Superintendent Conrad’s weekly message for May 5, 2023.
School Lunch Hero Day
Today, Friday, May 5, 2023, is School Lunch Hero Day! The Bedford Public Schools joins with food service programs throughout the country to recognize and celebrate our food service employees who are making a huge difference in the lives of all of our children who come through the cafeteria. So far this school year our cafeteria staff has prepared and served over 30,000 lunches and more than 6,000 breakfasts! All this while shorthanded. A huge thank you to all of our cafeteria kitchen managers, lunch workers, our director, our assistant director, and the program administrative assistant!
Teacher Appreciation Week
Next week Monday, May 8, 2023, through Friday, May 12, 2023, is Teacher Appreciation Week. It is our opportunity to say thank you to the wonderful educators in each of our schools. I hope you will join me in sending a note or email to a teacher to say thank you for all that they have done and are doing for our students! This is a time to say thank you! To the extraordinary educators who work tirelessly for our students and families with flexibility, resilience, and care. For more information about Teacher Appreciation Week navigate to NEA TAW#
Thank You to BFD!
On Thursday and Friday of this week, our Kindergarten students were hosted at the Bedford Fire Department Headquarters. The students had the opportunity to tour the firehouse, climb aboard a few of the pieces of equipment, and see where gear and equipment were stored. The students who went on Thursday also got to see the firefighters go out on an emergency call, which was a great thrill for the students. Thank you to Chief Grunes, Captain Sullivan, Captain Daniels, and all of the firefighters on duty for making this such a special day for our students!
The BHS Jon Sills Tenacity Challenge
This Saturday, April 29, 2023, the Bedford Public Schools hosted The Jon Sills High School Tenacity Challenge. The event included 27 teams from 13 different school districts. The Tenacity Challenge is an all-day scholarly competition. Congratulations to all of our students, teachers, and mentors who participated.
Special Education
Our Special Education Director Marianne Vines recently published the next installment of the Director’s Update which can be viewed at Director’s Update Spring 2023. The update is full of wonderful information about our Special Education Department and Programs.
Special Olympics
I am excited to announce the 17th Annual Special Olympics Lexington School Day games! As a member of the LABBB Collaborative our students will be participating in the Special Olympics at Lexington High School on Friday, May 12, 2023, from 9:00 until 2:30. The Opening Ceremony kicks off the day at 9:00 AM on the athletic fields at Lexington High School. If you have not attended the event it is well worth it to see so many Olympians participating in this wonderful event. Thank you to Lexington Public Schools, Special Olympics Massachusetts, LABBB Collaborative, and Best Buddies for sponsoring this event.
Performing Arts Department Events
As we enter the last quarter of the school year please be aware that the performing arts department in conjunction with POMS (Patrons of Music Students) is preparing a number of music events for May and June. We hope you will be able to join us for some or all of these events that showcase our talented musical performers of all ages.
- The BHS Vocal Concert on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at 7:00 PM at the BHS Auditorium
- The BHS Vocal Concert on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at 7:00 PM at the BHS Auditorium
- The Lane School Concert on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at 7:00 PM at the BHS Auditorium
- The Grade Six Concert on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at 7:00 PM at the JGMS Auditorium
- The Grades 7 and 8 Concert on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at 7:00 PM at the BHS Auditorium
Please Support the Class of 2023 All Night Graduation Party!
For 33 years, from 1988 to 2022, the BHS All Night Graduation Celebration Committee held a safe, substance-free overnight party for the graduating class. Throughout the night, the Class of 2023 graduates will enjoy live entertainment, games, trivia, music, prizes, food, and more, at Bedford High School from 10:30 PM – 5:30 AM. Families, friends, and local businesses are encouraged to make a tax-deductible monetary donation or prize donation to support the celebration. To learn more, read our parent/caregiver letter here.
Friends can also support the All Night Graduation Celebration by dining at Bamboo Restaurant, 213 Burlington Road, Bedford on Thursday, May 18th anytime from 11:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. A generous 20% of all dine-in and take-out orders will be donated to the Class of 2023 ANG party from Bamboo Restaurant, but be sure to mention All-Night Graduation when you pay!
Link to Bamboo Restaurant flyer: Bamboo Fundraiser
Parents can learn more about the All Night Graduation Celebration by visiting our website: All Night Grad Party – BHSPA
Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The National Alliance on Mental Health is amplifying the message of Mental Health Awareness Month with the theme “Together for Mental Health.” For more information on Mental Health Awareness Month please navigate to NAMI Mental Health Awareness Month
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Sunday begins Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. In 1978, a joint congressional resolution established Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Week; it was expanded to a month in 1992. The month was chosen to coincide with two important milestones in Asian/Pacific American history: the arrival in the United States of the first Japanese immigrants (May 7, 1843) and the contributions of Chinese workers to the building of the transcontinental railroad which was completed on May 10, 1869. For more information about the contributions of Asian/Pacific Islander Americans please navigate to Asian/Pacific Islander History Month
BPS Art Show
The Bedford Public Schools’ Art Department is excited to announce the 29th annual K-12 Art Show at Bedford High School this year! The show will feature thousands of works from Bedford students from Davis, Lane, JGMS, and BHS. Additionally, there will be a senior exhibit where senior art majors will have their artwork and artist statements on display. JGMS and Lane student work will be located in the main gymnasium space this year, which will offer a more gallery-type feel! The dates for the show are Friday, May 5th- Opening Night 6:00 pm-9:00 pm, Saturday, May 6th- 10 am-2 pm, and Sunday, May 7th- 11 am-2 pm. We hope to see you there!
Sign up for the BEST/PTO Color Run
The BEST/PTO Color Run will take place on Saturday, September 9th from 4:00 PM to 6:00 pm and is the largest fundraiser for Davis and Lane Schools. Register to support enrichment programs and other educational improvements at our schools. Since 2016, this event has raised over $100,000! Run, walk, stroll, or roll as volunteers blast powder onto the race course. Or just come to enjoy the food, face painting, raffles, music, and more!
Register here (https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Bedford/VirtualColorRun2021) by May 6th to get the early bird registration discount. Each registration includes (1) a t-shirt & (2) food tickets. Additional shirts & food tickets may be purchased on the event registration website. Early bird pricing is $25 per individual and $75 per household. Beginning May 7th, regular prices are $30 per individual or $90 per household. (Registrations received after June 30th are not guaranteed a participant t-shirt and bag).
Dollars for Scholars Fundraiser
The Citizens Scholarship of Bedford is proud to announce the 58th Annual Dollars for Scholars Fundraising Campaign. The campaign is now underway. Bedford High students have recently prepared the Mail-a-thon letters. The letters have recently been mailed to Bedford neighbors in hopes that we will all support the Mail-a-thon as we have in the past. Please continue your wonderful support to help make this year’s scholarships for the Class of 2023 the largest awards yet. In May 2022, CSF of Bedford Dollars for Scholars awarded almost $165,000 to graduating seniors. Thank you to everyone at CSF of Bedford for all that they do to support our students! For additional information, please see their website, bedfordma.dollarsforscholars.org
Bedford DPW Paving Schedule
We’ve received an alert from the Bedford DPW about the schedule for the paving projects this year. The paving project on South Road from Railroad Avenue to the south of Hartwell Road has been delayed until summer. For more information please go to the DPW Website at https://www.bedfordma.gov/378/Public-Works
PDC BHS Paint Night in Boston
The Parent Diversity Council is pleased to announce a Paint Night in Boston for BHS Parents and Caregivers on Thursday, May 11, 2023, from 6:30 until 8:30 pm at Canvas Studios, 55 Fairmount Avenue in Hyde Park. Enjoy a free, fun, and creative night out with friends from the Bedford High School community! Refreshments will be provided. Space is limited to 18 people so please RSVP to [email protected].
Waste Sorting at JGMS
I’m pleased to share that in May, John Glenn Middle School will be the first school in our district to roll out a waste sorting station for students in the cafeteria. Waste sorting separates Liquids, Composable, and Recyclables from Trash. This program will allow us to reduce what ultimately goes to incineration as “trash”. Having been part of a waste sorting program previously I’m confident we will have success here in Bedford! This will allow us to comply with the Massachusetts State Waste Bans, reduce the amount of waste we produce, and protect the environment our students will inherit. More information will be available soon!
The Last Day of the School Year
On Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at the School Committee meeting the last day of school for the school year was set as Wednesday, June 21, 2023.
Just for Fun: The Space Elevator
Ever wonder what happens at different altitudes? The Space Elevator is an interactive graphic that shows animals, birds, aircraft, rockets, spaceships, and meteorological phenomena at different altitudes. Check out The Space Elevator from https://neal.fun.
As always, thank you for your patience, your participation, and your continued commitment to our schools.
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