The Bedford Buccaneer

Previous Issue of the Bedford Buccaneer

Dear Bedford High School Community,

I am writing to let you know that Principal Heather Galante is on medical leave through September 5, 2025. Given the need for clarity about decision-making and communication at Bedford High School as we prepare for the start of the school year, Assistant Principal Dennis Kohut will be serving as Acting Principal through September 5. He will be working closely with both Assistant Principal Maurin O’Grady and Assistant Superintendent Kelly Williamson. During this time period, please direct any questions or concerns for the Principal to Mr. Kohut. Mr. Kohut will also be serving in his role as Assistant Principal during this interim time period. I will keep the community updated if there are any changes to this interim leadership structure.

Sincerely,

Cliff

Cliff Chuang 莊 宏 毅 (he/him)

Superintendent, Bedford Public Schools

97 McMahon Road, Bedford, MA 01730

Office: (781) 275-7588

• Tuesday, August 26: Class of 2026 Senior Boot Camp & New Student Orientation
• 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 2028 & 2029
• Tuesday, September 16: Student Activities Fair
• Thursday, September 25: Back to School Night; Add/Drop Deadline
• 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 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.

Dear Bedford High School Families and Caregivers,

Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year. I’m honored to introduce myself to the BHS community. This September marks my 21st year as an educator. I have worked as an English teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal, most recently as Principal of Swampscott High School. Regardless of my title, I consider myself, first and foremost, a teacher. As Assistant Principal, I will be working with students with the last names A-K. Assistant Principal O’Grady will be working with students with the last names L-Z.

This summer, the BHS Leadership Team has worked to refine and calibrate systems for the upcoming school year. Specifically, as part of our back-to-basics approach, we’ve developed protocols for addressing cell phone use and for addressing attendance. Regarding cell phones, BHS will be building on last year’s cell phone pilot with a “bell-to-bell” cell phone policy, requiring students to store their cell phones in designated phone storage cubbies for every academic class. Students may use phones during flex, break, passing time, lunch, and when a substitute teacher covers a class. We feel strongly that this approach will teach students appropriate cell phone usage and minimize distractions during class time.

The BHS Administrative Team has also implemented strategies for addressing chronic absenteeism and tardiness. Research has shown that students who begin the school year as chronically absent–10% of scheduled days– are more likely to be chronically absent throughout the school year. Chronic absenteeism can lead to poor academic performance, and we want to make sure to offer support for chronically absent students early in the school year. BHS Administration will be teaming with counselors to provide support to help kids get to school on time each day. We recognize that there are many barriers to daily student attendance, and BHS staff are here to help. If your student will be absent, please call the attendance line at 781-918-4561. We also encourage you to check your student’s attendance on the Aspen portal.

I’m excited to meet you and your student, and I’m looking forward to helping BHS build community and get back to basics.

Dennis Kohut

Assistant Principal

Student schedules will be sent via email later this afternoon (Monday, August 25) . For our new students attending New Student Orientation tomorrow evening, please bring a copy of your schedule or make sure that you have access to your schedule electronically.

Schedule Changes & Requests

• Students may request changes by emailing their counselor directly.

• Returning students, email your counselor.

• New students from JGMS or transferring in from another school, please reach out to Ms. Shadeed at nicole_shadeed@bedfordps.org.

• New students from Hanscom Air Force Base, please reach out to Mr. DeChellis at brian_dechellis@bedfordps.org.

Advisories & Flex

Advisory & Flex class assignments will be available on Aspen by August 26.

First Week Schedule Changes

Tuesday, September 2, and Wednesday, September 3, students will follow a modified schedule, starting in Advisory both days. Download and print the schedule below.

New students - please bring a copy of your schedule to orientation.

Tuesday, August 26, 20265 | 9-10:30 or 12-1:30 | BHS Auditorium

A college planning seminar for members of the Class of 2026. This seminar is not mandatory; these topics will also be covered during the senior seminar in early September, so if you cannot participate, you will still receive this information.

Students should bring their fully charged BHS iPads with them to the seminar, along with login information for Naviance and Common App. Counselors met with students in the spring to set up their Common App accounts. If they did not attend or have not yet created their account, they can do so during the seminar.

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

Monday, September 8, 2025 during Flex Block

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.

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

Please note the following bus # changes:

• Bus 15 (last year) will be Bus 14 (this year)
• Bus 16 (last year) will be Bus 15 (this year)

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

Lockers are not pre-assigned. If you would like one, please read and complete the Locker Sign Up form after school starts next week.

Order Deadline: December 31, 2025

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

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.

Hope you and your families are having a great summer!! Below are some reminders for the upcoming school year. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Annmarie Vaughan, BSN, RN

bhsnurse@bedfordps.org

781-275-6141 x4416

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.

• emergency form ASAP.

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

If your student gets sick while in 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

Handwashing is the most effective means of preventing 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?
Reach out to Nurse Vaughan at:

• x4416, or email annmarie_vaughan@bedfordps.org

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.

Thursday, August 28

Golf (V) vs. Newton South

• 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

The Counseling office will reopen on September 2, 2025. 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, 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

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 just needs someone to talk to, Cartwheel is here to help.

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

Please review the following information and complete the requested forms before September 5

Students

1. Review the Student Handbook
2. Complete the Acknowledgement Form

1. Review the Student Handbook
2. Complete the Acknowledgement Form

Bedford High School uses MobileServe, an app that helps schools and students log their community service hours. You can learn more about Community Service expectations on the school website. Please complete the Mobile Serve parental consent form if you did not fill one out last year.

ALL Students & Parents

• Review iPad User Policy & Repair Information
• Consider purchasing optional school-issued device insurance.

New Students only.

• In addition to the above, complete the iPad User Agreement, and turn it in to the Student Office.

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_shahdeed@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 will be 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.

X | Facebook | Website

Bedford SEPAC (special education parent advisory council) is a volunteer group of parents/caregivers that work to provide networking and support for Bedford parents/caregivers of children receiving special education services. In conjunction, they work closely with the school administration on special education needs and concerns. All are welcome!

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BEDFORDMASEPAC/

Webpage: https://bedfordmasepac.org/