RBS Principal’s Notes
May 15, 2020
We are planning for the collection of Chromebooks and the distribution of student materials. Please read THESE INSTRUCTIONS/SCHEDULE carefully.
Family Resources:
IN THE NEWS:
Summer Skills Math Books
Summer is almost here! If you would like to order a Summer Skills Math Sharpener workbook for your child, please click HERE, then click on the “Parent Info.” tab. You will be able to order the book online and it will be shipped right to your house.
The purpose of these workbooks is to review the math skills taught during the school year. It is suggested that you order a workbook that is at the same grade level that your child is in now.
Library Book Return
If you were not able to return your child’s library book(s) on May 5th, you may return it one of two ways. You can either wait until the end of the year when we collect student Chromebooks and materials, or drop it in a bin, which is located in our school’s vestibule (8:00 AM-2:00 PM).
We Love Our Bedford Bulldog Seniors Fundraiser
BHS is working on creative ways to celebrate our seniors including creating care packages. If you’d like to help fill these packages, please consider making a monetary donation by either mailing a check made out to Bedford High School to 47B Nashua Rd Bedford (please note “SENIORS” in the memo line) or via PayPal or Credit Card by clicking… PayPal-BHS Senior Donations. All donations must be received by 5/22 and will be used to purchase a variety of items to show our high school seniors we care! Questions, contact BedfordHighSeniors2020@gmail.com
Virtual Kindergarten and Grade 1 Orientations
Because we couldn’t hold our annual K and 1 Orientations in person this year, our kindergarten and first grade teams put together videos and/or a slideshow for our incoming families. I emailed it out to our new registrants this week, and it is also available on our website. However, I wanted to include it here as well in case anyone is interested.
Mindfulness
Special sounds are powerful for helping you to be Mindful.
Sit tall in a chair with quiet hands in your lap. Have your eyes look at one point in the room, or close them. Have your ears be listening. Your mouth should be quiet. Now listen. (Focus on a sound in room) What did you hear? Could you feel your breath? You should be able to focus on and feel your breath when listening.
REMINDERS:
Staff Retirements
I wanted to make families aware of a few retirements that are happening at the end of this school year. Mr. Paul (Paul Plaissance) will be retiring on May 29th. Mrs. Reese and Mrs. Gorrie will be retiring on June 30th. All three of these wonderful people are renowned within our school and district, and we will miss them all dearly! They have dedicated a great number of years to our district and have made an indelible mark in many colleagues, students and parents’ lives. Please join me in wishing them health and happiness in this next chapter of their lives! One follow up announcement—I’m thrilled to announce that Mrs. Blaine will be our new Guidance Counselor for the 2020/21 school year. She will be missed in the classroom, but I know she will be great in this new role!
Moving
If you have plans to move after school gets out, please contact our secretary, Patty McMahon (mcmahonp@sau25.net), as soon as possible to let her know. This information impacts placement for us. In addition, she will let you know what you need to do in terms of paperwork. Thank you!
2020/21 Placement
Placement will take place over the summer this year. We are aiming for the end of July. At that time, your child’s new teacher will reach out via email with a welcome letter and supply information. Please make sure that your email information is up to date in Power School.
Quarter 4 Report Cards
As a reminder… Governor Sununu recommended schools report a Pass/Fail reporting system. Bedford does not use letter grades at the elementary schools, but we will make the adjustments described below.
Based on participation in the subjects of reading and mathematics, please expect your child's fourth-quarter progress to be either "Meeting District Expectations" or "Meeting Some District Expectations.” For those rare instances when students did not participate in remote learning, they may receive “Not Meeting District Expectations.” This information will be provided in the comment section of the report card. Since the entire fourth quarter instruction has been under the conditions of Remote Learning, it is more difficult to provide a four-point reporting system as we had in the first three quarters of the year. Your child will also have a comment section from the teacher providing more detail.
Integrated Arts will also provide progress on the report card (grades 3 & 4) with "Good" and "Satisfactory" in the area of participation. For those rare instances when students did not participate in remote learning, they may receive “Needs Improvement.”
BSD Breakfast & Lunch
Please note that the district will not be providing breakfast and lunch at BHS on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th.
Playground Access
I know that it is tempting as the weather continues to get nicer, but in staying in compliance with the Town of Bedford and given the guidance from the CDC and DHHS about stopping the transmission of the COVID-19 virus, we are asking that students DO NOT come to our playgrounds.
Bedford Public Library
The Bedford Public Library is open for curbside pick-up and drop-off. Details
Google Meet Expectations
We strive to provide the best possible education and support for our students, while maintaining the privacy within each home. We are respectfully requesting that, if possible, when your child meets in small groups or one-to-one with an educator, that those meetings take place in a public part of your home. We thank you for your consideration as we continue to support students in productive
Please find the Google Meet Expectations in the link.
Bedford Presbyterian Church COVID-19 Resources
George Reese from the Bedford Presbyterian Church and Bedford Food Pantry reached out to RBS offering resources to our community. I wanted to pass them onto parents. They are:
- A dedicated COVID-19 Fund to provide assistance to community programs and individuals
- Helping Hands Outreach Ministry, that can provide necessary urgent home repairs to people that are unable to afford or perform them themselves.
- Bedford Presbyterian Church also houses the Bedford Community Food Pantry, which is open every Saturday from 9am-2pm. (603) 867-1445.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
May 25 – Memorial Day Observed – No School
June 5 – Last day of instruction
June 9 – Last day of school
Events we are working on:
- 4th Grade Talent Show
- Kindergarten Recognition
- Grade 4 Clap/Honk Out
- Placement (will take place over the summer)
