The Bedford Buccaneer
August 26, 2024
A Reminder About Political Activity at School
From the 10/18 Superintendent Update.
As a public school district, it is our obligation and legal responsibility to educate students about the history of the United States, current events, and the importance of civic engagement to our democracy. Our educational system is designed not to tell students what to think about issues, but rather, how to gather and examine information, think critically, engage with peers, and draw informed conclusions. We recognize that this community is composed of individuals with different life experiences, backgrounds, and viewpoints. Although all community members may not share the same views, it is imperative that we maintain a safe educational environment that fosters thoughtful academic discourse, protects the rights of those involved, and is conducive to learning. We are committed to preserving school cultures rooted in empathy and support rather than conflict and opposition.
When disputes arise regarding political activity in school, individuals often argue they have a right to free speech under the First Amendment. That Constitutional provision does not, however, give individuals the right to voice any opinion, in any setting, without any consequences. In the case of schools, we have a legal and ethical responsibility to ensure speech does not impermissibly influence the political process or create a disruption that would be harmful to students or staff. Thus, in preparation for election day, I am reminding the entire community that the law prohibits campaigning and political fundraising in schools or on school grounds. Furthermore, public employees are prohibited from engaging in any political advocacy on school grounds, or during the school day, and may not use any school property or resources to campaign or raise funds for any candidate or referendum. See M.G.L. c. 268A; M.G.L. c. 55. This includes a prohibition on using school district emails, mailing lists, printers, and office supplies. It is also not permissible for teachers or other staff members to affix signs endorsing a candidate on school walls or advocate for any political candidate in class.
When engaging students in discussion about politics, which should generally be limited to classes in which such discussions are appropriate, educators typically should remain neutral about their own views, while creating a constructive forum for students to explore and discuss the issues.
Finally, verbal or symbolic speech which results in disruption, disorder, or interference with instruction or professional activities is prohibited. If you have questions or concerns about these matters, please feel free to contact superintendentoffice@bedfordps.org.
Career Pathways Program at Bedford High School
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:
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?
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?
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?
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
College & Career Planning Night
Thursday, October 24 | 6:00 - 8:00 pm| SVTHS
Juniors and Seniors are invited to attend a College & Career Planning Night at Shawsheen Valley Technical High School on Thursday evening.This event will host over 75 representatives from a variety of public and private colleges/universities, community colleges, technical institutes and military representatives.
PSAT Information
Exam: Saturday, October 26 | 7:45 am
Students, prior to the test:
- Download the BlueBook app on your Ipad. It is located in Self Serve on your Ipad (blue with a white star). Without the BlueBook App you will not be able to take the PSAT.
- Please arrive "No Later" than 7:45am to the high school. Use the entrance by the cafeteria. You will be provided an entrance ticket and room assignment. The PSAT is approximately 2.5 hours, not including breaks.
- Bring a calculator. The BlueBook App. has a calculator as well but you do have the option of bringing your own. Below is a list of acceptable calculators. Calculators permitted during testing include:
- Most graphing calculators (see chart)
- All scientific calculators
- All four-function calculators (not recommended)
- Casio FX-6000 series, FX-6200 series, FX-6300 series, FX-6500 series, FX-7000 series, FX-7300 series, FX-7400 series, FX-7500 series, FX-7700 series, FX-7800 series, FX-8000 series, FX-8500 series, FX-8700 series,FX-8800 series,Graph25 series, FX-9700 series,FX-9750 series,FX-9860 series, CFX-9800 series, CFX-9850 series, CFX-9950 series, CFX-9970 series, FX 1.0 series, Algebra FX 2.0 series, FX-CG-10FX-CG-20 series, FX-CG-50 series, Graph35 series, Graph75 series, Graph95 series, Graph100 series, FX-CG-500
AP Exam Registration
Registration: October 1 - 31 | Cost: $105
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:
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.
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).
Military Impact Aid Survey
Due by October 31
Impact Aid surveys were emailed the first week of October. 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.
The Play That Goes Wrong - Tickets On Sale
November 14 - 16 | Auditorium | Tickets
The Bedford High School Performing Arts Department will present THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG: HIGH SCHOOL EDITION, a madcap British farce by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer & Henry Shields, on November 14 through 16 in the BHS Auditorium. Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for students, and are available through the Performing Arts Department website: https://bhschorusandtheater.weebly.com/tickets.html.
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG: HIGH SCHOOL EDITION follows the hapless Cornley Drama Society as they attempt to perform a 1920s melodrama called The Murder at Haversham Manor. Things quickly go from bad to worse as the actors forget their lines, the set falls apart, and somewhere, a dog is loose in the auditorium.
The play is double-cast, with one group of actors performing Thursday at 7:00 pm and Saturday at 7:00 pm, and the other performing on Friday at 7:00 pm and Saturday at 1:00 pm. It runs approximately two hours with one intermission.
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG: HIGH SCHOOL EDITION is presented by arrangement with Dramatists Play Service under license from Mischief Worldwide Ltd. The Mischief Production of THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG was originally produced on the West End Stage by Kenny Wax & Stage Presence and on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, J. J Abrams, Kenny Wax & Stage Presence.
All Night Grad Celebration: 1st Committee Meeting
Wednesday, January 8 | 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.
Recycle Printer Toner Cartridges
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.
Congratulations BHS Cheerleaders!
The BHS Varsity Cheerleaders earned 3rd place this past weekend at their first competition of the season at Wilmington High School. They will be cheering at the next home football game on Friday, October 26 and competing again on Sunday, October 27. Come on out and show your support!
Athletics This Week
Monday, October 21
Soccer, Boys (F) @ Boston Latin
Unified Basketball @ Waltham
Volleyball (V / JV / F) vs. Boston Latin
Tuesday, October 22
Soccer, Boys (V / JV) @ Boston Latin
Soccer, Girls (V / JV) vs. Boston Latin
Volleyball (V / JV / F) vs. Groton-Dunstable
Wednesday, October 23
Field Hockey (V / JV) vs. Concord-Carlisle
Soccer, Boys (F) @ Concord-Carlisle
Volleyball (V / JV / F) vs. Concord-Carlisle
Thursday, October 24
Soccer, Boys (V / JV) @ Concord-Carlisle
Soccer, Girls (V / JV) @ Wayland
Friday, October 25
Football (V) vs. Wayland
Saturday, October 26
Football (JV) @ Wayland
Soccer, Girls (V / JV) @ Arlington Catholic
Sunday, October 27
Cheerleading: DCL Championships @ Waltham High
The full Athletic Department schedule can be found here.
Pumpkin Painting
Wednesday, October 23 | 1:15 pm - 2:15 pm | H107
Come celebrate fall by painting your own pumpkin! Please join the BHS Horticulture club on Wednesday, October 23, after school from 1:15-2:15 p.m. in H107 (Ms. Billouin’s room). If you are interested in joining us for this event please fill out this form to reserve a spot.
Science Bowl Informational Meeting
Thursday, October 24 | after school | E105
The Science Bowl team is starting up for the year. The purpose of the team is to prepare for a regional competition at UConn that will be held on Saturday, February 22 (the second weekend of February break). Due to the limited number of students who are allowed to compete, it is likely that only juniors and seniors will be able to travel to the competition. However, anyone may join the team and attend practices! If you are interested in joining the team, please meet after school next Thursday, 10/24, in E105. The meeting will be brief! If you are unable to attend the meeting and want to join the team, please email Ms. Heldman.
Fall Splash at Yale
Saturday, November 9 | 9:00 am - 3:30 pm | Yale, New Haven
This fall, Splash will be on Saturday, November 9, from 9 AM to 3:30 PM, and high school students are invited to attend. Splash is $20 for the day, with an option for a $10 T-shirt. Financial Aid is available to all students who need it.
Splash is a one-day program full of classes taught by Yale students on a diverse range of subjects, such as "Basics of Special Relativity", "History of the Aztecs", "An Introduction to Modular Origami," and more! More information, including our registration portal, can be found on https://yale.learningu.org/learn/splash.html.
Class of 2025 T-Shirt
order by Sunday, November 3
Seniors, class t-shirts are available to buy until 11/3. Order here.
College Representative Visits
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 21
9:15 am University of Maine
Tuesday, October 22
8:00 am University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
9:15 am Dickinson College
1:30 pm Sacred Heart University
Wednesday, October 23
8:45 am Providence College
10:15 am Simmons University
12:15 pm Middlesex Community College
Thursday, October 24
9:15 am Marist College
10:30 am Saint Michael's College
1:30 pm Virginia Tech
Friday, October 25
8:00 am Massachusetts College of Art and Design
10:30 am Syracuse University
1:30 pm Springfield College
Monday, October 28
8:00 am Seton Hall University
9:15 am Emmanuel College
10:30 am Westfield State University
1:30 pm University of Maine at Fort Kent
Tuesday, October 29
8:00 am Johnson & Wales University-Providence
10:30 am Massachusetts Maritime Academy
1:30 pm Colby-Sawyer College
Wednesday, October 30
10:15 am Bryant University
12:15 pm Adelphi University
Thursday, October 31
8:00 am Elizabethtown College
1:30 pm Fitchburg State University
8:00 am Landmark College
Guidelines for When a Student is Sick
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.
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.
Bedford High School Parent Association (BHSPA)
Fall Appeal
Our Fall Appeal is under way. Please visit our website for more information and to make a donation.
Bedford High School
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