The Bedford Buccaneer
August 17, 2021
IMPORTANT DATES
Wednesday, August 18 - 7:00pm School Reopening Virtual School Committee Meeting
Tuesday, August 24 - Coping with the Pandemic and Re-Entry Stress Instagram Live 2-2:30
Tuesday, August 24 - 7:00pm School Reopening Virtual School Committee Meeting
Thursday, August 26 - Optional School Tours 12-2pm
Monday, Tuesday, August 30-31 - Optional School Tours 10am-12pm
Wednesday, September 1 - First day of School, Dismissal at 12:55
Friday, September 3 - No School
Monday, September 6 - Labor Day (No School)
Thursday, September 30 - Back to School Night 6:30-8:30pm at BHS
Friday, October 8 - Seniors Yearbook Baby, Elementary photos & Senior "Thanks" due
Monday, October 11 - Indigenous Peoples Day (No School)
Friday, October 22nd- Yearbook Senior Portraits due
Thursday, November 11 - Veterans Day (No School)
Wednesday, November 24 - School closed at 12:40pm early dismissal
Thursday - Friday, November 24 -25 - Thanksgiving Break
Friday - Friday, December 24 -31 Vacation
Thursday, June 2, 2022 - Graduation at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell at 6:15pm
Dear BHS Community,
Summer is quickly coming to a close and we are busy preparing for a new school year. For educators, our new year begins in September when we welcome back our faculty, staff, and students and make plenty of resolutions. We know that there are still some complications to work out and some potential safety measures that need to be considered as we emerge from the pandemic. However, we know for sure that we are excited to have all of our students return to in-person learning.
This year, in accordance with guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, we are prioritizing community building and a sense of belonging. Our academic offerings continue to be appropriately challenging, and our curriculum team is working on assessing where students are and adjusting the scope and sequence of coursework accordingly. It is important not to focus on what was lost. At Bedford High School, we are focusing on strengths and reimagining our approach to meet student needs. It will be important to reconnect our school community, reward our collective persistence, and rediscover the joy of learning.
Tending to the social and emotional health of our school community continues to be a priority for us. It is important to acknowledge that the past 18 months have been challenging for all in some capacity. Reacclimating to school life will require continued flexibility, patience, and creativity. Equity & inclusion, curriculum review, and health & wellness as supported by our Challenge Success work are also goals as outlined in our School Improvement Plan (pending approval).
There are still decisions to be made by our School Committee before we open the school year. They will be hearing community input tomorrow, August 18. Our School Committee will hear public comment(s) at 7:05 and will vote next week on mandates for the new school year. In the meantime, we have plenty of information to share with you. It is important for you to read the entire newsletter as there is helpful information and forms to fill out and submit before September 1. Though there are many contributors, newsletters are organized and sent every Monday from our wonderful Mrs. Turner. Once the school year starts, a shorter version of the newsletter is sent to students called the Monday Memo. Both the newsletter and the Monday Memo will be linked to the homepage of our website. Be sure to follow the below social media accounts for quick pieces of information and snapshots of our school happenings.
This article, Rethinking Normal: Back to School Tips for 2021 from Challenge Success founder Denise Pope offers a helpful and healthy perspective as we transition back to school. Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Heather Galante
Principal
Twitter: @bhs_galante
Instagram: principal_galante
Please fill out and return this Emergency Information Form to the Student/Main office. Every student needs to have an updated Emergency Information Form which includes permission for the nurse to give Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen.
When calling the absence line please state if your student is ill or not ill. You will get a call from the nurse if you do not state a reason. Please notify the nurse if anyone in your household tests positive for Covid-19
Absence Line: (781)918-4561
or select #1 from the main menu of (781)275-1700
Nancy Thorsen, BSN, RN
HOSA Advisor
Nurse Office: 781-918-4416
Nurse Office Fax: 781-687-6141
Parent/Guardian & Student Sign off Agreement Form
Please take a moment to complete the Bedford High School Parent/Guardian & Student Sign off Agreement Form here
ipad Information
Please fill out the iPad agreement form here
Schedule Changes
August 26 - 12:00-2:00
August 30 and 31 - 10:00-12:00
To sign up for an optional tour please click here.
Bus Transportation
Importantly, many health and safety measures will remain in place on school buses. As has been and is currently the case with all types of public transportation, masks will continue to be required on school buses for students and drivers. This is by federal public health order, and is specified in DESE’s guidance, released July 30, 2021. The district also will continue the practice of maximum ventilation and fresh air, and will continue to operate buses with windows partially open.
Boston METCO Families can register through the METCO office. Bus riding at BHS will return to open seating due to vaccination access for this age group.
BHS families can find bus routes and stops posted online and published in the Bedford Citizen, approximately one week before school starts.
Bus locations at the end of school: The busses line up from the front of the school back to the student drop off by student parking and the Library. The pick up order begins with the Base busses then busses 1-16 and 33). The METCO bus picks up where it drops off in the morning by student parking and the Library.
Late busses run on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday and pick up at the front of the school by the Cafeteria doors. Late busses depart at 4:05pm.
Lunch
Outdoor Seating
Last year, students enjoyed the outdoor lunches even though we did not have any formal seating. Thanks to the BHSPA and donors, we were able to purchase weather proof tables to preserve outdoor seating options. Thank you to all who donated.
Athletics
Our fall athletic season begins on Friday, August 20, 2021 for the football team. All other sports will begin on Monday, August 23, 2021. Some athletes have already begun their pre-season training and may be training on roadways so please be cautious as you drive through town.
Please visit our Athletics page here for more information.
Save the Date
6:30-8:30pm at Bedford High School
This is an opportunity for adults to hear about the classes from the teachers and also to learn how taxing it can be to travel the building to various classes. It is always important for us to understand how our students spend much of their days. Please mark your calendars.
INFORMATION OPT OUT
If you wish to have your student’s name, address, and/or telephone number withheld from the media, social media or military recruitment, please send a letter to Principal Galante stating your request by October 29, 2021.
BHSPA News
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.
Find a school supply list? We don't have school supply lists posted for high school. You will be informed of any supply needs during the first classes by each teacher.
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? Please stop by the student office and look for the student drop off area sign. (Parents/Guardians, please label item your dropping with name) Please note; we do not interrupt classes for drop offs. Please stop by between classes to check for your item.
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
Know who to contact for help? (please see page 6)
Get a parking sticker? You will not need a sticker until the end of September. Please fill out the Google Form here and your Assistant Principal will deliver it to your lunch or Advisory. There is no fee for parking at Bedford High School.
Senior Dates and Deadlines
Graduation is scheduled for Thursday, June 2, 2022 at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell at 6:15pm. There are no tickets for the event as there is ample seating for all friends and family members. Mark your calendars. It will be here sooner than you think!
October 8th- Individual baby pictures/Elementary photos. Please make sure when you upload your baby picture to include your name, first and last. If there is no name you run the risk of not being in the yearbook. Send to: www.hjeshare.com
Enter the code: Bedford(capital letter “B”)
October 8th- “Senior Thanks” (limit of 175 words) Please note: Text slang and most abbreviations are not acceptable. Drug or alcohol references are not acceptable. Send your “senior thanks” in a word document to: 2022bhsyearbook@gmail.com
October 22nd- Senior Portraits-Please contact Mark Lawrence Photography @603-882-0116 to make your appointment.
December 10th- Business Ads- Anyone with 2 business ads gets a free yearbook.
December 10th- Parent Ads. The 2021-2022 forms will be sent to the parents.
January 21- Yearbook orders. The cost is $85.00. You may place your order here
Please make checks out to BHS 2021/2022 yearbook.
After January 21 the cost will be $100.00
Important Information for the Class of 2022
Please help us to have a successful yearbook by getting an early start.
Send all pictures that you would like to be considered for the yearbook to www.hjeshare.com. Enter the school code: Bedford (capital B). Please identify who the students are in the pictures. Please use full names not nicknames when you submit your baby picture. Please only submit one baby picture. If you do not identify your baby picture you run the risk of not being in the yearbook.
The official photographer for the senior portraits is Mark Lawrence Photographers. Their phone number is 603-882-0116. Please contact them for an appointment. If you have any questions in regards to any of the information. Please contact Mrs. Santos. Her email is karen_santos@bedfordps.org
If you decide to take your own pictures. Please be aware of the size. It must be 2.5 X 3 with a DPI of 300. Yearbook staff will contact you if your picture does not follow these guidelines.
If you have any questions in regards to any of the information. Please contact Mrs. Santos. at karen_santos@bedfordps.org
The Water Filling Stations are open!
Please help students stay hydrated by reminding them to bring a fillable water bottle to school.
There are currently four stations:
Lower A near Nurses office
Lower H near Science/Math office
Lower G near Main Gym
Upper H behind LGI and near H202
Thank you!
The Bedford Safe Homes Program
The Bedford Safe Homes Program is a support network for families with children in Grades 6-12 who are concerned about alcohol and drug use at pre-teen and teen parties. Families sign a pledge that commits them to provide a safe and supervised home in the event of a teen party or gathering. All families who return a pledge receive a Directory that includes the other families who have joined Safe Homes.
The Safe Homes Program is endorsed by the following Bedford community partners: Board of Health, Select Board, Youth and Family Services, Clergy Association, Bedford Community Partnership, School Parent Associations, Police Department, Public School and Recreation Commission.
How To Join The Safe Homes Program
To participate in the Safe Homes Program, parents or guardians can navigate to the Youth and Family Services website to read the non-legally binding agreement and register online - https://www.bedfordma.gov/youth-family/pages/safe-homes or to download a copy of the application and pledge to mail in.
Directories are updated annually in late fall. Families of high school students who graduated in 2021 will be removed from this year’s Directory. If you registered last year, you do not need to re-register. Should you wish your family’s name to be removed from the Directory or you have other changes or additions to your information (e.g., new 6th grader or phone number), please email safehomes@bedfordma.gov.
Please consider taking a firm stand. Join the Safe Homes Program by thoughtfully signing the pledge. We ask that you follow through on your pledge because other parents will trust that you are. Talk with your child about this program and share your concerns regarding his/her safety.
Please click here to join Safe Homes.
Bedford High School
Bedford High School Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 7:45am - 2:11pm
Wednesday 7:45 am - 12:48 pm
9 Mudge Way, Bedford, MA 01730
Phone: 781-275-1700
Absence Line: 781-918-4561
Fax: 781-275-6664