Superintendent Chuang’s weekly update for September 1, 2023.
Dear Bedford Schools Community,
First Day of School – Tuesday, September 5, 2023
We look forward to welcoming students on the first day of school! The full school-year calendar can be found here.
Superintendent Chuang’s Entry Plan – Go slow to go fast; Whose voices are missing?
The School Committee convened for the first meeting of the school year on Tuesday, August 29, at 7 pm at Town Hall and also on Zoom. I presented my draft entry plan and took feedback from school committee members, sharing my intention to “go slow to go fast” and to elevate and seek out diverse perspectives as I listen, observe, and learn from stakeholders throughout the fall, before moving to analysis, synthesis, sharing (planned for February 2024) and collaborative planning. I welcome feedback and questions from members of the public, too, and plan to finalize and share my entry plan by the next school committee meeting on September 12.
Bus Routes and Stops are Posted!
Please visit the Transportation Web Page for each school’s bus routes and stops. Please note that the Bedford DPW has advised that paving will impact Davis Bus #1, Lane Bus #10 and JGMS/BHS Bus #8 on the first day of school. Each of these buses have adjusted ONE DAY/FIRST DAY Routes which are also posted on the site. Your patience is always appreciated as new school bus routines are established for all including drivers, students and parents and guardians! As always, please communicate any bus stop questions or concerns to the Business Office. All parent/guardian concerns are reviewed and considered in conjunction with established bus transportation policies (also posted online) during the first two weeks of school.
Welcome to New Families!
We are excited to welcome and support all of the new students and families who have moved into the district and who are joining BPS through the METCO program and HAFB. It was a pleasure to meet many of them at Scoops events throughout the summer. Many of our newest resident families are currently staying at the Bedford Plaza Hotel, and bring rich traditions and cultures from Latin America, including Haiti. The majority of students are younger and will be joining the Davis school community, though all grade levels still remain within class size guidelines overall, and we are working hard to add additional staff and supports to ensure that all students’ needs are met. Several students will also be joining our Lane and BHS communities. I am very proud of the BPS team who has quickly mobilized to work collaboratively with other Town departments and a whole host of community groups and individuals to ensure that each student is ready for the first day of school! Please see this website for more information and how to help. It will be updated as new information becomes available.
Picture: New BHS English Learner teacher Gretta Venuti with four of our newest BHS students.
Scoops with the Supe – Extra HAFB Edition in September
I truly enjoyed meeting many Boston families (as well as a few Bedford ones) at the Scoops with the Supe events in Boston on August 31, along with the gourmet ice cream from the Tipping Cow. This was intended to be the final Scoops event, but by popular demand, we are planning a HAFB edition in September, date and location to be announced. Stay tuned!
Free Lunch Forever!
With thanks to the Massachusetts state legislature and taxpayers, school lunch is now free in perpetuity for all students! Please note that free or reduced meal plan forms should still be signed, however, as it is important for the state to have that data to maximize the amount of federal funding we receive. Please read more about this and our new Food Services Director Tom Houle in this Bedford Citizen article.
Back to School Information
Each school and relevant programs have been sending out back-to-school information to relevant families. Please be on the lookout for these messages and reach out to the appropriate principal or program director if you have any questions.
Join the Bedford Public Schools Team – Priority Need for Teaching Assistants
We continue to look for individuals to join our amazing amazing team to serve families and students. We are hiring for a range of positions, with the largest need for special education teaching assistants (which do not require a bachelor’s degree). If you are interested in learning more about these positions or any of the others we have available, please visit our Bedford Public Schools job opportunities page.
I look forward to welcoming students on the first day of school, Tuesday, September 5, 2023!
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