The Bedford Buccaneer
September 5, 2023
IMPORTANT DATES
Tuesday, September 5th-First day of school
Monday, September 11th-Picture day
Monday, September 18th- Alex Hirshberg presentation for parents- 7-8:30 in the BHS auditorium
Thursday, September 21st-Back to school night-6:30-8:30pm
Monday, October 9th-No School
Tuesday, November 7th-No School-Staff Professional Day
Friday, November 10th-No School
Wednesday, November 22nd-Early release-11:15am
Thursday, November 30th-BHS Conferences-4:00-8:00pm
BHS Rotating Day Calendar 2023-2024
Alex HIRSHBERG
Meet the new BHS FACULTY
Kamal Hassan
Kamal holds a Masters degree in English education from Kutztown University in Pennsylvania. He comes to us with teaching experience in a variety of settings from rural Pennsylvania to urban Los Angeles. He most recently taught in a one-year position at Somerville High School. Kamal will be teaching Asian-American Literature, English II Honors, and Digital Storytelling and Journalism
Gretta Venuti
Gretta Venuti joins the BHS staff as a grade 9-12 ESL teacher. She spent the last five years working in Acton-Boxborough as an ESL teacher. Gretta also worked at the Lane School and Davis School prior to Acton and she is a Bedford resident. She has already been a great help volunteering her time to register the Haitian migrants who are living in the Bedford Hotel and helping our new families. Gretta brings a wealth of experience to BPS.
Olivia Cigna
Olivia is a native of Wilmington, MA. She attended University of New England and Endicott College where she earned degrees in secondary English education and a Masters in Social-emotional learning. Olivia has spent time student teaching in Biddeford ME, working in an after school program in Burlington, and completing a teaching fellowship at Woburn Memorial High School. Olivia will be teaching English II High Honors, English III College Prep, and Writing Essentials.
Kristina Sergi
Kristina will be a new special ed liaison. She will be co-teaching junior English and US II. Kristina most recently worked as a special education teacher at the Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School. Prior to that, she worked at Reading Memorial High School, Ivy Street School and Community Charter School of Cambridge. Kristina has a Master’s from Cambridge College and a Bachelor's from UMass, Amherst.
Sarah Scheff
Sarah will be joining the STEP program as a special education teacher alongside Victoria Breslin and Lisa Brecher. Joins us from Cambridge Public Schools, where she works as a Special Educator for students with social/emotional disabilities. Prior to her work in Cambridge, Sarah worked at The Guild for Human Services and the Germaine Lawrence School. Sarah holds degrees from Marlboro College and Bay Path University.
Mary Gudaitis-Pyle
Mary has served as an educator for 22 years: first, as a Theater and English teacher in Maryland, and more recently as a Reading Specialist in Fall River. She holds a Bachelors' degree in English Secondary Ed. and Theater Arts, as well as Masters Degrees in Reading and Secondary English and Theater Arts. She is happily moving to Lowell to be closer to family. Mary will be teaching Reading Skills, Reading Strategies, and Targeted Reading. She has a son, Benjamin, who will soon graduate from UMBC with a degree in Computer Science (and hopefully get a real job!), and her other buddy is her rescue pup, Leo, who is 12 years old.
Cole Mihalinec
Cole Mihalinec currently teaches US History I and is a Teacher's Assistant in the Academic Achievement Center. He graduated from Northern Arizona University with his BA in Secondary Education - History and Social Studies. Currently, he is working on getting his Master's degree from UMASS Global in Curriculum and Instruction. Mr. Mihalinec is one of the JV Baseball coaches and is often seen at various school events. He is originally from San Diego, California and currently resides in Allston.
Leah Walton:
Leah Walton returns to Bedford High School as a part-time math teacher and will teach two sections of Pre-Calculus Honors. From 2016-2020 Leah was a math interventionist in our Academic Achievement Center, and previously taught math for ten years at the Kennedy Middle School in Waltham. Leah has a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Colby College, where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and graduated summa cum laude. Leah holds a Master of Education degree in Mathematics Education from Boston University. Welcome back Leah.
Charlie Puopolo:
Charlie Puopolo is joining us as the new Manufacturing and Production (or woodshop) teacher. He is coming from our very own John Glenn Middle School where he has served as an 8th grade science teacher for over 20 years. He has also acted as a Team Leader, Peer Mentor, and Baseball Coach for our district and we are happy to have him continuing within the science and technology department here at the high school. Welcome, Charlie!
Joyce Davison:
Joyce Davison comes to us from Bellingham High School and brings a wealth of experience as a science teacher. This year she will be teaching two sections of Forensics in addition to Honors and High Honors Biology classes. She is passionate about teaching and has a talent for curriculum design and project-based learning. Joyce holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Tufts University and a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree from Texas Chiropractic College.
Laurie Vigna:
Laurie Vigna our new Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher comes to us from Salem High School where she taught Culinary Arts. Prior to that, she taught Family and Consumer Science at North Andover Middle School and Culinary Arts at Stoneham High School. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Marketing from Middlesex and a Bachelor's Degree in Business Education from Salem State. She has also worked as a Private Chef for Via Lago in Lexington. Welcome Laurie!
Panayiotis Kapanides:
Panayiotis, a 2019 Graduate of Bedford HS, was recruited to play basketball at Springfield College where he graduated from this past Spring with a degree in Movement Studies. In addition to playing basketball at Springfield, he was the Mental Health Club President, Student Ambassadors and worked in Alumni Relations. Pi will be teaching Physical Education and working as a TA in Special Education. He is coaching football and will be coaching basketball in the Winter.
STUDENT information
Seniors (Class of 2024) have a mandatory flex block assembly on Wednesday, September 6. Please report to the auditorium after your advisory.
Auditions for the fall play, Twelfth Night, are Sept 12th! Get the audition packet and more information here! (This Google doc can only be opened with a bedfordps.org email address.)
FIRST TWO DAYS OF SCHOOL
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
Interested in Health Care take a look at this opportunity at Boston Children's Hospital
Per Diem - Peer LeaderThe Congressional Youth Advisory Council
The Congressional Youth Advisory Council is intended to be a civic engagement opportunity open to Massachusetts 6th District students in their junior or senior year of high school. The council is a year-long commitment, consisting of policy discussions, meetings with the Congressman and staff, and legislative writing.
The nonpartisan council is designed to provide youth with the chance to have their voices heard on public policy, engage with elected representation, and develop the skills to address the critical issues facing our country. We have no doubt that the student who participate in the council will help contribute to the next generation of leaders.
Applications for the 2023-2024 Youth Council are open until September 30th, 2023, at 11:59pm EST.
Please see the attached introduction packet for more information. The application and details on the council can be found at moulton.house.gov/services/youth-council.
Please fill out these 4 mandatory forms
- Emergency Information Form
- Parent/Guardian & Student Sign off Agreement Form
- iPad Agreement Form
- Community Service app-IF NOT COMPLETED LAST YEAR
Links found to each form below
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
Parent/Guardian & Student Sign off Agreement Form
Community service app-if not completed last year
Please click here for the parental consent form
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.
IPAD Insurance information
Need help paying for your iPad insurance?
Please email brenda_sweetland@bedfordps.org with your student's name and grade.
PICTURE DAY IS September 11th
INFORMATION OPT OUT
CHALLENGE sUCCESS
Click here to register for the free webinar
BHSPA NEWS
Find out about the BHSPA through their welcome letter. Information about Fall appeal sale and how to order a student planner is below as well.
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.
Student item drop off Location
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 Information
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
Senior Photo information from MS lennox
Dear Class of 2024 Caretakers,
It’s hard to believe that Senior year has arrived and you and your senior are inching closer to graduation! One of the many traditions of senior year includes getting a senior portrait and other features in the yearbook! I will be your guide for everything yearbook and ensure everything is submitted accurately. I will confirm via email that you submitted items properly and alert you to any missing/late items.
1) The most important thing to have on your radar right now is the SENIOR PORTRAIT. BHS now works with Geskus (https://www.wearegeskus.com/seniors) Photography. You can click on the link and see the attached flyer below. While you are welcome to use any photographer you want, this is the company that the school contracts with as of this year. In case you have not seen the yearbook, the trend is that most of the students take photos outdoors but there are a bunch that use traditional studio lighting so it is really a personal preference. Some photographers book up early, so if you definitely want a beach session or a fall foliage setting, book now as they are popular times!!!
We will be sending out a Google Form for senior thanks to all seniors. Please encourage your senior to submit theirs to us.
Deadline: October 6, 2023
Submit your child’s baby picture. Please submit one baby picture using the same submission method as the senior portraits, enter "Baby" for the grade information, and spell the student's name how you would like it displayed with the picture.
Deadline: October 6, 2023
Take and submit your senior portrait. Please submit your photo to HJeShare.com using the school code "Bedford". IMPORTANT: When uploading your portrait, please select the “Portrait” option as you upload in order to link your senior's name to the image.
Deadline: October 27, 2023
Submit your family congratulatory ad for the yearbook! You can design, purchase, and submit your ad at YearbookOrderCenter.com using the school code 13423. Choose the option that says “Start Your Ad.”
Deadline: October 27, 2023
Deadline: October 27, 2023
Order your yearbook online by going to YearbookOrderCenter.com and using the school code 13423. 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
School Lunch Information
BEDFORD SEPAC (Special Education Parental Advisory Council)
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
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 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)
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