Scribbles
January 9, 2024
TONIGHTS FAMILY FORUM IS POSTPONED until 2/6/24
Due to high winds, rain, and the possibility of power outages and flooding we are postponing the Family Forum this evening until Tuesday February 6, 2024.
Important Dates
Monday, January 15th...Martin Luther King Day...No School
Monday, January 15th...MLK Observance Event...10:30am...see below for details
Thursday, January 25th...Preschool Screening...No School for Pre-K Students
Tuesday, February 6th...Davis Family Forum...6:00pm...see below for details
Wednesday, February 7th...Well Balanced Student Presentation Event...6:30pm...see below for details
Each week Scribbles will be spotlighting one grade level to showcase some of the amazing happenings that go on at Davis School! We look forward to sharing them with all our families...
Spotlight on Preschool
Happy New Year from Bedford Integrated Preschool! The preschool classrooms are enjoying learning about the winter weather and fun activities to do in the cold. With the winter snow comes many learning opportunities for our children, including self-help skills as they get dressed for the weather, gross motor development as they walk through snow and uneven terrain, and social skill and language development as they learn new interactive games and activities to play with peers. Pictured is a snapshot of how winter comes into our classrooms: igloo building and ice fishing in room 178. Reminder that classrooms do play outside in the snow. Please pack snow clothes (snow pants, jacket, boots, hat, gloves) for your child to bring to school.
Davis Family Forum
Please join Beth Benoit on Tuesday, February 6th from 6pm - 7pm in the Davis Cafeteria
(Please note this has been postponed from January 9th)
Dr. Alex Hirsberg of Behavioral Health Services will present on Social and Emotional Challenges in the Inclusion Setting.
Dr. Hirshberg is a clinical psychologist and the founder of Hirshberg Behavioral Health Services. He has spent the last several years providing consultation, professional development and assessment services for dozens of districts across Massachusetts. Over the past year, he has worked closely with Bedford Schools providing consultation and professional development, including special education social emotional programs across the district. He was well received by families in September 2023 that went to a talk he gave on building resilience in children. We are thrilled to bring him back to work with our parent/guardian community with a focus on students in the primary grades.
This is an adult only event. A small group of High School students will be available if you can’t arrange child care. Please fill out this form, need for childcare, if you plan to bring your child and have them stay in the Davis Library during the meeting.
Pre School News
There is NO SCHOOL for current Pre-K students on Thursday, January 25th
BEST Winter Collection Drive
The BEST PTO requests the help from our school community to participate in a Winter Collection Drive to benefit the Wish Project. We will have donation boxes set up at the entrances to Davis and Lane Elementary through Friday, January 26th. Families can donate gently used or new winter gear including gloves and mittens, winter hats, winter boots (children's sizes), and winter jackets (all sizes). Please reach out to best.pto.bedford@gmail.com for any questions regarding this donation event.
The Wish Project is located in North Chelmsford. Their goal is to provide local people in need with basic furniture, home goods, and baby goods, while helping the planet by recycling used goods. If you'd like to learn more about the Wish Project, please visit www.thewishproject.org.
Bedford Embraces Diversity (BED) Donation Drive and Observance Event
Donation Drive to benefit the Bedford Food Bank
As you know, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is on Monday, January 15th. On this day of service, Bedford Embraces Diversity (BED) has hosted an event and community service project, such as a donation drive for the local food bank, each year since 2017. For this, our eighth year, BED is again sponsoring a community event and are collecting items for the Bedford Food Pantry. The donation bin can be found in our lobby, right next to our Main Office. The drive will run through the end of this week.
Martin Luther King Jr Day Observance Event-January 15th at 10:30am
Join Bedford Embraces Diversity for our eighth Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day observance in the Middlesex Community College student center, 591 Springs Rd. Doors open at 10, with the program beginning at 10:30. A light breakfast will be served.
We ask that you bring a donation of a personal care item to benefit the Bedford Food Pantry. Items needed include: deodorant, body wash, face wash, dish soap, tissues, feminine hygiene products, shampoo, conditioner, tooth paste, tooth brushes, mouth wash, dental floss, razors, shaving cream, hand sanitizer, paper towels, toilet paper, hair brushes, laundry detergent, fabric softener, Q-tips, cotton balls, diapers, wipes.
The program will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Bedford METCO program. The keynote speaker and vocalist will be the Rev. Clarence Powell, a Bedford METCO graduate. Powell, a Ph.D. candidate at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, is the founder and pastor of Abundant Life Deliverance Temple in Dorchester. He also will be the vocalist for the event, accompanied by backup singers and his son playing keyboards.
The commemoration also will feature a panel discussion of Bedford METCO alumni reflecting on their experiences, moderated by Akil Mondesir, Bedford Public Schools METCO Director and DEI Coordinator and a 1998 BHS graduate.
To RSVP, email: bedfordembracesdiversity@gmail.com.
Well Balanced Student Presentation Event
Presenter: Jon Kleinman, Challenge Success
Date: Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Time:6:30PM
Where: Bedford High School, Large Group Instruction Room
Open to all K-12 Parents and Guardians
Please RSVP here
Do you want the children and teens in your home and schools to be healthier and more engaged, but are unsure where to start? This interactive workshop shares data from more than 375,000 students on topics including homework, sleep, cheating, engagement and more, teasing out insights and concrete strategies you can use at school and at home.
Our research shows that far too many students are struggling with their well-being, experience a lack of belonging and engagement with learning, and are overwhelmed by constant pressure in and out of school. Instead of figuring out who they are and what they care about, students (and their families) are often consumed by external pressures such as assessments, test scores, extracurriculars, family obligations, college admissions, and future careers, putting their well-being at risk.
Real, lasting change requires the whole school community — educators, families, and students — to both identify challenges and drive solutions. This workshop will provide you with a deeper understanding of what children and adolescents are experiencing at school and home and you will leave ready to take action with a set of research-based, equity-centered strategies to reduce pressure and stress for the youth in your community.
Jon Kleiman, M.A., is a School and District Partnership Manager. Jon’s chief mission is helping organizations and individuals challenge the status quo. In his role as a School & District Partnership Manager with Challenge Success, Jon’s worked with dozens of schools over the past several years in reimagining how schools might better support the needs and growth of its students. Previously, Jon worked at a university helping students to engage in “vocational wayfinding.” Jon lives in Portland, Maine with his wife and three kids.
Alex Mattson Eagle Project!!
Hello All,
I wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for your support of my Eagle Project. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you, I overcame many challenges (Excessive Rain, Hornets, Etc.) thanks to your support. I would like to acknowledge the BEST PTO and the Bedford Rotary Club for being major supporters. I hope everyone can come by and see the completed fence. I have finished my paperwork, and am working on my last few required merit badges I expect to be done in several weeks.
Thank you again for your support,
Alex Mattson
Bedford Education Foundation News
Save the Date for the BEF Diamonds and Denim Bash!
The Bedford Education Foundation is excited to announce the theme and date for its annual Bash fundraiser. The Bash will be held on Saturday evening, March 9th at the Cafe Escadrille in Burlington. The theme this year is Denim and Diamonds! More details to follow, but mark your calendars for the biggest party of the year to benefit Bedford's schools!
Friendly Reminders
Please note that each Wednesday is a 3/4 day for students! K-2 students will be dismissed at 1:55. Preschool student dismissal is at 12:15pm. Please plan accordingly. Thank you!
If your child is going to be out of school, or tardy, or dismissed, please remember to call our Attendance Line at 781-918-4965. You can leave a message on this line anytime, day or evening. Please call before 9am if your child will be absent on any given day and before 1:15pm if your child's dismissal plan is in need of change.
Permanent dismissal changes, including Kids Club after school enrollment, are preferred to be given to the office in writing. You can email Karen in the main office at Karen_Poli@bedfordps.org. Thank you for helping us to keep accurate dismissal plans for each of our students.
Bedford SEPAC
Bedford SEPAC General Meetings: Virtual
Come and discuss special education programming in Bedford and how we can best support our children.
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
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BEDFORD SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council)
SEPAC is a group of parents & caregivers of children receiving special education support and/or children with disabilities. All parents & caregivers welcome! We meet for support, education, networking and resource sharing.
Email: bedfordmasepac@gmail.com
Web: bedfordmasepac.org
Facebook group: https://www.facebook. com/groups/BEDFORDMASEPAC/
2023-2024 District Calendar
Davis Office Staff Contact Information
Davis Main Office: 781-275-6804
Beth Benoit, Principal
Erica Fontaine, Acting Assistant Principal
Caitlyn Queenin, Program Administrator for Special Education
Tami Heywood, Administrative Assistant to Principal/Registrar
Karen Poli, Building Administrative Assistant (Student attendance & dismissal)
School Nurse, Jennifer Capece
Nurse's Office: 781-918-4906 (direct line)