The Bedford Buccaneer
May 4, 2020
IMPORTANT DATES
April 23 - May 23 - Ramadan
May 4-8 - Teacher Appreciation Week
Friday, May 8 - Bedford Food Pantry 1-3:00 (new time) For more details, please click the link
Sunday, May 10 - Dollars for Scholars College Attendance Form due
Thursday, May 21 - Senior Awards Ceremony (Virtual) 7:00 pm (link will be sent)
Friday, May 22 - Junior Prom canceled
Friday, May 22 - Bedford Food Pantry 1-3:00, for more details please click this link
Thursday, May 28 - Last day of school for Seniors
Thursday, June 4 - Graduation, Tsongas Arena 6-8:30 pm
Thursday, June 25 - Graduation postponed date (if needed) Tsongas Arena 6-8:30 pm
Friday, June 26 - Bedford Food Pantry 1-3:00 For more details, please click link
Wednesday, July 22 - Senior Prom (new date) Tewksbury Country Club 7-11:00 pm
Thursday, June 25 - Graduation postponed date (if needed) Tsongas Arena 6-8:30 pm
Thursday, August 13 - Graduation postponed date (if needed) Tsongas Arena 6-8:30 pm
TBA - Student Access to BHS to collect belongings; information will be emailed asap
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Dear BHS Families,
We continue to do our best to support students academically and emotionally during these challenging times. I can’t think of a better time to celebrate the efforts of our educators than now, during Teacher Appreciation Week. They are working hard to stay connected to their students and are teaching in ways that pose multiple challenges. Thank you for supporting our faculty and staff. Last week, students participated in a Remote Learning Survey. The administrative team which includes our curriculum leaders will be reviewed and changes or clarifications, where appropriate, will be shared with students and families.
Our seniors have also been asked to take a survey regarding events and it remains open through Wednesday, May 6. Over 100 seniors have already completed it. Many parents and community members are eager to celebrate the seniors as they have lost so much during this time. We want to make sure that class weighs in on the generous offers to coordinate events. Mr. Casey, Mr. Hudder, Ms. Linsey and have scheduled a virtual meeting for the Class of 2020 on Wednesday @ 12:00. We hope that students will attend. We will review the survey, offer support and share some thoughts about the end of the year.
This month is Mental Health Awareness Month. In the next Monday Memo, resources will be shared with students and with parents as well. Many students and families are understandably struggling. Students are without their friends, unable to engage in school how they once knew it and may be fearful about what the future holds. Some families are dealing with loss, financial setbacks and a myriad of other hardships that are magnified during this pandemic. Please reach out to our counseling and/or main office team if your child or children are struggling. We are here to support our families and students.
Our faculty and staff miss their students and ache to see their faces at Bedford High School. Please look for a video from “our house” where students can see BHS faculty members during this departure. Hopefully it provides a laugh which is so needed nowadays. On a final note, here is the Monday Memo sent to students today. Take a peek when you get a chance.
Warm Regards,
Heather Galante
Principal
Bedford High School
Twitter: @bhs_galante
To order your Bedford High School Class of 2020 Graduation Yard Sign
Please place your order by Friday, May 8th.
The sign will be delivered to your home by Mr. Humphrey once they are ready; estimated to be mid-May.
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Senior Awards Ceremony (Virtual)
Thursday, May 21, 7:00 pm (link will be sent)
Seniors-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.
Senior Spotlight
The Class of 2020 has been posting on their Instagram and Facebook pages Senior Spotlights daily to celebrate their success and future endeavors. To get a Senior Spotlight, please Instagram Direct Message, Facebook message or email Olivia Lee (olivia_lee-2020@bedfordps.org) the following:
A picture of you
Your future plans (college/university, job if entering the workforce, etc.)
If attending college, what you will be studying/majoring in
A "Key to Success" *
*What is your advice to others? Don't be afraid to challenge the definition of success!
Note: There is no rush or deadline for submitting this information! Take your time.
Class of 2020 Instagram: instagram.com/inthe20ne
Class of 2020 Facebook Page: facebook.com/inthe20ne
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Community Service Update
Hi Seniors,
I hope you are all hanging in there during this tough time. I'm thinking about all our students, but you especially. Sending you lots of good vibes. Due to the March school closure due to Covid-19, Seniors will not be expected to complete the community service expectation. Students may still submit community service hours, but the expectation of completing 20 hours will be waived. If you have hours you would still like to submit, the information and links are available at https://www.bedfordps.org/high-school/parent-information/pages/community-service-bhs-students Stay well and keep busy!
Ms. Faulstich
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SAVE THE DATES
Senior Prom (New Date)
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
7-11:00 pm
Tewksbury Country Club
1880 Main St, Tewksbury, MA
(If the social distancing ban has not been lifted by then, the class officers will work on planning a reunion get-together over the Thanksgiving break.)
BHS Graduation
Thursday, June 4, 2020
6:00 – 8:30 pm
Tsongas Arena, 300 Arcand Dr, Lowell, MA
Alternative Graduation dates if postponed:
Thursday, June 25, 2020
or
Thursday, August 13, 2020
Please note: If the ban on social distancing has not been lifted by August 13, we will plan for a virtual ceremony with some in person elements for that date. The graduation will not be postponed beyond August 13.
No tickets required
Parking information: http://www.tsongascenter.com/parking.php
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Attention Seniors: CSF Dollars for Scholars 2020 Application Announcement
The CSF of Bedford Selections Committee is hard at work evaluating scholarship applications and will notify scholarship recipients in late May.
Please remember to complete CAF form and return it with your college awards package (if applicable) by May 10th to CSF of Bedford Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 585, Bedford, MA 01730 or by email to bedfordma@dollarsforscholars.org.
(CAF form is attached or can be downloaded from the Student/Parent page at http://www.bedfordma.dollarsforscholars.org)
If you are unable to download the form, please send an email with your mailing address to bedfordma@dollarsforscholars.org and we will send you a form in the mail.
We are sad that our scholarship award recipients will not receive a much-deserved recognition at a public ceremony this year since we have cancelled our awards reception due to the ongoing covid19 crisis. We wish you and your family health and safety during this difficult time.
Selections Committee,
CSF Bedford Dollars for Scholars
This form must be sent by May 10, 2020.
Counseling Corner
Mental Health and Well Being
The MGH Center for Cross-Cultural Student Emotional Wellness is excited to announce a collaboration with the MGH Institute of Health Professions (IHP) and the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s “Let’s Talk!” Conference to launch a free COVID-19 educational webinar series focused on the emotional well-being of Asian and Asian American students. There are different target audiences for each webinar including Asian American students, international students, parents, schools, and community members, though attendance is free and open to all who are interested. For questions, please contact us at info@mghstudentwellness.org. To register here for the next webinar. Separate registration for each webinar is required.
HARVARD PILGRIM HEALTH CARE
Harvard Pilgrim’s mindfulness program is offering the communities we serve a sense of stability with programming designed especially for the public. Mind the Moment: a coffee-house in the cloud, for building community, feeling connected, and getting centered.Every Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. ET, and every Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. ET, we’ll be getting our minds limbered up for the day with short bursts of mindfulness instruction, followed by mini meditations, all featuring our team of expert instructors.
Link for Tuesdays: https://zoom.us/j/946535238
Link for Fridays: https://zoom.us/j/580279161
Power up with us via your computer or mobile device, and then check out our archive of back episodes on the Mind the Moment YouTube page.
BRYT FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP
Bedford Public Schools is a member of the Bridge for Resilient Youth in Transition (BRYT, pronounced “bright”) network and as such all families are invited to participate in their virtual support groups. We know that this is a challenging time with things changing rapidly. While we practice social distancing let’s be sure that we are also connecting.
When: Ongoing, Tuesdays at 3:00 pm and Wednesdays at 8:00 AM
Who: All families that could use some extra support during this difficult time
Where: Online at Zoom same link each week
Weekly Sessions:
Tues 3:00 PM group join with link: http://zoom.us/j/2663874038
Wed 8:00 AM group join with this link: http://zoom.us/j/812329394
WILLIAM JAMES VIRTUAL PARENT SUPPORT GROUPS
Parents Helping Parents of Massachusetts offers online support groups (daily via Zoom), a parental stress helpline, materials, resources and more. Visit their website, https://www.parentshelpingparents.org/.
William James College's Center of Excellence for Children, Families and the Law and Brenner Center for Psychological Assessment and Consultation are also presenting a series of groups on the following topics. For dates, times and login details please visit our Public Events Calendar
Page.
Free/Reduced Lunch Program
A MA program called Pandemic EBT, which will provide families that receive free/reduced lunch with a $28.50 (per week, per child) benefit on EBT cards during the school closure. According to the MA website, the cards will be mailed out to families in May. Some additional information is here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/pandemic-ebt-p-ebt
Post-Secondary Planning
Scoir has partnered with Peter Van Buskirk to provide a "behind the scenes" look at how colleges are dealing with the admission process during a national crisis - COVID-19. A 25-year veteran of the college admission process, Peter Van Buskirk is dedicated to helping families find student-centered solutions in college planning. Over the past several weeks, Peter has been interviewing deans of admission at institutions around the country. It's our hope that these interviews lend families further perspective on how specific colleges—and higher education in general—are responding to the coronavirus.
View the Scoir Webinar Series Here
Webinar: COVID-19 and the College Search and Application Process for Students with Disabilities
Hosted by: Annie Tulkin, M.A. & Adrienne Frumberg, M.A.
Date: Monday, May 11, 2020
Time: 12-12:30PM
*We will follow up with you shortly regarding sign-in instructions for this webinar.*
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a new set of challenges and unknowns for students and families who are trying to engage in the college search and application process. From virtual tours, to questions about standardized tests, how can students with disabilities (learning disabilities, ADD, Autism, physical disabilities, health conditions, and mental health conditions) effectively engage in the college search and application process virtually? Join Annie Tulkin, Founder and Director of Accessible College, and Adrienne Frumberg, Founder, LightHouse Guidance for this informative webinar.
MEFA
Financial Aid Appeals During COVID-19 WebinarMEF talked with 4 college administrators to find out how families can appeal for more financial aid and what colleges are providing. Link available here:
https://www.mefa.org/videos/financial-aid-appeals-during-covid-19/
MEFA FAMILY WEBINAR SERIES
College Admissions
Date: May 4, 2020
Time: 7:00-8:00pm
The college search and application process can be overwhelming. This webinar will help you establish a personalized admissions road map by addressing topics such as current trends in admissions, building a balanced list of colleges, and the different components of the college application including transcripts, essays, and letters of recommendation.
To request closed captioning on a webinar, please contact Lauren Patten at lpatten@mefa.org or 617-224-4856 at least one week in advance of the webinar. RSVP Here.
After the College Acceptance
Date: May 6, 2020
Time: 12:00-1:00 pm
This webinar provides valuable guidance for high school seniors who have received their college acceptance letters and financial aid offers and are trying to make the college decision. Topics include an overview of different types of financial aid, an explanation of how to calculate the balance due at each college, and methods for paying the college bill.
To request closed captioning on a webinar, please contact Lauren Patten at lpatten@mefa.org or 617-224-4856 at least one week in advance of the webinar. RSVP Here.
Strive Virtual College Exploration
Program extended: Two more weeks added!
Dates: Monday, April 27 - Friday, May 8, 2020
Registration for students and counselors is open: www.strivescan.com/virtual
The program features:
200+ college information sessions
Institutions from 37 states across the country
Monday, May 4 is dedicated to opportunities at international universities
Day and evening options
Free and open to students nationwide
Browse the schedule or search based on topic, state, or specific college/university. They can also get more information on each institution presenting, including the school’s location, size, average GPA, test scores, and Test Optional status.
Registration
Students and counselors should register for each presentation that they want to attend. Once they register, they’ll receive a confirmation email with their unique link to join the Zoom webinar. (They’ll also receive a barcode, but the barcode is not necessary for this virtual event.)
Students are encouraged to participate. There are a variety of programs with day and evening options available. The target audience is juniors and underclassmen and the program is free to students. This is a very unique opportunity. Click Here for more information.
NAVIGATE 2020 Virtual Conference and College Fair
This event will host three days of live-stream expert presentations for students and families and a concurrent virtual college fair with fully interactive booths. Students can chat live with college admissions representatives, helping to find fit.
Students and families have lost opportunities in their college search due to COVID-19.
This event is free-of-charge to attendees and is designed to help students and colleges connect safely during the COVID-19 crisis. The event will be live for three days, packed with informative sessions about the college decision process. During those three days, students can also browse interactive college fair booths, chatting live with admissions representatives. After three days of live interactions, this event will remain posted at the event site until the COVID-19 crisis is over. Students need access to information and this site will remain a robust tool for exploring their options. We hope you can join us in this important event! Register soon, space is limited.
Useful Post-Secondary Planning Resources & Links:
NACAC College Admission Status Update Coronavirus Impact: https://www.nacacnet.org/college-admission-status-coronavirus
College Visits and Tours: www.youvisit.com/collegesearch
Campus Tours: www.ecampustours.com
Campus Tours: www.campustours.com
Military Information
Many recruiting stations have been closed for personal visits, but are still available to discuss your future in the military. You may ask a recruiter about education programs such as R.O.T.C., the military academies, the Post 9/11-GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program. Serving in the military is not only an honor but can be a great way to finance your education.Free Tutoring Resource for Military Connected Students
Tutor.com/military, an online tutoring program for active military connected students has been temporarily expanded to include U.S. Department of Defense affiliated personnel and their families to alleviate the academic stress experienced during the COVID-19 public health crisis. The program provides on-demand academic support 24/7 online in more than 100 subjects for students in kindergarten through college. The program is available at no cost to any adult or child in a Department of Defense civilian or Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve or Wounded Warrior military family who is trying to continue learning while managing unexpected changes to their routines.
Standardized Testing Information Updates
Comprehensive AP Updates - NEW Information
1,160 Accredited 4-Year Colleges and Universities with ACT/SAT-Optional Policies (for Fall 2021 Admission) See the searchable database of schools
ACT scheduled for April 4 has been postponed to June 13, go to ACT.org for more information
SAT and SAT Subject Tests scheduled for June 6 have been postponed, further information is available on the College Board website
Counseling Communications and Resources
Join Us on Twitter: @BedfordCounsel1
Previous Counseling Communications While Away From School
BPS Mental Health Resource link is here
Follow us on Twitter @BedfordCounsel1
BHSPA Grant
The BHSPA is pleased to announce they will award a grant to English teacher and BHS Live Advisor Jillian Butler to purchase a Sling Studio Pro.
The Sling Studio Pro will allow BHS Live, the student driven news show, to go on the air again. The Sling Pro Studio will also provide live streaming capabilities which will be an asset to the both the BHS and the Bedford communities. Congratulations!
Thank BHS Teachers
BHS Student Thank You Photo Montage
To bring smiles or even a laugh to BHS faculty and staff, we are asking you to provide a photo of yourself thanking the BHS teachers/staff with a sign, a border, a tagline or even just a smile. Junior Emily Kociubes has generously agreed to create a video from the images, add music, and send it to BHS staff/teachers.
Ideas for photos: Bucs attire, geo filters, funny poses, include your siblings, seniors-attire indicating future plans, pose with instruments, sports equipment, extracurricular accessories, create a hashtag for the picture like: #BHSThanksOurTeachers or #TeacherAppreciation.
Instructions:
Photos should be in landscape mode
Send your photo to ThankBHSTeachers@gmail.com
NO specific teacher mentions - see below
DEADLINE: TUESDAY, MAY 5th, 11:59pm
The BHSPA parent group will facilitate the collection and will review these photo, so nothing inappropriate, or it will be rejected. If we think the photo needs more lighting or other adjustments we will ask you to send again.
IMPORTANT: This Thank BHS Teachers photo montage is for ALL teachers and staff so we will not accept photos with thanks to specific teachers. Shout outs to departments are fine. However, if you want to send a special thank you to a specific teacher or staff member, please reach out to them via email, they will love it!
Challenge Success Speaker Webinar
Strategies to Nurture Resilience in Ourselves & Our Children
If you missed the presentation on Wednesday night by Dr. Brooks you can view it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzhqkjKE1Wg
HOW TO TAKE A BALANCED APPROACH
TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
One of the many unfortunate and disconcerting side effects of COVID-19 is the additional anxiety that high school students are feeling right now about the college admissions process. Stress levels about college are often high this time of year as seniors make their final acceptance decisions and juniors and sophomores feel the pressure to achieve top grades and test scores. And now families have the added layer of uncertainty due to canceled admit days and college tours, changes to grading policies and SAT/ACT testing and dates, and the elimination of most extracurriculars.
We urge students and parents to keep the big picture in mind and remember that all students across the world are experiencing these uncertainties together. Hundreds of colleges such as Case Western, Harvard, and Oregon State have proactively shared how they will make adjustments to honor the disruptions students are currently encountering, and have emphasized that students will not be disadvantaged as a result.
Challenge Success recently provided guidance to policymakers and education leaders to adopt a grading policy that includes a shift to Credit/Incomplete or No Record as a way to support student well-being and equity. Watch this 60-minute Q&A webinar with Denise Pope and a panelist of experts to learn more.
As always, remember that a student’s entire future does not depend on this one decision. Research confirms that what you do in college matters more than where you go to college. As Dr. Pope recently said in a message to families, use this unexpected time at home to broaden your definition of learning and embrace playtime, downtime, and family time.
Keep reading for practical ways that parents, students, and educators can reduce unnecessary stress and take a more balanced approach to the college admissions process during COVID-19 and beyond.
Stay safe, healthy, and balanced.
The Challenge Success team
Explore our resources to support families & educators during remote learning
Virtual Parent Support Groups
Bringing together parents and caregivers raising
children with Mental Health and Behavioral Health Challenges
Every Wednesday 6:30-8:00 p.m. Online
Every Thursday 9:30-11:00 a.m. Online
Join these virtual groups via a computer or a smartphone* Participants can turn their video off for the group if they prefer to join by audio only. Facilitated by a professional with experience raising children living with mental and behavioral health challenges. RSVP and receive easy-to-follow directions for joining the group!
RSVP to:
Catherine Picciotto
Catherine_Picciotto@waysideyouth.org
Phone 781-966-5690
Tracey Rooney
Tracey_rooney@waysideyouth.org
Phone 781-966-5689
*Parents without access to a computer or smartphone may call the facilitator for
1:1 support via telephone
Made possible by the Department of Mental Health &
Wayside’s Parent-Peer Partnership Program – Waltham Location
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
It is important to get outside each day to get fresh air. Please maintain social distancing of 6 feet from others and cover your face when out in public with a mask, bandana or scarf. Please avoid small group gatherings on the bike path. Keep gloves and a mask in the car to go to the grocery store.
Avoid touching your face, including your eyes, nose and mouth.
Use remote modes of communication like the phone, FaceTime, or zoom chats instead of visiting friends or family.
Take a deep breath several times during the day. We will get through this together.
Proper hand washing with soap and water is still the most effective way to keep viruses and germs at bay. Here are some tips from the CDC on proper hand washing to share with your children.
Steps to Proper Hand Washing
Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them
Also, as an additional means of preventing transmission of any respiratory infection, please practice the following activities:
Frequently clean common touchpoint surfaces, including but not limited to electronics, door knobs, and countertops;
Avoid sharing food utensils, containers, and other personal items;
Distance yourself from someone who appears sick
Practice proper cough etiquette.
MCAS
MCAS has been officially cancelled for this school year. There will be no ELA, math or science exam.
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