Superintendent Update
May 30, 2025
Dear Bedford Public Schools Community,
As the end of the school year draws near, we continue to work hard to educate our students in a variety of ways (and to celebrate them, too---BHS graduation is June 5th!). Our 8th graders are currently returning from the 47th trip to Washington, DC. Highlights of the trip included visiting many memorials in and around DC to help our students understand our shared experiences as a community and nation. At Arlington National Cemetery, four JGMS students continued a recent tradition of a wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of former JGMS/Bedford alum Army Pfc. John D. Hart, who was killed in Iraq in 2003. The four students chosen (pictured: Quinn Hadden, Nate Bongiovanni, Karis Kime, and Alex Mandell) exemplify all the qualities that John possessed: kids of character that are good to others, work hard and are a pleasure to have in class. We are proud of how they conduct themselves on a daily basis, and hope they serve as role models for all of us. This is especially important as continue to combat antisemitism, racism, bigotry and hate and bias of all forms together as a community.
Best,
Cliff Chuang (he/him) 莊 宏 毅
Superintendent, Bedford Public Schools
- May 31: Support Our Local Veterans: Toiletry Drive - St. Michael Parish Center (90 Concord Rd)
- June: Pride Month
- June 1: 2025 Bedford Holi Celebration
- June 5: Graduation & All Night Graduation Party
- June 11: School Committee Meeting
- June 18: Last Day of School - Early Release
- June 19: District Closed - Juneteenth
At the school committee meeting on May 28th the members heard extensive public comment regarding concerns around antisemitism and school start times. They also shared a Statement Standing Against Antisemitism and All forms of Bias and Hate and deliberated extensively on the potential shift in school start times based on the research and community survey results compiled by Chassity Coston, Harvard Graduate Fellow. Information can be found at BPS Healthy School Hours. The final meeting will be Wednesday, June 11th, when the committee will make a final decision regarding school start times among other matters. As always, meeting agendas, schedules, and supporting documents are available on the School Committee - Meeting Schedule & Supporting Documents.
We are pleased to officially welcome Officer Maryellen Brickey as the new School Resource Officer (SRO) for Bedford Public Schools, beginning May 19th. Be sure to say hello and introduce yourself when you see her on campus! At the same time, we extend our sincere thanks and congratulations to Officer Justin Brooks on his well-deserved promotion to Detective with the Bedford Police Department. Officer Brooks has been a dedicated presence in our schools, building strong relationships and supporting the well-being of our students. We are grateful for his service and wish him continued success in his new role.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office will be hosting a virtual internet safety presentation for all adults who wish to keep children safe online. Assistant United States Attorney Luke Goldworm and Victim Witness Specialist Lauryn Mackey will be joined by Special Agent Andrew Kelleher from Homeland Security Investigations Child Exploitation and Digital Forensics Unit to present a Webex Webinar: Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Parents on Wed., June 4th from 6:30 – 7:30 pm. A Q & A session will follow the presentation. The presentation will bring awareness to how predators are sexually exploiting children online and how to keep them safe. Advanced registration is required. You may register for the webinar at the link here.
Protect Bedford’s Children: Safely Store Firearms.
The Bedford Safe Campaign is a collaborative gun violence prevention campaign sponsored by the Bedford Police Department, the Bedford Health Department and the Bedford Board of Health who are joining together to protect our children, youth and families from gun violence injury and death in homes.More information is available at www.BedfordMA.gov/BedfordSafe. The final few Superintendent Updates will include information on firearm safety from the campaign.
The presence of an unlocked firearm in the home increases the risk of both intentional and unintentional gun injuries. If you have a firearm in your home, practice safe storage by storing your firearm: (1) unloaded, (2) separately from ammunition and (3) locked up, away, and out of sight. The Bedford Health and Police Departments offer FREE gun safety kits. These kits consist of a gun lock and safety instructions. You can also get a kit from a dispenser in the 2nd floor hallway of the Town Center building, near the Flint Room. Visit any location to obtain a gun safety kit and keep your loved ones safe.