The Bedford Buccaneer
April 17, 2020
IMPORTANT DATES
Friday, April 17 - Bedford Food Pantry 12-2:00-senior citizens, 2-6:00 - open to public
Monday, April 20 - Patriots' Day - no school
Monday, April 20 - 7-8:00 pm Teens, Tweens & Quarantines Webinar; Jon Mattleman
Wednesday, April 29 - 7:00 pm Strategies to Nurture Resilience in Ourselves and Our Children
Monday, May 4 - Classes scheduled to resume at Bedford High School
Friday, May 22 - Junior Prom, Double Tree in Bedford 7-10 pm
Thursday, May 28 - Senior Prom, Tewksbury Country Club 7-11:00 pm
Thursday, June 4 - Graduation, Tsongas Arena 6-8:30 pm
Wednesday, June 24 - Last day of School
Thursday, June 25 - Graduation postponed date (if needed) Tsongas Arena 6-8:30 pm
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The Peer Leaders Positivity Project
The Peer Leaders are working on various projects to maintain positivity and provide encouragement throughout the quarantine. Please view the video below by Lily and Doraja. Our Peer Leaders will work on and share various projects during our departure from BHS. Thank you for their collaboration and thoughtfulness. Kindness Calendar also included!
Counseling Corner
“TAKING CARE OF OURSELVES TODAY IS THE MOST COMPASSIONATE THING WE CAN DO, NOT ONLY FOR OURSELVES BUT FOR THE WELL BEING OF THOSE AROUND US.”
Dr. Blaise Aguirre, McLean Hospital
Director of Adolescent Dialectical Behavior Therapy Center
Mental Health and Well Being
TEENS, TWEENS & QUARANTINES
By Jon Mattleman
Monday, April 20, 7PM-8PM
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/92078456074?pwd=enkrbC9oYzQwekgzdUNXaHZ3YTFTZz09
Password: 028505
The Bedford Department of Health and Human Services in collaboration with the Bedford Public Schools are offering a community webinar. Join us for an important online conversation with Jon Mattleman. The discussion will include how this unprecedented time impacts the mental health of our youth and how parents and caregivers can be supportive. Charles Alperin, a social worker at Bedford High School, will introduce and join Jon for the conversation.
Jon Mattleman, MS
Jon is a mental health counselor and trainer with 30 years of experience working with youth, parents and families. Jon presents in communities statewide and his dynamic conversations give participants constructive tools for communicating, problem solving and working with teens. Jon is the former Director of Needham Youth and Family Services.
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.
What you can expect: This group is designed to allow families to drive the conversation. Maybe you need suggestions. Maybe you need to vent. Maybe you need to know other people are facing the same challenges. Whatever it is you need we are here for you!
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
Next Week Sessions:
April 21 3:00 PM group join with this link: http://zoom.us/j/812329394
April 22 8:00 AM group join with this link: http://zoom.us/j/2663874038
Post-Secondary Planning
The college admissions landscape continues to move, right underneath our feet. Many colleges and universities have already altered their admissions requirements for the class of 2021. Publications ranging from the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and other sources are already doing significant reporting on these changes. We are doing our best to stay on top of these developments as they are announced. You can find the latest information regarding grades summarized here College Admissions Information w/ Regard to Covid-19.
(Session 3) begin today with a webinar to view at your convenience. After viewing the webinar students are invited to small group interactive sessions with their counselor and an individual post-secondary planning meeting via zoom. Please see the email to juniors and parents/caregivers for more information.
Boston College Fair Guide - DIGITAL
Since the College Fair was cancelled and we cannot provide you hard copies of the College Fair Guide, please accept this digital edition. Students and parents will find important information to help in the college search process.
FAFSA and Massachusetts State Aid
In light of recent college fair cancellations across our region and nationally, the New England Association for College Admission Counseling (NEACAC) has partnered with associations around the country to provide a virtual alternative. The Strive Virtual College Exploration Week will provide a unique and diverse program for the students as they begin to navigate their postsecondary options.
Strive Virtual College Exploration Week
Monday, April 20 - Thursday, April 23, 2020
300+ colleges from 44 states and 10 countries
96 sessions over 4 days
Day and evening options
Panel presentations on a range of topics for juniors and underclassmen
Free and open to students nationwide
Registration for students and parents is now live: www.strivescan.com/virtual
Military Options
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.Other useful 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
Standardized Testing Information Update - AP, ACT, SAT
An increasing number of universities are dropping the SAT and ACT requirement for fall 2021 admissions in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
About 51 universities and colleges have dropped the ACT/SAT requirement for at least fall 2021 in recent months, according to a list by the National Center for Fair and Open Testing, or FairTest, a nonprofit organization working to end the misuse of standardized testing. See the full CNN article here.
ACT scheduled for April 4 has been postponed to June 13, go to ACT.org for more information
On April 15th, the College Board announced that to keep students safe, and in alignment with public health guidance and school closures across 192 countries, they will not be able to administer the SAT or SAT Subject Tests on June 6, 2020. Further information about future administrations is available on the College Board website.
Summitt Education is offering free webinars where you can get all of your questions answered and hear their recommendations for students now that the June SAT is cancelled. In these webinars, they will review the current testing landscape, recommendations for revising your student's testing plan, and how colleges are responding to this ever-changing landscape.
Families: Thursday, April 23rd from 5:00-6:00pm EDT [Register Here]
AP Letter Containing the Latest Info and Updates
The College Board announced that they will be moving to online testing for this spring's AP exams. Please click here to view the College Board website regarding AP Exam updates.
The College Board hosted an AP Parent Webinar on April 16 to talk about how to help your students prepare for AP exams. Follow this link to see the recorded webinar:
https://globalmeet.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1302024&tp_key=73070ccd21
Scheduling Timeline/Information
Updated Scheduling Timeline Link
Course Request Verification Sheets detailing student’s course recommendations and requests for SY 2020-2021 will be available in the Aspen student portal on April 17. The report will be visible on the homepage titled "Student Requests - Publishable." Please connect with your counselor about any questions, concerns, or to make corrections. Please double check that you are:
Meeting all graduation requirements
Have requested 36 credits or 34.5 if you have Independent Directed Study
Have an alternate course for electives
That your levels are correct. The last digit of the course number is the level:
Level 5 = High Honors Level 4 = Honors Level 3 = College Prep Level
Counseling Communications and Resources
Previous Counseling Communications While Away From School
BPS Mental Health Resource link is here
Follow us on Twitter @BedfordCounsel1
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A Student/Athlete peer tutoring program is being started by some juniors, specifically geared toward remote tutoring and support. See below for description:
My name is Alex Lin and I am currently a junior at Bedford High School. Because of the challenging circumstances due to COVID-19, I realize that some students are missing educational opportunities schools provide and maybe going a little stir-crazy without organized sports. Because of this reason, my friends Shaan Manocha, Connor Loughlin, Jasper Paez, Jessica Lin, and I have decided to provide free tutoring and virtual sports coaching during this time of social distancing to fellow Bedford students. We feel that our personal knowledge and experience of the curriculum at JGMS and BHS would be very valuable to those looking to excel in the coming years. All of us are high honor students and have collectively taken several AP courses. In addition, as varsity athletes in a variety of sports, we all are experienced with the school sports teams in Bedford and would be more than happy to provide information to help Bedford athletes get to the next level or even discuss sports selections.
Specifically, we offer:
Free tutoring in any of the academic areas below via free virtual platforms such as Zoom or FaceTime
Free skills, coaching sessions in any of the sports below by a BHS varsity athlete (or learn a new skill you haven’t tried before!)
Confidentially discuss sports selection, which sports to pursue, time commitment, and other considerations
Provide advice for summer training for high school and middle school athletes
If you or your student is interested in getting stronger academically or getting ahead in athletics, please contact us at bedfordstudentathletes@gmail.com and indicate your interest. We will contact you within 24 hours.
We are offering a free 40-minute virtual Zoom or Facetime tutoring on any of the following classes or specific skills in the following sports for your child during the April/May.
Student Speaker
In addition to your faculty speaker Mr. Morrissey, your class President, Jonathan Pierre, will also speak. In the past, an additional student speaker has been selected. The student and faculty speakers help to personalize the commencement ceremony. If you have a story or message to share with your class, please consider submitting and presenting your speech to a panel of faculty members and students on Monday, May 4th during Flex Block . Please read below for details:
If you are eligible to graduate, you are eligible to be considered as a speaker at graduation-no further prerequisites
Interested seniors should submit a speech to Mrs. Sweetland by Thursday, April 30th.
You may email the speech to brenda_sweetland@bedfordps.org
The speech should be about 3-5 minutes in length (rubric is attached to this email)
You will be required to read/present the speech to a panel during Flex Block on Monday, May 4th. Please email Mrs. Galante is this poses a problem for you.
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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
Thursday, May 28, 2020
7-11:00 pm
Tewksbury Country Club
1880 Main St, Tewksbury, MA
(Possible alternate date for the prom TBA)
BHS Graduation
Thursday, June 4, 2020
6:00 – 8:30 pm
Tsongas Arena, 300 Arcand Dr, Lowell, MA
Postponed Graduation date if needed:
Thursday, June 25, 2020
6:00 – 8:30 pm
Tsongas Arena, 300 Arcand Dr, Lowell, MA
No tickets required
Parking information: http://www.tsongascenter.com/parking.php
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 you if you are selected to receive a scholarship in late May. However, we regret to inform you that the Awards Ceremony, previously scheduled for Wednesday May 27, has been cancelled.
As a reminder, your scholarship application is not complete until you return the College Attendance Form. Please complete this form and return it with your college awards package (if applicable) to us at: CSF of Bedford Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 585, Bedford, MA 01730 or by email to 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.
Strategies to Nurture Resilience in Ourselves and Our Children
Robert Brooks, Ph.D Child Psychologist, Professional Speaker & Author of 16 Books
When: April 29, 2020 @ 7:00pm
Where: Virtual link will be sent once available
How do everyday challenges become formative assets for our kids? What experiences and factors help keep our kids healthy - even in the midst of change? How can we, as adults, foster resilience?
In this presentation Dr. Brooks describes factors that help children and adolescents to deal more effectively with stress and pressure and become resilient. He discusses:
(a) the importance of empathy in understanding and responding to children
(b) why some children from birth have a more difficult time developing a positive self-image and resilience than other children
(c) the importance of identifying and reinforcing each child or adolescent's
"islands of competence," and
(d) specific strategies for nurturing self-discipline, responsibility, caring, hope, and resilience in our children.
Some relevant articles on resilience (the first three are written by Dr. Brooks and are located - with other monthly articles - on his website www.drrobertbrooks.com:
A faculty member of Harvard Medical School who has also served as the Director of the Department of Psychology at McLean Hospital, Dr. Brooks offers practical tips for parents of children in grades K-12. He has lectured nationally and internationally to parents on topics of resilience, motivation, school climate and family relationships. His talks are filled with practical, realistic suggestions, and he is renowned for the warmth and humor he uses to bring his insights & anecdotes to life.
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
Catherine Picciotto
Family Support Specialist
Parent-Peer Partnership Program
431 River Street, Ste 1
Waltham, Ma 02453
T: 781.966.5690
F: 781.705.8905
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.
12:00-2:00 - senior citizens
2:00-6:00 - 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.
To apply, visit https://masspromisefellows.org/apply. Within two weeks, we may invite you to participate in an interview. We regret that we will be unable to respond to all applicants.
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.
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