Dear BHS Families,

We hope this newsletter finds you enjoying the final weeks of summer. We are excited to welcome you to the 2023-2024 school year. The summer has been busy for our administrative team as we have been hiring, visioning, and finalizing schedules. In just a few short weeks, our students, faculty and staff will return and our school will be filled with the energy and anticipation of a new school year.

For those that are new to our school community, our weekly newsletters are sent every Monday by Ms. Loveless-Patterson. These weekly bulletins will have nearly most of the information you need to stay organized and informed throughout the school year. Please take time to read through each one. I also update my Instagram frequently. Feel free to follow me at @principal_galante.

Our goal for the first few days of school is to create a supportive environment for our students. It is our mission to help every student feel welcomed, connected , and part of the Bedford High School community. This is why the first two days of school will start with an advisory period. Over the course of their time here, it is our belief that all students will be prepared for the demands of post-secondary education, meaningful careers and effective citizenship. It is common for our graduates to return to Bedford High School and share positive feedback on life after high school due, in part, to their experience at Bedford High School.

Please mark your calendars for our Back to School Night scheduled for September 21 from 6:30-8:30pm. Also, we are aiming to share complete schedules via the Aspen portal on Tuesday, August 15. Specific details will be communicated in future bulletins. In the following pages, you will find links to all of the requisite forms that need to be filled out. We appreciate your help in the timely submission of this information.

Looking forward to another successful school year. We can’t wait to see all of our students on September 5!

Sincerely,

Heather Galante (Principal), Tom Casey & Dan Hudder (Assistant Principals)

Please fill out the Emergency Information Form and return it to the Main office or email it to BHSforms@bedfordps.org . 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.

Absence Line: (781)918-4561

or select #1 from the main menu of (781)275-1700

Annmarie Vaughan, BSN, RN

High School Nurse

781-275-1700 x4416

Annmarie_Vaughan@bedfordps.org

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.

Order your yearbook online by going to YearbookOrderCenter.com and using the school code 13423. WATCH FOR A FLASH SALE ($25 off) the first week of school! 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

The National School Lunch Program as operated in Bedford Public Schools will return to the traditional system where students receive free, reduced-price, or full-price meals. Students may qualify for free or reduced priced meals via an approved 2023-2024 Massachusetts Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals. Application can be found in the main office.

Many families use a prepayment program called MySchoolBucks to add money directly to a student account. MySchoolBucks.com does charge a small transaction fee for this service. Families can set up a free account at MySchoolBucks.com website by following the prompts for a new account.

Prepayments can also be made with the cashier at each register using cash or check. Please make any check payable to Bedford School Lunch Program; there is no fee for this type of prepayment.

Please click here for the letter to household

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

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)