Notes from the Superintendent’s Update – Friday, May 31

This is a portion of the Superintendent’s Update by Superintendent Cliff Chuang mailed to Bedford Public School community on Friday, May 31. 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,

As this message goes out, our 8th graders are on buses returning from a week of learning in our nation’s capital (see some of them at the Lincoln Memorial below), while all of us are rolling full steam ahead to the end of the school year. However, we continue to plan for a strong start to the school, including finalizing our selection of CKLA as our new K-5 literacy curriculum, and putting new fiscal controls in place to ensure that we can wisely track and invest our resources. I also forward to sharing some additional details about the strategic planning process underway prior to the end of the school year. I hope to see many of you at the BHS Graduation next Thursday!

Sincerely,
Cliff Chuang 莊宏毅
Superintendent, Bedford Public Schools

Upcoming Events

June: Pride Month
June 6: 6:15 pm – BHS Graduation, Tsongas Center
June 6-7: Class of 2024 All Night Graduation Celebration
June 9: 2-4 pm: 3rd Annual Pride Celebration – Bedford Town Common
June 10: 7:00 pm – School Committee Meeting
June 17 – LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!
June 19: Juneteenth (BPS Offices Closed)

School Committee Meeting Update

At the May 28th School Committee meeting, members discussed the district’s selection of a new literacy program, a proposal to re-introduce a JGMS honor roll, and plans to implement additional fiscal controls for FY25. The last regularly scheduled School Committee meeting will be on Monday, June 10th (since there will be special town meeting on Tuesday, June 11). Full supporting materials can always be found at School Committee – Meeting Schedule & Supporting Documents.

Class of 2024 All Night Graduation Party!

For over three decades, from 1988 to 2023, the BHS All Night Graduation Celebration Committee has held a safe, substance-free overnight party for the graduating class. Throughout the night, the Class of 2024 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. Volunteer opportunities are also available! To learn more, read our parent/caregiver letter here.

You can learn more about the All Night Graduation Celebration by visiting our website: All Night Grad Party – BHSPA

Author Visit: Mitali Perkins

“What journey are you on?” Thank you to Mitali Perkins for engaging us in an inspired conversation about a love of stories, a hero’s journey, practicing humility, and following your purpose. We agree that “we need all kinds of stories for all kinds of kids.”

To read more, please follow this link: ICYMI – May 29, 2024

Thank you to the @pdc_bedford for providing this enrichment opportunity for our JGMS community!

‘Faces of Bedford’ Series of Video Interviews

We are happy to share a new series of profiles called Faces of Bedford prepared by volunteers from Bedford Embraces Diversity with technical support from Bedford TV, featuring members of our diverse community, many with connections to the Bedford Public Schools.

In recognition of Pride Month in June, this week we are featuring the episode about Bedford Embraces Diversity Board Member, Marilou Barsam and her wife, Sarah Thompson. Marilou & Sarah have been together for over 30 years and met while playing tennis in Boston. They have a daughter, Lily, who attended Bedford Public Schools and is currently a sophomore at Wheaton College. To learn more, please view the video below.