The Bedford Buccaneer
August 26, 2024
DESE Review of English Learner Program
During the week of January 9, 2025, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE’s) Office of Language Acquisition (OLA) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Bedford Public Schools. The Office of Language Acquisition reviews each district’s and charter school’s ELE program every six years to monitor compliance with federal and state English learner education laws and regulations. Areas of review will include English learners’ student assessments, identification of English learners; what programs English learners are placed in, parent and community involvement, curriculum and instruction, student support services, licensure requirements for faculty, staff, and administration, program plans, and evaluation and recordkeeping. In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The district will send a survey to the parents of students whose records the review team examines. The survey focuses on key areas of their child’s English learner education program. Survey results will be reviewed by OLA and they will contribute to the monitoring report. Parents and other individuals may call David Parker, Office of Language Acquisition Review Chairperson, at 781-338-3466 (chairperson’s number) to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, DESE will make the necessary arrangements. Within approximately 60 business days of the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the (district or charter school) with a report with information about areas in which the (district or charter school) meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the (district or charter school) requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The report will be available to the public at English Learner Education Program Monitoring & Compliance.
Please be reminded that DESE is also conducting a review of the district's special education programs from February 3-, 2025 as previously outlined here.
JGMS/BHS Bus Consolidations
Effective Monday, January 6, 2025
This change impacts riders on JGMS/BHS Buses - #14 (all routes moved) and Bus #5 (Hemlock Ln and Hilltop Road stop only) and has a limited impact on JGMS/BHS Bus #2, #3 #5 and Bus #15. In the afternoon, this will also impact Bus #50 going to Lowell.
As of January 6, 2025, the JGMS/BHS Bus #14 routes are being consolidated on other buses that have excess capacity. This is a mid-year change, so an additional targeted special notice to families living on specific streets will be sent in order to ensure a smooth transition. All riders on Bus #14 (consolidated) and Bus #5 (one stop moved to Bus #3) will receive a special targeted email with more specific information about the new bus your stop is being moved to. Riders who may be minimally impacted on Bus #2, #3, #5 will also receive an additional email. The two buses in the afternoon going to Lowell will be consolidated into one bus and impacted families will receive a special targeted email with more specific information. Please note that this change is separate from any consideration of fees by the School Committee.
The modified bus routes are posted on the Bedford Public Schools Transportation Web Page, as well as a chart that shows consolidated information about the changes. Thank you very much for your attention. If you have any questions, please email BPS TRANSPORTATION.
Jack Hines is a new Physics teacher at BHS. Mr. Mendiola-Hines loves playing video games, failing at escape rooms, baking, balling out at arcade crane games, and Squishmellows. He's hiked 55 km to Machu Picchu, met his wife in 4th grade, and worked at Perkins School for the Blind before coming to Bedford. He is excited to be teaching at Bedford High School.
All Night Grad Celebration: 1st Committee Meeting
Tuesday, January 7 | 7:00 - 8:30 pm | BHS Library
Please join us in the planning fun! All are welcome to attend! The committee meets monthly from January through June, culminating in the best event of the year for our graduating seniors!
Email Dawn Kociubes and Leah Walton at bedfordang@gmail.com with any questions and/or to get on the mailing list for future meetings.
Author Visit: Janet Singer Applefield - Becoming Janet Finding Myself in the Holocaust
Tuesday, January 21 | Flex | Library
Holocaust survivor, Janet Singer Applefield will be discussing her memoir Becoming Janet Finding Myself in the Holocaust. Copies of the book are available in the Library. All students and staff are invited to attend.
Please sign up if you will be attending.
Athletics This Week
Monday, January 6
Hockey, boys (V) vs. Dracut (Tsongas Center)
Hockey, girls (V) vs. Wakefield (Tsongas Center)
Swimming/Diving (V) @ Weston
Tuesday, January 7
Basketball, boys (V/JV/F) @ Acton-Boxborough
Basketball, girls (V/JV) @ Newton South
Wednesday, January 8
Hockey, boys (V) @ Haverhill
Swimming/Diving (V) @ Acton-Boxborough
Track, boys (V) vs. Wayland (New Balance Track)
Track, girls (V) vs TBD
Wrestling (V) @ Newton South
Thursday, January 9
Gymnastics (V) @ Stoneham
Skiing (V) vs TBD (Nashoba Valley Ski Area)
Friday, January 10
Basketball, boys (V/JV/F) @ Wayland
Basketball, girls (V/JV) vs. Wayland
Swimming/Diving (V) @ Cambridge Rindge & Latin
Saturday, January 11
Hockey, boys (V) vs. Methuen (The Edge)
Hockey, girls (V) @. Acton-Boxborough
Sunday, January 12
Hockey, boys (JV) @ Waltham
Wrestling (V) @ North Reading
Guidelines for When a Student is Sick
Please keep your your student home from school if any one of the following occurs:
- Vomiting or diarrhea within the last 24 hours.
- Temperature of 100 degrees F or higher within the last 24 hrs., without fever medication.
- Positive throat culture for strep. Students may return 24 hours after antibiotic treatment has begun.
- Any symptoms of acute illness, such as persistent cough, runny nose with body aches.
Detailed information regarding Covid/Respiratory illnesses: Respiratory Illness Protocol
REMEMBER: Hand washing is the most effective means of preventing the spread of communicable diseases. Please report all communicable illnesses to the absent line or contact the health office directly. Thank you.
If there is a mental health emergency, please call: Advocates Psychiatric Emergency Services (available 24 hours) at (800) 640-5432, or Massachusetts Behavioral Health Helpline (available 24 hours) at 833-773-2445 (call or text), or Call 9-1-1.
If you are seeking counseling support for your child, please reach out to one of these resources:
- Your child’s pediatrician to ask for a counseling referral
- Bedford Youth and Family Services at 781-918-4328
- Eliot Community Human Services at 978-369-1113
Bedford Youth & Family Services
Check out the services available to BPS students and their families.
