Notes from the Superintendent’s Update – Friday, March 1

This is a portion of the Superintendent’s Update by Superintendent Cliff Chuang mailed to Bedford Public School community on Friday, March 1. Please find this week’s full issue of Superintendent’s Update and back issues at bedfordps.org.

Cliff’s Notes

Dear Bedford Public Schools Community,

I am happy to report that the Finance Committee voted to approve the FY25 School Committee budget this past Tuesday. We appreciate the community support for our schools. I am also happy to highlight a new group, the EL Superstars at Lane School (pictured), led by English Learner teacher Dana Brett, who performed 2 songs and dances from the Broadway musical “Matilda” at the English Learner Parent Advisory Council meeting this Wed. evening. The students rehearsed 3 days a week with a Musical Theater class consisting of a jazz dance warm-up, practice with the lyrics, and lots of practice with the choreography and technique. The students worked extremely hard on the artistry of these songs and dances and had the opportunity to learn language and expression through the magic of musical theatre (which you can also experience at BHS next week!) arts. They will be performing again at the EL Awards Ceremony at JGMS on May 15. Congratulations to the group for the hard work leading up to a wonderful performance.

Sincerely,
Cliff Chuang 莊宏毅
Superintendent, Bedford Public Schools

Upcoming Events

March: Women’s History Month
March 2-17: 2024 Annual Regional High School Exhibit (lexart.org)
March 1-29: Minute Madness – A Reading Competition Between Libraries
March 5: Massachusetts Presidential Primary Election
March 9: Annual Town Election
March 9: 7:00pm – BEF Denim & Diamonds Bash (Cafe Escadrille, 26 Cambridge St., Burlington, MA)
March 12: School Committee Meeting – School Choice Vote 2024-2025 & Superintendent Chuang’s Entry Report Presentation
March 13-16: BHS Presents: The Addams Family musical, Bedford High School, Bedford High School
March 14: Women in Science Day at Lane School
March 15: No School – Staff Professional Day

School Committee Meeting Recap

At the February 27th meeting, the school committee voted to support the proposed Sabourin Field replacement project, heard an update on the district’s literacy shift, and discussed my mid-year reflection on my 2023-2024 superintendent goals. I also provided an update on Bedford’s emergency shelter. The state unofficially gave town officials notice during a recent weekly meeting with them that the shelter will be closed, though specifics about timing and location to where residents will be moved remain unclear. We understand the state is doing its best to connect as many residents of the shelter system to full services. Finally, committee members and others recognized Dan Brosgol for his 9 years of dedicated service to the Bedford Public Schools as a school committee member, since Tuesday was his last meeting. I want to publicly recognize his many contributions and dedicated support of the Bedford Public Schools and wish him well as he moves on to serve the community in other ways.

Artwork by Christina Kolak, BHS Class of 2024

The next School Committee meeting is Tuesday, March 12th at 7:00pm at the Select Board Room at Town Hall and via Zoom Webinar. Full supporting materials can be found here: School Committee – Meeting Schedule & Supporting Documents. Feel free to reach out with any questions.

2024 Annual Regional High School Exhibit featuring BHS Students

Reception Sunday, Mar 3, 2-4 pm (Artwork on view from Mar 2 to Mar 17)

Featuring the work of students from Bedford, Concord-Carlisle, and Winchester high schools, this exhibit showcases the creativity and innovation of area students and high school art programs and helps raise funds for our high school scholarship program. Please stop by to support BHS artists!

March 14: Women in Science Day at Lane School + Lane Kids Sharing Science

March is Women’s History Month. As reported by Kaitlin Curran, 4th grade teacher and elementary science coordinator, female scientists will be visiting the Lane School on March 14 to share about their careers. We are deeply grateful to the community for their support. Research has shown that exposing children to real-world professionals who are enthusiastic about their fields can have a profound impact on their aspirations and goals for the future. Our goal is to support our students in shifting their perceptions of what it means (and takes) to be a scientist. By connecting them with real scientists in their community, we hope to demonstrate that the world of science and technology is open to everyone, regardless of gender.

In addition, all fourth graders at Lane recently met Dr Ethan Baxter, a geology professor at Boston College. Dr Baxter came to the Lane school to teach children about the amazing stories rocks can tell us. Four students represented Lane School with the filming of Dr Baxter’s fourth season of the regional Emmy-nominated You Tube series, “Every Rock Has a Story.” Here’s is the first one featuring Mavi at 0:26 and 9:04 in the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh96CUCnIUo&t=2s

Minute Madness – A Reading Competition Between Libraries

Coming to your library March 1st! When: March 1 – March 29, 2024

We are once again participating in Minute Madness, a bracket style Reading Competition between libraries. Sign up and log your minutes to help us beat other Massachusetts Libraries.

Sign up on Beanstack or log on paper to help us outread other MA libraries. Every week you participate you will be entered into a raffle.

Raffles for kids, teens and adults!

Pick up a sign and let everyone know you are helping Murphy and the library win. Have a child? Pick up a tiny (stuffed animal) Murphy to read to!

Questions? Stop by the library and ask!

BHS Presents the Addams Family

The musical is in the final weeks of rehearsal and students and adults involved are excited to bring The Addams Family to our school community. In addition to a fantastic acting and tech crew, Bedford High School is one of the few high schools to have an all student pit orchestra for the production.

Tickets are open to the public on Monday, February 26. BHS faculty typically receive (1) comp ticket to the Wednesday show. However, if you plan on attending on any other day, purchase tickets using the link below.

Ticket Link: https://bhschorusandtheater.weebly.com/tickets.html

Show Dates & Times:
Wednesday, March 13 @ 4:30
Thursday, March 14 @ 7:00
Friday, March 15 @ 7:00
Saturday, March 16 @ 1:00 & 7:00