The Bedford Buccaneer

• Tuesday, November 19 & Friday, November 22: Freshmen Seminar during Flex
• Wednesday, November 27: Community Day & Early Release
• Thursday, November 28 & Friday, November 29: No School (Thanksgiving)
• Tuesday, December 3: Conference Sign Ups Close
• Thursday, December 5: Teacher/Caregiver Conferences
• Tuesday, December 10: Instrumental Concert
• Thursday, December 12: Vocal Concert
• Friday, December 13: Winter Formal
• Tuesday, January 7: All Night Grad Party Planning Meeting

The full Bedford High School calendar can be found here.

The 2024-25 Bedford Public Schools district calendar can be found here.

The Lunch Menus for Bedford Public Schools can be found here.

The Bedford Public Schools Performing Arts calendar can be found here.

Prior to purchasing tickets, the following forms need to be completed:

• Parent & Student Signed BHS Handbook Acknowledgements
• Student Agreement Form - students to complete while on the BHS network
• Parent Agreement Form - parents to complete online

Only students with signed acknowledgements and contracts will be allowed to purchase tickets.

Tom Denton and Larry Dorey will be covering portions of the Counseling Director role on an interim basis this year.

Tom Denton was the K-12 Director of Guidance for Needham Public Schools for 16 years. He is a resident of Bedford and his children graduated from Bedford High School years ago. Tom is also a licensed social worker.

Larry Dorey is a retired principal of Acton-Boxborough High School. He was a school counselor before his administrative years. Fun fact-his wife, Kristie Kimball-Dorey is a retired teacher from Davis Elementary School.

Thank you to the amazing BHS counseling team who has done an incredible job ensuring that all was covered while we took time to find new leadership.

December 5, 2025 | 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Conference Sign Ups close on Tuesday, December 3 at 10:00 am

• Sign up here: https://www.myconferencetime.com/bedfordhs/
• You are able to sign up with 2 teachers for each student.
• Each conference is 10 minutes long.
• Do not sign them up back to back.
• You will need time to get to your second conference.
• The signups will close on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 10:00 am. Once it is closed, there is no access to it.

Some teachers do fill up quickly. If this happens please contact the teacher by email to arrange another time and date to meet. https://www.bedfordps.org/node/30/people-by-department

In addition, teachers will have their schedules hanging on their doors. If there are empty spots, you can sign up for that time slot. Remember teachers may not be in their usual classroom so when you sign up please write down the classroom and time. If you have any issues or questions please email brenda_sweetland@bedfordps.org. Also, make sure to include your student's name.

Thank you.

Students can register for winter and spring sports on FinalForms. More information can be found here.

Order your yearbook online (school code:13423). If you have difficulty making an online purchase, you can also order over the phone: 1-866-287-3096.

Deadline: 12/31/24

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.

The deadline to register and pay for AP Exams has officially passed as of November 13th, 2024. No additional exams may be ordered at this time.

Cancellations and Refunds

Should you or your student be interested in canceling an AP Exam, please note the last day to receive a full refund is Wednesday, November 13th, 2024, after which $40.00 will be collected from the refund as a cancellation fee. This partial refund is available until March 1st, at which point no refunds will be made available leading up to the exams. For more information regarding the refund policy, please see the confirmation email sent by Total Registration following your completed order.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please reach out to AP Coordinator Samantha Thyne (samantha_thyne@bedfordps.org).

Space is still available for the February 2026 trip.

BHS students have the opportunity to travel to Panama & Costa Rica during February Vacation 2026. This trip will be open to current 9th, 10th and 11th grade BHS students with priority given to the Class of 2026 and the Class of 2027. Please read on for additional information.

Travel to Panama & Costa Rica with BHS in February 2026! In Panama, we’ll visit the Panama Canal, hike to a waterfall, visit a local indigenous village, go snorkeling and take a boat ride with dolphins. Then cross the border by foot into Costa Rica, where we’ll visit a sloth rescue center, zipline, relax in the hot springs, kayak, and take part in a folklore evening. The cost per traveler is $3938 (a discounted rate for accepted student travelers who enroll by December 19th) plus $200 for tips/incidentals paid just before the trip. Check out the full itinerary and additional trip details!

Students who are interested should fill out our online application form - you will need to use your BHS email to fill out this form. Applications will now be accepted on a rolling basis. The trip has a capacity of 32 students and is about half full at this time. Students will be notified of their acceptance status via school email after review of the applications. Students accepted will receive an email on how to register for the trip on Explorica’s website.

Please reach out to Ms. Leshay at sarah_leshay@bedfordps.org with any questions.

Make sure you check out the Lost & Found before the Thanksgiving Holiday. Unclaimed items will be donated at the end of the month.

We still need forms from a number of students. Please check the list below and ensure you've completed any online forms and submitted any paper forms. Contact information for each form is provided if you have questions. You can drop off Emergency and App Consent forms in the main office.

• Emergency Form (Nurse Annmarie Vaughan) - print & complete
• Medication Release (Nurse, Annmarie Vaughan) - complete online
• Student Agreement Form (Nina Tate) - complete online while on the BPS network.
• Parent Agreement Form (Nina Tate) - complete online
• App Consent for MobileServe (Brianna Creamer) print & complete

Food delivery is not permitted at BHS. Students should not place orders for food to be delivered to the school, and we kindly ask parents and caregivers to refrain from ordering on behalf of their students. Any food deliveries will be turned away or confiscated, and students will not receive them. Thank you for your understanding!

We would like to remind students and parents/guardians of our Attendance Policies on, pg. 21-28 of the BHS Student Handbook.

• Caregivers must call the Bedford High School Automated Attendance Line by 8:30 AM to report an absence, dismissal, or tardy.
• Automated Attendance Line: 781-918-4561
• Email: kara_gallagher@bedfordps.org

Do you have printer toner cartridges around your house or work? Drop them off in the box near the drop off table or students can bring them to the office. We will recycle your used cartridges to help raise money for our student support fund, which is not funded by the school district. Questions, please contact Brenda Sweetland.

Tuesday, November 19; Friday, November 22

The Counseling Department will be running Freshman Seminars during Flex blocks on 11/19 & 11/22.

Monday, November 18 | 2:30 pm | H203

STYLUS (Literary Magazine) club will meet after school on Monday to review submissions and create new prompts. Join us!

Saturday, November 23

Football (JV) vs Burlington

Thursday, November 28

Football (V) vs Burlington

The full Athletic Department schedule can be found here.

Tuesday, November 26 | 8:00 am | Counseling Office

Nicole Rosenfeld is a local student who is enrolled at the United States Naval Academy. She will be visiting BHS to educate students on the application process and what to expect during your time at the Naval Academy. This visit is open only to Juniors and Seniors who are encouraged to attend if they are interested in applying or who have applied. Please use this form to sign up: USNA Visit Sign Up

The class of 2027 is raising funds for their upcoming activities, and we need your help! We’re selling pies, cookie dough, and many other delicious treats!

Order here: https://my.mcmfundraising.com/2024-fall-bedford-high-school-class-of-2027/alexa-torres/

By purchasing you’ll be helping the Class of 2027 with their future projects and events. Thank you for your support, and enjoy your treats!

Book The Librarian

Do you need individual help with a research project? Are you looking for a book suggestion or help finding a book for outside reading?

Now you can book the librarian for individual help!

Book The Librarian Here

Sora EBooks

Download the Sora app or visit their website to gain access to 1000s of popular eBooks 24/7.

Fall Newsletter

Find out everything that's happening at the BHS Library in the Fall Newsletter.

The October newsletter can be viewed here.

Attention Seniors: Please remember that you must be in school before the beginning of B block. If you arrive after the bell you will be tardy. Continued lateness may result in losing the privilege to sign in during Flex. Thank you for your cooperation!

November/December 2024

Hearing/Vision Screening

10th grade students will begin having hearing and vision screenings in the health office. Parents will be notified if further evaluation is necessary by their physician. Heights and weights will also be done at this time.

Annual Height and Weight Screening

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health requires the annual height and weight screening protocols to include the calculation of a Body Mass Index (BMI) and percentile for grades 1, 4, 7, and 10. Each child’s height and weight will be used to calculate their BMI. The results will be kept confidential in each student’s school health record.

BMI Screening

BMS is a “weight for height for age” index that can be a useful tool in early identification of possible health risk factors among children and youth. Please feel free to call if you have any questions or concerns. If you do not want your child to participate in this screening, please contact the school nurse at Annmarie_Vaughan@bedfordps.org.

Additional information about children’s wellness and fitness is available at www.mass.gov/massinmotion/

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.

Thank you to those who have already sent in the necessary paperwork, medication orders and epi-pens (if applicable) for their kids. For those who have not, please see below.

No Updates/Changes

If there are no medical changes/updates for your student and you prefer not to complete an updated emergency information form, please complete the permission form for the school nurse to be able to administer Ibuprofen/Tylenol this school year.

2024-2025 Permission for Ibuprofen/Tylenol

Emergency Forms

Please send in your student’s completed emergency form as soon as possible. Please reach out if there is a new medical diagnosis or health concern you would like to share with me.

Emergency Form

Epi-Pens

For those students with an epinephrine device, please be sure to send in an updated device along with the doctor’s order (Allergy Action Plan) for the current school year. *All students are also encouraged to carry an epinephrine device on their person, to have access to if needed after school hours.

Food and Insect Allergy Action Plan Bedford Public Schools

Annmarie_vaughan@bedfordps.org

781-275-1700 x4416

781-687-6141 (fax)

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.

Over the years, BHS parents have created informal "parent groups" for each graduating class on Facebook. These private groups are not affiliated with the BHSPA, but we wanted to spread the word so that all parents in our school community could join them if they are interested. The groups are a good place to ask questions or share information with fellow parents. The links to the parent groups that exist are below.

Bedford High Class of 2028 Parent Facebook Group

Bedford High Class of 2027 Parent Facebook Group

Bedford High Class of 2026 Parent Facebook Group

Bedford High Class of 2025 Parent Facebook Group

School Hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 7:45 am - 2:24 pm (bus loop closed to traffic @ 1:45 pm)

Wednesday 7:45 am - 12:55 pm (bus loop closed to traffic @ 12:00 pm)

9 Mudge Way, Bedford, MA 01730

Phone: 781-275-1700

Absence Line: 781-918-4561

Fax: 781-275-6664

Bedford High School