Superintendent Update

Dear Bedford Public Schools Community,

This past week, I shared the following message of gratitude with the community:

The Bedford Public Schools is thankful for a community that continually shows up for its students and families. In a week marked by yet another profound loss, Bedford has once again come together with care and compassion. We are also deeply grateful for our community’s ongoing financial investment—year in and year out—in the excellence of our schools, and in the well-being and future of our youth and our town.

As we look ahead to the discussion of the preliminary FY27 budget at the school committee meeting on Tuesday, December 9th, I urge us to keep in mind what makes this school system special. One example is how we mobilize to support our students when challenges arise (see Comfort Dogs item below). Another example is our commitment to inclusive equitable access for all students to the full range of learning opportunities so that they can explore and pursue their interests and passions, even if it means lots of double basses! (See "Attack of the Walking Basses" below).

Best,

Cliff Chuang 莊 宏 毅

Superintendent, Bedford Public Schools

We are so grateful for the many external partners who recently joined our community in supporting our students after the tragic death of 7th-grader Parker Robles—especially our canine ones@ NEMLEC-STARS comfort dogs were on duty with their handlers and counselors from all over the region last week at JGMS. They brought some needed comfort and support to both staff and students. In alignment with strategic initiative 2.1 to improve student wellbeing and with tremendous gratitude to our partners at the Bedford Police Department and our SEPAC, our School Resource Officer Mel Brickey will soon have a canine partner of her own! Bolo (Bo), a chocolate labrador retriever, just graduated successfully from extensive training and will be getting to know all four schools. For context, a BOLO in the police profession means “Be On the LOokout" for. We are especially grateful to the Lenora Campoli Family, who is working with the SEPAC to lead a community fundraiser to support the comfort dog initiative in honor of Lenora Campoli, a beloved advocate for inclusion, acceptance, and support for all Bedford students and families. If you would like to contribute, you can do so here. We look forward to keeping everyone updated as our newest four-legged community member joins Bedford in the new year.

Bedford Public Schools' 6th Grade Orchestra performed the Attack of the Walking Basses by Bob Phillips at the JGMS orchestra concert earlier this week. The orchestra is directed by JGMS music teacher Lauren Hart and supported by Performing Arts Director Nicole O'Toole and POMS. The composition of this year's 6th grade orchestra is an example of how our educators adapt to allow students to pursue their interests and passions, even if it means a record 6 double basses!

• December 7: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
• December 8: Bodhi Day
• December 9: School Committee Meeting
• December 15-22: Hanukkah*
• December 16: School Committee Meeting
• December 18: International Migrants Day
• December 24-January 2: No School - Vacation
• December 25: Christmas

*Religious and Cultural Holidays Policy applies

The next school committee meeting is being held on Tuesday, December 9th. At this meeting, the committee will review the preliminary FY27 budget proposal, conduct a 2nd reading of the Wellness Policy addressing healthy school hours, and conduct a 1st reading of policies on Competency Determination, Animals in Schools, and Homeschooling. Meeting agendas, schedules, and supporting documents are always available at School Committee - Meeting Schedule & Supporting Documents.

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has selected Bedford Public Schools for a District Review. This review is conducted by DESE’s Office of District Reviews and Monitoring (ODRM), in partnership with the American Institutes for Research (AIR). Only a small number of districts are selected each year. A key part of the review is gathering input from families via a virtual Family Focus Group. If you would like to join the focus group schedule for 6 pm on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, please complete this Family Focus Group Interest Form. Interpretation and translation services will be available upon request. More information about the district review process can be found here.

The Bedford Health Department is offering flu vaccinations on Monday, December 8th from 5:00PM-7:00PM in the Flint Room (room 213) in the Town Center, 12 Mudge Way to those 3 years of age and older. Vaccines available: standard flu injection, high dose flu injection (for those 65 years+) and FluMist nasal spray (for those 18 years and younger). To register, please click here. Please call the Health Department at 781-275-6507 or email us at health@bedfordma.gov with any questions.

The Bedford DPW has partnered with Black Earth Compost to expand the Town’s curbside food waste collection program, with a community goal of reaching 1,000 participating households. This initiative supports Bedford’s sustainability efforts while offering families an easy and affordable way to reduce household waste. Families can list their school when subscribing—each new signup earns $10 for school garden beds or finished compost this spring! For additional details, please refer to the website here.

• Lt. Eleazer Davis Elementary School - Scribbles
• Lt. Job Lane Elementary School - Lane Notes
• JGMS Buccaneer News
• Bedford High School - The Bedford Buccaneer
• METCO News
• Student Services Spotlight
• The Bedford Lookout