Superintendent Conrad’s weekly update for June 2, 2023.
Hello Bedford School Community,
National Custodial Workers Recognition Day
Today is our own version of National Custodial Workers Recognition Day! Thank you to all of the Bedford Public Schools Custodial and Maintenance Staff for all that they do to prepare our learning environments! They have been particularly important throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic. I am not sure where we would have been without the vital work they do for our students and families.
Graduation for the Class of 2023
Graduation for the Class of 2023 was held yesterday Thursday, June 1, 2023, at the Tsongas Center. Thank you to Principal Galante and the faculty and staff of the entire District for a wonderful ceremony. Congratulations to the Class of 2023! We wish you all the very best in your future endeavors.
Citizen’s Scholarship Foundation of Bedford News
I am excited to report that on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 CSF of Bedford Dollars for Scholars awarded $173,495.00 to 111 Bedford graduates in a wonderful community celebration in the Joseph Buckley Auditorium at BHS. Congratulations to our scholars. Now in its 58th year, this annual ceremony brought together family and friends, business and professional organizations, individuals, clubs and other groups, indeed the whole Bedford community, all in support of our deserving graduates. The CSF of Bedford Dollars for Scholars Board wishes to extend their grateful thank you to the whole Bedford Community and the Bedford School Administration for their continued support.
Bedford Department of Health and Human Services Gun Buy Back Events
The Bedford Department of Health and Human Services in conjunction with the Bedford Police Department is hosting two Gun Buyback events. The first will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2023, from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the Bedford Department of Public Works (DPW) at 314 The Great Road. At the event, residents can turn in any unwanted firearms from their homes and receive a $100 Visa gift card. The second event is a Toy Gun Buyback event to be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the Bedford Police Department, 2 Mudge Way. At this event, youngsters are encouraged to bring in their toy guns, meet Bedford Police Officers, and receive a voucher for a free ice cream from Bedford Farms. These events are part of the continuing Bedford Safe Campaign and are hosted by the Bedford Police and Health Departments, the Bedford Board of Health, and the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office. For more information, please navigate to www.bedfordma.gov/BedfordSafe.
Hanscom Air Force “Base Race” Event
On Tuesday, June 6th a group of twenty BHS students will be participating in the first annual “Base Race” on Hanscom Air Force Base. The “Base Race” is a collaboration between Bedford Public Schools and Hanscom Air Force Base personnel. The objective of the “Base Race” is twofold. The first is to introduce non-military-connected students with a behind-the-scenes look at some of the career opportunities that exist on a military installation. The second is to allow our BHS students to make connections with their incoming 8th-grade classmates from the Hanscom Middle School.
The trip will include various stops along the way which will include the Autonomous System Development Facility, the Lantern: Hanscom Collaboration and Innovation Center, the Digital Directorate, and the Command Control Communication Intelligence and Networks Directorate (C3I&N) to see a variety of technical capabilities being developed across the base. Each stop will include a 10-15 presentation/discussion with base personnel who work within each of these locations. The students will finish their day with a buddy lunch with the Hanscom Middle School eighth graders. Making early connections with our incoming military students will help with their transition to Bedford High School while building on our partnership with Hanscom Air Force Base. Click the Base Race Agenda to see an outline of the day.
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 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
LGBTQ Pride Month
June is LGBTQ Pride Month as designated by Presidential Decree. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Pride Month is celebrated each year during the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The purpose of the month is to recognize the positive impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally. For more information please visit
The Library of Congress About Pride Month
2nd Annual Bedford PRIDE Event
Bedford Youth and Family Services and the Parents Diversity Council (PDC) are proud to make Bedford’s PRIDE celebration an annual event! Please feel free to join them for an afternoon of community, solidarity, and fun for LGBTQ+ folks and allies on Sunday, June 11th, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bedford Town Common. This event is for all ages. There will be a dress-up parade, tables with information, crafts, stories, games, live music, and ice cream!
Bedford Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Event
The Bedford Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) invites everyone to join them for their end-of-year celebration at Red Heat Tavern on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at 7:30 PM. All are welcome to attend. Come out and meet or join other parents and caregivers of Bedford students receiving special education services. Appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.
Lane School’s Annual Chalk the Walk Event
This year Lane School will host its annual Chalk The Walk event during the week of Monday, June 5, 2023, and run through Friday, June 9, 2023. Our Lane School Chalk The Walk (CTW) is modeled after the Global Chalk The Walk initiative, which aims to build community and make art more accessible to everyone. Each year, Lane School artists explore a theme to guide their making. Past themes have included “positivity”, “kindness”, and “community”. This year’s theme has yet to be chosen. Regardless of this year’s theme, students are asked to consider the theme and share words or imagery that represent it. As in the past, we are hoping to have staff from throughout the district participate. Past participants have included staff from all four schools, our School Resource Officer, school counselors, and custodians. The Chalk the Walk event coincides with the Lane School’s unit on Artistic Communities.
Mental Health Discussion
The Bedford Rotary and the Bedford Youth and Family Services are inviting you to a presentation by Bob Anthony, Chair of the Rotary Action Group on Mental Health Initiatives Tuesday, June 6th, 2023 from 12:30 PM-1:30 PM in the Reed Room in Bedford Town Hall, 10 Mudge Way, Bedford, Ma. 01730. Bob is a recognized leader in the field of Mental Health, who will present on Rotary’s 2023 mission of Facing Mental Health Issues Head-On by breaking stigma, raising awareness, and increasing access to prevention and earlier treatment. To register, use this Sign-Up Form
Bedford Town Manager Search – Community Survey
Members of the Bedford community are encouraged to fill out an online survey with their feedback on the desired experience and attributes of the next Town Manager. The Select Board is currently searching for the next Town Manager, with support from Community Paradigm Associates and the Town Manager Search Screening Committee. This survey will be available until June 9, 2023. Survey link: https://forms.gle/ip553BCitfmzYhqE8 In addition to the survey, a community forum will be held in June. Details will be announced soon.
Bedford Family Connection Event
Please join the Bedford Family Connection as they celebrate 35 years of family fun! The 35th Anniversary Bash will take place on Saturday, June 24, 2023, from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM at the field at 12 Mudge Way in Bedford. Since its inception in 1988 Sara Dorer and Judi Babcock. Bedford Family Connection has been supporting families with children ages 0-5 in Bedford for the past 35 years! Bedford Family Connection has become a cornerstone of our community, providing support, connection, and resources for families in the area. To celebrate Bedford Family Connection will have a bubble performer, a live folk band with family-friendly music, a few giveaways, and ice cream to purchase! Click HERE for more information and to purchase tickets.
School Food News Update
The Lane School 3rd graders have been the pilot class for a “Share Cart” at lunch. Students can drop off unopened school-provided snacks they might not want, and can grab an extra item if still hungry. On average, we’re seeing 75% of unopened food be shared with others, which would otherwise go in the trash. Lane hopes to roll out to all classes next school year.
JGMS is just one week into its full sort trash program (liquids/trash/recycling/compost) and the students are already pros! The numbers are staggering-upwards of 80% of our trash weight being diverted to better uses (50% food waste to compost, 30% liquids down the drain vs incineration). We’ve brought trash weights from well over 100 pounds to under 20 on avg, creating big savings in carbon emissions and costs. JGMS will soon be rolling out a “Share Fridge” for the many unopened items collected each lunch period that can be taken as students head to events, sports, Boston, or the bus.
Thank you to Facilities, Food Services, custodians, building principals, teachers, and assistants for helping make these impactful initiatives possible.
Superintendent Chuang
Please note that incoming superintendent Cliff Chuang has sent an introductory message to the community. If you missed it please click on the LINK to the message on our website.
As always, thank you for your patience, your participation, and your continued commitment to our schools.
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