The Bedford Buccaneer
June 1, 2020
IMPORTANT DATES
June 1 - June 14 - Online Summer Reading Book Fair
Saturday, June 6 - Class of 2020 Bedford wide Celebration Day 12-2:30pm
Tuesday, June 9 - Ask the Expert: Parenting During Coronavirus Webinar 7-8:00pm
Thursday, June 18 - Last day of school for underclassmen
Friday, June 19 - (tentative) locker clean out/yearbook pick up event 9, 10, 11th grades
Friday, June 26 - Bedford Food Pantry 1-3:00pm For more details, please click link
Sunday, July 19 - * NEW DATE* Graduation at Bedford High School Turf at 10:00am
(pending approval) with a rain date of Wednesday, July 22nd
Saturday, November 28 - * NEW DATE* Prom/Reunion, please stay tuned for details
Dear Bedford High School Families,
Below is a message and invitation that was sent to all Bedford High School students included in the Monday Memo regarding recent acts of hate that have been widely publicized. Our school and police department are shaken by these events. We work tirelessly and collaboratively to ensure the safety of all students and community members. Our work is never done, but please know that we are here to support all families during this time. Please do reach out with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Heather Galante
Dear BHS Community,
I am saddened by the events that have unfolded over the past few months involving hateful acts of violence and racism. This is already a challenging time for our country. Uncertainty brought about by the pandemic is now further magnified by hateful acts witnessed and reported by the daily news. What happened to George Floyd is devastating. His unnecessary and senseless murder brings much needed attention to the bigotry that still exists. However, the truth is that there have been far too many victims of hate crimes and far too many people that constantly live in fear because of the color of their skin. It is a painful reality that needs to change.
As your principal, I know that many of you care deeply about these injustices and are looking to do more. You can be the change we desperately need. There is so much hope for your generation to dismantle the systemic racism that still exists. Amidst all of this tragedy, your outreach, outrage and desire for action leaves me hopeful for the future.
At Bedford High School, there is no place for hate. It is a place where students have important conversations, learn how to combat injustice and racism, and learn how to be allies for others. As part of the work of our Equity and Diversity Committee, we look for opportunities to come together as a school community where we learn together and move forward. Months ago prior to our departure, we started to prepare for a schoolwide viewing of The Hate You Give, a film based on a popular book. Though fictional, the themes in the book and film remain powerful and relevant given recent events. Please consider joining us for a viewing of the film on Friday, June 5 @ 7:00pm (zoom link will be sent). There will be a panel discussion on Wednesday, June 10 for those who want to hear and engage in conversation. Here is a link to the flyer.
I believe that we can make a difference and that change is possible.
Respectfully,
Mrs. Galante
What a fantastic drive thru event last week! The BHS faculty and staff really enjoyed seeing the seniors and cheering for all of you. What a tribute to the Class of 2020! Check out the Bedford Citizen to read the article and check out some photographs. Thank you to all who helped to make this such a memorable day!
Candy Bags- a big thank you to:
Deneen Pelletier, Karen Fallon, Kim Oleksinksi, & J. Mascoli who prepared the bags.
Jackson Collins and Ben Oleksinski who delivered the bags.
The many BHS families who purchased the candy for the goody bags.
Deborah Ann Genetti who donated the bags for the candy and the transport bags to deliver them. (Deborah Ann is the director of The Snack Pack Project, part of Operation Feed the Soul!, in Bedford.)
Gift Cards- a big thank you to:
Lee Delzingo who organized and prepared the gift cards.
The many families and friends contributed to make the gift cards possible today.
T-Shirts- a big thank you to:
The BHSPA that provided funding for the shirts.
Jen Harrington who designed the shirts.
Class of 2020 Banner- a big thank you to:
The BHSPA that provided funding for the banner.
Elizabeth Nemirovsky who designed the banner.
Water Bottles- a big thank you to:
Bedford Chamber of Commerce that organized and designed the water bottles.
Middlesex Savings Bank, Salem Five, Hanscom Federal Credit Union, and the Bedford Chamber of Commerce that provided funding for the water bottles.
Class Photo- a big thank you to:
Bedford Pediatrics that sponsored the pictures.
Shannon Dillon of Creative Images Boston who procured and developed the pictures.
Photographers- a big thank you to:
Jeff Hoyland, Shannon Dillon of Creative Images Boston and Susan DiGangi who all snapped pictures at Pick-Up Day.
Extra Joy - a big thank you to:
The Bedford Unicorn (Daisy Girifalco) for bringing some extra joy to this event and many events throughout the town.
Graduation Ceremony and Prom Update
Currently, we are rescheduling graduation to meet the new guidelines issued by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. In order for us to hold an in-person ceremony, it must be outside, with limited guests and all in attendance must abide by certain safety requirements. The ceremony will now take place on the BHS turf and is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, July 19 @ 10:00am (pending approval) with a rain date of Wednesday, July 22. Complete details will be shared soon. We are thrilled that we can honor having an in-person graduation. Even though it will look a bit different, we will still make it special for the Class of 2020.
Also, prom has been cancelled. However, the senior class officers with the help of your class advisors, Ms. Flora and Ms. Goetschius, are planning an awesome reunion scheduled for November 28, 2020. Please stay tuned for details.
Please check out a Class of 2020 Tribute Video
with an original song written and performed by Mr. Felker for our seniors. Special thanks to the BHS faculty who submitted videos and to Mrs. Santos for putting this together.
Class of 2020 Post Grad Email Collection
Please use this Google Form to fill out some post graduation contact information. The Class of 2020 would like to be able to keep you informed after graduation. Prom or an event in place of Prom WILL be held for you at a later date. Please fill out this brief form so we can keep you updated. Your school email will no longer work at some point after graduation. Post grad email collection form link .
So proud of all of you!
Ms G & Ms. F
Community Service Update (from Ms. Faulstich)
Community Service status in Aspen will be updated at the end of the year. If you've turned in hours that you haven't seen show up in Aspen yet, they should be there by June 18th.
Senior Google Accounts & Naviance
For seniors, google accounts are typically disabled a week after graduation. Our technology department is able to allow continued access through July 1st. If you would like to preserve or keep any of the documents on your google drive, start transferring those to a new account or download them. After Jul 1, 2020, you will no longer be able to retrieve your documents from your school accounts. Your Naviance will be available and able to be accessed until September.
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*SAVE THE DATES*
BHS Graduation
Sunday, July 19, 2020
Bedford High School Turf
10:00AM
(Wednesday, July 22, 2020 Raindate)
Senior Prom/Reunion
Saturday, November 28, 2020
(details to follow)
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Please donate to the Class of 2020 Fund
The BHS Parents Association (BHSPA) is asking families to donate in support of the Class of 2020 celebrations as managed by the BHSPA through its subcommittee, the 2020 BHS Senior Parents Committee. Monies donated to this fund will be earmarked to pay for costs relating to and only for Class of 2020 activities, such as gifts to be given to seniors in the bag with their caps and gowns on 5/27 Senior Pick Up Day and costs associated with any senior-planned event, a Prom/November Reunion Party. Please give generously in support of the seniors. Thank you! Please contact bhsbucs2020@gmail.com if you have any questions.
To donate please go to this link: https://bhspa.jimdo.com/senior-parents-2020/
Grades 9, 10 and 11 Presentation
If you missed the 9, 10 and 11th grade class meeting here is the link to view the slides. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1U9sCswJyNglCvax_KslYN9qa8dFA5KvT0gIFo-2uOLQ/edit?usp=sharing
Please visit the BHS website to view the T3/T4 and GPA proposal that was passed by the School Committee on 5/19/2020.
Counseling Corner
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
STRESS AND COVID-19: A COURSE FOR TEENS
Dr. Jennifer Greif Green, an Associate Professor in Special Education and a child clinical psychologist partnered with Medway Public Schools to develop an online COVID-19 stress and anxiety educational course for students. The course module is available and free to anyone through her website. http://www.jenniferggreen.com/stress/#/
As the school year comes to a close students may find that the pandemic is also disrupting their summer plans. Many traditional summer programs and activities—camps, athletics, travel, on-campus courses—are being cancelled, while internships and job opportunities are limited. Fortunately, there are still plenty of ways to have an enriching summer. We often encourage students to “think outside the box” when it comes to summer activities; this year, current circumstances demand creative thinking. This presents a great opportunity for kids to pursue their passions while demonstrating their ability to hustle and be proactive. As students plan for summer activities here is a list that they can pursue from home. These activities fall into three major categories: online programming, virtual volunteering and independent projects.
SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS - Click Here for more information
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POST-SECONDARY PLANNING
Virtual College ToursIt IS possible to tour campuses online and colleges do a really good job at this. Check college websites or official college Youtube channels. Also use these websites: YouVisit, CampusTours, YOUniversity, CollegeWeekLive and CampusReel.
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CollegeWeek Live - ongoing
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Here is a document to find virtual college tours by state!
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FINANCIAL AID WEBINARS and INFORMATION
MEFA, the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, is also providing free "After the College Acceptance" webinars to provide guidance on understanding financial aid letters, making the college decision, and putting together a plan to pay for college. RecordingS are available here. Please see https://www.mefa.org/collegebound2020/ for additional information.
FINANCIAL AID ASSISTANCE
MEFA, the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, is offering FREE one-on-one appointments with our College Planning Team. High school seniors and their families can request an appointment to review their financial aid offers and talk about different options to pay the college bill. Request an appointment here: https://www.mefa.org/appointment-request/
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Counseling Communications and Resources
Join Us on Twitter: @BedfordCounsel1
BPS Mental Health Resource link is here
Online Summer Reading Book Fair: June 1 through June 14
Here is a terrific selection of high school-level books suggested for summer reading.
Please visit the web site: https://fantasticbookfairs.com/pages/bedford
Home Delivery Bedford $3
Boston Delivery Free
Delivery Outside Bedford $5
Or get your order in by June 7th 2 pm for touchless car line pickup at Davis School on June 8th 11 am to 12 pm
Contact the BHS Librarian with any questions: christine_magoon@bedfordps.org
Work Permits
We know that many of you are trying to secure summer employment and there are new guidelines in place so that we can help you during this departure. You can download the application. Once you have the employer sign it, you must have a parent sign as well and submit a physical if under 16. Once all of the above is complete, send the completed information and application to Mrs. Powell and she will prepare the work permit. The link to the application is below and you can reach Mrs. Powell at nancy_powell@bedfordps.org . Feel free to reach out to her with any questions.
Link to Youth employment permit application
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/youth-employment-permit-information
Board of Health-Social Distancing
As you know, Bedford is adhering to the social distancing guidelines put forth by the Governor. Our BOH shared the following PSA and informational videos for students and families.
https://www.mass.gov/doc/how-young-people-can-prevent-covid-19-with-social-distancing/download
Bedford Food Bank open at John Glenn Middle School
The town of Bedford will offer a temporary food bank at John Glenn Middle School on Fridays.
1:00-3:00 - open to the public
For all the details, check this link.
We expect the Bedford Food Bank to operate for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis. The food pantry and community dinners will resume when the food bank closes down and it is safe to reopen.
Help with Digital Access
Have Unwanted Textiles Piling Up? Put Them in Our Bin For The Win & Turn Trash to Cash!
You can now recycle your used textiles through drop bins at the back right corner of the high school parking lot! By doing so, help the schools green initiatives earn some CASH! It's also environmentally friendly. 95% of textiles are recyclable and it diverts TONS of textiles from the trash. Unwanted clothes, towels, sheets, shoes, stuffed animals and more. Learn more about what can be donated and what actually happens to the textiles here Thanks for your support!
**Please make sure your items are bagged & tied (not loose), and are put IN the bins, not left outside**
Bedford High School
Phone: 781-275-1700
Absence Line: 781-918-4561
Fax: 781-275-6664