The Bedford Buccaneer
May 25, 2020
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, May 25 - Memorial Day
Tuesday, May 26 - Class of 2020 Meeting (students & parents)12:00pm (Google Meet)
Tuesday, May 26 - Make up day for seniors (collect missing work but no scheduled classes)
Tuesday, May 26 - BHSPA/MSPA annual meeting & elections 1:30pm (Zoom)
Wednesday, May 27 - Senior collection & delivery 12-4:00pm
Thursday, May 28 - Official last day for seniors (all make-up work due but no classes)
Friday, May 29 - Bedford Food Pantry 1-3:00pm For more details, please click link
Saturday, May 30 - Poetry Slam 7:00pm (please read below for more info)
Thursday, June 18 - Last day of school for underclassmen
Friday, June 19 - Last day for faculty and staff
Thursday, June 25 - Graduation Tsongas Arena 6-8:30 pm
Friday, June 26 - Bedford Food Pantry 1-3:00pm For more details, please click link
Wednesday, July 22 - Senior Prom (tentative) Tewksbury Country Club 7-11:00 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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Senior graduation sign
Great news, the Senior graduation sign site will be open today until Wednesday, May 27th. If you didn't have a chance to purchase before, here is another opportunity. Follow the QR code in the attached photo or click this link.
IMPORTANT - Seniors and Parents/Guardians Meeting
Tuesday, May 26 at 12:00pm
A brief presentation about the senior drive thru event on 5/27 and graduation. Mrs. Galante, Mr. Hudder and Mr. Casey will also answer any questions. (Please see the letter and information that was emailed to seniors and parent(s) on Friday, 5/22.)
Senior Meeting link https://meet.google.com/rfw-phmq-cgp
Term 3 and 4 Grading Info
Please visit the BHS website to view the T3/T4 and GPA proposal that was passed by the School Committee on 5/19/2020.
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 in the event the July 22 Prom does not happen at that time. If it does not, we WILL be hosting an event 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 .
One more week! So proud of all of you!
Ms G & Ms. F
IMPORTANT INFO FROM 2020 SENIOR PARENT COMMITTEE:
All Night Graduation Announcement
We are so sad that we will not be able to provide your students with an All Night Graduation Celebration this year due to the social distancing requirements. We know that a lot of you are wondering what we will be doing with the funds we have raised for ANG 2020. As everything was shut down prior to the Fashion Show, and additional fundraising was not able to take place, there has only been a minimal amount of funds raised. Shortly, we will be offering refunds to any business or family that has donated thus far. After all refunds are processed, any remaining funds will be put toward an event celebrating the senior class, as determined by the class of 2020 officers and their advisors.
If you have any questions, please email us at BedfordANG@gmail.com. Please continue to read the Monday BHSPA emails for any updates.
Sincerely,
Dawn Kociubes and Kerry Rickey
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.
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 (New Date)
Thursday, June 25, 2020
6:00 – 8:30 pm
Tsongas Arena, 300 Arcand Dr, Lowell, MA
Alternative Graduation date if postponed:
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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Grades 9, 10 and 11 Presentation
If you missed the 9, 10 and 11th grade class meeting last week here is the link to view the slides. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1U9sCswJyNglCvax_KslYN9qa8dFA5KvT0gIFo-2uOLQ/edit?usp=sharing
Also, please visit the BHS website to view the T3/T4 and GPA proposal that was passed by the School Committee on 5/19/2020.
BHSPA & MSPA Joint Annual Meeting Tuesday, May 26 via Zoom
Parents/Guardians! Please join us for a joint BHSPA/MSPA annual meeting & elections on Tuesday, May 26th at 1:30pm via Zoom. If you are interested in running for a position or just hearing about the parent organizations, please email bhsbucsparents@gmail.com and we will provide the Zoom link.
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, either a Prom Party on July 22nd or a 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/
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/#/
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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.
Virtual College Fairs for Juniors
Colleges That Change Lives Presentations
Tuesday May 26th 10 am or 5pm
CollegeWeek Live - ongoing
Here is a document to find virtual college tours by state!
Virtual Volunteering: Yes, it is a thing!
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FINANCIAL AID
MEFA webinars are available to learn more about financial aid awards. Here are some upcoming events:
Search & Manage Scholarships with MEFA Pathway
Learn how MEFA Pathway can help students find available scholarships, build a list and manage deadlines and awards. To request closed captioning on a webinar, please contact Lauren Patten at…
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
11:00am – 12:00pm
Sample Financial Aid Appeal Letters
Want to compare financial aid awards? Check out the College Cost Calculator
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Seniors...Colleges Still Accepting Applications for Fall 2020:
Here is the link to the annual NACAC college openings as of today. These are colleges and universities which are still accepting applications for fall 2020. From the NACAC webpage, "The update is available on NACAC's web site through July 30. Institutions listed on the update can modify their openings information until it closes. Students are advised to contact the colleges directly for the most up-to-date information". When using the search feature, be sure to list "Freshmen- yes" as a minority of schools listed here are only accepting transfers.
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Considering a Gap Year?
GapChat! Live
Are you a high school senior who is thinking about the possibility of delaying college for a semester or a year, due to COVID-19 or other reasons? Join "Virtual Office Hours" hosted by Katherine Stievater, Gap Year Advisor and Founder of Gap Year Solutions. Ask Katherine questions and engage with other seniors from across the U.S. who are considering a Gap Year. Or just listen in. Held every Wednesday at 8:00PM ET through the end of May 2020. Register here to receive the web link and dial in information.
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SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS - Click Here for more information
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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
May is Mental Health Month
May is Mental Health Month - a timely reminder of how important mental health is every month, and especially in times of crisis. The K-12 counseling team has gathered and created a few practical tools and tips for students and families to support mental health and well-being.
Mindfulness Breathing Technique
BPS has partnered with Riverside Trauma Center on a number of counseling supports and initiatives. In this video, Trauma and Loss Counseling Coordinator, Marlene Kenney, walks you through a spiral breathing exercise to help calm the body and mind: Spiral Breathing Exercise Video
CBT Seminars
JGMS counselors created a collection of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy videos (CBT) that are available with additional resources in all the Google Counseling Classrooms (Grades 6-12). CBT is short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy that takes a hands-on, practical approach to problem-solving. Its goal is to change patterns of thinking or behavior that will change the way someone feels. We have received a lot of positive feedback from students who have viewed and practiced the techniques in the webinars. We encourage parents and caregivers to view them with their children.
Strategies to Nurture Resiliency in Ourselves & Our Children
In April, Dr. Robert Brooks, Ph.D. Child Psychologist, Harvard Medical School Faculty presented strategies to nurture resilience in ourselves and our children. Dr. Brooks is a renowned author and speaker on resilience, motivation, and family relationships. This was sponsored by the BHS Challenge Success Committee and brought to you by generous grants from the BHSPA and the MSPA. The presentation was recorded and is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzhqkjKE1Wg
Dear BHS Students, Poets, and Performers,
Great news: The annual BHS Poetry Slam is happening, thanks to Willa Potter, Class of 2021!
This will be an evening of spoken word poetry, all open mic, hosted by Willa and MC'd by our annual guest poet JAMELE ADAMS. Join the Zoom meeting (link below) to share a poem, create a poem, or just listen.
If you're interested in performing or just want to find out more, email Willa!
To see/hear Jamele perform and get a sense of the power of spoken word, click on the links:
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Willa Potter is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Poetry Slam!
Time: May 30, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86740707559?pwd=NGpEc1hJUGo0V2tJN01MYUJpTWRtQT09
Meeting ID: 867 4070 7559
Password: 012575
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.
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
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