Assistant Superintendent's Update

April is Autism Acceptance Month—a time to move beyond awareness and embrace a culture of inclusion, respect, and celebration of neurodiversity. In our schools, we are committed to creating environments where all students, including those with autism, are seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. Autism is not a one-size-fits-all experience; it is a spectrum, and each individual brings their own strengths, perspectives, and challenges. By fostering understanding and acceptance, we help create communities where differences are valued, and every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Acceptance goes beyond acknowledging the presence of autism—it means recognizing the value autistic individuals bring to our classrooms, friendships, and society. It means making space for different ways of thinking, learning, and communicating. Together, we can continue to build schools that honor each student’s unique identity and support meaningful participation and belonging for all.

On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, Bedford High School will celebrate and raise awareness for Neurodiversity. Best Buddies has sold T-shirts for staff and students to wear on this day.

The proceeds from the T-shirt sales will support events organized by Best Buddies.

Members of Best Buddies and Student Government have also created a video, which will be shown during advisory. The video will explain what Neurodiversity is, the importance of inclusivity, and ways we can show kindness to one another. In order to create this video members of the BHS community were interviewed. Additionally, Best Buddies will be putting up a Neurodiversity Bulletin Board outside the cafeteria to further raise awareness.

Extra T-shirts were ordered if anyone is interested in purchasing them. The shirts are $20.00 a piece. If interested please contact Lousie D’Amato or Cam Shelmire, Best Buddies Advisors at louise_damato@bedfordps.org or cameron_shelmire@bedfordps.org

Our students at JGMS are part of school-wide opportunities to raise awareness and participate in and support our neurodiverse students. This month especially, our students and staff are "celebrating minds of all kinds" to raise awareness for autism and celebrate diversity. Our SAIL school team and students designed neurodiverse merchandise for all to purchase throughout April. Throughout the year, our SAIL program participates in community outings, operates the SAIL cafe to support functional academic learning as well as social opportunities for all students.

Lane School is excited to celebrate the incredible variety of minds within our community! This year, our focus is shifting from simple awareness to true acceptance—recognizing, embracing, and valuing the different ways students think, learn, and interact with the world. We’ll be incorporating meaningful classroom activities and discussions to highlight how being neurodivergent—such as having ADHD, autism, dyslexia, or other learning differences—is just one part of the rich human experience.

Throughout the month, students will engage with stories, videos, and morning announcements that highlight neurodivergent voices and celebrate inclusion. A central activity will include contributing to a school-wide bulletin board mural, where each student will decorate an infinity symbol (a symbol of neurodiversity) and share ways they can show acceptance and inclusion. This powerful visual will reflect Lane’s commitment to building a community where every learner feels seen, valued, and supported. We look forward to growing together in understanding and kindness!

On April 2nd, the John Glenn Middle School musical team, in partnership with Bedford SEPAC, hosted a sensory-friendly final dress rehearsal of The Little Mermaid Jr.. This thoughtful performance welcomed students and families who benefit from a more supportive theater environment—complete with dimmed house lights, flexible seating, and the freedom to move and express themselves during the show. The cast and crew were not only incredibly talented but also deeply compassionate, even pausing to sing "Happy Birthday" to an excited young fan during a post-show meet and greet. We are so grateful to the directing staff, students, and SEPAC for creating such an inclusive and joyful experience!

We are excited to announce the upcoming SEPAC College Night on May 5th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, designed specifically for families of students with IEPs and 504 plans. This event will provide a valuable opportunity for families to engage directly with colleges and learn about the services they offer to support students with learning differences.

We are pleased to confirm the participation of several colleges for this informative evening, where representatives will address important questions regarding how colleges assist students with learning differences during the transition from high school to higher education. Families will have the chance to ask colleges about available support services and resources.

The following schools have confirmed their attendance

Midddlesex

ULowell

Merrimack

Curry

Dean

Southern New Hampshire

Johnsnon and Wales

Mass Bay Community College

Bridgewater State College

Worcester State College

New England Institute of Technology

Westfield State

Endicott

In addition to the confirmed colleges, we are hopeful that several other schools will join us for this important event, ensuring a diverse range of options and insights for attendees.

To help us prepare, we invite all attendees to submit any questions or concerns they have about the college transition process. These will be compiled into a document for the participating colleges, enabling them to better address the needs of our families. A second document will also be created, providing families with a guide of questions to ask about accessing support services.

Event Details:

• Date: May 5th, 2025
  
  

• Time: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
  
  

• Location: Bedford High School Cafeteria
  
  

We look forward to seeing you there! For additional information or to submit your questions in advance, please send them to louise_damato@bedfordps.org.

BEDFORD SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council)

SEPAC is a group of parents & caregivers of children receiving special education support and/or children with disabilities. All parents & caregivers welcome! We meet for support, education, networking and resource sharing.

If you have specific topics you'd like to discuss, please add them to this Google Doc.

Bedford SEPAC General Meetings: Virtual

Come and discuss special education programming in Bedford and how we can best support our children.

Thursday, May 1 @ 7:00 PM with Marianne Vines, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://bedfordps-org.zoom.us/j/2922114144

Email: bedfordmasepac@gmail.com

Web: bedfordmasepac.org

Facebook group: https://www.facebook. com/groups/BEDFORDMASEPAC/

Upcoming Cartwheel Webinar: Supporting Kids with Big Feelings

Join Cartwheel for their next free webinar, Connection, Co-Regulation, and Coping Skills: Helping Kids and Teens Navigate Big Feelings, on Wednesday April 9th at 12:00 PM ET. This session will offer practical strategies for parents and caregivers to support children in managing strong emotions and building emotional resilience.

Register here

Can’t make it live? Register to receive the replay.

To access previous webinars and additional parenting resources please visit cartwheel.org