Schools

Online Learning to Begin for Bedford Public School Students

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The Bedford Public Schools, closed by state order until at least May 4 to slow the spread of Covid-19, this week forays into a new universe: “required engagement with online learning.”

In a letter to student households Friday, School Superintendent Jon Sills wrote that the remote experience will be guided by a recent collaborative vision statement. This includes “providing meaningful work, promoting choice, flexibility, creativity, and engagement; nurturing connections with students; and “factoring in the anxiety and other conditions that the crisis is imposing on students, educators, and their families.”

Schools

Middlesex Community College awards a Pair of Marie Ryder Beacon of Hope Scholarships

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Among the 11 Middlesex Community College Foundation scholarships awarded at the Nesmith House in Lowell on March 5, two were conferred in honor of recently retired Professor of Nursing Marie Ryder, a long-time Bedford resident.

The Marie Ryder Beacon of Hope Scholarship was awarded to nursing students Jaime Breingan of Billerica and Alhassan Musah of Lowell. MCC’s Nursing Department established the scholarship to honor Ryder’s retirement, after serving as an MCC Nursing Professor for 40 years. Ryder presented the scholarships with Dr. Sandra Shapiro, MCC’s Director of Nurse Education.

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Choosing Superintendent-Elect Philip Conrad

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The superintendent-elect of the Bedford Public Schools began his career as an art teacher, has led two Essex County high schools and is a member of the state education department’s Kaleidoscope Collective cohort.

Wednesday afternoon the School Committee unanimously voted to offer the position to Andover High School Principal Philip Conrad, effective July 1. Later that afternoon Conrad accepted, and soon discussions will begin on a contract.

The appointment culminates a months-long process to succeed Superintendent Jon Sills, who is retiring.

Shawsheen Valley Technical High School Donates Medical Supplies and Personal Protective Equipment

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Shawsheen Valley Technical High School recently donated medical supplies and personal protective equipment to local medical facilities in support of the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.

While the school is currently closed, members of Shawsheen Tech worked to gather the much-needed supplies that the facility had on-hand.  The supplies were from a variety of technical areas, including the school’s Life Science programs and Automotive Collision Repair and Refinishing program.

Schools

BREAKING NEWS: Bedford School Committee Offers Superintendent Position to Philip Conrad, Principal of Andover High School

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The School Committee Wednesday afternoon unanimously voted to offer the position of Bedford school superintendent to Andover High School Principal Philip Conrad, effective July 1.

The appointment is conditional on approval of a contract satisfactory to all parties. It was noted that Conrad is a finalist for another position, and School Committee Chair  JoAnn Santiago said she would call him immediately to notify him of the offer.

Bedford

Superintendent Selection Moved to Wednesday at 4 pm ~ Learn About the Finalists

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The Bedford School Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday at 4 p.m. to select the next superintendent of schools.

Click this link to see the agenda. Call-in details will be forthcoming; they will be added to this agenda that is posted on the Town’s calendar.

There are now three finalists, as over the weekend Dr. Frank Hackett, superintendent of the Braintree schools, withdrew. Remaining are Philip Conrad, principal of Andover High School; Nan Murphy, former principal of McAuliffe School in Lowell and now a senior administrator in the state education department; and Anthony Parker, principal of Weston High School

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The Search for a New Superintendent of Schools

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The search for a new Superintendent has continued despite the closure of the Bedford Public Schools.  Interviews were conducted with appropriate social distance and live-streamed via Bedford Television, with live feedback using conference call technology and continuing through an online survey.

The School Committee will meet at 7:30 pm on Thursday, March 26 to consider the finalists and select our next Superintendent of Schools.  In accordance with state and town directives, Thursday’s meeting will be streamed by Bedford TV, and public comment will be possible via a conference call at the start of the meeting. 

CSF Scholarship Application Deadline Extended to March 25

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The CSF of Bedford Dollars for Scholars Scholarship application period has been extended to March 25th.

Please send requests for Transcripts and References to meredith_tobe@bedfordps.org, and not to your counselor or teachers. http://bedfordma.dollarsforscholars.org for details.

2020 COVID-19

Bedford Public Schools ~ Resources and Enrichment Ideas

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I hope this message finds you all doing well. In response to the closure of BPS for the next few weeks, curriculum leaders, coaches, administrators, and teachers have been working hard to prepare enrichment activities for all Bedford Public School students.

School Committee to Interview Final Superintendent Candidates on Thursday at 7:30 pm and Friday at 1 pm ~ Livestream on Bedford TV

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The Bedford School Committee will interview finalists for the position of Superintendent of Schools in two meetings. The first will take place tonight, Thursday, March 19, at 7:30 pm, and the second on Friday, March 20 at 1 pm.

Because of COVID-19 restrictions limiting public gatherings, the interviews will be live-streamed by Bedford Television on their YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/user/BedfordTVMA

A survey to assess community reaction is available; click https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KF3CG6V to share your thoughts.

Schools

Community Interviews with Superintendent Candidates to Live Stream on Bedford TV at 2 and 4 pm TODAY

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Because of COVID-19 restrictions limiting public gatherings, community interviews with School Superintendent candidates Philip Conrad and Frank Hackett will be live streamed via Bedford TV on Thursday, March 19 via Bedford TV’s YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/user/BedfordTVMA

2 pm Philip Conrad, Andover High School Principal
4 pm Dr. Frank Hackett, Superintendent, Braintree Public Schools

Bedford

Shawsheen Tech’s School Committee Interviews Four Candidates for Superintendent of the School

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Shawsheen Vocational Technical High School is also in the midst of a superintendent search.

Four finalists have emerged after a comprehensive period of evaluation on the part of Shawsheen’s school committee.  Glenn McIntyre and Nancy Asbedian represent Bedford on the committee. The committee plans to name the new superintendent at their next meeting.

2020 COVID-19

Bedford’s Production of Legally Blonde Landed on TeenVogue.com!

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Bedford High School students were shocked and saddened last week to learn that their production of LEGALLY BLONDE, scheduled to be performed March 11 through 14, could not go on due to the risks of COVID-19 transmission. 

Turns out, they weren’t alone: thousands of students across the country faced similar fates, as schools closed and residents were encouraged to practice social distancing. Broadway veteran Laura Benanti posted an invitation on Twitter: send her pictures and clips of cancelled shows using the hashtag #SunshineSongs, and she’d retweet them to her followers. 

2020 COVID-19

MIAA Amends the Spring 2020 High School Sports Season Start Date

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The MIAA Board of Directors voted today, March 16, 2020, to amend the start of the 2020 spring sports season in light of recent mandates from Governor Baker and recommendations from governing health agencies.

The updated start date for the 2020 spring season is April 27, 2020.

Spring sports in Bedford include Boys Tennis, Girls Lacross, Boys Baseball, Girls Softball, Girls Tennis, and The Real Swag Flag (track)

2020 COVID-19

School Committee Announces Superintendent Candidates and Community Interviews UPDATE with Video Links

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As it prepares for the retirement of Superintendent Jon Sills in June, the Bedford School Committee has shared the names of the four candidates for superintendent of Schools.

Representing a 17-member committee who interviewed 12 candidates, Special Ed Director Marianne Vines made the announcement during Tuesday’s School Committee meeting. The candidates are:

Click the link to read the full story!

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MA History Day Regional Contests Canceled and Postponement

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“As state coordinators for National History Day in Massachusetts, we have been monitoring news of the spread of COVID-19 within Massachusetts, and have been in contact with school administration officials as we approach the regional contests this weekend. Due to confirmed or presumptive cases in at least two of our regional districts, we have made the decision to cancel the regional contests in all four districts on March 7 and 8,” said Elyssa Tardif and Kate Melchior, State Coordinators for National History Day in Massachusetts, on Friday, March 6

Schools

Moving Forward in the Search for a New Superintendent of the Bedford Schools

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The search for a new superintendent of Bedford Public Schools is moving to its next phase.
 
The Search, Screening and Interview Committee is wrapping up its work.  The Committee has reviewed applications, interviewed more than a dozen well-qualified candidates, and will recommend finalists to the School Committee at its meeting on Tuesday, March 10. 

Bedford

A Message from Superintendent of Schools Jon Sills ~ Information on the Coronavirus COVID-19

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In a message to school families and staff on Monday, Superintendent of Schools Jon Sills wrote, “While the risk of contracting the virus continues to be low in Massachusetts, recent developments, including CDC projections, require us to plan for the very real possibility that it will impact our school community.

“We have begun that planning and will keep everyone posted as it develops,” Sills concluded.

Bedford

Post-Season with the BHS Swim and Dive Teams

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Bedford High School swimmers and divers had a great postseason. The 2019/2020 team of 20 girls and 15 boys has some strong swimmers and divers.

There were great showings from the Bedford High Swim & Dive Teams Post Season; Boys 200 Medley relay breaks high school record; Sophomore Diver Bella Seldon places at State Division 2 championship!

Schools

Bedford High School Alpine Ski Team Concludes Regular Season

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The Bedford High School Ski Team finished its regular season on Thursday, February 13th at Nashoba Valley with 2 skiers, Jay Schwartz and Maggie Carluccio, qualifying for State Championships out of the Massachusetts Omega Conference and also being named Omega All-Stars.

The 2020 State Championship race will be at Berkshire East Ski Area on March 4th where over 300 Massachusetts high school ski racers (about 160 of each boys and girls) will compete for individual top 10 finishes and team State Championship in Slalom and Giant Slalom races.  

Congratulations to the BHS Boys’ Ice Hockey Team

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James Demeo has been named the DCL/MVC 3 Player of the Year, and Bobby Marcus, Sam Mortenson, TJ Mead, and Adam Driscoll received All-Conference honors. And, Coach Brian Seabury has been named DCL/MVC 3 Coach of the Year.

The team is ranked #1 in the playoffs, with a bye in the first game. Jeff JHO Hoyland expects that the second round play will begin this weekend.

A well-played season, gentlemen!