the Junior Prom has been cancelled. Your class advisors, Ms. Blasi and I appreciate all the hard work put into the planning process, special thanks to the class officers: Malcolm, Alfonse, Grace, and Hannah. As disappointing as this is to hear (and for me to write) it is beneficial for student safety. In the words of Zig Ziglar, “Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. The best is yet to come.” We will get there. I wish you all the best in health and happiness.
Respectfully,
Mr. Humphrey and Mrs. Blasi
Class of 2021 Advisors
A Student/Athlete peer tutoring program is being started by some juniors, specifically geared toward remote tutoring and support. See below for description:
My name is Alex Lin and I am currently a junior at Bedford High School. Because of the challenging circumstances due to COVID-19, I realize that some students are missing educational opportunities schools provide and maybe going a little stir-crazy without organized sports. Because of this reason, my friends Shaan Manocha, Connor Loughlin, Jasper Paez, Jessica Lin, and I have decided to provide free tutoring and virtual sports coaching during this time of social distancing to fellow Bedford students. We feel that our personal knowledge and experience of the curriculum at JGMS and BHS would be very valuable to those looking to excel in the coming years. All of us are high honor students and have collectively taken several AP courses. In addition, as varsity athletes in a variety of sports, we all are experienced with the school sports teams in Bedford and would be more than happy to provide information to help Bedford athletes get to the next level or even discuss sports selections.
Specifically, we offer:
Free tutoring in any of the academic areas below via free virtual platforms such as Zoom or FaceTime
Free skills, coaching sessions in any of the sports below by a BHS varsity athlete (or learn a new skill you haven’t tried before!)
Confidentially discuss sports selection, which sports to pursue, time commitment, and other considerations
Provide advice for summer training for high school and middle school athletes
If you or your student is interested in getting stronger academically or getting ahead in athletics, please contact us at bedfordstudentathletes@gmail.com and indicate your interest. We will contact you within 24 hours.
We are offering a free 40-minute virtual Zoom or Facetime tutoring on any of the following classes or specific skills in the following sports for your child during the April/May.
Virtual Parent Support Groups
Bringing together parents and caregivers raising
children with Mental Health and Behavioral Health Challenges
Every Wednesday 6:30-8:00 p.m. Online
Every Thursday 9:30-11:00 a.m. Online
Join these virtual groups via a computer or a smartphone* Participants can turn their video off for the group if they prefer to join by audio only. Facilitated by a professional with experience raising children living with mental and behavioral health challenges. RSVP and receive easy-to-follow directions for joining the group!
RSVP to:
Catherine Picciotto
Catherine_Picciotto@waysideyouth.org
Phone 781-966-5690
Tracey Rooney
Tracey_rooney@waysideyouth.org
Phone 781-966-5689
*Parents without access to a computer or smartphone may call the facilitator for
1:1 support via telephone
Made possible by the Department of Mental Health &
Wayside’s Parent-Peer Partnership Program – Waltham Location
Board of Health-Social Distancing
As you know, Bedford is adhering to the social distancing guidelines put forth by the Governor. Our BOH shared the following PSA and informational videos for students and families.
https://www.mass.gov/doc/how-young-people-can-prevent-covid-19-with-social-distancing/download
Bedford Food Bank open at John Glenn Middle School
The town of Bedford will offer a temporary food bank at John Glenn Middle School on Fridays.
12:00-2:00 - senior citizens
2:00-6:00 - open to the public
For all the details, check this link.
We expect the Bedford Food Bank to operate for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis. The food pantry and community dinners will resume when the food bank closes down and it is safe to reopen.
Help with Digital Access
It is important to get outside each day to get fresh air. Please maintain social distancing of 6 feet from others and cover your face when out in public with a mask, bandana or scarf. Please avoid small group gatherings on the bike path. Keep gloves and a mask in the car to go to the grocery store.
Avoid touching your face, including your eyes, nose and mouth.
Use remote modes of communication like the phone, FaceTime, or zoom chats instead of visiting friends or family.
Take a deep breath several times during the day. We will get through this together.
Proper hand washing with soap and water is still the most effective way to keep viruses and germs at bay. Here are some tips from the CDC on proper hand washing to share with your children.
Steps to Proper Hand Washing
Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them
Also, as an additional means of preventing transmission of any respiratory infection, please practice the following activities:
Frequently clean common touchpoint surfaces, including but not limited to electronics, door knobs, and countertops;
Avoid sharing food utensils, containers, and other personal items;
Distance yourself from someone who appears sick
Practice proper cough etiquette.
MCAS
MCAS has been officially cancelled for this school year. There will be no ELA, math or science exam.
Have Unwanted Textiles Piling Up? Put Them in Our Bin For The Win & Turn Trash to Cash!
You can now recycle your used textiles through drop bins at the back right corner of the high school parking lot! By doing so, help the schools green initiatives earn some CASH! It's also environmentally friendly. 95% of textiles are recyclable and it diverts TONS of textiles from the trash. Unwanted clothes, towels, sheets, shoes, stuffed animals and more. Learn more about what can be donated and what actually happens to the textiles here Thanks for your support!
**Please make sure your items are bagged & tied (not loose), and are put IN the bins, not left outside**
Bedford High School
Phone: 781-275-1700
Absence Line: 781-918-4561
Fax: 781-275-6664