METCO Newsletter

Dear METCO Parents,

This is a quick reminder that Tuesday, November 5, is election day and a Teacher Professional Development Day, so there will be no school for students. We hope this provides a nice break for families before the busy weeks ahead.

Additionally, we are looking forward to concluding our community conversations for the Davis & Lane School Parents with the Superintendent on Thursday, November 14. If you haven’t already, please remember to RSVP via Evite to secure your spot for this important discussion.

Lastly, we’d like to wish our 6th-grade students a fantastic time at Nature’s Classroom! They’ll be heading out on Wednesday, November 6th, and returning on Friday, November 8th. We hope they have an amazing, enriching experience in the great outdoors.

Thank you, as always, for your support and partnership!

--

~Akil

• • November 5: No School - Teacher Professional Development
  • November 11: No School - Veteran's Day
  • November 14: METCO Parent Meeting Davis & Lane, 6:30pm
  • November 27: Early Release
  • November 28 & 29: No School (Thanksgiving)
  • December 23 - January 1: No School - December Break

• November 5: No School - Teacher Professional Development
• November 11: No School - Veteran's Day
• November 13: Parent Teacher Conferences 1:30-4:00pm
• November 14: METCO Parent Meeting Davis & Lane, 6:30pm
• November 20: Parent Teacher Conferences 1:30-7:00pm
• November 27: Early Release (no lunch served)
• November 28 & 29: No School (Thanksgiving)
• December 23 - January 1: No School - December Break

• November 5: No School - Teacher Professional Development
• November 6 - November 8: 6th Grade Nature's Classroom Trip
• November 11: No School - Veteran's Day
• November 20: Parent Teacher Conferences 4-7pm
• November 27: Early Release
• November 28 & 29: No School (Thanksgiving)
• December 18: Parent Teacher Conferences 2:15-4:15pm
• December 23 - January 1: No School - December Break

• November 4: Picture Retakes
• November 5: No School - Teacher Professional Development
• November 11: No School - Veteran's Day
• November 14: Winter Sports Meeting @ BHS Cafe 6:00pm
• November 14 - 16: The Play That Goes Wrong (BHS Play)
• November 19: Freshman Seminar (Flex Block)
• November 22: Freshman Seminar (Flex Block)
• November 27: Early Release
• November 28 & 29: No School (Thanksgiving)
• December 5: Teacher/Caregiver Conferences
• December 10: Instrumental Concert
• December 12: Vocal Concert
• December 23 - January 1: No School - December Break

METCO HQ and Nubian Square Walking Tour

Saturday, Nov. 16, 10 AM
11 Roxbury Street, Roxbury, MA
Families from Bedford, Boston, and Hanscom are invited to gather at METCO's new headquarters followed by a special viewing of an in-depth exhibit on the history of educational activism in Boston - relevant in this 50th anniversary year of busing in Boston. METCO staff will lead a walking tour of historic Nubian Square highlighting stories of Black artistry, activism, and achievement. Free, includes light refreshments. RSVP required to pdcbedford@gmail.com.

KRISTALLNACHT IS THE NIGHT IN 1938 IN GERMANY, WHEN NAZIS BROKE JEWISH SHOP WINDOWS, DESECRATED TEMPLES, AND BRUTALIZED AND KILLED JEWISH CITIZENS. IT WAS A TURNING POINT IN THE THIRD REICH, MARKING THE SHIFT FROM ANTISEMITIC RHETORIC AND LEGISLATION TO VIOLENT, AGGRESSIVE ANTI-JEWISH MEASURES THAT WOULD CULMINATE IN THE HOLOCAUST.

Each year to commemorate Kristallnacht—“the night of broken glass”—the Bedford Interfaith Clergy, Bedford Jewish Community, Bedford citizens, and neighbors from nearby towns gather on the Town Common to light candles, toll the bell, and be together in community and solidarity. We gather to mourn, to remember, and to strengthen our resolve to resist such hatred and violence in our own time. The observance is held outdoors on the Town Common.

KRISTALLNACHT REMEMBRANCE Saturday, November 9, 5:00 PM Bedford Town Common

Fall Splash at Yale (Available to 7th-12th Grades)

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 7th - 12th grade 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.

The Harambee Learning and Cultural Center as well as the Taunton Diversity Network will be hosting a Historically Black Colleges and Universities Fair on Saturday November 9, 10am-12pm, at Bristol Community College in Taunton, MA. Also, in attendance will be those from the Trades, City Year, and various Community Colleges. There will be workshops as well. Attached is the flyer which provides further information.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Chi Eta Zeta Chapter's 4th annual, “I Got the Keys to College Bootcamp.” This free, discussion-based event will equip high school students with essential tools and resources for the college application process.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, November 16th, 2024
• Time: 10 AM to 3 PM
• Location: Tufts University, Joyce Cummings Center

Our panelists are experts in their fields, ready to provide valuable insights to your expected audience. There will be raffled prizes with college swag, opportunities to apply for scholarships, and a resource fair to speak to professionals representing local colleges and universities within Massachusetts!

Click here to find the registration link.

Davis & Lane METCO Parent Meeting, November 14th at 6:30pm via Zoom, Evite sent out

METCO Office: 781-275-1700 x4435

Akil Mondesir, METCO Director

Akil_Mondesir@bedfordps.org

Chauncey Williams, METCO Coordinator Davis & Lane

Chauncey_Williams@bedfordps.org

Jonathan Brome, METCO Coordinator JGMS

Jonathan_Brome@bedfordps.org

Jennifer Ilchuk, Administrative Assistant

Jennifer_Ilchuk@bedfordps.org

Davis Main Office# 781-275-6804

Lane Main Office# 781-275-7606

JGMS Main Office# 781-275-3201

BHS Main Office# 781-275-1700

• Lt. Eleazer Davis Elementary School - Scribbles - October 29, 2024
  
• Lt. Job Lane Elementary School - Lane Notes - Week of October 28, 2024
• John Glenn Middle School - Buccaneer News - Vol. #11 - 11/4/2024
• Bedford High School - The Bedford Buccaneer - November 4, 2024
• Special Education Dept. - Director's Update - October 2024
• Superintendent Update - November 1, 2024

New METCO HQ Saturday Tutoring

FREE │Limited Space Availability │Beginning Nov. 16th @ METCO HQ

METCO is partnering with Boston Partners in Education to bring students premier tutoring and mentorships on Saturday's for the 24'-25' school year! Subjects consist of ELA, Mathematics, History, and Science.

View Flyer HERE

Complete Interest Form HERE

Scholarship and College & Career Databases

METCO HQ has created a scholarship database and College & Career Databases for ALL students to use.

• Scholarship Database: HERE
• College & Career Database: HERE

New MassHousing Affordable Apartments

FREE RESOURCE│Database

MassHousing finances the construction and preservation of affordable rental housing throughout MA. Property Managers are responsible for the placement of tenants into available apartments at each development.

View Database HERE

Explore resources to meet your family’s basic needs.

Students are much more likely to succeed in school with stable access to basic needs. If you or anyone you know needs help meeting those needs, check out these Resources for Basic Needs.

New Young Dancers Program

Registration Open│Ages 3-18│Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre Dorchester, MA

The Young Dancers Program offers an innovative, challenging curriculum. Individualized instruction in ballet technique, conditioning, and repertory. Financial Aid Available.

Learn More and Register HERE

New All Hands Allston

Registration Open│Grades K-8th

All Hands Allston offers various crafting programming for students after school and for school holidays.

Learn More & Register HERE

Scholarship Form Available HERE

New Catholic Charities Teen Center @ St. Peters

FREE│Open Monday-Friday 2-9pm│Students grades 7-12

Open to all backgrounds and faiths, the goal of the center is to interrupt the cycle of violence by providing youth with personalized attention, academic tutoring, and personal mentoring support.

Learn More HERE

New MassArt Artward Bound

FREE│Applications Open for current 8th, 9th & 10th graders

A four-year college prep program for Boston high school students interested in a college education focused on art and design. Students participate in art classes, career workshops, academic tutoring, visits to museums and artist studios, and more.

Learn More & Apply HERE

New Considering HBCUs Tip Sheet

You may have heard/read about HBCUs, but how do you know if this type of school is right for you? This tip sheet will provide a more comprehensive look into considering HBCUs

View Tip Sheet HERE

New BioBuilderClub

Applications Open│Season Starts October 15th

FREE for students attending Title 1 Schools Using Code: BBC2024

BioBuilderClub offers current biological engineering challenges so that students may experience scientific problem-solving in the context of authentic and meaningful investigations.

Learn More HERE

Apply HERE

New City of Boston College & Career Calendar

Various Events October 1st - December 8th

This calendar provides information regarding college and career resources in the Greater Boston Area. View Calendar HERE

New FutureBOS

School-year Applications Open│Ages 14-24

FutureBOS has hundreds of opportunities for youth ages 14 - 18 and young adults ages 19 - 24 living in Boston. Check listings regularly as new opportunities will be added through October.

Learn More HERE

New SAT, ACT & College Application Fee Waivers

Fee waivers are available to low-income 11th- and 12th-grade students in the U.S.

SAT

Learn More & Request HERE

ACT

Learn More & Apply HERE

College Application

Complete Request Form HERE

New Mothers for Justice & Equality Youth Peer Leadership

PAID School-year Applications Open│Ages 14-18│Oct. 21st - Apr. 18th

This job opportunity will focus on personal development, gun violence prevention, financial literacy, workforce development, advocacy & community as well as mobilization events.

Learn More & Apply HERE

New MassArt Artward Bound

FREE │Applications Open for current 8th, 9th & 10th graders

A four-year college prep program for Boston high school students interested in a college education focused on art and design. Students participate in art classes, career workshops, academic tutoring, visits to museums and artist studios, and more.

Learn More & Apply HERE

New Info Session: Harvard Summer 2025 Programs

Free Virtual│Registration Open│November 18th 7-7:45pm

Program directors and staff will discuss how Harvard’s programs can help you meet your academic goals.

Learn More & Register HERE

New Sasaki Foundation Design Environmental & Social Impact (DESI)

PAID│Applications Deadline: Nov. 8│11th & 12th graders

DESI program is a semester-long paid internship providing high school students with guidance on how to use design thinking to create solutions to the environmental and social issues in their communities.

Learn More HERE

Apply HERE

New Youth Neurology Education & Research Program

PAID│Applications Open: Nov. 1st│Rising 12th graders │Mass General Hospital

This summer internship engages youth from communities underrepresented in neurology. Focusing on offering educational and research opportunities to Massachusetts high school students.

Learn More HERE

New Youth Empowered Scientist for CURE

Application Deadline: Nov. 11th │10th & 11th graders│Mass General Hospital

This program is a three-year training initiative for highly motivated high school and undergraduate students interested in pursuing a career in scientific research.

Learn More & Apply HERE

New Jumpstart Fellowship

Application Deadline: Nov. 12th │Females Ages 16+│MassRobotics

An opportunity for students to learn about STEM careers in robotics and develop their professional networks through direct engagement with industry professionals.

Learn More & Apply HERE

New Thrive Scholars Programming

FREE │Application Deadline: December 15th

OnRamp - A pre-college program for 10th graders

6-Year Program - A highly personalized college and career success program for 11th graders

Learn More & Apply HERE

Want to get closer to the METCO community and contribute to this historic program? We have a number of opportunities to work for us, promote your business, or volunteer.

Work For Us

Throughout the year, our various districts are looking for bus drivers and/or bus monitors. If you have experience in either field and would like to be considered for one of these job openings when they become available, please fill out this interest form. We will follow up with you if an opportunity arises.

In addition, you can also look for job opportunities at school districts at Schoolspring and enter METCO in the search box.

Keep an eye out for opportunities at the METCO HQ office too!

Promote Your Business

We realize that our METCO community is made up of individuals who have businesses in a multitude of fields. We are creating a Directory to house this information so that we may tap you when we are looking for consultants and vendors to fulfill our needs. Take a few moments to complete this survey so that we may learn more about your business.

Volunteer

METCO has a number of ways in which you can get involved. We invite volunteers who have a variety of skills, talents and interest to give their time to METCO. You can engage in a variety of ways, from tutoring, volunteering, speaking at events, or sharing your METCO experience for marketing purposes.

through November 15

Visits will be held in the BHS 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.

Wednesday, November 6

Gordon College (12:15 pm)

Thursday, November 7

University of New Haven (10:30 am)

Tuesday, November 12

The University of Alabama (8:00 am)

Friday, November 15

Salem State University

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

https://www.bedfordps.org/high-school/guidance/pages/scholarship-information

Broad Summer Scholars Program

Broad Summer Scholars Program invites students with a strong interest in science to spend six weeks at the Broad Institute, working side-by-side with scientific mentors to conduct a research project in areas such as cancer, infectious disease, therapeutics, psychiatric disease and more. Students also attend interesting scientific talks and career exploration events, attend a college fair, participate in fun social activities, present their research in a scientific poster session, and meet other students who share similar interest.

Important Dates:

Application Available: Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Application Deadline: Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Notifications: Early March 2025

Program Dates: June 20-August 8, 2025

How to Apply

To apply visit: www.broadinstitue.org/bssp

For more information, contact: bssp@broadinstitute.org