The Bedford Buccaneer

• Tuesday, October 8: Senior Class Picture
• Wednesday, October 9: BHS Spikeball Tournament
• Wednesday, October 9: Financial Aid Night
• Monday, October 14: No School (Indigenous Peoples Day)
  
• Thursday, October 17: 9th Grade Assembly
• Saturday, October 19: Boys Soccer Car Wash Fundraiser
• Tuesday, October 22: Student Flu Shot Clinic
• Saturday, October 26: PSAT Exam for 10th/11th Grade
• Sunday, October 27: Boys Soccer Chipotle Fundraiser
• Monday, November 4: Picture Retakes
• Tuesday, November 5: No School for Students (Teacher Professional Development)
• Wednesday, November 6: AMC Math Exam
• Thursday, November 7: Math Team Meet (Away)
• Monday, November 11: No School (Veteran's Day)
• Friday, November 15 - Sunday, November 17: Fall Play
• Tuesday, November 19: Freshman Seminar
• Friday, November 22: Freshman Seminar
• Wednesday, November 27: Early Release
• Thursday, November 28 & Friday, November 29: No School (Thanksgiving)
• Thursday, December 5: Teacher/Caregiver Conferences

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.

BHS needs your help! There is such a wealth of career experience in the town of Bedford! We are looking to support BHS students as they explore future career options by building connections between BHS students & professionals in our community.

Students become motivated & self-directed when they discover a potential career field of interest. Hands-on exposure and/or hearing from an expert in the field allows students to make informed post high school plans.

Would you be willing to introduce your field to high school students that are exploring potential careers & are interested in learning more about your profession or industry?

We are currently considering four avenues of participation & we would welcome you to join any or all of these options:

1. EXCHANGE & SHARE - Would you be willing to have one on one conversations with a high school student who has interests that lie within your career path?

2. CAREER SPEAKER SERIES - Would you consider coming into BHS for a small group presentation, introducing your career &/or exploring how specialized classes connect to real world opportunities?

3. JOB SHADOW - Could you offer a student the opportunity to shadow you for a ½ day to give them a sense of what it’s really like to work in your industry?

4. INTERNSHIP - For our Seniors, would you consider offering an internship to a student who has demonstrated interest in your particular field?

Our first step is to collect information from parents/caregivers/community members who would be willing to share their career story, experiences, and/or journey with our students. If you are interested in participating on any level, please complete this GOOGLE form or contact Brian DeChellis at 781 275-1700 ext. 4414 or brian_dechellis@bedfordps.org

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.

Dear Parents & Guardians,

I hope your children are off to a good start to the school year. Please see the link below regarding whether or not you give permission for your child to receive Tylenol and/or Ibuprofen at school. For those who have returned the emergency information forms, I already have your consent.

Please let me know if there are any medical updates for me to be aware of, including any new allergies.

Thank you.

-Annmarie Vaughan, RN, BSN

2024-2025 BHS Parent/Guardian Consent for Tylenol/Ibuprofen

Emergency Form

Impact Aid surveys were emailed to caregivers last week. This form helps Bedford meet the requirements of Public Law 874. Under the provisions of Public Law 874, Bedford Public Schools must conduct an annual Military Impact Aid Survey.

The Town of Bedford receives a substantial sum of money under this provision, which lowers the cost of education to the taxpayers. Please help us identify all federally connected students whose families are Active Duty Military, live on Hanscom AFB, work on federal facilities (including Hanscom AFB, Bedford VA, Boston VA, Lincoln Public School on HAFB, Lincoln Labs, Mitre) or are Active Duty Military!

The survey is fully electronic with e-signature.

Parents/Guardians were emailed a unique survey for each enrolled child. It is very important that all surveys are completed and electronically signed for each student, as reimbursement is made for all eligible students on a per pupil basis.

We thank you very much for your assistance with this important annual survey.

If you would like to complete the form on paper, you are welcome to print and turn into the main office.

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 Vaughn) - print & complete
• 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

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

The BHS Homecoming Dance, scheduled for Saturday, October 26 is being rescheduled as a Winter Formal. More information will be coming from the Class of 2025 advisors. If there are any questions, please reach out to Ms. Hinz or Ms. Marino.

October 1 - 31: Online Registration

Cost: $105

As of October 1st, 2024, students are able to register and pay for AP exams through Total Registration. Students will be able to register and pay for their exams without a late fee ($40.00) until the evening of Thursday, October 31st, 2024. This year, the cost per BHS class based exam is $105.00.

Steps to Completing Registration:

1. Students should FIRST ensure they are registered with their class Join Codes in myAP. Please see your teacher for your specific class section Join Codes. Join Codes should not be shared between students as they are specific to each class section. Please visit https://myap.collegeboard.org/ to register with your class Join Code if you have not already.

2. AFTER you have registered in myAP, payments will be processed with Total Registration (www.TotalRegistration.net/AP/220112). Please be sure to register for your class specific section. You will receive a confirmation email once your registration is complete. If you or your student qualifies for financial assistance, please mark ‘yes’ when asked during the registration process.

Student ID numbers are now required in order to complete the steps in Total Registration. This number can be found in the student’s Aspen account under the “My Info” tab. The required ID number is labeled as “Local Identifier” followed by a number beginning with 5050…. Students will not be able to pay for their exams without this Student ID number.

Self Study Exams

Bedford High School does not offer Self Study Exams coinciding with classes offered as part of the BHS Program of Studies. For these exams, students should plan to enroll in the desired AP class so that it may be reflected on your transcript. If you or your student is interested in taking one of these exams, you are encouraged to reach out to the surrounding school districts to see if they offer testing to out-of-district students; no contact lists can be provided. Classes not associated with a BHS AP course are available for self study.

This year there will be an additional test administration fee for Self Study exams in order to offset the cost of proctors for small group test administration. The cost per Self Study Exam will be $150.00.

If you are interested in taking a Self Study Exam, first complete this form (Self Study Registration Form 2025) BEFORE you will be able to pay for your exam in Total Registration. This form must be completed before October 31, 2024, at which time the form will stop receiving responses and no further self study exams may be requested. This deadline is slightly different from the late registration timeline to allow for course sections to be created. This form may only be completed by students (i.e. not parents/caregivers), and students will be emailed the next steps of the Self Study registration process by the AP Coordinator.

Please note Self Study exams will NOT show up on student transcripts or impact GPAs as the subject has not been formally instructed by a teacher at BHS. Colleges will know a Self Study exam has been taken if and when the student chooses to send the final AP score directly to the college through the College Board website. BHS does not send any AP Scores to colleges regardless of whether or not a student has Self Studied. It is strongly recommended that students have a conversation with their caregivers regarding whether or not self-studying an exam makes sense for the student’s school/life balance. It is also encouraged students to review the AP Score usage policies to see if AP credits are accepted.

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

Registration Ends: Friday, October 11, 2024 | 11:59 pm

Unpaid Registrations Cancelled: Wednesdays October 23, 2024

Exam: Saturday, October 26, 2024 | 7:45 am

Bedford High School will be administering the PSAT on Saturday, October 26. Students should arrive at the high school no later than 7:45 am. Here is important information:

• This year the PSAT will be administered electronically. There is no paper and pencil option available.

• All students must bring their fully charged SCHOOL ISSUED iPad on the day of the test. Bedford High School will NOT provide iPads, charging devices, or any other technical support on the day of the test.

• If you arrive without your iPad or your iPad shuts down because it is not fully charged your exam will be canceled.

For the 2024 PSAT/NMSQT, students at Bedford High School will be registering online. This registration will take a few minutes and can be completed from any computer with internet access. To register, students should click on the following link: www.TotalRegistration.net/PSAT/220112 Registration is not complete until students have printed the pdf of the confirmation page that is provided at the end.

The cost of the exam is $30. Bedford High School is excited to offer families the convenience of paying exam fees online at the time of registration. Please be sure to have a debit or credit card available before beginning registration. Paying online is a great way to make sure that payment has been made while avoiding mailing payment.

The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a great tool for students considering college. The PSAT/NMSQT measures critical reading skills, math problem-solving skills, and writing skills. Bedford High School recommends that students take the PSAT/NMSQT to receive feedback about strengths and weaknesses, enter the competition for National Merit Scholar scholarships (11th graders), and help prepare for the SAT.

Please contact Mr. Brian DeChellis, brian_dechellis@bedfordps.org, if you have questions or require financial assistance.

Register by: October 16

Wednesday, November 6 | BHS Library

The AMC 10/12 A math exam will be given after school on Wednesday, November 6 in the BHS library. The test will begin immediately after school. If you’d like to take the test Mr. Morrissey needs to order you a test booklet.

• More information about the exam can be found at here.
• Please sign up using this form by Wednesday, October 16.
• If you have any questions, please email patrick_morrissey@bedfordps.org.

Tuesday, October 22 | Flex Block | LGI

The Bedford Health Department, along with the Bedford School Department is offering flu vaccines during a school-based flu clinics at the High School. More information and registration can be found here: https://www.bedfordma.gov/201/Flu-Clinic-Information---School-Based

Monday, November 4

If you missed picture day or would like a retake, please come to the auditorium during Flex block on Monday, November 4. Don't forget to bring your photo proofs with you.

Tuesday, November 19; Friday, November 22

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

Please note that the bus loop is closed to cars beginning at 1:45 pm (M/T/Th/F) and 12:20 pm (W).

Cars should not enter the bus loop after that time. Buses will not be able to move to let cars through.

Do you have printer toner cartridges around your house or work? Drop them off in the Main Office at BHS. 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.

This letter has information on obtaining a Seal of Biliteracy from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For additional information, please reach out to Adam Bailey, World Languages Program Administrator.

If you wish to have your student’s name, address, and/or telephone number withheld from the media, social media, student directory, or military recruitment, please send a letter to Principal Galante stating your request by October 26, 2024.

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

Monday, October 7

Field Hockey (V / JV) @ Westford Academy

Soccer, boys (F) vs. Westford Academy

Volleyball (V / JV / F) @ Westford Academy

Tuesday, October 8

Golf vs. Shawsheen Tech

Soccer, girls (V / JV) @ Westford Academy

Soccer, boys (V / JV) vs. Westford Academy

Wednesday, October 9

Cross Country @ Bedford

Volleyball (V / JV / F) @ Wilmington High

Unified Basketball (V) @ Westford Academy

Thursday, October 10

Golf @ Stoneham

Soccer, boys (V / JV)

Football (V) @ Acton-Boxborough

Friday, October 11

Football (SV) vs. Acton-Boxborough

The full Athletic Department schedule can be found here.

The BHS Lookout has shared their September Newsletter via Smore! To view additional articles and school news, please check out their full site.

Calling all creative writers, thinkers, and artists! The STYLUS team is happy to share our first prompt of the school year! Prompt: Write about or personify a fear or an experience of fear. Submit to the STYLUS here

Suggested length for prose: 2 pages or less
**Spooky Halloween stories welcome**
Submissions on all topics are accepted on a rolling basis! Prompts are for inspiration only.

Also, brainstorm your thoughts on the theme of change/climate change. You can submit to Stylus and for this awesome contest, which is ongoing throughout the school year.

The town manager's office is looking for photos that can be used for publications (town report, etc).

We are always looking for images to feature on our channels. Photos submitted by residents and staff have made their way into various town publications, onto featured spots on our social media, and are from time to time shared with media outlets. The best way to submit a photo is by using the Submission Form on the Town Manager’s page: http://bedfordma.gov/ImageSubmission or

https://www.bedfordma.gov/FormCenter/Town-Manager-29/Photo-and-Image-Submission-Form-116

Some other notes:

We typically get photos of nature in Town but far fewer of the “lived environment”. In general we tend to avoid using photos that feature identifiable individuals (i.e. with faces showing).

If the photo is chosen for the Annual Report and Annual Town Warrant cover the photograph is typically featured in the Bedford Citizen and the photographer has the opportunity to be interviewed.

Wednesday October 9 | 1 - 2 pm | Sabourin Field

$20 per team paid by Tuesday 10/8 (cash, check or venmo). Money raised benefits student international travel. Email Coach Olson w/ questions.

• $80 1st prize
• $40 2nd prize
• *2nd prize if at least 20 teams sign-up*

Sign Up here

ends October 10

Please support the Class of 2027 and purchase some BHS apparel to wear this fall. The order deadline is 10/10. Apparel will be delivered roughly three weeks from this date. You can pick up clothing from Mrs.Sergi or Ms.Torres in room E201.

• To order hoodie, crewneck, or long sleeve, click HERE
• To order PANTS click HERE

ends October 11

Please consider supporting the Black Student Union (BSU) by ordering a hooded sweatshirt! Order deadline is October 11th, 2024. Apparel will be delivered roughly three weeks from this date. You can pick up clothing at BHS from Kristina Sergi or Alexa Torres.

TO ORDER, CLICK HERE

Deadline for applications is October 15.

If you are applying for a new club the deadline is October 15th. No applications will be accepted after that date. All applications must have a BHS staff volunteer. The link to apply for a club is:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1pwGp_khW0kBjrnMhxZcA3D__lT7fEhQWGTNs1s5Yl0k/edit

Saturday, October 19

accepting orders until October 23

Shop here.

The POSTER submission deadline is Friday, January 24, 2025.

The PSA submission deadline is Friday, April 25, 2025.

Application and information about the projects: https://massachusettspartnershipsforyouth.com/poster-psa-project/. For additional information, please contact MPY Executive Director Margie Daniels, at margie@mpyinc.org or Wendy Leone at wendy@mpyinc.org.

Deadline: January 17, 2025

The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation invites U.S. high school students to describe and analyze an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917, the year John F. Kennedy was born. The contest is open to United States high school students in grades nine through twelve attending public, private, parochial, or home schools; US students under the age of twenty enrolled in a high school correspondence/GED program; and US citizens attending schools overseas. Past winners and finalists are not eligible to participate. Employees of John Hancock and members of their families are not eligible. The first-place winner receives $10,000. Second-place receives $3,000. Five finalists receive $1,000 each. Ten semi-finalists receive $100 each. Read past winning essays to see examples of excellent submissions.

Submissions are evaluated on content (demonstrated understanding of political courage, originality, supporting evidence, source material) and presentation (quality of writing, organization, conventions.) Click here for a full description of the Criteria for Judging, including information about disqualifications.

Resources are available to help you prepare an excellent essay: Elements of a Strong Essay, Helpful Tips for Writing, Guidelines for Citations and Bibliography, and Criteria for Judging.

Each student participant must have a “nominating teacher” who provides support and advice during the research and writing process. Nominating teachers are asked to proofread students’ essays, make suggestions for improvement, and ensure that the essays meet the contest requirements. The first-place winner and the nominating teacher will be invited to receive awards at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston. For additional information, click here.

Tuesday, October 8 @ 8:15 am | Sabourin Field

Any questions, please reach out to Ms. Hinz or Ms. Wipf.

Wednesday, October 9 | 6:30 - 8:00 pm | Auditorium

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!

through November 15

Visits will be held in the Counseling office unless otherwise noted. Sign up through Naviance and notify your teacher at least 24 hours in advance of the visit. If you are unable to attend due to an exam, presentation, etc. Please let your counselor know if you are interested in a visit, but are unable to attend so we can connect with the representative on your behalf.

Monday, October 7

8:00 am - Lehigh University

1:30 pm - Bennington College

Tuesday, October 8

8:00 am Worcester State University

9:15 am Case Western Reserve University

1:30 pm The School of Fashion Design

Wednesday, October 9

8:45 am Connecticut College

12:15 pm University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Thursday, October 10

8:00 am University of South Carolina-Columbia

9:15 am Hofstra University

10:30 am Framingham State University

1:30 pm Mount Holyoke College

Friday, October 11

8:00 am University of Massachusetts-Boston

9:15 am Curry College

10:30 am College of the Holy Cross

1:30 pm Christopher Newport University

Tuesday, October 15

9:15am University of Miami

Wednesday, October 16

8:45am Quinnipiac University
10:15am Brandeis University
12:15pm Dartmouth College

Thursday, October 17
9:15am Fairfield University

Friday, October 18
10:30am Keene State College

Senior Class Picture

The entire class of 2025 will be photographed together on the turf. Please make sure you are ontime!

October 8 @ 8:15 am

Submit Your Senior Portrait

Please submit your photo to HJeShare.com using the school code "Bedford".

IMPORTANT: When uploading your portrait, please select the “Portrait” option as you upload in order to link your senior's name to the image.

Deadline: October 25

Submit Your Family Congratulatory Ad for the Yearbook!

Design, purchase, and submit an ad at YearbookOrderCenter.com using the school code 13423. Choose the option that says “Start Your Ad.”

Deadline: October 25

Senior Siblings

Share pics of senior siblings. Please submit the siblings' picture using the same submission method as the senior portraits, enter "Siblings" for the grade information, and spell the students' names how you would like them displayed with the picture.

Deadline: October 25

Yearbook Orders

Order your yearbook online by going to YearbookOrderCenter.com and using the school code 13423. All sales will be correctly priced online. If you have difficulty making an online purchase, you can also order over the phone: 1-866-287-3096.

Deadline: December 31

Fall Appeal

Our Fall Appeal is under way. Please visit our website for more information and to make a donation.

X | Facebook | Website

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 7:45am - 2:24pm

Wednesday 7:45 am - 12:55 pm

9 Mudge Way, Bedford, MA 01730

Phone: 781-275-1700

Absence Line: 781-918-4561

Fax: 781-275-6664

Bedford High School