Director's Update
What's Going On In Special Education In Bedford
Welcome to the 2024-2025 School Year!
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to a new school year! I hope this letter finds you well and that your family has had a smooth and successful start to the year. We’ve had a wonderful beginning, filled with new transitions, new staff, and new students. The energy around the district is incredibly positive, and we are excited for what lies ahead.
While many of you have already been introduced to our new special education staff through your school principals, I want to highlight important changes in our leadership team. This year, we are pleased to announce the addition of an Assistant Director of Special Education and a PreSchool Special Education Program Administrator.
In her new role as Assistant Director, Andrea Edmunds, who has been a part of the Bedford Public Schools since 2020, will oversee programming for students attending out-of-district placements, our in-district SAIL 1 program, and extended school year programming. During her time at John Glenn Middle School (JGMS), Andrea played a key role in strengthening support for students with dyslexia and social-emotional disabilities, transitioning the SAIL 1 program, and being a passionate advocate for equity and inclusion. Her leadership at JGMS alongside Mr. Hartunian and Mr. Bacaigalupi has made a meaningful difference, and I am thrilled to continue working with her as she takes on this new role.
I’m also excited to introduce Jaime Doucette as the new Special Education Program Administrator for Preschool. Jaime has been with the district since 2018 as a school psychologist at the Davis School and she served as the Preschool Coordinator last year. In her new role, she will support preschool programming, bringing her expertise and dedication to our youngest learners. We are thrilled to have Jaime on board in this capacity, and I know she will be a great asset to our preschool team.
Andrea’s promotion has opened up a new position at JGMS, and I am excited to welcome Amy Gagnon as the new Special Education Program Administrator at the school. Amy brings a wealth of experience to this role, having served as the Director of Student and Adult Services at New England Pediatric Care for 14 years. Before that, she was the Director of Professional Development at Merrimack Special Education Collaborative and started her career as a special education teacher. We are fortunate to have her on board, and I look forward to the positive impact she will undoubtedly make at JGMS.
As we move forward, I remain committed to ensuring that our special education programs continue to grow and evolve to meet the diverse needs of our students. Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support.
Wishing you all a fantastic school year ahead!
Warm regards,
Dr. Marianne Vines
Update from the Assistant Director
It is bittersweet to introduce myself in a new role with Bedford Public Schools as Assistant Director of Special Education. I very much enjoyed my time as Special Education Program Administrator at John Glenn Middle School. Good things are happening at JGMS!
While my understanding is that this role has existed in various iterations in Bedford, my primary responsibilities include:
Coordination and oversight of the district’s SAIL-1 programs
Coordination and oversight for students currently placed out of district
Coordination and oversight of the extended school year program
I am spending time getting to know many new-to-me Bedford students, families, and staff members. There are nuances to each building that are endearing and enlightening to experience. I may have been living under a rock at 99 McMahon Road, but I never knew that Lane and Davis both had their own school mascots! I look forward to working with Bedford High School as we make our final expansion to SAIL-1 programming in the district.
Before beginning my career in Bedford, I worked for many years at an out of district school and my first career path was as a speech pathologist. I knew that, someday, I would find my way back to our learners with the most intensive needs.
Go Frogs, Lions, and Bucs!
Andrea Edmunds, M.A., Ed.S., CCC-SLP
Preschool News
The preschool team extends a warm welcome to all of our students and families as we begin the 2024-2025 school year. We are off to a fantastic start, with both staff and students adjusting to new schedules and forming meaningful connections in the classroom. The excitement of a new year is evident, and we are eager to witness the growth and learning that lie ahead. Families play a key role in this success by supporting their children and our staff through open communication, reinforcing routines at home, and encouraging curiosity and confidence. We sincerely appreciate the patience, hard work, and flexibility everyone has shown as students adapt to new routines. A special thank you to our families for adhering to drop-off and pick-up procedures—ensuring cars do not back up or bypass others in line helps keep everyone safe.
As the new Preschool Program Administrator, I am thrilled to embark on this journey with our students and families. In my previous role as Early Childhood Coordinator, I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the incredible dedication of our preschool staff. I am continually inspired by the hard work our students put in every day to learn and grow, and I know that this growth is only possible with the invaluable support of our families. Together, we create a strong partnership that nurtures each child’s success, and I look forward to continuing this collaboration throughout the school year. We look forward to welcoming families into our classrooms for Back to School Night on September 24, 2024!
Jaime Doucette Ed.S. NCSP, LEP
Davis News
Welcome back to a new school year! The Davis Special Education Department is excited to reconnect with our students and families. Over the past few weeks, we’ve been working hard to finalize schedules, connect with families, and foster relationships and routines with our students.
Inclusion remains at the heart of our approach. This year, we’ve restructured how we deliver some of our special education services, with some of our special educators focusing on inclusion and others specializing in small group instruction. Our goal is to provide high quality support within the general education classroom while also offering targeted, specialized instruction when needed. By keeping students in the general education setting, we ensure they benefit from interacting with their peers, engaging with a shared curriculum, and being part of a vibrant learning environment. Research shows that inclusion not only boosts the academic achievement of students with disabilities but also strengthens social interactions, fostering empathy and understanding among all students. Inclusive education environments have been shown to promote higher levels of collaboration, tolerance, and academic engagement for all.
The Davis special education staff is a cohesive and talented team of educators and service providers, working together to address the unique needs of each student. We’re looking forward to an amazing year ahead, supporting and nurturing our youngest learners.
Caitlyn Queenin M.Ed.
Lane News
As September rolled around, the Lane School special education department has leapt into action greeting new faces, new curriculum, and new challenges.
The Lane team continues to grow and welcome new teachers and ESP support staff. We welcomed 4 new teachers and 3 new ESP (Education Support Professionals). Additionally, following a lengthy adoption process, CKLA is being unrolled by teams, and we are all getting to know the in's and out's of a new literacy curriculum. And finally, the Lane School construction project and new IEP form have kept us on our toes.
This year, it continues to remain important for families to be an active member of their child's Team. Please always reach out to their liaison with questions, concerns, and moments of celebration. We are focused on growth for students, both academically, socially, and emotionally.
Jane DelGobbo M.Ed.
JGMS News
Welcome to Special Education Services at JGMS. My name is Amy Gagnon and I am the newest member of the Special Education Administrative team. I have spent the last few weeks getting settled into the building meeting our students and community members. I have had the unique opportunity to observe the warm well wishes, diligent planning and most of all -the positive energy in the middle school building. I have been a special educator and Administrator serving middle school students throughout my entire career. I am beyond honored to join the Bedford Public School Community. The Administration and faculty, in partnership with the student body have created an energetic, positive, educational environment that creates a love for learning, accountability, and respect. I look forward to meeting each of the students and embracing how unique middle school is with them. Fun fact about me: I have gotten lost at JGMS countless times so far… I am asking students to be my tour guide when I am lost and every single child has gone out of their way to show me.
Amy Gagnon, M.Ed.
BHS News
Greetings from Bedford High School!
The school year is off to a fantastic start! Students are settling into their classes smoothly, and there's a positive, happy atmosphere all around.
We’re excited to introduce some new faces to our BHS community:
Cameron Shelmire, Special Educator
Cameron is a proud Bedford High School alumnus. After graduating from BHS, he pursued his BA in Elementary and Special Education at Providence College and later earned a Master’s degree in Special Education and Leadership from Cambridge College. Cameron recently taught in the Revere Public Schools, and we are thrilled to welcome him back to BHS, where he will continue to inspire and support our students.
Adam Mayhew, BCBA
Adam joins us with a Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis from Bay Path University. With his experience in both school and community-based settings, we are excited to have him on board as part of our team!
Additionally, we extend a warm BHS welcome to our new teaching assistants: Christie Martin, Amy Caruss, and Jason Castenda. We are excited to have them join us!
Annual Activities Fair:
On Tuesday, September 17th, BHS held its annual Activities Fair, a great opportunity for students to explore the variety of clubs we offer. The turnout was fantastic, and many students signed up to get involved! Participating in clubs is a wonderful way to engage with the school community and build lasting connections.
New IEP Rollout:
We’ve begun rolling out the new IEP format, and a few plans have already been sent home. The new layout may seem different or even confusing at first. If you need help understanding or interpreting your plan, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 781-275-1700 ext. 4424 or email me at louise_damato@bedfordps.org. I'm here to assist you!
We look forward to a fantastic school year ahead!
Louise D'Amato M.Ed.
Reflection on Extended School Year
The extended school year program got off to a hot start this year! The students and staff made the most of their time; working dutifully on the skills they needed while taking some time to enjoy the slower pace and warmer weather of the summer. The extended school year, while it goes by in the blink of an eye, becomes a small community in itself and students get an opportunity to learn with peers and staff who they may not be accustomed to being around. Additionally, for many of them, they get a chance to explore another school building within the Bedford community.
We moved many of our youngest learners to the high school building to promote closer access to the Town playground. As best laid plans sometimes go, the Town began the process of remodeling this playground in early July and it was closed for a majority of the program. Nevertheless, our staff members worked hard to continue to provide enrichment, movement, and fun for our youngest learners by getting creative and accessing other indoor and outdoor spaces of the building. As planning begins for ESY ‘25 (yes, we are crafting plans already), we thank the staff and parents for their flexibility as we reexamine the needs of our students to propose services and map out a structure to meet the individualized needs of Bedford students. The dates are solidified and will be as follows:
Monday through Thursday, 7/7/25-7/31/25 (moderate programs)
Monday through Friday, 7/7/25-8/8/25 (severe programs)
We are not only grateful for the support of our teaching staff and parents, but the unsung heroes of the summer. Our building-based administration, human resources department, technology department, facilities department, custodial staff, administrative assistants, special education program administrators, and nursing department all continue to be instrumental in operationalizing the program. We are thankful for the collaboration with the Bedford Recreation Department, and also thank Mr. Mangan for providing access to the school vans so that we could take some trips into the community!
Andrea Edmunds, M.A., Ed.S., CCC-SLP
DESE PRESS RELEASE
Massachusetts Receives Highest Rating for Special Education for Sixth Consecutive Year
EVERETT – The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is proud to announce that earlier this summer, it received a Meets Requirements annual determination from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs for the sixth consecutive year, the highest rating a state can receive. This achievement underscores Massachusetts' ongoing commitment to providing high-quality educational services and support to students with disabilities.
The federal Office of Special Education Programs assesses state educational agencies on their compliance with federal requirements and on outcomes experienced by their students with disabilities. Massachusetts consistently demonstrates exemplary performance in several key areas, including implementation of effective educational practices and the provision of equitable opportunities for all students. Massachusetts is one of 21 states to receive the Meets Requirements determination this year. Over the past six years, only nine other state agencies have consistently received Meets Requirements along with Massachusetts.
“Massachusetts schools are ranked number one in the country, and that’s in large part due to our commitment to ensure that every student gets the high-quality education they deserve, including special education,” Governor Maura Healey said. “This milestone is a testament to the hard work of our incredible educators, students and families. We will continue building on this strong foundation and support every child in reaching their full potential."
“Achieving six consecutive years of meeting the Office of Special Education Programs' requirements is a remarkable accomplishment,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Our administration remains steadfast in supporting and enhancing educational opportunities for all students, ensuring every child receives the quality education they deserve.”
Key highlights:
- High performance: During the reporting year, over 80 percent of Massachusetts students with disabilities graduated with a regular high school diploma. Also, 99 percent of students with disabilities in grade 4 and 97 percent of those in grade 8 participated in the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS).
- Equitable access: Massachusetts helps students with disabilities access a range of educational opportunities, such as inclusive classroom settings and specialized programs designed to meet a variety of needs.
- Ongoing improvement: The Department remains committed to continuous improvement, using feedback from evaluations and stakeholder input to enhance and refine special education services across Massachusetts.
“Reaching this milestone six years in a row is an affirmation of our collective efforts to advance special education in Massachusetts,” Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler said. “We know more works needs to be done, and we will continue to tirelessly build upon this success and foster an educational environment where every student has the opportunity to excel."
“Our Educational Vision calls for learning experiences in which every student is known and valued and every student receives the individualized supports they need,” said Russell D. Johnston, acting commissioner of elementary and secondary education. “We know that students with disabilities can be successful, and we will continue to improve our special education supports to schools, districts and families.”
The Department supports schools and districts by annually allocating over $300 million federal dollars in special education funding and through technical assistance, guidance and professional learning opportunities.
Special Education Parent Advisory Counsel (SEPAC)
Welcome to the 2024-2025 School Year. Bedford Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) extends an open invitation to connect throughout the school year. Some of the opportunities to meet up or connect include in person and/or virtual meetings or topic specific presentations, caregiver and/or student events, information sharing, and support. We are a group that celebrates the successes (especially the "small" ones that to us are big ones!) with you and also support you through the hard moments too. As caregivers of special needs students we ride that roller coaster of emotions too! We want to hear from you. Ways to stay in touch are Facebook Bedford MA SEPAC, Email bedfordmasepac@gmail.com and Website bedfordmasepac.org.
BEDFORD SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council)
SEPAC is a group of parents & caregivers of children receiving special education support and/or children with disabilities. All parents & caregivers welcome! We meet for support, education, networking and resource sharing.
Bedford SEPAC General Meetings: Date will be sent soon
Email: bedfordmasepac@gmail.com
Web: bedfordmasepac.org
Facebook group: https://www.facebook. com/groups/BEDFORDMASEPAC/