Notes from the Superintendent’s Update – Friday, April 12

This is a portion of the Superintendent’s Update by Superintendent Cliff Chuang mailed to Bedford Public School community on Friday, April 12. Please find this week’s full issue of Superintendent’s Update and back issues at bedfordps.org.

Cliff’s Notes – Strategic Planning Survey #2 – Deadline: April 15

Dear Bedford Public Schools Community,

I hope you have an enjoyable April vacation week, but before you signoff, please take a few minutes to complete Strategic Planning Survey #2! This is the second anonymous survey in a series designed to provide an opportunity for students, parents, staff, and community members to provide feedback as the Bedford Public Schools begins the 2024-2027 District Improvement Plan development process. We will begin analyzing responses received as of the end of the day on Monday, April 15, 2024. The next survey opportunity in this process will be available toward the end of the school year. Thank you for your feedback.

As a reminder, I am also hosting a spring series of Trail Walk & Talks (register here) for those who want to chat in-person to provide feedback about the strategic planning process underway.

Sincerely,|
Cliff Chuang 莊宏毅
Superintendent, Bedford Public Schools

Bedford Trail Walk & Talks with the Superintendent – Spring 2024 Edition

I am looking forward to getting back on the trails this spring, revisiting some favorites from the fall and trying some new ones, guided by the Bedford Trail Guide. This is an opportunity for community members to provide additional feedback and ideas about the proposed framework for our 2024-2027 district improvement plan outlined in my Report of Entry Plan findings. Here are the dates and times for these Trail Walk & Talks, which will each last for roughly an hour. These are intended for adult caregivers and community members, though kids are welcome if accompanied by an adult. For planning and communication purposes, please register here where full details about where to park and meet are provided. Walks will be canceled in case of poor weather.

Upcoming Events:

April: Month of the Military Child
April: Autism Awareness Month
April 15-19: NO SCHOOL – Spring Vacation
April 22-30: Passover
April 22: Earth Day
April 23: School Committee Meeting at METCO HQ
April 24: 5:30-6:30 pm – Trail Walk at Buehler-Ponds Governor Winthrop Conservation Area
April 26: Arbor Day
April 30: 5:30-6:30 pm – Trail Walk at Fawn Lake (meet at Lane Elementary School)

School Committee Meeting Update

At the School Committee meeting on April 9th, committee members heard wonderful presentations from BHS VEX Robotics team members and the English Learner Department, including a thank you and send-off for retiring English Learner Director (K-Adult!) Carrie Powers, shown her at right with students and staff at a recent field trip to the MFA. The next School Committee meeting will be on April 23rd in Boston at METCO Headquarters (11 Roxbury St, Boston) & via Zoom Webinar.

Full supporting materials can be found here: School Committee – Meeting Schedule & Supporting Documents.

5th Grade Talent Show

Fifth grade is in their talent show era at the Lane School! We had so many great acts including dances, skits, instrumentals, and demonstrations. They were supported by fifth grade stage crew members and announcers. We had community organizers choose four organizations to fundraise for and they would love for community members to donate. Please click here to make a donation. Thank you to all the staff members and family for the support!

‘Faces of Bedford’ Series of Video Interviews

We are happy to share a new series of profiles called Faces of Bedford prepared by volunteers from Bedford Embraces Diversity with technical support from Bedford TV, featuring members of our diverse community, many with connections to the Bedford Public Schools.

In recognition of the Month of the Military Child, this week we encourage you to listen to the interview of Mike and Sarah McGinley, who came to Bedford via Hanscom Air Force Base. Mike is a Brigadier General at HAFB, Sarah is a local attorney and school committee member, and they are parents of 3 BPS students who attend Davis and Lane.

Bedford Tricentennial Logo Design Contest

A nine-member town committee is already hard at work planning for a year-long celebration culminating with the town’s 300th anniversary on Sept. 23, 2029. And although the festivities won’t formally begin for several years, there is an immediate opportunity to get involved. The Tricentennial Committee has announced a contest for a 300th anniversary logo that will be unveiled on Bedford Day, Sept. 21, 2024. Bedford residents – individually or in groups – can start designing entries now. The deadline for submission will be announced – it won’t be for several weeks – and the committee is arranging for a town email address to receive them. Questions can be addressed to Tricentennial Committee Chair Mike Rosenberg (781-983-1763, [email protected]). Read more here.

Recycle Your Eclipse Glasses!

If you are interested in recycling your eclipse glasses, you may drop off any gently used glasses in the main office of each school or the front desk of the Bedford Free Public Library by Friday, April 26. We will be shipping the collected glasses to Eclipse Glasses USA for use by school children in other parts of the world. Read more at Recycling Your Eclipse Glasses – Drop off in Bedford – The Bedford Citizen.