The Bedford Buccaneer
August 5, 2024
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2025
Previous Issue of the Bedford Buccaneer
📨 Please note the new office email address: bhsstudentoffice@bedfordps.org 📨
IMPORTANT DATES
- 🔜 Tuesday, November 11: No School (Veteran's Day)
- Friday, November 21, and Saturday, November 22: Fall Play, Peter and the Starcatcher
- Tuesday, November 25: Homecoming Dance (Students)
- Wednesday, November 26: Community Day & Early Release (Students)
- Thursday, December 4: Teacher/Caregiver Conferences (Parents)
- December 24 - January 2: No School (Winter Break)
- Thursday, December 11: Concert (Chorus)
- Thursday, January 8: National Honor Society Induction
- Monday, January 19: No School (MLK Jr. Day)
- Friday, January 23: End Term 2
- Tuesday, March 24 & Wednesday, March 25: ELA MCAS (delayed start)
- Monday, April 6: End Term 3
- Wednesday, May 19 & Thursday, May 20: Math MCAS (delayed start)
- Friday, May 21: Junior Prom
- Thursday, May 28: Senior Prom
- Tuesday, June 2 & Wednesday, June 3: Science MCAS (regular start)
- Tuesday, June 16: Last Day of School /End Term 4 (tentative)
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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
School Climate Survey - Administered during November
Beginning the week of November 10th
On November 3, 2025 a letter was sent to parents about the upcoming BPS School Climate Surveys . This survey is a key tool in advancing Bedford’s 2024–2027 Strategic Plan (see strategic initiative 2.3) and supporting the three strategic objectives. Staff, families, and students grades 3-12 will participate. Full instructions and links to take the surveys can be found at BPS School Climate Surveys.
We deeply value your partnership and look forward to using this feedback to build even stronger, more inclusive schools. Questions can be directed to Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kelly Williamson: kelly_williamson@bedfordps.org.
Fall Play: Peter and the Star Catcher
Friday, November 21 @ 7 pm | Saturday, November 22 @ 1 pm / 7 pm
Purchase tickets at: https://sites.google.com/bedfordps.org/bhstheater/tickets ($10/students & senior citizens; $12/adults)
“Peter and the Starcatcher” is a play by Rick Elice based on the young adult novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson that serves as a prequel to J.M. Barrie’s “Peter Pan.” Music is by Wayne Barker. It was originally produced on Broadway by Nancy Nagel Gibbs, Greg Schaffert, Eva Price, Tom Smedes, and Disney Theatrical Productions. This 2004 middle grade fantasy novel follows a heroine named Molly, who is a “Starcatcher.” Molly is responsible for catching “starstuff” — magical dust that falls from
the sky — so that evil people do not get their hands on it. Along the way, Molly meets Peter, an orphan boy, and together they save the world.
This play is about two hours long with an intermission. Concessions will be sold by POMS.
“Peter and the Starcatcher” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. Licensed by Music Theatre International.
Informational Meeting for Fundraising Volunteers and Kick Off Meeting for All Volunteers
Fundraising Sub-Committee Meeting - Tuesday, November 18 | 7:00 pm | Red Heat Tavern
Full ANG Committee Meeting - Tuesday, January 6 | 7:00 pm | BHS Library
The All Night Graduation Committee is gearing up for another great event this year to celebrate the Class of 2026! Each year, the Bedford community hosts a special celebration for Bedford High School graduates on the night of their graduation. This safe, substance-free, and chaperoned event is often a highlight of high school that students remember fondly for years to come!
We will have our first full committee meeting on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the BHS Library. New volunteers are welcome and encouraged to attend. We will also be hosting a meeting for all those interested in the Fundraising subcommittee on Tuesday, November 18th from 7:00-8:30 at Red Heat Tavern.
Fundraising is a great volunteer opportunity for anyone who is interested in helping, but especially senior parents who want to ensure that their kids get the most spectacular event possible!
RSVP for the Fundraising meeting to BedfordANG@gmail.com by November 11th so that we can reserve a table in advance.
Dollars for Scholars Fall Campaign
Bedford Dollars for Scholars awards scholarships, based on the success of their annual fundraising campaigns, to graduating seniors from Bedford and Hanscom Air Force Base.
CSF of Bedford Dollars for Scholars has helped 3,770 students by awarding $3.7 million since their inception in 1965. In 2025, they awarded $197,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors from Bedford High School, as well as residents graduating from other high school programs. Thank you for helping them continue this tradition!
🌐MAKE A DONATION or send a check to: Bedford Scholars for Dollars, PO Box 585, Bedford, MA 01730. Please write "Fall Appeal" on the memo line.
Other upcoming events to support Bedford Dollars for Scholars are:
- Ken's NY Deli & Brick Oven Pizzeria Fundraiser - Tuesday, November 25, 2025 | 4 pm - 9 pm
- Trivia Night - February 7, 2026
- Mail-A-Thon - March & April 2026
Yearbooks
Order Deadline: December 31, 2025
Order your yearbook online (school code:13423) or by phone 1-866-287-3096.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES & FUNDRAISERS
🎶Congratulations BHS Music Students!
The following students have been named to the Massachusetts Eastern District Festival for band, chorus, and orchestra.
District Band
Matthew Shin, clarinet
Brian Nam, clarinet
District Orchestra
Adam Chao, viola
Nileya Liu, violin
Nao Okamoto, violin
Niall Wang, violin
Kira Shen, snare drum
Matthew Shen, mallets
District Chorus
Joseph Choi, bass
Gavin Derderian, tenor
Mia Falco, tenor
Jacob Halloran, bass
Class of 2027 Fundraiser: Cookies & Cakes
Orders: November 10 - December 3
Orders for frozen cookie dough and other baked goods can be placed. More information coming soon.Ask a Cornell Engineer: Virtual Panel
The Cornell Chapter of Society of Women Engineers is committed to inspiring the next generation of engineers and providing them with meaningful experiences to explore engineering.
Students interested in engineering or learning more are invited to participate in a virtual panel. This event will provide you with a deeper understanding of the exciting opportunities that engineering education can offer. The event will be held on November 16th, from 3-5 pm EST, virtually (link will be sent out later). The event will be split into two sections:
- 3-4:30 pm: general panel with engineers of diverse backgrounds, years, and experiences for any questions
- 4:30-5 pm: break-out rooms where students can pick choose to ask individual panelists specific questions
If any BHS students are interested in participating and hearing from engineers, please RSVP at this form by November 9th.
MIT Educational Studies Program Annual SPLASH!
Registration: November 6-13 | $60
Event: November 22-23 | MIT
MIT Educational Studies Program (ESP), is a student-run organization at MIT that runs educational programs for middle and high schoolers. This fall their annual Splash will be on the fun-filled weekend of November 22-23. High school students are invited to the MIT campus to take classes taught by MIT students and community members!
Classes: Splash offers 1 to 3 hour long classes covering a wide range of topics—particularly those not found in the traditional high school curriculum, such as special relativity, contemporary dance, DNA extraction, mathematical juggling, cardiology, and more!
Registration: Students should make an account on our website to indicate their preferred classes. Registration for specific classes is open through a lottery system until November 1st, followed by first-come, first-served registration from November 6th to 13th.
Cost: Splash 2025 will cost $60, but we offer generous financial aid to students who request it.
Please reach out to splash@mit.edu if you have any questions.
Annual Varsity/Alumni Hockey Game
Friday, November 28 | 11:00 am | The Edge, Lower Rink
Keeping the tradition alive, the Bedford Bucs Hockey team will face off against the Bedford Hockey Alumni/ Firefighters on Friday November 28th 12:00 at the Bedford Edge. This will be a fundraiser event for the Bedford Hockey Team.
Please come out and support your team and see old friends compete in the turkey shoot out. Raffle baskets from various local businesses available for donations of 1$ per ticket. 5$ at the door to get in, or 7$ and receive 3 raffle tickets. This is a great way to visit friends who have come home for the holiday along with supporting your team.
Seal of Biliteracy Information
Apply by March 1, 2026
To apply for the Seal of Biliteracy, students must complete this form: Seal of Biliteracy application by March 1, 2026. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Adam Bailey, World Languages Program Director, at 📧adam_bailey@bedfordps.org or call 📞(781) 275-1700, x4522.
Monday, December 1 & Tuesday, December 2 - Individual Auditions
Thursday, December 4 - Dance Auditions
Athletics This Week
Sunday, November 17
Cheerleading (V) @ MSAA North Regional Championship Competition (Billerica)
CLASS OF 2026
Information for the Senior Class and their Families
Yearbook Orders
Order your yearbook online by going to YearbookOrderCenter.com and using the school code 13423 or call 1-866-287-3096.
Deadline: December 31
Senior Prom
Thursday, May 28, 2026 | 6:00 pm | Gibbet Hill
College Visit Season is Here!
Please check your Naviance account to see which schools are sending representatives to BHS each week from mid-September to mid-November, and register online (Colleges tab --> Research Colleges --> College Visits).
Be mindful of what obligations you are missing to attend. And be sure to check-in with your teacher, showing your registration information, prior to attending the visit in the Counseling Office.
College Visits This Week
See Naviance App | See BHS Calendar for Details
Monday, November 10
Salem State University
United States Military Academy West Point
COUNSELING CORNER
Community Mental Health Supports
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 📞911.
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.
REMINDERS FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE
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.
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
COMMUNITY
Donate Now to the BHSPA Fall Appeal
Help us to provide support to our faculty, staff, and students all year long! We can't do it with you!
The Fall Appeal is our biggest fundraiser of the year!
Donations are accepted all year on our website. A donation of $25/family is suggested, but any amount is appreciated.
The BHSPA is a parent volunteer organization which raises and distributes funds to support the various initiatives, programs, and events for BHS. All caregivers are members of the BHSPA. We collect no dues, rather, we solely rely on donations and fundraising.
Thank you for supporting BHSPA!