The Bedford Buccaneer
September 19, 2022
IMPORTANT DATES
Thursday, October 6th-Back to School Night-6:30-8:30pm
Thursday, October 6th-Picture Day
Monday, October 10th-No School
Tuesday, November 8th-No School-Teacher Professional Development
Friday, November 11th-No School
Thursday, November 17th-Picture Retakes
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
Monday, May 29th-No School
Thursday, June 1- Class of 2023 Graduation
Friday, June 16th-Tentative Last Day of School-If no snow days
BHS School Council
BHS School Council (open positions)
The Council has four parent/guardian representatives - one METCO, one Hanscom, and two Bedford residing parents. Currently, there are positions open for a Hanscom, Boston and up to two Bedford residents.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Now through 9/30- the BHSPA will soliciting nominations/names for consideration to the openings
10/3- 10/7 - Voting by the parent community will occur. Votes will be collected via the Aspen parent portal. More details to come.
10/11- Winners will be posted on BHSPA website
10/13 - First School Council Meeting at 2:45 @ BHS
What is the School Council? The role of the School Council is to assist principals by reviewing the school building budget and developing the school improvement plan. Councils' school improvement plans are submitted to the local school committee for review and approval.
The law outlines four major areas of responsibility for councils. School councils are to assist principals in:
Adopting educational goals for the school that are consistent with local educational policies and statewide student performance standards
Identifying the educational needs of students attending the school
Reviewing the annual school building budget
Formulating a school improvement plan
Below is a link to the DESE website which provides further information:
DESE School Council: http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/advisory/schoolcouncils/
Please be advised that Council representatives must attend monthly meetings which will be held after school from 2:45-3:45 pm typically the second Thursday of each month. The actual day of the week may change after the first meeting pending the availability and preference of those on the School Council.
To run for one of the four positions, please email to BHSBucsParents@gmail.com your name, email address, your home address, phone number, and a brief message (just a few sentences will be sufficient) as to your background and particular interest in this position. Please submit your information to the BHS Parents Association by September 30, the deadline to run for a position. The BHS Parents Association will collect all candidates’ information and during the voting window post the candidates’ names and statement (not the email or phone number) on the BHSPA website of bhspa.org. The candidates’ information also will be posted in Aspen, when the window for voting opens, so that all BHS parents can read the information and cast a vote.
We hope you will run and become active in helping the direction of BHS from a parent's perspective.
AP Information
This Friday (9/23) at 3:00pm will mark the start of the AP Registration window, which will end October 28th at 11:59pm. All payments and registrations must be completed within this window of time in order to avoid the $40.00 late fee.
Please note the College Board has increased the testing fee to $101.00 per exam. Students who qualify for a fee waiver or may be in need of financial assistance should see their counselors for more information.
Students interested in a Self Studying Exam will need to fill out an additional form, released this Friday. This form will need to fill out in order for students to receive an individual myAP join code. Self Study registrations must be completed by October 17 to allow time for individual Join Codes to be created prior to the October 28th deadline.
Important Reminders:
- Students must use their class Join Code to register in myAP. Teachers have either given students this code or will have it posted in Google Classroom. This registration confirms enrollment in the course. Join Codes are specific to each class section and should not be shared with others.
- Payment and exam ordering will happen through Total Registration, which was used last year. All payments must be made online and paid prior to the registration deadline to avoid the late fee. You will receive a confirmation notice once your registration is complete.
Dual Enrollment information
Students enrolled in Economics, Law, Psychology, Sociology and/or Honors Statistics have the opportunity to earn college credit through a partnership with Middlesex Community College. Every student enrolled in these classes have been told and emailed about this opportunity and have been given a registration packet in class. All emails have also been copied to the student’s caregivers. The deadline is Wednesday, September 21 by 2:30 pm. If you have any questions, please contact Ms Halupowski via email at janel_halupowski@bedfordps.org
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.
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 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-yearbook mailbox.
After January 27th the cost will be $100.00
Community Service
Community Service and NHS now have an app! BHS has partnered with MobileServe, an app that helps schools and students log their community service hours and post events. You can watch a short video about the app here.
Some highlights include events being posted in the app, hours can be signed in app, geotagging yourself at an event instead of getting a signature, and all previous hours showing up in app. National Honors Society will also be able to utilize the app for their hours collection too!
Starting 8/30 the Google Forms are no longer active. Please get the Parental Consent Form signed and returned to the Main Office by Friday 9/23 if you wish to use the app for your community service and NHS hours. You cannot use the app unless the Consent Form is signed. All students regardless of grade should be submitting the Parental Consent Form, as students may start working towards their 20 hours starting their freshman year. All community service hours will be uploaded to transcripts via the app, so it is important the form is signed if you would like your hours to show on your transcript.
Please click here for the parental consent form
The app will go live on Friday, September 30th so please keep track of any hours you complete between now and then on your own. You can enter them after the app goes live.
We are very excited about this and should you have any questions please reach out to Ms. Septembre (hermance_septembre@bedfordps.org) or myself (brianna_creamer@bedfordps.org).
Please fill out the Emergency Information Form and return it to the Student/Main office or email 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
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.
Monitor for the following symptoms each morning before school:
COVID- 19 Symptoms list:
Fever (100.0 degrees Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
New loss of taste or smell
Muscle aches or body aches
Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)
sore throat, when in combination with other symptoms
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea when in combination with other symptoms
Headache when in combination with other symptoms
Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms
Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes such as allergies) when in combination with other symptoms
Anyone who is sick, and has multiple symptoms on the checklist 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.
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 or call your school nurse.
Nancy Thorsen, BSN, RN
Nurse Office: 781-918-4416
Nurse Office Fax: 781-687-6141
Parent/Guardian & Student Sign off Agreement Form
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. 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.
INFORMATION OPT OUT
Counseling Corner
Educational and Health Awareness Dates:
September 21- International Peace Day
National School Backpack Awareness Day
September 23- International Day of Sign Languages
BHS Counseling Department Programming Fall 2022
Senior Parent/Caregiver Information Night-Virtual-Sept 28th - 6:30PM (VIA Zoom )
Grade 12 Counselor Seminar-Oct. 3rd
Grade 9 Counselor Seminars-Flex Block- Oct. 11th and Oct. 13th
PSAT/NMSQT Registration-Counseling Dept-Sept 19th - Oct 7th
PSAT/NMSQT Administration-BHS-Oct. 15th ONLY - 8:00 AM – 12:00PM
Upperclassmen Awards/Scholarship Breakfast-LGI-Dec. 6th, 8:00AM
College Representative High School In-Person Visits Are Back!
We are excited to announce that college admissions representatives will be meeting with students at BHS AND virtually this year. Most visits will take place either during Flex block or lunch periods. The most up-to-date visit schedule can be found in SCOIR under Upcoming Events. The college representatives are going to see hundreds of students from around New England this year. If you plan on meeting with an admissions representative from a school that you are sincerely interested in, and you plan on asking them a lot of questions, make a positive impression on them. They could be the person who reviews your application and/or the one who conducts your admissions interview. If the representative has a business card, ask for one. You can send them a note afterward thanking them for their time.
College Fairs
PVMHS COLLEGE FAIR
485 Lowell Street
Peabody, MA 01960
The PVMHS College Fair will be held Thursday evening, October 6th from
6:30 to 8:30 in the PVMHS Field House. There will be representatives from
Universities, Colleges, Business Schools, Nursing Schools, Vocational Schools,
Armed Forces, and Banking Institutions. For a complete list of
representatives attending, go to the PVMHS website. This information will
be updated daily.
Website: https://peabody.k12.ma.us/departments/guidance/
Click “College Fair” under QUICK LINKS on the right side of the page.
Hundreds of colleges and universities from the US and worldwide will be ready and waiting to talk with you at these upcoming NACAC Virtual College Fairs:
Virtual College Fair | October 9, 2022
Virtual College Fair | November 6, 2022
Don't miss these free, one-day events for high school students, transfer students, and families. Go to nacacattend.org/fairs to register for each program and to see the list of participating colleges. Then log in on any fair date to attend sessions, chat your questions, download informational resources, and demonstrate interest... all without leaving home. It's a great way to connect with hundreds of colleges in a short amount of time to learn about majors, scholarships, and more.
Standardized Tests
PSAT Saturday, October 15th
The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a great tool for students considering college. The PSAT/NMSQT measures critical reading skills, math problem-solving skills, and writing skills. Bedford High School recommends that students take the PSAT/NMSQT in order to receive feedback about strengths and weaknesses, enter the competition for National Merit Scholar scholarships (11th graders), and help prepare for the SAT. The test will be administered at Bedford High School on Saturday, October 15th, the test will begin promptly at 8:00am. Students should arrive at the high school no later than 7:45am.
For the 2022 PSAT/NMSQT, students at Bedford High School will be registering online. This registration will take a few minutes and can be completed from any computer with internet access.
*New* Online exam registration will begin on Mon, Sep 19, 2022, at 2:21 PM and end on Fri, Oct 7, 2022, at 2:21 PM. In order to register, students should click on the link provided on the school website or visit www.TotalRegistration.net/PSAT/220112 to register. To complete registration, students must answer all of the required questions. Registration is not complete until students have printed the pdf of the confirmation page that is provided at the end.
Bedford High School is excited to offer families the convenience of paying exam fees online at the time of registration. Please be sure to have a debit or credit card available before beginning registration. Paying online is a great way to make sure that payment has been made while avoiding mailing payments.
Here are the important dates for the registration process:
Mon, Sep 19, 2022 at 2:21 PM - Registration Begins
Fri, Oct 7, 2022 at 2:21 PM - Registration Ends
Mon, Oct 10, 2022 - Registrations that have not been paid for will be canceled and exams will not be ordered.
Please contact Brian DeChellis, brian_dechellis@bedfordps.org , if you have questions or require financial assistance.
Mark your Calendar iRobot virtual tour
Mark your Calendar… iRobot virtual tour with Bedford High School on Thursday, October 20th in the LGI from 8:00am-8:45am.
Counselor Spotlight-Charles Alperin
Career Pathways Program at Bedford High School
Bedford High School is partnering with the local business community to expose our students to a variety of career paths. Students become motivated and self-directed when they discover a potential career field of interest. Hands-on exposure and information to careers help students make informed post high school plans.
There are three aspects to our Career Pathways and Planning Program:
Career Speakers: We host two Career Speakers per month. They will be held via ZOOM during the student's Flex Block Period (10:22am-11:30am). Interested students sign up ahead of time. Sessions are approximately 40 minutes in length. Topics our speakers cover include, but are not limited to: a day in the life, the personal journey (what was your path like), necessary education, advice for high school students, what you enjoy most, and then questions.
- Job Shadow Program: Provide students with a half-day immersive experience on a job site, allowing students to observe, interact, and learn from experts in the field. Students can be placed individually or in small groups depending on the business/occupation. Prior to being placed students take a Career Aptitude Test to help them determine a particular area of interest. The Job Shadow Program would happen once a year for our sophomore class in early spring.
- Internships: Would only be offered to seniors who have a demonstrated interest in a particular field. The internships would provide real world experience and responsibility, students must complete an interview with the participating company. Students would be placed based on company approval. Internships can occur during or after the school day. (More information to follow on our Internship Program).
If you would like to participate in our Career Program, please complete the following GOOGLE form or contact Brian DeChellis at 781 275-1700 ext. 4414 or brian_dechellis@bedfordps.org
Google Form Link:
Senior Dates and Deadlines for Yearbook
Important Information for the Class of 2023
October 10th- 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 10th- “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 with the subject “Senior Thanks” to: yearbook@bedfordps.org
October 12th- The senior class photo will take place on the BHS Football field at 7:45 am. Please note this is during a FLEX Block, when seniors do not typically have to be in school. Please put a reminder in your phone/ipad that you need to come to school on time that day to be in the photograph.
October 28th- Senior Portraits-Please contact Mark Lawrence Photography to make your appointment.(603-882-0116)
December 12th- Business Ads- Anyone with 2 business ads will get a free yearbook.
December 12th- Parent Ads. The 2022/2023 forms will be sent to parents. They can also be found in the Buccaneer Weekly Newsletter.
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-yearbook mailbox. After January 27th the cost will be $100.00
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 picture. 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 call to make your appointment.
If you decide to take your own pictures or use a different photographer please be aware of the size of the photo. It must be 2.5 X 3 with a DPI of 300. Vertical photos do work the best. Yearbook staff will contact you if your picture does not follow these guidelines. Please submit your picture to: www.hjeshare.com.
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
Bus Transportation Information
The 2022-23 Bus Routes have been posted on the Transportation Web Page.
Sicily Trip
Welcome back everyone. I hope you had a great summer. As we begin the year, we will be preparing for our trip to Sicily. Please look for information for our first meeting. If you would still like to join the trip, there are a few spots open. There is limited time to sign up since our trip is during February vacation Please see the attached information for the trip below or contact me in room C105 or by email.
See you all soon,
Ms. Arena
BHSPA News
Challenge Success partners with schools, families, and communities to embrace a broad definition of success and to implement research-based strategies that promote student well-being and engagement with learning.
Keep an eye out this Fall for more information on how Bedford High School and Challenge Success plan to work together to transform the student experience.
BEDFORD SEPAC (Special Education Parental Advisory Council)
2022/2023 SEPAC Monthly Meeting dates
Meetings begin at 7 PM
*Location and/or Zoom to be shared 2 weeks prior to meetings on SEPAC Facebook and webpage
Need a student parking sticker?
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.
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)
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