The Bedford Buccaneer
August 5, 2024
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2026
Previous Issue of the Bedford Buccaneer
IMPORTANT DATES
- Monday, January 19: No School (MLK Jr. Day)
- Tuesday, January 20: Principal's Advisory Council Meeting
- Friday, January 23: End Term 2
- Thursday, January 29: History Fair
- Thursday, February 5: Class of 2027 Postsecondary College Kickoff | SEPAC Meeting
- Wednesday, February 11: Vertical Chorus Concert
- Friday, February 13: Principal Advisory Council Meeting
- Monday, February 16 - Friday, February 20: Mid-Winter Break
- Thursday, March 11 - Saturday, March 14: Footloose, spring musical
- Tuesday, March 17 - Vertical Band Concert
- Wednesday, March 18 - Career Pathways Day / Vertical String Concert
- Friday, March 20 - Professional Development Day (no school for students)
- Tuesday, March 24 & Wednesday, March 25: ELA MCAS (delayed start)
- Monday, April 6: End Term 3
- Thursday, April 9: SEPAC Meeting
- Monday, April 20 - Friday, April 24: Spring Break
- Tuesday, April 28: Poetry Slam
- Thursday, April 30: Playwrights Festival
- Thursday, May 7: Chorus Concert
- Tuesday, May 12: Band/Orchestra Concert
- Wednesday, May 19 & Thursday, May 20: Math MCAS (delayed start)
- Thursday, May 21: Junior Prom
- Thursday, May 28: Senior Prom & Prom Stroll
- Tuesday, June 2 & Wednesday, June 3: Science MCAS (regular start)
- Monday, June 8: Underclassmen Awards Ceremony
- Tuesday, June 16: Last Day of School /End Term 4 (tentative)
The Lunch Menu can be found here.
The full Bedford High School calendar can be found here.
The Bedford Public School District calendar can be found here.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
No School: Monday, January 19, 2026
MLK Jr. Day
BHS Winter History Fair
Thursday, January 29 | 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm | BHS Library
The Social Studies department will host Bedford High School's 20th annual Winter History Fair. Juniors from Jim Nagle, Jim Sunderland, and Pat Culhane's High Honors United States History II classes will present their History Fair projects to the public.
Junior Class: Postsecondary Kickoff
Students: Thursday, February 5 | Flex block | Auditorium
Parents: Thursday, February 5 | 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm | Auditorium
Free Adult ESL Program
Thursdays, January 22 - May 7 | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm | Bedford High School
Bedford Public Schools is pleased to offer a FREE Adult English as a Second Language (ESL) Program for community members who would like to strengthen their English skills in a supportive learning environment.
To register or learn more about the Adult ESL program, please email Hilary Nichols, EL Director at hilary_nichols@bedfordps.org.
Town of Bedford Survey for Opioid Settlement Fund Usage
This survey will help the Bedford Health Department understand community priorities for spending remaining opioid settlement funds. The survey is open to anyone with a connection to Bedford -- including those who live, work, attend school, or volunteer in town.
Responses will guide investments in prevention, treatment, recovery, and related services and all responses are anonymous.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfoFbhqgLBjwT53IYPSU5p0mzQvHOQaU4Cpr7L503aHFJxP_w/viewform
SEPAC Update
Bedford SEPAC General Meetings:
Come and discuss special education programming in Bedford and how we can best support our children.
- Thursday, February 5, 2026 @ 7:00 PM with Dr. Marianne Vines, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services | Zoom Meeting: https://bedfordps-org.zoom.us/j/2922114144
- Thursday, April 9, 2026 @ 7:00 PM with Dr. Marianne Vines, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services | Zoom Meeting: https://bedfordps-org.zoom.us/j/2922114144
Caregiver Night Out
The Bedford SEPAC is hosting a Caregiver Night Out at Pinotβs Palette on Thursday, February 26, 2026, from 6:00β8:00 PM. This event offers caregivers a chance to relax, connect, and enjoy a creative evening together. There is a suggested $25 participant fee (not required), which helps support the event. No one will be excluded due to costβthe SEPAC is sponsoring this event. The fee helps offset the total cost. All caregivers are welcome, and no prior painting experience is needed.
Sign up here: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/bedford-schools-association/sepac-pinot-palette-paint-event-2-26-2026
Lenora Campoli Speaker Series Presentation
Early 2026
π¨bedfordmasepac@gmail.com | πbedfordmasepac.org | https://www.facebook. com/groups/BEDFORDMASEPAC/
STUDENT ACTIVITIES & FUNDRAISERS
Bedford Baseball 2026 Store Open for Orders
Bedford Baseball's spring team sale is open until January 21, 2026. Check out the merch at https://bedfordbaseball2026.itemorder.com/shop/category/174481/
Class of 2029 Fundraiser @ Ken's NY Deli
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 | 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Ken's will donate a portion of the night's sales to the Class of 2029. Order online or in person!
New Year, New STYLUS Prompts
The STYLUS team is excited to hear from you! Click here to submit creative writing, which can be on any topic or a response to one of the prompts below. We also accept submissions of visual art, including photos of 3-dimensional pieces. Use the same link as above to submit!
Who or what inspires your path ahead in 2026?
An anti-resolution: what is something you want to let go of in the new year?
Write from the perspective of an antagonist, villain, or minor character. If this person had a voice, what would they say?
Athletics This Week
Monday, January 12
Hockey, girls (V) @ Methuen/Tewksbury
Tuesday, January 13
Basketball, girls (V/JV) vs. Newton South
Swim & Dive (V) @ Acton-Boxborough
Wednesday, January 14
Gymnastics (V) @ Woburn
Hockey, boys (V) @ Haverhill
Indoor Track & Field - vs. Wayland
Wrestling (V) @ Cambridge
Thursday, January 15
Hockey, girls (V) vs. Westford
Swim & Dive (V) @ Cambridge
Ski vs Weston / Winchester
Friday, January 16
Basketball (V/JV/F) vs. Wayland
Saturday, January 17
Hockey, girls (V) @ Acton-Boxborough
Wrestling (V) vs. Lowell / Leominster / Lincoln-Sudbury
Register for Spring sports.
The Athletic Department schedules can be found here.
Seal of Biliteracy Information
Apply by March 1, 2026
To apply for the Seal of Biliteracy, students must complete this form: Seal of Biliteracy application by March 1, 2026. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Adam Bailey, World Languages Program Director, at π§adam_bailey@bedfordps.org or call π(781) 275-1700, x4522.
πCLASS OF 2026: Information for the Senior Class and their Families
Scholarships
To see scholarships in Naviance, select: Colleges > Scholarships & Money > Scholarship Search
You can also check out other scholarships listed under College-Specific Scholarships and National Scholarships
The Bedford Dollars for Scholars application will open on March 1.
John & Abigail Adams and National Merit Scholarship Awards Breakfast
Friday, January 23 | 8:00 am | LGI
National Merit Scholarship Commended Scholars and Semifinalists and those seniors who earned the John & Abigail Adams Scholarship will be celebrated with their parent(s)/caregiver(s) on Thursday, January 23 at 8am. Invitations have been sent to award recipients and their families.
Senior Awards Night
Wednesday, May 20
Last Day of Classes for Seniors
Friday, May 22
Bedford Dollars for Scholars Awards
Tuesday, May 26
Senior Prom
Thursday, May 28, 2026 | 4:15 pm - Stroll | 6:00 pm - Gibbet Hill
Tickets will go on sale in May. Students must complete the Handbook Acknowledgement before purchasing tickets. All prom guest forms must be turned into the office for approval by May 21.
Graduation
Rehearsal: Monday, June 1
Graduation: Thursday, June 4 | Tsongas Center, Lowell
All Night Graduation Party: Thursday, June 4 - Friday, June 5
COUNSELING CORNER
Know Your School Counselor
Assigned school counselor for each student can be found on the student schedule in Aspen under Day 2, Block 1-A.
Students are welcome to book a meeting so that their counselor can get to know them!
- Mr. DeChellis (HAFB): email student booking link
- Ms. Halupowski (A-K): email student booking link
- Ms. Richards (L-Z): email student booking link
- Ms. Say (A-K): email student booking link
- Ms. Thyne (L-Z): email student booking link
Community Mental Health Supports
If there is a mental health emergency, please call: πAdvocates Psychiatric Emergency Services (available 24 hours) at π(800) 640-5432, or Massachusetts Behavioral Health Helpline (available 24 hours) at π833-773-2445 (call or text), or Call π911.
Bedford Youth & Family Services
Check out the services available to BPS students and their families.Cartwheel
Families can now raise their hand directly for mental health support with Cartwheel β weβre here when you need us. Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, having a hard time with back-to-school transitions, or needs someone to talk to, Cartwheel is here to help.
πhttps://www.cartwheel.org/district/bedford-public-schools
REMINDERS FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE
When Your Child Is Sick...
Please keep your student home from school if any one of the following occurs:
- Vomiting or diarrhea within 24 hours.
- Temperature of 100 degrees F or higher within the last 24 hours, without fever-reducing medication.
- Positive throat culture for strep. Students may return 24 hours after antibiotic treatment has begun.
- Any moderate to severe symptoms of acute illness, such as a persistent cough, runny nose with body aches.
Hand washing is the most effective means of preventing the spread of communicable illnesses.
If Your Student Gets Sick at School, they should come to the health office to see the nurse. If your student calls a parent/guardian to be picked up and the student has not been evaluated in the health office, it will be considered a parent dismissal, and is not exempt.
Reporting Communicable Illnesses: Please report all communicable illnesses to the attendance line or contact the health office directly at π781-918-4416.
Questions? Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Reach out to Nurse Vaughan at: π781-275-1700 x4416, or email π§bhsnurse@bedfordps.org
Upcoming SBIRT Screening for 9th Graders
Beginning the week of January 20, 2026, the nurse's and counseling offices will begin the SBIRT Health Screening for 9th graders. SBIRT stands for Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral for Treatment. It is used to screen for alcohol, nicotine, tobacco, and other drug use. This health screening is required by Massachusetts Law. A detailed letter was emailed to 9th grade caregivers on January 5, 2026. Please reach out to the health office, if you would like to opt your child out of this screening.