Editor’s Note: As always, Superintendent Conrad’s Friday message is full of newsworthy information, from National Principal’s Month to good news Massachusetts students and the ACT, a link to the schools’ current Covid statistics, SEPAC, and more. Be sure to read it carefully!
October is National Principal’s Month
In honor of National Principals Month, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our principals for all of their hard work and dedication! We are fortunate to have four wonderful educators who continuously put our students first! If you have a chance please reach out and thank a principal today! National Principals Month
MA ACT Scores
This week we learned that Massachusetts high school students in the graduating Class of 2021 had the highest composite score in the nation on the ACT test The ACT is an annual predictive measure of college and career readiness for high school graduates. According to results released last week. Massachusetts public high school graduates had an average composite score of 27.9 out of a possible 36, up from last year (26.0). The national average was 20.3.
Streamlined COVID Communication
Please check the link below to review current and past cases of COVID-19 cases within our school community. Cases are immediately reported on the Town of Bedford COVID-19 Statistics Page which is continuously updated by the Bedford Department of Health and Human Services in conjunction with our School nurses and the Massachusetts Virtual Epidemiologic Network (MAVEN).
Link to COVID-19 Cases in the Bedford Public Schools This Week
Remember, this reporting change has not been a change to our COVID-19 protocols or processes.
COVID-19 Testing Programs
We continued with COVID safety checks this week for grades Pre-K to 12 with the exception of JGMS who didn’t test due to the holiday last Monday. This week we completed 303 tests at Davis, 380 tests at Lane, 2223 tests at JGMS due, and 122 tests at BHS. The results of the tests to date have all been negative.
BPS COVID-19 Testing Sign Up Link
Vaccination Rate Update
As we reported last week, our school nurses at JGMS and BHS working with data from the Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS) and direct outreach have confirmed that 71% of BHS students and 72% of JGMS 7th and 8th graders are fully vaccinated. This information was different from that seen in a recent Boston Globe article. After speaking with the Director of Health and Human Services it was determined that there may be two explanations for the discrepancy. First, the data may differ since individuals can “opt-out” of allowing their vaccination data to be shared with providers via MIIS. This would make the data inaccessible to our school nurses. The second possibility is that there are some students who live in Bedford but do not attend the Bedford Public Schools. Their data would be included in Bedford, but would not apply to our school data.
2021 Military Impact Aid Survey
As we do each October, we are asking for each parent/guardian’s 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 for all taxpayers.
This year the survey is fully electronic with an e-signature! Parents/Guardians will receive an email with a survey link for each student. It is very important that all surveys are completed and electronically signed for each student, as reimbursement is made for all eligible students on a per-pupil basis. This survey is repeated annually. We thank you very much for your assistance with this important annual survey. For further information please navigate to Annual Federal Impact Aid Survey
BPD Halloween Safety Tips
Thank you to Chief Bongiorno and the Bedford Police Department for sharing guidance and safety tips for Halloween. BPD reminds everyone that there are no COVID-related regulations on trick-or-treating this year in Bedford, but the Bedford Police Department urges all families to protect themselves by taking appropriate precautions against COVID-19 as they head out to enjoy the sweet and spooky fun that Halloween has to offer. For more information please navigate to BPD Halloween Safety Tips
Bedford Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC)
The Bedford Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC) is launching the Lenora Campoli SEPAC Speaker Series. The first featured speaker will be Caroline Mcguire, M.Ed. ACCG, PCC. Ms. McGuire will present Why Will No One Play With Me? On Wednesday, November 3, 2021at 7:00 PM at the John Glenn Middle School (JGMS) Auditorium at 99 McMahon Road, Bedford, MA 01730. Masks are required. The SEPAC invites all Parents, Caregivers, Educators, Administrators, and Community Members to this free event. For more information please navigate to Bedford SEPAC
BEST PTO Fall Fundraiser
The BEST PTO Fall Fundraiser catalog sale ends on Wednesday, October 27, 2021. Please be sure to return paper order forms to school with your student(s) on that day. Online sales will remain open until December 3. When all sales close, raffle prizes will be drawn – keep earning those entries! Direct donations to BEST in lieu of ordering items from the catalogs or meadowfarms.com will count toward raffle prizes as well. Please follow this link to make a direct donation. Questions? Please reach out to Carey Sclafani, Fall Fundraiser Coordinator, at [email protected].
Positions available
The Bedford Public Schools are seeking substitute teachers and Special Education Teaching Assistants. If you are interested please apply at BPS Substitutes or to BPS Special Education Teaching Assistants.
As always, thank you for your patience, your participation, and your continued commitment to our schools,
Loading ...
