The Bedford Buccaneer

Previous Issue of the Bedford Buccaneer

Dear BHS Community,

Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year!

Below you will find helpful information related to the start of the school year. Please see the schedules embedded for the first two days of school. Please keep in mind that both days (9/2 and 9/3) will begin in Advisory. This Newsletter also includes links to important Forms and documents that should be read before the first day. We are looking forward to seeing you at BHS on Tuesday!

The Bedford High School Administrative Team

• Tuesday, September 2: First Day of School
• Wednesday, September 3: Assembly, Class of 2026
• Monday, September 8: School Picture Day
• Tuesday, September 9: Wednesday, September 10: Fall Play Auditions
• Thursday, September 11: Assemblies, Classes of 2027 & 2028
• Tuesday, September 16: Student Activities Fair
• Thursday, September 18: Add/Drop Deadline
• Thursday, September 25: Back to School Night
• Tuesday, September 28: Financial Aid Night (Seniors & Parents)
• Monday, October 13: No School (Indigenous Peoples Day)
• Thursday, October 16: Assembly, Class of 2029
• Tuesday, October 27: School Picture Retakes
• Tuesday, November 4: No School (Teacher Professional Development Day)
• Tuesday, November 11: No School (Veteran's Day)
• Friday, November 21: Homecoming Dance
• Friday, November 21: Saturday, November 22: Fall Play
• Wednesday, November 26: Community Day & Early Release
• Thursday, December 4: Teacher/Caregiver Conferences

The Lunch Menu can be found here.

The full Bedford High School calendar can be found here.

The Athletic Department schedules can be found here.

The Bedford Public School District calendar can be found here.

Swing by the student office to grab your copy!

The 2025-26 Bus Schedule is posted on the BPS website.

Questions about transportation can be directed to the Business Office at 781-275-7708

View and download a printable schedule for Tuesday, September 2 and Wednesday, September 3.

September 2 - 25, 2025

The Add-Drop Period runs from September 2 through September 25. After September 25, no schedule changes will be made unless they are teacher-initiated. All waitlists for full classes will also close on September 25.

There are two ways to make a Schedule Change Request with your school counselor. Please know that the Counseling Department attempts to make every requested change. However, due to class limits and scheduling constraints, this is not always possible. We appreciate your understanding that we might not be able to honor all changes.

Options for Schedule Change Requests:

1. Email your counselor with details about the requested changes. Counselors will respond to email requests within two school days.

1. If you are missing a class from your schedule, send your top three choices in order.

2. If you would like to change a class that you are currently enrolled in, include the course you would like to drop and why, plus your top three choices, in preference order, to take its place.

2. Schedule a 15-minute appointment with your counselor. Please be mindful of the class you are missing for this appointment. Students who are missing a class are encouraged to schedule during that period.

1. Mr. DeChellis: brian_dechellis@bedfordps.org or Book Online

2. Ms. Halupowski: janel_halupowski@bedforps.org or Book Online

3. Ms. Richards: julia_richards@bedfordps.org or Book Online

4. Ms. Say: khunravy_say@bedfordps.org or Book Online

5. Ms. Thyne: samantha_thyne@bedfordps.org or Book Online

Student forms can only be accessed by students while logged onto the BPS network. Parents and caregivers will not have access to student forms. All can access Parent forms.

Student Forms

Student Handbook Agreement

Locker Requests

Student Parking Application

iPad User Agreement
Community Service Form

Parent Forms

Parent Handbook Agreement

Reduced-Free Lunch Applications

Emergency Contact Form

Allergy Action Plan

Epinephrine Form

Athletics Registration

Community Service App Consent

Field Trip Consents & Waivers

iPad Insurance Information

Due Friday, September 5, 2025

View the updated Student Handbook here or download a copy below.

1. Students must complete the Student Handbook Agreement
2. Parents must complete the Parent Handbook Agreement

Changes Include:

• Updated: Attendance Policy - page 25
• Added: Parental Consent for Google Additional Services - page 69
• Updated: Cell Phone / Personal Device Policy - page 74
• Added: Massachusetts Access to EEO - page 96

All opt-out requests due by Friday, September 5, 2025

Google Additional Services Opt-Out

Bedford Public Schools uses Google Workspace for Education, which includes essential educational tools, such as Classroom, Docs, and Drive. In addition, we provide access to additional Google Services that support teaching and learning.

Google now requires parental consent for students under 18 to use any of their Additional Services independently. Bedford students currently have access to the following nine Additional Services, supporting differentiation, communication, collaboration, and creativity while helping students develop research, critical thinking, literacy, digital literacy, and information literacy skills.

• Google Translate
• Google Earth
• Google Maps
• Google My Maps
• Google Books
• Google Arts and Culture
• YouTube
• Google News
• Google Applied Digital Skills

Students use these tools to support various learning styles and needs; supplement and/or expand upon lessons and prior knowledge; deepen understanding of content; make real-world connections to learning; and provide personalized, self-paced learning opportunities. Teachers will continue to utilize these tools in their instruction and can provide students with access to some content for educational purposes.

Please note that it is not possible to pick and choose among the additional Google services, so you will need to decide whether to opt out of all of the Google services or none.

Information Opt-Out

Families may also choose to withhold their student’s name, address, and/or telephone number from being shared with:

• Media
• Social media
• Military recruitment

Details can be found on page 80 of the Student Handbook. As with Google Services, it is not possible to opt out of only one category; you will need to decide whether to opt out of sharing with all or none.

How to Opt Out

Parents who wish to opt out must notify their school principal in writing by September 5, 2025 (email is acceptable). You must indicate if you do not want:

1. Your child to access the nine Google Additional Services independently.
2. Your child's information shared with the media, social media, or military recruitment.

Monday, September 8, 2025 during Flex Block

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

All students can receive one free lunch and one free breakfast (coming soon) each school day. This service is available through USDA and the State of Massachusetts funding.

All families are asked to please fill out a free/reduced meal application (downloadable below). Why? Because other federally funded programs in the district rely on the information from those applications for additional funding. If you are absolutely sure that you do not qualify for free or reduced meals, there is no need to fill out the application. If you are not sure, please fill out the application, send it in, or call the Nutrition Office at 781-275-9129 for assistance, or thomas_houle@bedfordps.org or olivia_marks@bedfordps.org

Adding Funds to My School Bucks

Students are asked to add funds to their My School Bucks accounts for other food items such as snacks, additional water, or milk. Parents or guardians may add funds to their student’s accounts by following the link below.

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

PLEASE READ BELOW:

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 à la carte price for the items they have. Please take advantage of the no-cost free meal option.

If you have any questions, please contact the School Nutrition Office at 781-275-9129 or thomas_houle@bedfordps.org.

Below are some reminders for the upcoming school year.

Important School Year Communication from Nurse Vaughan

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. Completing the form allows me to administer Tylenol and/or Ibuprofen in school if needed.

Guidelines For When a Student is Sick: Please keep your student home from school if any one of the following occurs:

• Vomiting or diarrhea within 24 hours.
• Temperature of 100 degrees F or higher within the last 24 hours. Students with fevers may return to school after being fever-free for 24 hours, without fever-reducing medication.
• Positive throat culture for strep. Students may return 24 hours after antibiotic treatment has begun.
• Any symptoms of acute illness, such as a persistent cough, runny nose, and body aches.

Respiratory / COVID Guidelines

If Your Student Gets Sick at School, they should come to the health office to see the nurse. If your student calls a parent/guardian to be picked up and the student has not been evaluated in the health office, it will be considered a parent dismissal.

Physicals

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

Epi-Pens

• Students with an epinephrine rescue device, send in an unexpired device along with the doctor’s orders (Allergy Action Plan) for the current school year. Students should be sure to carry an EPI-Pen on their person as well.
• Please complete a: Food and Insect Allergy Action Plan Bedford Public Schools, and an Epinephrine Form.

Handwashing is the most effective way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

Reporting Communicable Illnesses: Please report all communicable illnesses to the attendance line or contact the health office directly at 781-918-4416.

Questions? Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Reach out to Nurse Vaughan at: 781-275-1700-4416, or email bhsnurse@bedfordps.org

Annmarie Vaughan, BSN, RN

You can now pay online for:

• Field trips and activities
• Prom and Yearbooks
• Pre-School
• Insurance and repairs for school-issued iPads
• Make Donations to the department of your choice – Performing Arts, Athletics, or other general Gifts made to support our schools

Payments are accepted using Electronic Checks, Credit/Debit Cards, PayPal, and Venmo. To get started, click the Online Payment link. Create an account, register your payment type, and you are all set. (Convenience fees apply)

Need Assistance? Call: 1-877-227-1157, Monday - Friday: 8:30 am to 6:00 pm, and Saturday: 8:30 am to 1:00 pm, or Email: support@unipayteam.com.

Order Deadline: December 31, 2025

Order your yearbook online (school code:13423) or by phone 1-866-287-3096.

Saturday, September 6, 2025 | BHS

All proceeds will go toward supporting Best Buddies Club's monthly activities. Best Buddies is dedicated to fostering one-to-one friendships for students with intellectual disabilities, creating opportunities for inclusion and connection through fun, meaningful activities each month.

We encourage all club members to join us on the 6th to help make this event a success. If you are not a member but would like to support Best Buddies, please stop by; we’d love to have you join us!

Sunday, September 14, 2025 | BHS

Tuesday, September 16, 2025 | Flex Block | Jenks Trail

Saturday, September 27, 2025 | BHS

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 | 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Tennis Courts

More information and registration coming soon.

Tuesday, September 2

Golf vs. Wayland

Volleyball (V/JV/F) @ Lexington

Wednesday, September 3

Field Hockey (V/JV) vs. Weston

Thursday, September 4

Golf @ Waltham

Soccer, boys (V/JV) @ Billerica

Volleyball (V/JV) @ Tewksbury

Friday, September 5

Football (V) vs. Shawsheen

Soccer, girls (V/JV) @ Cambridge

Saturday, September 6

Football (JV) @ Shawsheen

Soccer, boys (V) vs. Needham

• Register for Fall / Winter / Spring sports
• View the full Athletics calendar

Senior Thanks

Members of the Class of 2026 can access directions and make submissions here. 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 as you would like it displayed with the picture.
Deadline: October 4

Monday, September 15

1:30 pm - Nichols College

Tuesday, September 16

8:00 am - Merrimack College

9:15 am - College of the Holy Cross

10:30 am - High Point University

1:30 pm - Worcester State University

Wednesday, September 17

8:45 am - Fitchburg State University

Thursday, September 18

8:00 am - Boston University

9:15 am - Hobart and William Smith Colleges

1:30 pm - Wellesley College

Friday, September 19

10:30 am - University of Maine, Farmington

1:30 pm - University of Vermont

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.

Bedford Youth & Family Services

Check out the services available to BPS students and their families.

Cartwheel

Families can now raise their hand directly for mental health support with Cartwheel – we’re here when you need us. Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, having a hard time with back-to-school transitions, or needs someone to talk to, Cartwheel is here to help.

https://www.cartwheel.org/district/bedford-public-schools

If you need your ID or are having trouble logging in, please contact tech_support@bedfordps.org.

BHS starts at 7:45 am. Visit our website for more information.

Check out the 2025-26 Program of Studies. You can also reach out to the Program Directors:

• Academic Achievement Center: Ms. Tracy (kristen_tracy@bedfordps.org)
• Counseling: Ms. Shadeed (nicole_shadeed@bedfordps.org)
• English: Ms. McCarthy (kelsey_mccarthy@bedfordps.org)
• ELL: Ms. Nichols (hilary_nichols@bedfordps.org)
• Math & Business: Mr. Morrissey (patrick_morrissey@bedfordps.org)
• Performing Arts: Ms. O'Toole (nicole_otoole@bedfordps.org)
• Physical Education, Health, & FAMCO: Mr. Mangan (keith_mangan@bedfordps.org)
• Science, Engineering, & Technology: Dr. Prince (nicole_prince@bedfordps.org)
• Social Studies: Dr. Butler (christine_butler@bedfordps.org)
• Visual Arts: Mr. Hagan (sean_hagan@bedfordps.org)

Check out our Protocols for Communications for information on who to contact and when.

The Bus Routes are posted on the BPS website.

The lost and found is in the main lobby. Small items like car keys, electronics, and jewelry can be found in the Student Office. Unclaimed items will be donated twice a year.

Welcome BHS Families! The BHSPA is a parent-volunteer organization which raises and distributes funds to various initiatives, programs, and events for BHS, like:

• Student Planners
• Teacher / Student Grants
• Community Days / Student Appreciation Events
• Jon Sills Tenacity Challenge
• Military Child Day
• All Night Grad Party
• Teacher / Staff Appreciation Events

Sign Up for eNews from BHSPA

We send a weekly email newsletter to subscribed parents. There is information included in this newsletter that is not included in the school's weekly email. So make sure you sign up for communications from us!

Fall Appeal

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

Join Us!

The BHSPA meets with Principal Heather Galante once a month, and has a board meeting once a month. Our goal is to be a diverse, inclusive, committee representing all voices in our caregiver community. Would you like to get involved? Please email us at: BHSBucsParents@gmail.com.

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