The Bedford Buccaneer
November 21, 2022
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, November 21st-Winter Sports Pre-Season Meeting- 6PM-BHS Cafe
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
Thursday, May 25th-Senior Prom-6-10pm
Monday, May 29th-No School
Thursday, June 1- Class of 2023 Graduation
Friday, June 16th-Tentative Last Day of School-If no snow days
Dear BHS Families,
This time of year allows for reflection, gratitude, and a celebration of community. At Bedford High School, we are excited to reintroduce and celebrate Community Day on Wednesday. The peer leaders have planned a fun-filled day that will start in advisory with an introductory video and scavenger hunt. The day will conclude with a school wide pep rally which is a much anticipated event for our students. Our school spirit will be on full display.
As we gather for Community Day, we wish to extend our theme of community by supporting and donating all goods to Bedford Youth and Family Services. They are in need of items such as: Diapers, Baby Wipes, Menstrual products, Paper towels, Toilet paper, Cleaning supplies, winter clothing items such as hats, mittens, coats and wool socks. If you would like to donate, please send the items in with your child by Wednesday, November 23.
We hope that the Thanksgiving break is time well spent with your family and friends. We are certainly thankful for your continued support of our BHS family.
With Gratitude,
Heather, Dan & Tom
BHS Spirit Week
Monday-11/21-Adam Sandler Day
Tuesday-11/22-Jersey Day (wear your favorite sports team)
Wednesday-11/23-Class Spirit Day
9th-Gray 10th-White 11th-Blue 12th-BlackCOVID Test Distribution
BHS Teacher/Caregiver Conferences are December 1st from 4pm to 8pm
The sign up time will open on Monday, November 21st at 12pm.
If you sign in before 12pm you will not see anything until you refresh the page.
The conference signup link will not show until 12pm on November 21st.
https://www.myconferencetime.com/bedfordhs/
The signups will close at 1pm on November 29th.
Once it is closed, there is no access to it.
Please write down your times, teachers and classroom number.
Not all teachers will be in their regular classrooms.
You are able to sign up with 2 teachers for each student.
Each conference is 10 minutes.
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
If you have issues after Monday, November 21st at 12:00pm with signing up your student(s) please feel free to contact me, Brenda Sweetland 781-918-4406 or email at brenda_sweetland@bedfordps.org.
BHS Prom Dress Pop-Up Event
Prom and semi formal events are coming up soon and BHS will be sponsoring recurring “Prom Dress Pop-Up” events throughout the year. Students will be able to “borrow” a prom dress and accessories, or formal suits from our donated collection. See below for the Pop-Up schedule. We are looking for donations of formal dresses, both long and short, that are sitting in closets at home not being used; as well as formal wear accessories like shoes, purses, jewelry and shawls. We are also looking for formal suit, ties and tuxedo donations and would greatly appreciate any contributions beginning this week. Please dry-clean your donations before dropping off.
If you want to help but don’t have a dress to donate, you can make a financial contribution to offset program costs, which include alterations, dry cleaning, purchase of dress racks and refreshments for the Pop-Up event. Checks can be made payable to BHS - Prom Pop-Up. All donations can be dropped off in the Bedford High School front vestibule after notifying the main office via the buzzer that you’re donating for the Pop-Up. Please email Sandy Arena (sandra_arena@bedfordps.org) or Heather Thacore (heatherthacore@gmail.com) for more information.
· Nov 30: Semi-Formal Pop-Up 7:45 – 8:30 AM (Locker Room Area)
· Jan 11: Jr/Sr Prom Pop-Up 7:45 – 8:30 AM (Locker Room Area)
· Apr 3: Jr/Sr Prom Pop-Up 7:45 – 8:45 AM (Locker Room Area)
· Apr 11: Jr/Sr Prom Pop-Up & Pizza Party 5:00 – 7:00 PM (Cafeteria)
Winter Sport Preseason Meeting
Pre-Season meeting- November 21st at 6:00pm in the BHS Cafe
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.
Students interested in the field of Forensics and Criminal Justice
Students interested in the field of Forensics and Criminal Justice please
join us in the LGI on Monday December 5th during Flex Block from 8:00am-8:45am. Jennifer Montgomery is a Forensic Scientist III who works for the
- DNA Unit Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory. She is also a Bedford High School graduate!!
The Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory provides forensic
services for the criminal justice system. We respond to crime scenes, perform
laboratory testing, and provide expert testimony. They have eight
sites across the state and are fully accredited modern forensic sciences
organization.
Counseling Corner
For all things Post-Secondary related, please visit the
BHS Counseling Department’s Post-Secondary website.
SENIORS:
Reminder: The next Transcript Request deadline is December 1, 2022, for students with a college application deadline of December 15, 2022.
Students should continue to check their emails frequently, not only for verification the colleges have what the student has already submitted, and to see what else the colleges want the student to submit—and when they want it submitted. (Counselors’ Corner with Patrick O’Connor Ph.D. Nov. 11, 2021)
The counseling office will be submitting an updated transcript (to include Term 1 grades) by 11/28, to all colleges to which students have applied under Early Decision or Early Action admission plans.
Transcript requests for the 01/01/2022 deadline is 12/12. Get your requests in early!
Google Classroom Resources: Remember there is a wealth of information in the Google Classroom for the Class of 2023 right now! We encourage you to look back at the posts. For example, there are several videos that will assist you with SCOIR (i.e. How to request your transcript in SCOIR)
Parents:
CNBC – November 2, 2022
Many undergraduate students who are eligible for Pell Grants don’t apply for them. Here’s what to know about the aid, which can make college more affordable.
Scheduling an Appointment with your School Counselor
Our School Counselors are available to students throughout the school day. They can schedule appointments at the following links:
Job Board
Looking for a job? Check out the job board behind Mrs. Brownrigg’s desk in the Counseling Suite
Yearbook order information
The cost is $85.00.
You can order online here https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/13423
If it is not possible to order online, please see Ms. Lennox.
After January 27th the cost will be $100.00
Senior Dates and Deadlines for Yearbook
December 12th- Business Ads.
December 12th- Parent Ads. See here for directions.
January 27th- Yearbook orders. The cost is $85.00. You can order online here https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/13423 If it is not possible to order online, please fill out an order form, make a check out to BHS 2022-2023 yearbook, and drop your check and order form off in the main office. After January 27th the cost will be $100.00
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!
Bedford SEPAC General Meeting
November 17th at 8 pm on zoom
Please join us for updates and to discuss this years programming. Zoom to come 2 weeks prior.
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
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.
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.
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