2021 Covid-19

Superintendent’s Update ~ New Positive Covid Cases: 1 at BHS and 1 at Davis School ~ January 21, 2021

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January 21, 2021

* One (1) new COVID-19 positive case at Bedford High School (BHS case #39), no close contacts.
* There are currently three (3) active COVID-19 positive cases in the BHS community.
* This case does not appear to be connected or related to previous cases identified in school.

Last night I was informed that there has been one (1) new case of COVID-19 reported within the Bedford High School (BHS) Community.   This case is in isolation at home.  BHS case #39 was not present in school during their infectious period and investigations revealed that no close contacts were identified within the school community.

January 21, 2021,  later in the day

* One (1) new COVID-19 positive case at Davis School (DS case #16), no close contacts. 
* There are currently two (2) active COVID-19 positive cases in the DS community.
* This case does not appear to be connected or related to previous cases identified in school.

Today I was informed that there has been one (1) new case of COVID-19 reported within the Davis School (DS) Community. This case is in isolation at home. DS case #16 was present in school during their infectious period and investigations revealed that no close contacts were identified within the school community.

2021 Covid-19

Superintendent’s Update ~ New Positive Covid Cases ~ 2 each at BHS & Davis, 1 at JGMS ~ Jan. 19, 2021

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January 19, 2021

* Two (2) new COVID-19 positive cases at Bedford High School (BHS case #37 & case #38), no close contacts. 
* One (1) new COVID-19 case at JGMS (JGMS case #9), close contacts have been identified. 
* Two (2) new COVID-19 positive cases at Davis School (DS case# 14 & 15), no close contacts. 

There are currently two (2) active COVID-19 positive cases in the BHS community,  three (3) active cases in the JGMS community, two (2) active cases in the Lane School community, and (3) active cases in the Davis School community at this time. 

These current cases do not appear to be connected or related to previous cases identified in these schools.

BHS Girls’ Basketball ~ Home Game, Tuesday Jan. 19 at 4:30 pm, Livestream on Bedford TV

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The surging girls’ basketball Buccaneers of Bedford High School entertains Wayland this week, beginning with Tuesday’s 4:30 p.m. home game that will be live-streamed on Bedford TV’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/BedfordTVMA)

The girls’ most recent success was a great team win, 56-30 at Weston on Friday. The balanced scoring attack was led by sophomore Sydney Poor with 13, Katherine Vaughn, a junior, added 10 and senior Shayla Fedele scored eight.

Bedford Ski Team

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The Bedford High School ski teams lost their opening contests of the 2021 season Thursday against combined teams from the high schools in Leominster and Lunenberg. The giant slaloms took place at Nashoba Valley Ski Area in Westford.

Superintendent’s Update ~ Friday, January 15, 2021

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Just a reminder that Monday, January 18, 2021 is a federal holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The third Monday each January is a national day of service.  For more information about service opportunities please visit the MLK Day of Service website.  For more information about Dr. King please visit the National Park Service MLK Memorial website.

Homepage Top Story

Bedford Schools are Safe Places to be During the Pandemic

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Jan. 12, 2021—Superintendent of Schools Philip Conrad Tuesday presented the School Committee with four months of Covid-19 case data that indicate Bedford schools are safe places to be during the pandemic.

Between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31, there were 26 cases of the coronavirus verified among faculty and staff and 14 involving students. Only one of those 40 cases was possibly transmitted in school, Conrad said, adding that even that one is categorized only because the source could not be ascertained.

The school-by-school breakdown is Davis School, five adults, and three students; Lane School, three adults, and three students; John Glenn Middle School, three adults, and one student; Bedford High School, 15 adults, and seven students.

“We had one case where there was no real clear transmission from person to person. We had to make the assumption that it was an in-school transmission,” Conrad reported. “All the others have been confirmed as outside of school.”

“It sounds like the schools are a very safe place,” said committee member Brad Morrison. His colleague JoAnn Santiago pointed out that the policy of six-foot physical distancing precluded close contact that could have resulted in transmission.

2021 Covid-19

Superintendent’s Update ~ New Positive Covid Cases ~ 1 at BHS, 1 at Davis, & 1 at Lane~ January 11, 2021

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January 11, 2021

* One (1) new COVID-19 positive case at Bedford High School (BHS case #34) no close contacts. 
* One(1) new COVID-19 case at Davis School (DS case #10) no close contacts.  
* One (1) new COVID-19 case at Lane School (LS case #11) close contacts have been identified. 

There are currently seven (7) active COVID-19 positive cases in the BHS Community,  two (2) active COVID-19 positive cases in the Davis School Community, and one (1) active case in the Lane School Community at this time.  

2021 Covid-19

Bedford Board of Health Statement on Protective Measures in Bedford Public Schools

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Bedford Board of Health encourages and supports that the Bedford Public Schools employ maximum social distancing possible, use of masks by all students and staff, promote frequent handwashing/sanitizing, regular cleaning and sanitizing of high touch surfaces, maximize air exchanges, have consideration for implementation of a testing program, and conduct daily screening for symptoms to minimize the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in students and staff.

Approved – January 4, 2021

Bedford

Saturday’s Bedford-Waltham Hockey Game Ends in a 2-2 Draw

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Bedford and Waltham battled to a 2-2 draw in Dual County League hockey action Saturday at The Edge.

Senior Co-Captain Bobby Marcus scored both Bedford goals, including the second-period shot that tied the score. Jack Venuti and Chris Woo assisted on the first Marcus goal, and Co-Capt. Adam Driscoll assisted on the other.

Earlier in the week at Waltham, the IceBucs fell to the Hawks 3-1. Venuti, on a feed from Marcus, was the lone scorer.

Goalie TJ Mead totaled 64 saves for the two-game series. Coach Brian Seabury mentioned the standout play of defenseman Ittai Wiseman in both contests.

Bedford

BHS Boys Basketball Team faces the Weston Wildcats on Tuesday and Friday

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The Bedford High School boys’ basketball team, winner of its first two games in this unique season, faces the Weston Wildcats in a Dual County League two-game series Tuesday and Friday.

The first game is at Weston and the return match is scheduled for the BHS gymnasium. There are no spectators permitted but the home game can be seen on the Bedford TV YouTube channel beginning at 6 p.m.

2021 Covid-19

School Committee Explores Ways to Bring More Elementary School Students Back to In-Person Learning

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Jan. 5, 2021—School Committee members Tuesday continued to push for exploring ways to bring more elementary school children back to in-person learning during the current academic year.

Superintendent of Schools Philip Conrad agreed to prepare one or more scenarios for restoring full-time, in-person school for at least the youngest learners. He expects to present to the School Committee later this month.

The impetus was provided by the newest member of the committee, Brad Morrison, who asserted, “I believe we have time to make three or four more moves toward a phased return between now and the end of the year. I don’t think we can stop now.”

Superintendent’s Update ~ Friday, January 8, 2021

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I had hoped to open my first letter of 2021 with lighthearted remarks about the end of 2020 and our looking forward to ushering in the new year.  However, the events of Wednesday evening in Washington D.C. changed the trajectory of my message.  Like so many Americans, I was overcome with sadness for our country. The events in Washington DC were difficult to watch and impossible to believe. My thoughts immediately turned to our teachers and administrators who would be greeting our students on Thursday morning.  I sent them a quick message thanking them in advance for the courageous conversations to come. I was grateful that each principal worked with their faculty to provide a moment of reflection and community building. The principals and other colleagues also offered age-appropriate resources to help guide those important classroom conversations. This thoughtful approach is so important to our students and families and I am grateful to our faculty and staff for everything that they have been called on to do and the grace with which they do it.

Superintendent’s Update ~ New Positive Covid Cases ~ 1 at BHS & 1 at JGMS~ January 8, 2021

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January 8, 2021

* One (1) new COVID-19  positive case at Bedford High School  (BHS case #33) and one (1) new case at (JGMS case #6) have been identified.
* BHS Case #33 and JGMS case #6 were both determined to have no in-school contacts.
* There are currently six (6)  active COVID-19 positive cases in the BHS Community  and two (2) active COVID-19 positive cases in the JGMS community at this time.

2021 Covid-19

Superintendent’s Update ~ 1 New Positive Covid Case at BHS ~ January 7, 2021

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January 7, 2021

* One (1)  new COVID-19  positive case at Bedford High School  (BHS case #32)
* Close contacts within the Bedford School Community have been identified and have been instructed to quarantine   
* There are currently six (6) active COVID-19 positive cases in the BHS Community at this time.  

Superintendent’s Update ~ 10 Positive Covid Cases Reported During Winter Break ~ January 5, 2021

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Covid cases reported during Winter Break

* Davis School –  one (1) new COVID-19 positive case was identified over break (DS case #9) and was determined to have no in-school contacts.
* Lane School –  four (4) new COVID-19 positive cases were identified over break (LS cases # 7, 8, 9 & 10) and were determined to have no in-school contacts.
* John Glenn Middle School – one (1) new COVID-19 positive case was identified over break (JGMS case # 5) and was determined to have no in school contacts.
* Bedford High School – four (4) new COVID-19 positive cases reported over break (BHS cases #24, 25, 26, & 27) and were determined to have no in-school contacts.

There are currently seven (7) active COVID-19 positive cases in the Bedford Public School Community at this time.  One (1) at Davis School, four (4) at Lane School, one (1) at JGMS, and two (2) at Bedford High School.

Bedford

Letter to the Editor: My Weekday School Thanks Flatbread for its ‘Benefit Bake’ Fundraiser

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My Weekday School (MWS), a private, nonprofit preschool in Lexington, was pleased to partner with Flatbread Company for a fundraising “Benefit Bake” on December 10.

The event brought out many MWS families, some currently attending and also some alumni families.  Teachers and staff of MWS also made the evening their family pizza night with a delicious meal from Flatbread.  Stephanie Jelloe of Flatbread described the evening as a good turnout.

Schools

Superintendent’s Update ~ Positive Covid Cases at JGMS and BHS ~ December 24, 2020

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December 24,  2020

* One (1) new COVID-19  positive case at Bedford High School  (BHS case #23) and one (1) new case at (JGMS case # 4) has been identified.
* BHS Case #23 and JGMS case #4 were both determined to have no in-school contacts.  
* There are currently three (3) active COVID-19 positive cases in the BHS Community  and two (2) active COVID-19 positive cases in the JGMS community at this time. 

Superintendent’s Update ~ Wednesday, December 23, 2020

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As we enter the December vacation I wanted to take a moment and wish everyone a restful vacation. On Monday we endured the shortest day of the year.  From here on out we will begin adding minutes of daylight each day until June.

It seems appropriate to share the last stanza of “Year’s End” by poet Richard Wilbur with you as 2020 comes to an end. To read the complete poem please visit Year’s End by Richard Wilbur

Superintendent’s Update ~ Friday, December 11, 2020

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We have had a lot of information come to us this week.  We began the week with Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and ended the week with the beginning of a winter holiday.  In the middle of the week, we heard from the Commissioner of Education and the Governor.  We actually heard from Governor Baker twice this week.

2020 COVID-19

Superintendent’s Update ~ Positive Covid Cases at JGMS and BHS ~ December 2, 2020

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December 2, 2020

* One (1) new COVID-19 positive case at JGMS (JGMS Case #2) has been identified and was determined to have no in- school
* One (1) new COVID-19 positive case at BHS (BHS Case # 18 ) has been identified and was determined to have no in-school
* There is currently one (1) active COVID-19 positive case in the JGMS Community at this
* There is currently one (1) active COVID-19 positive case in the BHS Community at this time.

2020 COVID-19

Superintendent’s Update ~ Two Positive Covid Cases at Davis School ~ November 29, 2020

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November 29, 2020

* Two (2) new COVID-19 positive case at Davis School (Davis Cases #6 and #7) have been identified
* Davis Cases #6 and #7 are not related to any other positive cases at Davis that have been reported in previous notifications and do not appear to be related to in-school transmission
* Close Contacts of Cases #6 and #7 have been identified by contact tracers, have been instructed to quarantine, and will be learning remotely during the quarantine
* There are 4 active COVID-19 positive cases in the Davis School Community at this time.

Extra, Extra!

A Volunteer Project with H.E.A.R.T.

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Four members of the BHS Class of 2024 worked together over the summer to create and market a 2021 calendar. Caroline Liu, Christina Kolak, Layla Brown, and Kaylyn Sethakosee created their quarantine project over the summer to support the Bedford VA.  

2020 COVID-19

FINAL: School Committee Votes to Return Kindergarten and Youngest Learners with Moderate Learning Disabilities to Full-Day, In-Person Classes

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The School Committee unanimously voted on November 23 to take steps needed for the return of all kindergarten students, as well as a cohort of 149 students with moderate learning disabilities, to full-day in-person learning.

The changes from the current hybrid model, which will necessitate the hiring of nine teachers and assistants for about a half-year, will cost less than $400,000, including approximately $220,000 for personnel. As much as $178,000 in possible additional expenses for equipment and materials for students and teachers was also authorized.

Most of the money will come from available funds, including a reserve fund transfer. No town meeting action will be needed.

* Editor’s Note: A preliminary edition of this article was posted at 9 pm on Tuesday, November 24