The Bedford Buccaneer

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

Absences

1. If a student will be absent from school, parents/guardians must call the Automated Attendance Line by 8:30 AM on the day of the absence.
2. Be sure to state your child’s name, grade, and reason for absence. If no phone call is received, then the school will attempt to contact the home. If no contact is made, notes from parents/guardians explaining absences will be accepted in place of a telephone call within two (2) weeks of the student’s return to school, but not after the close of a previous term.

Dismissals

In most cases only a parent or legal guardian may authorize a dismissal from school.

1. To dismiss your child, you must either call the Automated Attendance Line by 8:30 AM, or have your child bring a note from home to the Student Office prior to the dismissal time.
2. Written requests for dismissals and phone calls after the fact will not be honored and the student will be charged with a class cut for each class missed.

Tardies

1. If a student will be tardy to school, parents/guardians must call the Automated Attendance Line by 8:30 AM.
2. Be sure to state your child’s name, grade, and reason for tardiness. Notes from parents/guardians explaining tardiness will be accepted in place of a telephone call only on the same day as the tardy.

Thank you for your careful review and adherence to the policy.

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

• Wednesday, September 25: Fall Sports Team Photos; 9th Grade iPad Case Swap
• Monday, September 30: 9th Grade iPad Case Swap
• Thursday, October 3: 9th Grade iPad Case Swap
• Monday, October 14: No School (Indigenous Peoples Day)
  
• Tuesday, October 22: Student Flu Shot Clinic
• Saturday, October 26: PSAT Exam for 10th/11th Grade
• Monday, November 4: Picture Retakes
• Tuesday, November 5: No School for Students (Teacher Professional Development)
• Monday, November 11: No School (Veteran's Day)
• 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.

Please note that the bus loop is closed to cars at 1:45 pm. Caretakers picking up students should not enter the bus loop after that time. Buses will not be able to move to let cars through. Thank you for your understanding.

Registration Opens: Monday, September 16, 2024 | 12:00 am

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.

Wednesday, September 25; Monday, September 30; Thursday, October 3

9th graders can swap their iPad cases for new ones on these days during Flex block.

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

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

Tuesday, November 19; Friday, November 22

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

NEW THIS YEAR: Detention will be held in room A108 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

Bedford School Nutrition would like to help families to understand the Free Meal Process.

All students are able to receive one free lunch and one free breakfast (when available) each school day. This service is available through USDA and State of Massachusetts funding. Students must take a complete meal for it to be free. A complete meal contains at least 3 of the 5 offered components and 1 has to be a fruit or vegetable. This means if a student doesn’t take a complete meal, they will be charged the ala carte price for the items they have. Please take advantage of the no cost free meal option. Bedford School Nutrition will begin expanding the breakfast program in all schools in phases over the course of this school year. More information will be shared as this program becomes more available.

All families are asked to please fill out a free/reduced meal application. Why? Because there are other federally funded programs in the district that rely on the information from those applications for additional funding. If you are absolutely sure that you do not fall into the free or reduced category, there is no need to fill out the application. If you are not sure, please fill out the application, send it in.

Students are asked to add or have funds in their MySchoolBucks accounts for other food items such as snacks, additional water or milk or second meals or entrees. Parents or guardians may add funds to their student’s accounts by following the link:

https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/getmain?requestAction=home

Please reach out to the Nutrition office at 781-275-9129 for assistance or thomas_houle@bedfordps.org or olivia_marks@bedfordps.org.

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.

Follett is changing the way staff and students sign in to Aspen. We are going to use Google SAML/SSO.

There are directions with pictures attached to this email, but the process is as follows:

1. Aspen has replaced our login window with a new login window.
2. Staff and students need to select the button "Log in with Another Provider."
3. Users on laptops and Chromebooks will see a clipped version of the log in window. Scroll down on the login window to select the button "Log in with Another Provider."
4. You will be redirected to the Google login page. Sign in with your complete Bedford email address, or select your Bedford account if it is displayed.

If you wish to have your student’s name, address, and/or telephone number withheld from the media, social media 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, September 23

Golf vs. Shawsheen

Field Hockey (V /JV) @ Lincoln-Sudbury

Boys Soccer (F) @ Wayland

Tuesday, September 24

Boys Soccer (V / JV) @ Wayland

Volleyball (V / JV / F) @ Concord-Carlisle

Girls Soccer (V / JV) vs. Wayland

Wednesday, September 25

Cross Country @ Wayland

Boys Soccer (F) vs. Waltham

Volleyball (V / JV / F) vs. Wayland

Thursday, September 26

Golf vs. Concord-Carlisle

Volleyball (V / JV / F) @ Waltham

Field Hockey (V / JV) vs. Wayland

Friday, September 27

Field Hockey (V / JV) @ Waltham

Football (V) vs. Canton

Saturday, September 28

Football (SV) @ Canton

Boys Soccer (V) vs. Acton-Boxboro (playing at Concord-Carlisle)

Girls Soccer (V) vs. Acton-Boxboro (playing at Concord-Carlisle)

The full Athletic Department schedule can be found here.

Monday, September 23 | 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm | B209

The Lookout, BHS's student newspaper, has our first meeting of the year on Monday 9/23 from 2:30-3:30 in B209.

Monday, September 23 | 2:30 pm | H203

STYLUS (Bedford's Literary Magazine) will have its first meeting of the year on Monday 9/23 at 2:30 in room H203. All are welcome!

"For more than 40 years, the National Art Honor Society programs have provided national recognition and opportunities for students who exhibit outstanding scholarship in the visual arts. Participation in NAHS provides members valuable benefits—including artistic recognition, leadership opportunities, college and career preparation, and more."

The Google form to apply is here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdiaRfRi4HLSnL_iYUm6sa2zZIG_rUz4UP5HLbO4o-OsS22Wg/viewform?usp=sf_link

February 14-21, 2025

Welcome Back BHS Students and Families. There are still slots available for the trip to the Dominican Republic in February 2025. The trip will include ziplining, snorkeling, sightseeing of traditional landmarks, white water rafting, a waterfall adventure and many more fun activities. The cost of the trip is currently $3,595, plus $200 for tips and incidentals.

• If you would like more information CLICK HERE for our presentation.
• If you would like to sign-up, please fill out this APPLICATION FORM.
• If you are interested and/or would like more information please contact Mr. Olson or Mrs. Billouin in person or via email kristofor_olson@bedfordps.org or beth_billouin@bedfordps.org

BHS students have the opportunity to travel to Panama & Costa Rica during February Vacation 2026. This trip will be open to all 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 be accepted through September 30, 2024. The trip has a capacity of 32 students and is about half full at this time - if we have more applications than spaces, a lottery will be used to select students. 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.

If additional spaces are available after September, applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis until the trip is full! We are opening registration early to take advantage of the current discounted tour price.

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

Attention Seniors: We’ve observed an increase in tardiness on Flex days. Please remember that it's essential to sign in before the end of the Flex block. Continued lateness may result in losing the privilege to sign in during Flex. Thank you for your cooperation!

Transcripts were mailed home on Friday, September 6. If you have not received a mailing, please let your counselor or Mrs. Duran know. Please review your transcripts and follow up with your counselors if you find any errors. Once your review is complete, please sign the consent form of release and return it to Mrs. Duran in the counseling office. Receipt of this form enables your ability to officially request transcripts in Naviance.

Bedford High School and Middlesex Community College will be offering concurrent courses for students taking eligible classes. An email will be going out to only students enrolled in eligible classes with information about the program and what is needed to sign up. Please be on the lookout for an email from Mrs. Duran regarding this topic.

through November 15

Visits will be held in the Counseling office unless otherwise noted and will be communicated to students. Please 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, September 23

8:00 am - Saint Anselm College

9:25 am - Colby College

10:30 am - Rivier University

1:30 pm - University of Maine, Farmington

Tuesday, September 24

8:00 am - University of Toronto

9:15 am - Stevens Institute of Technology

1:30 pm - Western New England University

Wednesday, September 25

8:45 am - Northwestern University

10:15 am - University of Chicago

12:15 pm - Southern New Hampshire University

Thursday, September 26

8:00 am - Plymouth State University

10:30 am - Endicott College

1:30 pm - Central Connecticut State University

Friday, September 27

8:00 am - Johns Hopkins University

9:15 am - University of Rochester

10:30 am - University of Connecticut

1:30 pm - Stonehill College

Monday, September 30

9:15 am - Montserrat College of Art

10:30 am - Carnegie Mellon University

Tuesday, October 1

8:00 am - Wheaton College - Massachusetts

10:30 am - Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

1:30 pm - Lafayette College

Wednesday, October 2

10:15 am - Roger Williams University

12:15 pm - University of New England

Thursday, October 3

8:00 am - Lesley University

9:15 am - Merrimack College

10:30 am - University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth

1:30 pm - Lasell University

Friday, October 4

9:15 am - Muhlenberg College

1:30pm - University of Rhode Island

Senior Thanks

Members of the Class of 2025 will be emailed a Google Form that they can use to share their thanks. Please encourage your senior to submit theirs to us.

Deadline: October 4

Submit Your Baby Photo

Submit one baby picture using the same submission method as the senior portraits, enter "Baby" for the grade information, and spell the student's name how you would like it displayed with the picture.
Deadline: October 4

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

Hope your kids have had a good start to the school year. Thank you to those who have already sent in the necessary paperwork, orders and epi-pens (if applicable) for their kids. For those who have not, please see the list below. Thank you so much. I realize it is a very busy time of the year! Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns. - Annmarie

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. Food and Insect Allergy Action Plan Bedford Public Schools

Physicals

Incoming 9th graders are required to have an updated physical for high school. Physicals completed within the past 12 months are acceptable. Students who plan to participate in sports are required to have an updated physical every year and can upload the physical in Final Forms.

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.

Fall Appeal

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

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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