Notes from the Superintendent’s Update – Friday, June 7

School officials on stage during Thursday’s Class of 2024 commencement exercise. Photo by Jenny Stewart

This is a portion of the Superintendent’s Update by Superintendent Cliff Chuang mailed to Bedford Public School community on Friday, June 7. 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,

Congratulations to the BHS Class of 2024, who graduated yesterday evening (pictured below). And Congratulations to BHS for being designated a Purple Star School. I am also happy to announce the appointment of Jessica Colby as the Interim Principal for the Davis School in 2024-2025, with best wishes to outgoing principal Beth Benoit. I urge us all to hold fast to our core values of achievement, inclusivity, community, and empathy as we head full steam ahead to the end of the year

Sincerely,
Cliff Chuang 莊宏毅
Superintendent, Bedford Public Schools

Upcoming Events

June: Pride Month
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! (Early Dismissal)
June 19: Juneteenth (BPS Offices Closed)

School Committee Meeting Update

The last regularly scheduled School Committee meeting will be on Monday, June 10th (since there will be special town meeting on Tuesday, June 11). Items include BHS and JGMS handbook, revisions, the superintendent’s evaluation, and a finance update. Also, a stand-alone executive session scheduled for June 12th. Full supporting materials can always be found at School Committee – Meeting Schedule & Supporting Documents.

Jessica Colby to Serve as Davis School Interim Principal for 2024-2025

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Jessica Colby as interim principal for the Davis School for the 2024-2025 school year. Ms. Colby has ably served the Davis School community as Assistant Principal for the last 8 years and is well-equipped to lead during this time of transition. I am excited to welcome her onto the Bedford Public Schools leadership team and for her continued service in this new role. Please note that we are also posting the opportunity to serve as interim assistant principal today, and plan to share that appointment before the end of the school year. We will conduct an open, full-scale, stakeholder-involved search for a permanent principal beginning early in 2025, with more details about how to participate in the process to follow in the fall. I also want to take this opportunity to thank outgoing principal Beth Benoit, who has served the Bedford Public Schools with passion and dedication over the past 11 years. Though we only worked together for one year, I have quickly come to appreciate and deeply respect Beth’s fierce, student-centered leadership. We wish her well in her new position as Principal of the K-6 Penn Brook Elementary School in Georgetown, MA. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly with any questions or concerns.

Bedford High School Purple Star Award Designation

Bedford High School has been awarded the Class 2024 Purple Star Designation! The award is the first of its kind in Massachusetts, having been established during the 2023-2024 school year. Recipients of this award support military-connected students enrolled and attending their schools, as well as the families and staff who interact with military-connected students. The goal of this award is to recognize schools that are helping to close any educational gaps military-connected students experience as a result of their high mobility while their parent/guardian is serving our country.

Participate in Lane’s Annual Chalk the Walk Event!

Lane School will host its 4th Annual Lane Chalks The Walk (LCTW) from June 10 – June 14, 2024! During the week of LCTW, all students venture outside during their art classes and use sidewalk chalk to create themed drawings. The theme for LCTW 2024 is IMAGINE. Modeled after the global Chalk The Walks (CTW) initiative, LCTW aims to build community through artmaking while spreading joy, optimism, and inspiration. The event coincides with the art program’s curricular focus on artistic communities. While LCTW is a school-based, student-only event, we invite families and community members to participate from home! Work solo or get creative with others; Jen Ferrari, visual art teacher at Lane School, would be happy to receive pictures of you and yours embracing artmaking out in the community. Read more about last year’s event in The Bedford Citizen to get inspired!