Superintendent Chuang’s weekly update to Bedford Public Schools Community for the week of September 29.
Dear Bedford Public Schools Community,
In this update, I am happy to share the full schedule of Trail Walk & Talks, the annual survey opportunity to secure federal military funding for our schools, another story for Hispanic Heritage Month, and upcoming events.
Fall Trail Walk & Talks throughout October – Please Sign-Up!
The Bedford Trails Commission released an updated Bedford Trail Guide on Bedford Day. I am hoping to get to know the geography and neighborhoods of Bedford a bit better by walking the trails, and I would love company and the opportunity to continue hearing from community members about their hopes for our schools. I enjoyed the first walk of the Town Campus trail this week. The next Trail Walk & Talk is on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 5 p.m. at Fawn Lake, and the full slate for the month can be found here. These are intended for adult caregivers and community members, though kids are welcome if accompanied by an adult. For planning purposes and full details on where to park/meet, please register here (or use the QR code below). Walks will be canceled in case of rain.
Military Impact Aid Survey – due by October 21.
As we do each October, we are asking for parent/guardian cooperation in filling out a survey form to meet the requirements of Public Law 874. Under the provisions of Public Law 874, Bedford Public Schools must conduct an annual Military Impact Aid Survey. The Town of Bedford receives a substantial sum of money under this provision, which lowers the cost of education to the taxpayers and brings supplemental resources to Bedford that benefit all of our students. Help us identify all federally connected students whose families are Active Duty Military, live on Hanscom AFB, work on federal facilities (including Hanscom AFB, Bedford VA, Boston VA, Lincoln Public School on HAFB, Lincoln Labs, Mitre) or are Active Duty Military! All families will receive a unique survey for each student via a DocuSign email on Monday, Oct. 2.
Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) Reflections & Stories
Throughout the month, I will be sharing reflections and stories from Hispanic staff members (and possibly) students. Here is the next in the series, by Stef Arreaga, the mother of three of our students (who also started as a teaching assistant at Davis School this week!), as published in the Boston Globe:
My life was in danger trying to help children in Guatemala. I had to choose exile. A refugee journalist and humanitarian makes a new home in Boston with her family. By Stef Arreaga – Updated Sept. 15 at 7:54 a.m.
We landed at Logan Airport on a cold night in late November 2021. A diminutive Vietnamese man waited for us at baggage claim, smiling and holding out jackets, hats, and gloves. Out on the street, the winter cold nipped our faces. I remember the looks my three children gave me — a mix of astonishment, fear, and uncertainty.
On Interstate 93 headed to Dorchester, we looked out the back window at the twinkling lights of downtown, welcoming us to our new lives. From that moment, we couldn’t hear the word “Guatemala” without a lump in our throats, without missing every corner and taste of our country and more than anything, our family there.
Read in the full story in English | Lea la historia completa en español
Reminder: Community Survey – Please Respond by Friday, Oct 13.
The goal of this survey is to gauge the perspectives and opinions of students, staff, parents, and community members with a vested interest in Bedford Public Schools to inform my entry process.
Upcoming Observances and Events
- Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving (celebrated Sept. 28-30). Read more about this holiday here courtesy of BPS parent Andie Ryoo.
- Sukkot (Sept. 29 – Oct. 6 this year) is a major Jewish festival held in the fall season and is considered a harvest festival. This year, it begins tonight and ends on Friday, Oct. 6. A special hut called a sukkah is built and families eat, sing, read and enjoy traditions together in the sukkah for a week. Information courtesy of Karen Poli, administrative assistant at Davis School.
- School Custodian Day (Monday, Oct. 2) recognizes school custodians for maintaining and providing clean, healthy, and safe learning environments. Thank you to our entire custodial and maintenance crew for their hard work.
- Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration (Sunday, Oct 8 from 1 to 3 p.m.) at the Middlesex Community College Quad (or East Café if raining). Join a multi-town celebration of this land’s First Peoples! This free event for all ages will feature a fun and educational performance by the Mashpee Wampanoag Red Hawk Singers and Dancers. This event will also feature the work of local artisans Claudia Fox Tree (Arawak/Yurumein) of Arawak Design and Xochi Kountz of Crafts for Justice. More information can be found here or by contacting [email protected].
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