BEDFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

SUPERINTENDENT’S NEWSLETTER

Fall, 2002

Dr. Maureen L. LaCroix Vicki L. Simms John J. Antonucci Superintendent of Schools Assistant Superintendent Director of Finance 781-275-7588 781-275-2155 781-275-7708

Inside this issue: It is always a pleasure to compile the first newsletter of the school year as students, families, faculty, and staff relish the opportunity to begin anew. Those of us privileged to work in Special points of schools are always energized and frequently inspired by the rebirth that occurs each Sep- tember as we set goals and implement plans for another school year. With the start of the interest 2002-2003 year, many of us will also pause to remember the last school year that started with a September 11th we will never forget. In pausing we will remember the victims, heroes, · Superintendent’s Message families, and a nation forever changed by an event that still seems unimaginable. In pausing · Emergency School Closing we should also stop to count the many blessings that we share; for those of us who work for the Bedford Public Schools, one of the blessings is the opportunity to serve such a supportive · Health Services community.

· New Administrators As I look back on the preparation for the 2001-2002 school year, I remember the administra- tive team struggling with many changes and adopting Who Moved My Cheese? as an appro- · Special Education priate guide for the challenges we faced in coming together as a new team. For the 2002- 2003 school year, we have adopted Tom Sergiovanni’s text, Moral Leadership, to guide our · Calendar of School Events efforts and Marcia Brown’s children’s story, Stone Soup, to remind us that this thing called leadership requires the contributions and collaboration of the entire village.

Preparation for the school year has been extensive in terms of both professional develop- Inside this issue: ment and curriculum development. Later in the newsletter, you will see a more extensive description of some of the work completed in recent months. The summer of 2002 has also been very productive on the facilities front with substantial progress on both building and capital projects. The John Glenn Middle School renovation is well underway with the new Curriculum Highlights 2 classroom addition ready for the opening of school. To date, the middle school project has been both on time and within budget. At the Davis School the air conditioning project has Middle School Construction 3 been completed on the second floor of the building. Funding from the Capital Budget has also been instrumental in allowing us to make progress on the facility deficits cited by the BHS Feasibility Study 4 New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), the accreditation agency for the high school. The high school will remain on “warning” status with NEASC until such a time as the facility needs are addressed. In the short term, we have started to address those facil- Personnel Changes 4 ity needs via the renovation of lavatories, the installation of a state-of-the-art Foreign Lan- guage Lab, and the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment for the Science Program. The MCAS Test Dates 6 next step for addressing the needs of the high school will be completion of the Feasibility Study, a task set to commence early in September. During the Feasibility Study we will identify enrollment trends, space needs, and program needs for the next decade. The Fea- Title IX Notification 7 sibility Study will be completed prior to the Annual Town Meeting in March.

Local Initiatives 8 In addition to significant facilities work, the summer also represents a prime hiring season for the schools. In September we will welcome 31 new teachers and three new administra- School Lunch Program 9 tors. John Sullivan, a long-term Social Studies teacher at Bedford High School, has replaced the retiring Pat Spinosa as Program Administrator for Social Studies. Terri Gerrish, a middle school mathematics teacher, has assumed the reigns as Acting Assistant Principal for John Workshop/Parent Conference 9 Glenn Middle School. Rob Clickstein has come to Bedford as our new Food Service Director. Dates

School Telephone Numbers 10 Key system goals for 2002-2003 include: the development of the 2011 Vision, a process that began during the last school year; the implementation of MEET teams, interdisciplinary ini- tiatives designed to integrate technology into the curriculum at each of the schools; and the (Continued on page 2) Page 2

(Continued from page 1) environment as directed by the De- dards-based instruction. partment of Education. The involve- adoption of a restructuring model for ment of faculty in these areas extends Technology advances in all schools the middle school. In addition, we will over the full calendar year beginning continue. The JGMS team of teachers, continue efforts to improve communi- in the summer. In collaboration with awarded a Department of Education cation with the community through an other school districts, elementary MEET grant, initiated a model of tech- expanded webpage, additional super- teachers received training in the nology integration into the classroom intendent’s coffees, and the increased Everyday Math program from the that will expand to all schools. A use of electronic communication with EDCO Collaborative. High School “MEET team” at each level will re- our families. With the passage of the Language Arts teachers participated ceive intensive training in the use of federal legislation “No Child Left Be- in a Department of Education spon- technology within the classroom; hind” (NCLB), we will need to focus sored Content Institute on Reading in evaluate software and Internet re- our attention on the implications of the Content Area. Science depart- sources; and engage in lesson devel- this legislation for our instructional ment members from both Bedford opment using rubrics and standards and assessment practices. Needless High School and the John Glenn Mid- based methods. In preparation for to say, we have significant, important dle School received training on the this work, Bedford has funded Alpha- work ahead of us. use of scientific probeware for labora- Smart laptops, mobile laptop labs and tory experimentation. Vernier science . Faculty at the Lane In closing, the Bedford School Com- School selected a wide array of soft- mittee and I want to thank you on be- Beginning with Kindergarten training ware to place in their media library half of the entire staff for your contin- in mathematics instruction and phone- for small group and classroom use. ued support of the Bedford Public mic reading instruction, professional Future training in the implementation Schools. Please join us in making this development offerings addressed a of this software is ongoing. a wonderful school year. wide variety of content area needs. At the Davis elementary school, a wet- At Bedford High School, the new lands project, funded by the Depart- World Language lab will afford staff ment of Education, engaged the full and students the occasion to expand faculty in the development of lessons the former audio capacities of lan- Key System Goals using the world outside of the class- guage learning to digitized video pro- 2002-2003 room. Summer training furthered the duction and enhanced student – work of the academic year. Grade 2 teacher communication. Science teachers worked with a consultant on classrooms were outfitted with SMART · Complete Feasibility the creation of a the Readers’ Work- Boards, computer connected white Study for Bedford High shop for addressing the reading com- boards that provide full classroom in- School prehension needs of their students. struction capacity with Internet con- nectivity. The use of this technology · Create Vision 2011 Lane faculty members, Linda Vol- allows students to receive daily lesson picelli and Gretchen Dick ran a portfo- notes as well as experience immedi- · Expand Standards- lio and rubric course “Frameworks, ate reinforcement of class discussions Portfolios, and You!” and “Have You through web site access. based Practices Had Your Rubric Today?” for 25 Lane teachers. Successful writing strate- Bedford is progressing in the re- gies as well as portfolio techniques sponse to state directed mandates. All were shared and an examination of program directors and school admin- the instruction of reading comprehen- istrators have been trained in the use sion began. As part of this examina- of Test Wiz, a powerful data collection tion, four teachers attended training in software. For the fourth consecutive Guiding Readers and Writers Grades year, a new cohort of teachers partici- 3-6. pated in the Coalition for Higher Stan- Curriculum Highlights dards program, “Creating a Stan- Bedford continues to participate in the dards-based Classroom.” In the fall of Teachers as Scholars program in 2002, a group of 10 additional secon- Curriculum highlights in Bedford over which faculty from all levels may at- dary staff will follow this instruction the past school year can be viewed tend courses at local colleges in their with “Instruction for All”, investigating within the areas of professional devel- various disciplines. In addition, a new the planning, implementing and as- opment programs, technology imple- cohort of ten teachers will receive sessing of instruction and learning in mentation, and the continuation of training from MASS Insights, increas- the standards-based classroom, differ- alignment within the standards-based ing faculty understanding of stan- (Continued on page 3) Page 3

(Continued from page 2) entiated instruction, classroom applica- JGMS Construction Facilities Summer tions of multiple intelligences and learn- Project Projects ing styles research, and learning how to learn. Principals will also participate in a 3 day follow up workshop to advance It has been a busy summer at the John The Bedford Facilities Department is their skills in gathering and analyzing Glenn Middle School, as the $20.1 mil- winding up a busy summer, having data and providing feedback to pro- lion renovation and addition project completed several projects with in- mote teacher growth. reaches the mid-point of construction. house staff, and managing almost $1 The new wing, “Building A”, will be million in outside capital construction Curriculum development is reflected in complete by the opening day of jobs. Of particular note is the total all areas in 2002-2003. The Social Stud- school. The two-floor, eighteen-room renovation and installation of a new ies department awaits the release of the addition is both stylish and functional, language lab at Bedford High School. Social Studies Framework. Their work and gives us a glimpse of the quality The old lab has been replaced with a over the year will be to examine the workmanship and design that, by next state-of-the-art, 28-station digital au- Bedford curriculum and the new state year, will permeate the entire school. dio and video lab with streaming ca- standards. The Language arts depart- pability. We are proud that our for- ment will focus on strengthening read- The existing classroom wing, eign language students will be learn- ing comprehension at all grade levels, “Building B”, will also undergo a com- ing with 21st century technology. with a new focus on developing phone- plete renovation in the upcoming mic awareness in the primary grades. months. The bottom floor will be Other improvements at the high The mathematics department will ex- closed until December while the school include renovations to four tend the alignment work at the secon- classrooms are gutted and totally lavatories, window glass replacement dary level with a vertical team repre- renovated. After winter break, stu- throughout the building, removal of senting all grade levels from the ele- dents will then vacate the upper floor upper E-Wing lockers, new tile floor mentary schools. The Math Vertical and move downstairs into newly reno- and new lighting in Upper C and E Team (MVT) will examine the current vated classrooms, complete with Wings, and new band room carpeting. program in light of student results and brand new furniture. Work on the up- The day care center was also given a teacher feed-back. Science faculty will per floor will be complete by Septem- “facelift” by our talented maintenance be trained in the integration of technol- ber 2003. department. ogy into the classroom and the contin- ued use of STC kits for hands-on learn- Students, faculty and staff will also be- At the Davis School, the construction ing. gin the school year in a state-of-the-art project came to an official end with the library and media center. This space, installation of air conditioning on the Curriculum oversight in 2002-2003 will which extends out into the courtyard, second floor. The Davis School Build- be carried out through the combined has become the centerpiece of the ing Committee authorized the expen- efforts of Program Administrators, ele- building, both in terms of location and diture in June, after the original scope mentary and middle level curriculum design. In addition, the existing art of work was reviewed and re- coordinators. In regular K-12 meetings rooms have been transformed into a engineered, causing a project delay. this team will address the articulation new Main Office, housing the building Visitors to the school will also notice a and curriculum mapping integral to re- principal and his staff, as well as the new glass partition, (designed and sponding to the demands of educational Guidance and Nurses offices. (Continued on page 4) accountability. We anticipate challenge as well, as the country moves into the Renovation work will continue implementation of the federal legisla- throughout the school year and tion, No Child Left Behind. Constructive through Summer 2003, at which point “In successful schools, con- teaching and strong student perform- we can all enjoy a “brand new” John sensus runs deep. It is not ances are key characteristics of the Bed- Glenn Middle School. enough to have worked out ford Public Schools; 2002-2003 will see what people stand for and what this tradition continue. Please contact the Superintendent’s is to be accomplished; a bind-

Office if you have any questions about ing and solemn agreement

this project. must emerge, one that repre-

sents a value system for living together and forms the basis of decisions and actions.”

T. Sergiovanni

Page 4

(Continued from page 3) Teaching Assistants PERSONNEL CHANGES built by in-house staff), separating the computer lab and library reading area. Tanu Basu, Davis School Colleen Burke, Davis School Many thanks to the Facilities Depart- New Faces Melissa Grey, High School ment for its efforts. New Faculty Faces Peter Laskaris, Davis School Jennifer Mills, Lane School Renee Anderson – Adjustment Coun- Allyson MorseRetirees, Davis School selor, Middle School Stacey Mosley, Davis School Paula Bakerian – Grade 6, Middle Megan Oliver , Middle School BEDFORD HIGH SCHOOL School Ronald Rivers, High School Janet Barry – Inclusion Specialist, Deborah Robertson, Lane School FEASIBILITY STUDY Davis and Lane Kara Volpicelli, Lane School David Boschetto – Social Studies, High School At Annual Town Meeting in March Denise Breakall — Special Education/ 2002, we received $75,000 in capital Reading, Middle School New Assignments funds to conduct a “Feasibility Study” Susan Cahaly – Foreign Language, at Bedford High School. In September, High School Sarah Berinato — Grade 6, Middle we will begin the process of selecting RichardNew Support Carson, Capt. Staff (Ret.) – School an architect to begin this process. The AFJROTC, High School Patricia Flaherty-Dawson — Grade purpose of the study is to determine Megan Crowley – Grade 6, Middle 2, Davis School how best Bedford High School can re- School Diana Siegenthaler — Guidance spond to the educational challenges of Lisa DiMente – Science, High School Counselor, Middle School the 21st century, just as the Town's ele- Richard Donnelly — Social Studies, mentary and middle schools have High School been re-shaped to meet this challenge. Michelle Farrell – Foreign Language, High School The scope of services provided by the Justine Flora – Business Education, Retirees architect will include: Meeting with High School staff and community members to de- Kimberly Jones – Grade 4, Lane We would like to take this opportunity termine enrollment projections and School to wish all of these teachers much suc- educational program needs, perform- Justin Jourdan – English, High School cess in their future endeavors as they ing an existing condition analysis of Carol Kelly – Library Media Specialist, retire. the current high school, confirming Lane School enrollment projections, and develop- Bonnie Klein – Foreign Language, James Greenwood — Physical Educa- ing preliminary design options, pro- Middle School tion, Middle School ject budget, and schedule. James Lee – English, High School Jeanne Litchfield — Grade 6, Middle Carol Liff – English, Middle School School We plan to have the study complete by Keith Mangan – Physical Education, Eugene Milliken — English, High February 2003, with the goal of making High School School a presentation of the findings at the John Mann – Replacement Mathemat- Doris Smith — Librarian, Lane School March town meeting. ics, High School Pat Spinosa — Program Administrator, Susan Nocera — Replacement Grade 2 Social Studies, High School Davis School Leslie Zicko — Grade 1, Davis School Kenneth Norling – Physical Education, Middle School Melina Rosecan – Social Studies, High School To Be Announced Kimberly Ryerson – Mathematics, Middle School · High School Art Kimberly Sharkey – Grade 2, Davis · High School ROTC School · Middle School Home Economics Jean Thuma – Reading, Davis School · Middle School Reading Andrew Young – Social Studies, High School

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Mr. John Sullivan (Jake) has been ap- John Glenn Middle School, welcomes pointed Program Administrator for input from parents, students and Social Studies. Mr. Sullivan came to teachers. He can be reached at 781- Bedford High School in 1973 from Sa- lem State College where he received 275-9129. a Bachelor of Science Degree. He re- Mr. Clickstein received his Bachelor ceived his Master of Science Degree of Science Degree in Management from Simmons College and his Doctor- from Keene State College, Keene , NH. ate from New England School of Law. Mr. Sullivan is also a Senior Lecturer in Law at Northeastern University.

As a Social Studies teacher at Bedford Coffees with Terry Gerrish High School, Mr. Sullivan has taught Acting Assistant Principal courses in Introduction to Law, Eco- Dr. LaCroix nomics, US History, Self & Society, So- ciology, Geography, Conflict Resolu- Mrs. Terry Gerrish has recently been tion, Civilization, NEXUS, and Prob- Last year we initiated Superinten- appointed the new Acting Assistant lems of Democracy. He also coached Principal of the John Glenn Middle Cross Country and Track and Field for dent’s Coffees as an opportunity for School. For the past two years, Mrs. many years. parents and others in the community Gerrish taught Grade 6 and Math at the to meet with Central Office Adminis- Middle School. Prior to coming to Bed- trators in an informal setting. The ford she taught Math and Science for three years at Sterling Middle School success of that program has in Quincy, Ma. prompted an expanded schedule for this year. Mrs. Gerrish received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Management from Morning Coffees : Babson College and her Master of Edu- cation Degree in Curriculum and In- struction from the University of Lowell. Friday, Sept. 27 - 9:00 a.m. Lane Mul- She is an Ed.D. candidate at UMASS tipurpose Room Lowell at the present time. Wednesday, Nov. 6 - 7:30 a.m. JGMS

Library We wish her much success as she em- barks on this new phase of her career. Tuesday, Jan. 28 - 7:30 a.m. BHS Rob Clickstein Conference Room

Food Services Director Monday, March 3 - 9:30 a.m. Davis Cafeteria Thursday, May 1 - 9:00 a.m. Lane Mul- We are pleased to announce that Rob tipurpose Room Clickstein has been named Food Ser-

vices Director for the 2002-2003 Evening Coffees: school year. Rob came to us from the

Cambridge Public Schools where he Thursday, October 24 - 7:30 p.m. was the Food Service Director for JGMS Library three years. Rob has over 15 years of Tuesday, February - 7:30 p.m. BHS food service experience and has Library worked for Harvard University, Boston

University, Marriott and Aramark. He Hopefully one of these coffees will brings creative and innovative ideas John Sullivan fit into your busy schedule. The ad- and plans to work closely with the Program Administrator ministrative team looks forward to Bedford Public Schools community. Social Studies these opportunities for dialogue with Rob, whose office is located at the parents and interested citizens. Page 6

Special Education MCAS 2002-2003 Schedule Bedford’s Special Education Depart- ment works cooperatively with regu- lar education teachers and school ad- ministrators to maximize the learning Test Dates potential of all students with special needs. Each of our schools continu- ally strives to expand its ability to Gr. 10 Retest December 9—ELA Comp. Sessions 1 & 2 meet the diverse needs of children in December 10—ELA Comp. & Lit. Sess. 1 & 2 the regular classroom. When aca- December 11—ELA Lang. & Lit. Session 3 demic difficulties continue to persist December 12—Mathematics Sessions 1 & 2 after pre-referral strategies have been December 13—Make-up Sessions tried, a request for a Team Evaluation Gr. 3 Reading Test March 31—April 11, 2003 may be appropriate. Recommended Dates: April 2, 3, 4

The Evaluation Team, which includes Gr. 4, 7, 10 ELA Composition April 8, 2003 the classroom teacher, specialists and May , 2003—Make-up parents, conducts assessments rele- vant to the student’s specific area(s) of Grade 5 Science and Technol- May 12-23, 2003 difficulty. This process is guided by ogy/Engineering & History & the mandates of the Massachusetts Soc. Sc. Department of Education, including the recently revised Special Education Grade 6 Mathematics May 12-23, 2003 regulations as well as the dictates of the Federal Law (I.D.E.A.). The Team’s responsibility is to determine Grade 7 English Language Arts May 12-23 , 2003 whether the student is eligible for Special Education services and iden- tify what services and/or classroom Grade 8 Mathematics, Science May 12-23, 2003 modifications will support the stu- and Technology/Engineering, dent’s success in school. Grade 9 High School End of May 12-23, 2003 The Evaluation Team develops an In- Course Science Pilot dividualized Educational Program (IEP) for those students who meet the Grade 10 ELA, Mathematics, & May 12-23, 2003 Massachusetts Department of Educa- High School End of Course Sci- tion eligibility criteria. Based upon ence Pilot the Team’s recommendations, the Grade 10 ELA Comp. Sess. 1 & 2 April 8—May 15, 2003 Bedford Special Education Depart- Grade 10 ELA Lang & Lit S. 1& 2 ment provides services in identified Grade 10 ELA Lang & Lit Sess. 3 areas of deficit, which can include Grade 10 Mathematics Sess. 1 & learning disabilities, speech and lan- 2 May 16-22, 2003 guage, fine and gross motor control, Grade 10 Makeup Sessions daily functional living skills and so- cial/emotional adjustment. In keeping Grade 10 Retest* with Bedford’s long established policy ELA Composition Sessions 1 & 2 May 8, 2003 on inclusion, services are provided ELA Lang & Lit Sessions 1 & 2 May 14, 2003 within the context of the regular class- ELA Language & Lit Session 3 May 14, 2003 room whenever possible. There is a Mathematics Sessions 1 & 2 May 15, 2003 small percentage of identified special Make-up Sessions May 16-22, 2003 needs students who require special- ized instruction in a separate setting. For these students with low incidence disorders, the Evaluation Team may recommend placement in a private 766 school or in a Collaborative pro- *This schedule pertains to the Class of 2003. gram. Page 7

Emergency School Closing

POLICY a.m. which signifies that the High gencies. School and Middle School are closed The Bedford Public Schools will close for the day. The same signal will be only in emergency situations when sounded at 7:15 a.m. when the elemen- EARLY RELEASE OF weather or highway conditions make tary schools, Grades K-5, are canceled travel to the for the day. STUDENTS schools haz- ardous or RADIO AND TV Occasionally a severe, unexpected when power storm may necessitate a decision to or heating ANNOUNCEMENTS close schools early. This has not failures oc- Radio stations cooperating with the happened very often in the past, but can cur. Parents schools in making no-school announce- cause anxiety for families without a are urged to ments include the following AM sta- plan for this possibility. Students whose exercise tions: WBZ-103; WBUR; WRKO/WBMX. parents work or are not usually at home their per- FM Stations: WVBF-105; WMJX-106.7; during the day should have an alternate sonal judg- WBUR-90.9 and WXLO-104.5. WBZ home in the neighborhood to go to until ment concerning the wisdom of send- Channel 4; WCVB-TV Channel 5 and their parents return. Decisions to close ing their children to school on stormy WHDH-TV Channel 7. early in these situations are made on days when schools are in session. short notice, and there is not time to lo- Schools are closed in staggered or- Occasionally, the telephone lines be- cate and inform parents. For that rea- der: High School, Middle School, Lane come so jammed with calls from school son, students should be sure of their School, and Davis School. officials to radio stations, that this fact alternate homes before the storm sea- makes it advisable to try more than one son arrives. Please be sure to maintain of the stations listed above. current emergency contact information with your building principal. LOCAL SIGNALS Please do not call the Police or Fire De- partments and jam their telephone lines The Bedford Fire Department will as they should be kept open for emer- sound the fire horn signal 2-2-2 at 6:45

Policy Notification on Statement Regarding Title IX, Chapter 622

It is the policy of the Bedford also be directed to the Department John Glenn Middle School Schools not to discriminate on of Education; or to the Director of Thomas Campbell the basis of sex, sexual orienta- the Office of Civil Rights, Depart- tion, race, religion, color, na- ment of Health, Education and Wel- Bedford High School tional origin, or handicap in its fare, Boston. Inquires regarding Jonathan Sills educational programs, activities compliance with regard to Section or employment policies as re- 504 may be directed to the Admin- Harassment Complaints should be quired by Title IX of the 1972 istrator of Special Education, Ms. reported to the Building Principal or Educational Amendments and Barbara Koren, 275-1700 Ext. 159 or the Superintendent/Assistant Super- Chapter 622 of the Acts of 1978, to Section 504 Coordinators: intendent. or Section 504 of the Rehabili- tation Act of 1973. Lt. Eleazer Davis School Ethel Furst The Title IX Coordinator for the Bedford Public Schools is the As- Lt. Job Lane School sistant Superintendent, Ms. Vicki Thomas Nolan Simms, 275-2155. Inquiries may Page 8

Health Services Local Initiatives that Enhance Health Services are provided by Documentation of comprehensive School Programs Board of Health Nurses assigned to physical exams must be provided to each school as follows: the school nurse for each student upon entrance to kindergarten, and again Nancy Thorsen, RN—High School during the 3rd, 6th, and 9th grades. Bedford Business Educa- 275-1700 ext. #141 Apart from being a state mandate, Carol Eaton, RN—Middle School school nurses need a copy of compre- tion Alliance (BBEA): 275-3165 hensive physical exam reports in or- As suggested in the title, the BBEA is a Kathy Donati, RN—Lane School der to remain up to date with students' partnership between business and 275-7606 health history records, i.e. new diag- schools which has the support of inno- Tracy Fernald, RN—Davis School noses or immunizations. vation and the awarding of teacher 275-6804 ext. #3 grants as its mission. During the 2001- Kathy Webster, RN—p/t @ all schools The second type of examination re- 2002 school year, the BBEA contrib- port is the sports physical exam. uted $36,000 to school programs. The School nurses welcome health inquir- Documentation of sports physical ex- contact person for the BBEA is Barbara ies and discussions regarding any ams must be current and dated within Davis. She can be reached at 781-271- health issue or concern. a year of participation. This is a Mas- 1400. sachusetts Interscholastic Athletic As- School Physician services are pro- sociation (MIAA) requirement and it is vided via Dr. Toby Nathan’s office strictly enforced. Please forward all Patrons of Music Students with Patricia Moody, PNP and Mary sports physicals to the school nurse. (POMS): Levenstein, PNP as primary contacts. Sports physical exams are a specialty An organization consisting of parents exam involving specific issues includ- and community members POMS sup- PHYSICAL EXAMS: ing, as an example, “range of motion”. ports the music programs of the Bed- We encourage students and student ford Public Schools. As part of their There are two types of physical ex- athletes to have their private physi- fund raising efforts, they manage the amination reports required in school. cian perform the required examina- concession stand at local sporting tions. The best time to have an exami- events. Contributions during the 2001- The first type of examination report is nation is at the end of the school year 2002 school year totaled $8,766 in- the comprehensive physical exam. or during the summer. cluding $1,500 in scholarships. Con-

tact persons are Bob and Sue Roe. A sports physical exam form has been

prepared and can be obtained by ask-

ing the school nurse. Parents of 6th and 9th grade students can take note Bedford Schools Associa- School Committee that the form as supplied by the school tion (BSA): Meetings nurse, when completed and returned The BSA runs the Thrift Shop and pro- to the school nurse, can satisfy both vides grants to teachers, scholarships requirements for that year. to graduating seniors and donations to The public is encouraged other school related events. This year to attend meetings of the OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: their contributions totaled $4,536.25. Bedford School Commit- The contact person is Diane Martin. tee. If you do not have health insurance and need financial assistance for health care services, there is a pub- Time: 7:30 p.m. Bedford Elementary Schools To- licly funded program providing com- gether (BEST): prehensive health services for eligible BEST was formed by the Davis and Place: BHS Library families. To obtain additional informa- Lane Schools’ parents organizations to tion please call 1-800-531-2229. There support these schools and their pro- is also a privately funded health insur- Dates: 2nd and 4th Tues- grams. This year BEST ‘s contribu- ance plan known as “Blue Health Plan days tions were many and varied. This For Kids” with eligibility from birth year BEST donated approximately through age 19 years. Call 1-800-262- 3564 for more information. (Continued on page 9) Page 9

(Continued from page 8) Nutritional Information Applications are sent home with $50,000 to the schools which provided each student during the first week Following federal regulations for enrichment programs, sponsored of school. Reduced price meals at the National School Lunch Pro- events, Good Cheer and Hospitality, school improvements, grade level all levels are $.40. gram, the Bedford Public grants, guest speakers and the All Night Schools Food Services offers a Graduation Party at BHS. The contact Cash is accepted at all locations ex- complete, balanced lunch to all person this year is Ann Marie Bernar- cept for Davis School. Davis offers a students daily and does not don. pre-payment debit card system deep fry any of its food. We offer only. The card will be used for a variety of fresh, frozen, and lunches and a la carte milk. For canned fruits and vegetables. (Continued on page 10) more information concerning the Any concern about food allergies debit card system, please call the can be discussed and re- School Lunch Office at 781-275-1700 searched to determine high risk School Lunch Program x 180 or the main office at Davis foods. School at 781-275-6804.

Welcome to New Director Both the High School and Middle Mr. Rob Clickstein assumed his du- School offer many different a la ties as Food Services Director on carte items and menu alternatives, August 1, 2002. He hopes to bring including a “super lunch”, which many new and fresh ideas to our consists of double portions on any Food Service Program including two menu items at a price of $2.50. BBQ’s for the students and staff in Lane Elementary School also offers the spring and inviting local chefs to a “super lunch” for $2.35. prepare lunch in some of the schools. Mr. Clickstein is always looking for new ideas and is open to Workshops and Parent Conferences any comments or questions you might have. He can be reached at KINDERGARTEN & FIRST GRADE ORIENTATION

781-275-1700 Ext. 180 or at First day of Kindergarten and First Grade is Thursday, September 13th. [email protected]. Sept. 5, 6,7 11,12 Kindergarten Orientation School Lunch Pricing Sept. 5,6,7,10,11,12 First Grade Orientation

The cost of lunch is $l.35 for ele- FULL-DAY TEACHER WORKSHOPS mentary students and $1.50 for October 11 middle and high school students. January 17 All meals include entrée, fruit and/ March 24 (Monday) or vegetable, juice, milk and bread WORKSHOP DAYS—EARLY DISMISSAL—PARENT CONFERECES item. In addition, a la carte milk is September 25 January 9 April 9, 18 sold daily at all schools at a cost of October 2 February 6 May 7 $.40 per carton. November 6, 20 March 6, 29 June 4 December 4 Every household is eligible to apply for free or reduced price meals. Parent Conferences — November 6,20; December 4; April 9 (Continued from page 9) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE BEDFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS ART-LINK: PID

11 Mudge Way Permit No. 44 Is an advocate for all the students in Bedford, MA 01730-2166 the K-12 visual art programs for the Bedford Public Schools. Art-Link an- nually funds grants to Bedford teach- ****ECRWSS**** ers for art-integrated curriculum pro- jects, scholarships to graduating sen- iors continuing in art, and the fee for the All-State Scholarship recipient.

The annual K-12 Arts Festival is or- ganized and sponsored by Art-Link in cooperation with the Art Depart- ment. This year will mark the ninth Arts Festival in which each student has at least one work of art on dis- play. We encourage creativity! The contact person is Susanna Natti. Residential Customer for Bedford Bedford, MA 01730

TELEPHONES

If you wish to contact: Call: High School Principal 781-275-1700 - Jonathan Sills Ext. 115 Superintendent of Schools

- Maureen LaCroix 781-275-7588 Director of Pupil Personnel Services 781-275-1700 - Barbara Koren Ext. 159

Assistant Superintendent - Vicki Simms 781-275-2155 Director of Adult Education 781-275-1700 - Mary Hurley Ext. 100 781-275-8659 Director of Finance - John Antonucci 781-275-7708 After 4 p.m. the main switchboard of the High School is shut down. The following information will enable you to make Davis School Principal contact with the appropriate staff member at that time: - Ethel Furst 781-275-6804 Superintendent’s Office 781-275-7588 High School Office 781-275-1700 Ext. 114 Lane School Principal High School Receiving Room 781-275-1702 - Thomas Nolan 781-275-7606 Director of Athletics 781-275-1700 Ext. 131 Middle School Office 781-275-1700 Ext. 154

Middle School Principal 781-275-1700 - Thomas Campbell Ext. 154 These numbers apply only to the High School and Middle School. All other schools can be reached by calling their regular numbers.