The Bedford Buccaneer
August 5, 2024
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: MONDAY, MAY 18, 2026
Previous Issue of the Bedford Buccaneer
IMPORTANT DATES
- Monday, May 18: Post Secondary Planning Panel
- Tuesday, May 19 & Wednesday, May 20: Math MCAS (delayed start for grades 9, 11, & 12)
- Thursday, May 21: Junior Prom
- Friday, May 22: Last Day of Classes for Seniors
- Monday, May 25: Memorial Day - No School
- Tuesday, May 26 - Friday, May 29: Senior Finals
- Tuesday, May 26: Awards Ceremony - Dollars for Scholars
- Thursday, May 28: Senior Prom & Prom Stroll
- Friday, May 29: Senior BBQ
- Monday, June 1: Senior Breakfast | Graduation Regalia Pickup | Graduation Rehearsal
- Tuesday, June 2 & Wednesday, June 3: Science MCAS (regular start)
- Thursday, June 4: Graduation & All Night Graduation Party
- Monday, June 8: AP Welcome Session for 2026-27 SY; Underclassmen Awards Ceremony
- Tuesday, June 9: School Committee Meeting
- Friday, June 12: Last Day of Classes (grades 9-11)
- Monday, June 15 - Monday, June 22: Final Exams (see schedule below)
- Friday, June 19 - Juneteenth - No School
- Monday, June 22: Last Day of School /End Term 4
The Lunch Menu can be found here.
The full Bedford High School calendar can be found here.
The Bedford Public School District calendar can be found here.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
MCAS Information
Math: May 20-21 (late arrival for non-test takers)
- Tuesday, May 19
- 7:45 am for grade 10
- 10:29 am for grades 9 & 11
- Wednesday, May 20
- 7:45 am for grade 10
- 10:15 am for grades 9 & 11
Bus service will NOT change for MCAS days. Students who need bus transportation will need to take it at the regular time. The cafeteria will be open to students coming early.
Science: June 2-3 (regular start for all students)
BHSPA Post-Secondary Planning Panel
May 18 | 7-8 pm | LGI Before our seniors graduate, let's find out what they have learned about the post-secondary planning process. We have gathered some seniors and their caregivers to talk about their experiences with a variety of different paths. Our panelists will have perspectives on: Come and learn about how they handled researching their options, testing, essay writing and more. Caregivers and students from all BHS classes are welcome. This event is organized by the BHSPA. Please join us live in the LGI room as we do not have zoom available for this session. If you have any questions, please email the BHSPA at BHSBucsparents@gmail.com.
Parent Volunteers Needed for ANG!
Hello Grade 9-12 Families! We have a quick message from the All Night Grad Committee!
Senior Parents/Caregivers: Please visit www.bedfordpco.org/ang to buy your senior's ticket for All Night Grad! While there, you will also find all of the signups for helping. We are looking for food donations, prize donations, and help with setup and cleanup!
All other Parents/Caregivers: This is your chance to Pay It Forward and to keep All Night Grad going strong! It will soon be your child's turn to attend this awesome celebration. Since senior parents/caregivers are not allowed to chaperone the event, we rely on younger parents to fill the need. Visit www.bedfordpco.org/ang to find our three sign-ups: Food Donations, Prize Donations, and most importantly, Volunteers!
Thank you for your support! If you have any questions, please email Leah Walton and Dawn Kociubes at bedfordang@gmail.com.
Yearbook Distribution
Please read to make pickup go faster
On May 19 and May 20, we have a delayed opening due to math MCAS for the 10th graders. Ms. Lennox will be in the cafeteria from 8:00 am to 10:20 am on Tuesday, May 19 to distribute yearbooks to SENIORS, JUNIORS & FRESHMEN while the sophomores take the MCAS. We realize you are not required to be in school at this time, however, if you are here, you can get your yearbook. This will also be a logical time for you to sign peopleβs yearbooks, especially for seniors! If you choose to show up only a few minutes before the end, please be aware there will likely not be enough time to get your book if the line is long, so plan accordingly. If you canβt get the book then, the following times also work. Please DO NOT interrupt Ms. Lennoxβs classes while she is teaching to get your book.
PICK UP TIMES
Tuesday May 19
- 8:00am-10:20 am in the cafe
- 1st & 2nd lunches at the top of the stairs near the cafe
- 2:24-2:45 in B107
Wednesday May 20th
- 8:00am-10:00 am in the cafe
- 12:55-1:15 in B107
Thursday May 21st
- 7:25-7:40 in B107
- Break in B107
- 2:24-2:45 in B107
Friday May 22nd
- 7:25-7:40 in B107
- Break in B107
- 2:24-2:45 in B107
Tuesday May 26 - Friday, May 29
- 7:25-7:40 in B107
- Flex Block in B107
- 2:24-2:45 in B107
To expedite the pickup...
- You may only get YOUR book (not a friend/sibling)
- You must flip through and ensure there are no missing pages/upside down pages/etc. Once you take the book, it is yours and you are responsible for it.
- WRITE YOUR NAME in the book. All books are identical and you need to know which one is yours.
- There will be multiple pick up lines depending on your last name. Find your name (in alphabetical order) and SIGN in pen to acknowledge you received the book and it is OK.
- Check for a note to see Ms. Lennox, or pick up a nameplate or extra piece if you ordered one.
- A list will be posted outside room B107 of people who ordered. If you did not order a yearbook, but want one, you need to bring in $120 (cash or check made out to BHS Yearbook). Seniors will have the 1st opportunity to buy extra books. There will be waitlist for underclassmen. It will be on a first come, first serve basis. When you give Ms. Lennox the money, you will be added to the waitlist. If a book is available, she will email you. If a book does not become available, your money will be returned.
- If you are not on the list, please do not panic. Sometimes, a person makes a mistake when purchasing the book and your book gets listed in another grade or under another name. We will figure it out.
- Ms. Lennox suggests putting a reminder in your phone for the first week of school next year as there will be a flash sale. This will be the cheapest the book will be all year.
Pre-Order Junior Prom Pictures
code: 3ASUQ
Junior Class End of Year Field Trip
Tuesday, June 9 | Canobie Lake Park | $55/student - pay here
Permission slips available from Ms. Myles in E204.
Adventure Awaits: Costa Rica April 2027!
Due to the incredible response from our initial announcement, we are excited to officially open the second round of applications for our April 2027 expedition to Costa Rica!
While the first round was reserved for upperclassmen, this opportunity is now open to all students who are ready for a high-energy exploration of the rainforest, volcanoes, and coastal wildlife.
Why Join the Expedition?
This isnβt just a vacationβitβs an immersive adventure through one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Our itinerary includes:
High-Adrenaline Scenery: Ziplining through the Monteverde cloud forest and whitewater rafting down tropical rapids.
Active Ecology: Kayaking across Lake Arenal and trekking through the Manuel Antonio National Park.
Cultural Immersion: Exploring the artisan village of SarchΓ and supporting local reforestation by planting your own tree.
Important Details & How to Apply
We are looking for motivated studentsβwhether you are a budding biologist or an aspiring adventurerβto fill our remaining spots.
View the Full Itinerary: See the day-by-day breakdown of our Costa Rica April 15, 2027 journey (linked below).
To apply: Ready to secure your spot? Head to Costa Rica 2027 application to begin your application. Applications due on or before May 22, 2026.
Please feel free to reach out to Ms. Billouin beth_billouin@bedfordps.org or Mr. Olson gunnar_olson@bedfordps.org with any questions regarding safety protocols or total costs.
Donβt miss your chance to experience the "Pura Vida" lifestyle firsthand. We look forward to seeing your applications!
Travel to Ecuador: April 2028
Hello BHS students and families!
Travel to Ecuador with BHS in April 2028! We'll explore the city of Quito before heading out to explore both the Andes and the Amazon. We'll soak in hot springs, visit a local school, take a hike in the jungle, visit an Indigenous Kichwa community, whitewater raft down the Napo River, and more. Check out the full itinerary and our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
This trip will be open to all BHS students with priority given to the Class of 2028 and the Class of 2029. Incoming freshmen will have the opportunity to apply to the trip in the fall if space is available.The total cost is $3614 with an additional $150 collected prior to the trip for tips.
Interested in finding out more? We're hosting Trip Overview Meeting at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, May 19th for students and caregivers on Google Meet. Please use the following link to join: meet.google.com/opw-gsah-vve
Students who are interested should fill out our online application form. The first round of applications will be accepted through May 15, 2026. The trip has a max capacity of 32 students - if we have more applications than spaces, a lottery will be used to select students. Students will be notified of their acceptance status via school email after review of the applications. Students accepted will receive an email on how to register for the trip on Exploricaβs website.
If additional spaces are available after May 15th, applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis until the trip is full! We are opening registration early to take advantage of the current discounted tour price.
Reach out to Ms. Leshay with any questions.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES & FUNDRAISERS
Junior Prom
Thursday, May 21, 2026 | 6:00 pm - Burlington Marriott
Eligible Students:
- Handbook Acknowledgement completed before purchasing tickets.
- No outstanding detentions.
Prom guest forms must be turned into the office for approval before May 14.
Athletics This Week
Monday, May 18
Baseball (V/JV) vs. Greater Lawrence
Lacrosse, boys (V) vs. Stoneham
Lacrosse, girls (JV) @ Concord-Carlisle
Softball (V/JV) vs. Wayland
Tennis, boys (V) @ Cambridge
Tuesday, May 19
Lacrosse, boys (V) vs. Boston Latin
Lacrosse, girls (V/J) @ Boston Latin
Softball (V/JV) vs. Belmont
Wednesday, May 20
Baseball (V/JV) vs. Tewksbury
Lacrosse, boys (V) vs. Watertown
Lacrosse, girls (V) @ Lexington
Softball (V) vs. Woburn
Tennis, boys (V) vs. Lincoln-Sudbury
Thursday, May 21
Flag Football, girls (V) vs. Methuen
Lacrosse, girls (JV) @ Lexington
Ultimate Frisbee (V) @ Lexington
Friday, May 22
Baseball (V) vs. Minuteman
Softball (V) @ Arlington Catholic
The Athletic Department schedules can be found here.
πCLASS OF 2026: Information for the Senior Class and their Families
From Counseling: Senior Checklist
There are a few end-of-year tasks that must be completed prior to Graduation Rehearsal on Monday, June 1:
- Graduation Survey 2026: All graduating students must complete the Graduation Survey 2026 through Naviance (after logging in, click on "About Me," and "Surveys from your school" to access).
- Transcript Bill Payment, if applicable: Students who applied to more than three colleges, and their caregivers, have been emailed a transcript bill. The transcript fee is $5 per school (the first three are free). Students who qualify for a fee waiver will not be charged. Ms. Blair will collect cash or a check (made payable to Bedford High School) in the Counseling Office.
- If you have a 504 or IEP and would like to request accommodations in college, look at your schoolβs Disability/Accessibility Services page to see how to request accommodations. Need help? Reach out to your counselor
- Update Naviance with your college decisions/attending college
- Log in to Naviance
- Navigate to Colleges
- Select "Colleges I'm Applying to" from the drop-down menu
- Next to every college, you must select your outcome (Accepted, Denied, Guaranteed Transfer, Conditional Accept, January Admit, Summer Admit, Withdrawn, No Decision, Incomplete) or select Waitlist. **Accept, Denied, and Waitlist are the most common**
- If you know the college you will be attending, please select it from the drop-down menu next to College I'm Attending
The Counseling Office is seeking comments about our annual Common Application Boot Camp as well as your advice for the Class of 2027 and their caregivers about the postsecondary planning process.
Senior Awards Night
Wednesday, May 20
Senior Finals
Tuesday, May 26 - Friday, May 29
Bedford Dollars for Scholars Awards
Tuesday, May 26
Senior Prom
Thursday, May 28, 2026 | 4:15 pm - Stroll | 6:00 pm - Gibbet Hill
Eligible Students:
- Handbook Acknowledgement completed before purchasing tickets.
- No outstanding detentions.
Prom guest forms must be turned into the office for approval before May 21.
Graduation Rehearsal
June 1
Seniors have a mandatory morning at school for:
- Senior Breakfast
- Cap & Gown Pickup
- Graduation Rehearsal
Please note that all financial obligations need to be cleared by this time.
COUNSELING CORNER
Students are welcome to the BHS Counseling Office with a pass from their teacher, a pass from their counselor, or a digital/email pass for a counseling appointment.
Without a pass, Counseling is not open for students in Independent Directed Study or in classes with substitute coverage.
Counseling remains open, on a first-come, first-served basis, every Flex Block (16 spaces) and every Lunch (12 spaces)!
To book a meeting with your counselor, use the link below:
Community Mental Health Supports
If there is a mental health emergency, please call: πAdvocates Psychiatric Emergency Services (available 24 hours) at π(800) 640-5432, or Massachusetts Behavioral Health Helpline (available 24 hours) at π833-773-2445 (call or text), or Call π911.
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 β weβre 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.
πhttps://www.cartwheel.org/district/bedford-public-schools
REMINDERS FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE
A Message About Seasonal Allergies
Please be proactive about your children's allergies, and have them take their prescribed allergy medication before school, so they will be comfortable for the duration of the school day. Depending on the severity of the pollen allergy, anyone with seasonal allergies can feel pretty miserable and allergy symptoms can have a significant impact on learning.
When Your Child 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, without fever-reducing medication.
- Positive throat culture for strep. Students may return 24 hours after antibiotic treatment has begun.
- Any moderate to severe symptoms of acute illness, such as a persistent cough, runny nose with body aches.
Hand washing is the most effective means of preventing the spread of communicable illnesses.
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, and is not exempt.
Reporting Communicable Illnesses: Please report all communicable illnesses to the attendance line or contact the health office directly at π781-918-4416.
Questions? Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Reach out to Nurse Vaughan at: π781-275-1700 x4416, or email π§bhsnurse@bedfordps.org
π¦ Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 7:45 am - 2:24 pm (bus loop closes to traffic at 1:45 pm)
π Wednesday: 7:45 am - 12:55 pm (bus loop closes to traffic at 12:00 pm)
π Office: 781-275-1700
π§ BHSStudentOffice@bedfordps.org
π Attendance: 781-918-4561
