Superintendent Conrad’s Weekly Update ~ April 1, 2022

Editor’s Note: Superintendent Conrad’s message for April 1 includes news about the Month of the Military Child; Autism Awareness Month; Ramadan;  Arab-American Heritage Month; Annual Town Meeting; the JGMS musical; Covid testing and protocols; news about the Parents Diversity Council; and rate increases for public school substitute teachers.

Month of the Military Child

April is the Month of the Military Child and we are proud to recognize our military families and students to recognize their resilience. We celebrate military-connected children every year during the month of April.
It is an opportunity to celebrate our military students for their selflessness and sacrifice as they serve our country as part of a military family. The Month of the Military Child has been celebrated since it was established in 1986 by former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger. For more information please navigate to DODEA Month of the Military Child.
At BHS our military students will be feted with a breakfast, personalized certificates, dandelions (the official flower of the military child), a purple social media frame for picture taking, a Purple Up Day (April 14th), military minutes all month on BHS Live, and a cake at the end of the month. Additionally, BHS administrators will participate in the motorized parade that will take place on base on April 6, 2022.

Autism Awareness Month

April is World Autism Month, beginning with United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. Throughout the month, advocates focus on sharing stories and providing opportunities to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism, in order to foster worldwide support and create a world where all people with autism can reach their full potential. For more information please navigate to World Autism Awareness Month

Ramadan

The Holy Month of Ramadan will begin on Saturday, April 2, 2022, at sunset. Ramadan is a month of fasting, introspection, and prayer for Muslims around the world. The month commemorated the month in which the prophet Muhammad received the initial revelations which became the Quran.  The Holy month will end with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr which is a major holiday for Muslims. For more information about Ramadan please navigate to https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/ramadan

Get The Bedford Citizen in your inbox!



Arab American Heritage Month

April is Arab American Heritage Month which Celebrates the rich and diverse culture and contributions of the diverse population of Arab Americans. National Arab American Heritage Month has been observed during the month of April since 2017. For more information please navigate to Arab American History Month

Annual Town Meeting

Thank you to everyone who attended the 2022 Annual Town Meeting which began on Monday, March 28, 2022, and ran through Tuesday, March 29, 2022. At the ATM Bedford citizens debated a number of issues and approved many of the twenty-six warrants. The open town meeting form of government is a New England tradition dating back to the 17th century. For more information please navigate to Town Meeting Information

Disney’s High School Musical Jr.

The John Glenn Middle School Performing Arts Department will perform High School Musical tonight Friday, April 1st at 7 pm (this show will also have a live stream option available), and Saturday, April 2nd at 7 pm. All shows will be held at the JGMS Auditorium. Tickets are $10 plus fees. Tickets can be purchased by using the links below!
In-Person Performances: https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/61339
Friday Live-Stream: https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/61659

COVID-19 Testing

We continue to offer free COVID-19 testing via pooled testing (PCR tests) at each school every week, and free home test kits distributed every other week.

If you would like your child to resume weekly pooled testing after they have been off the roster for 90 days after testing positive for COVID-19,  please notify your child’s school nurse.  You do not need to sign up again.

Want to be part of our FREE at-home testing program or our pooled testing program?

FDA Extension of iHealth (Home Antigen Test Kits) Expiration Dates

On Tuesday 3/29/22, the FDA granted a three-month shelf-life extension for the iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test. As an example, if the expiration date on a test is April 1st, 2022, the new expiration date would be July 1st, 2022. To confirm the expiration date of an iHealth test kit, you can enter the lot number on the iHealth website here (this feature is case sensitive!) Please note that this extension is only in regard to the iHealth test kits and does not have any association with the timelines of the DESE testing program.

COVID-19 Email Addresses

All cases of COVID-19 (both home tests and tests from a medical provider) should be reported to your child’s school nurse using the following email addresses:

Masks for those who test positive for COVID-19

Please keep in mind that for infected individuals the current guidelines require masks to be worn within the ten-day infection period.

  • Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 will need to wear a mask after a 5-day isolation and/or quarantine period when around others for an additional five days, except when eating, drinking, or outdoors.
  • Individuals who experience COVID-19 symptoms should stay home and obtain testing.  If they receive a negative result and their symptoms improve (including remaining fever-free for a 24 hour period without fever-reducing medication), they can return to school but should continue to wear a mask until their symptoms fully resolve.
  • Unvaccinated individuals should continue to wear a mask in school settings.

COVID-19 Case Updates

The dashboard is up-to-date and can be accessed here:

Link to COVID-19 Cases in the Bedford Public Schools This Week

Pooled Testing Results Week of March 28, 2022

  • BHS 67 students, 37 staff,  0 positive cases
  • JGMS 156  students, 39 staff, 1 positive case
  • Lane 338 students, 38 staff  0  positive cases
  • Davis  280 students, 41 staff, 1 positive case

For weekly pooled testing we are using the single swab collection, placing 2 – 3 swabs in a “pool” to be processed by the lab, and if the pool detects a positive result, the school nurses will retest those individuals with rapid antigen tests, and if positive families will be notified and instructed on isolation procedures.  If the rapid test is negative and the individual is symptom-free, they can resume weekly COVID-19 testing the following week.

Cases Reported This Week Since March 24, 2022:

  • BHS 1
  • JGMS 7
  • Lane  7
  • Davis 1

PDC News

The Bedford Parent Diversity Council is sponsoring a discussion with author Jennifer De Leon on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, beginning at 7:00 PM in the Large Group Instruction (LGI) room at Bedford High School. Ms. De Leon is the author of Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From. Jennifer’s novel follows a Latinx student attending a suburban METCO program. The story of the book encourages all of us to get to know people as individuals. To RSVP please email [email protected]

BPS Substitute Rate Increase

As of April 1, 2022, the daily substitute rate for Bedford Public Schools will increase to $100.00 per day.  If you are interested in becoming a substitute, please apply at BPS Substitutes.

As always, thank you for your patience, your participation, and your continued commitment to our schools.

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Subscribe
Notify of

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

All Stories

What’s Bedford Thinking about the Red Sox?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...
  • Junior Landscaping
Go toTop