Editor’s Note: School news from Superintendent Philip Conrad, including a link to the schools’ current Covid statistics
DESE Mask Mandate
On Tuesday, October 26, 2021, Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley notified school districts in the Commonwealth that he has extended the mask requirement in all K-12 public schools through at least January 15, 2022. The Department, in collaboration with medical experts and state health officials, will continue to evaluate and consider other criteria that could be used in the future to lift the mask requirement based on public health data. For more information please see the DESE press release
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
Special Town Meeting on Monday 11/1/2021
Just a reminder that the 2021 Bedford Special Town Meeting will be held on Monday night, November 1, 2021 in the auditorium at Bedford High School. Doors will open at 6:00 pm and the meeting will begin at 7:30. Masks will be required of all attendees and seating will be arranged in a socially distanced manner with additional overflow rooms available if necessary.
The warrant and other materials, including video presentations, are posted on the Town Meeting webpage. For more information go to the Town Meeting Website for the meeting materials go to 2021 Meeting Materials 2021 Meeting Materials
DESE Vaccination Update
Late this week we heard from DESE Commissioner Riley that the COVID-19 vaccination for students ages 5 through 12 may be available in early November. As always we continue to encourage everyone to get vaccinated when they can and will work closely with Heidi Porter and the Bedford Health and Human Services Department to provide support for families and students in this next phase of our efforts to combat COVID-19.
For more information please navigate to Preparing for a Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine
COVID Case Updates
Please check the link below to review current and past cases of COVID-19 cases within our school community.
Link to COVID-19 Cases in the Bedford Public Schools This Week
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 309 tests at Davis, 374 tests at Lane, 221 tests at JGMS, and 125 tests at BHS. The results of the tests to date have all been negative.
BPS COVID-19 Testing Sign Up Link
Vaccination Outreach
We are working with the Bedford Health and Human Services department to reach out to families of students that are currently eligible to be vaccinated but who do not have COVID-19 vaccine documentation on file with our school nurses. If you are contacted we hope you will cooperate with the survey.
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
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
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,
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