Welcome Back

The 2010/11 school year begins for students on Wednesday, August 25th. Our school facilities have been prepared over the summer months for opening day by the hard work of custodial and maintenance staffs. We have completed one paving and one roof project, much smaller in scope than in prior years due budget constraints. New teacher and support staff orientations were held the week of August 16-19th to provide important information for employees new to our district. New teachers are provided mentors who support them throughout the year. In June, over seventy teachers participated in the district's annual Curriculum/Technology Institute. Specific curriculum lessons and units were developed incorporating the use of technology complete with formative and summative assessments.

See each school's web site for more specific information on the following:

• Bus Routes/Schedules: Click here for 2010/11 bus routes/schedules by school.
• Emergency Notification Collaborative: Click here for more information on a collaborative with the Bedford Police Department.
• Communication with Staff: I encourage parents/guardians to take advantage of our "Meet and Greet" and/or fall open houses to get to know your child's teachers and administrators. Information should be available of each school's web site. Additionally, sign up to subscribe to principal and teacher "Notes" and/or bookmark the addresses of teacher/principal blogs to access class/course/school information throughout the year. Power School: Power School registration will allow you to view your child's grades, school lunch information, and other demographic data on a 24/7 basis. Registration can be completed online via the schools web page and at fall open houses.
• BSD Facebook: Click here and become a Fan of the Bedford School District on Facebook.

Please check the Bedford (NH) Superintendent of Schools Blog for information throughout the school year. It can be accessed from any school/district website under Quick Links.

Real World Learning ... Walking the Talk

Much has been written in local and regional newspapers and letters to the editor over the past several weeks about the Bedford High School Real World Learning (RWL) graduation requirements. I think it is important for the Bedford community to understand first, what the RWL expectations are and second, how these requirements are consistent with the District and BHS Mission and Vision.

Bedford High School graduates must successfully complete 24 credits in course/curriculum areas and 80 hours of RWL. The 80 hours of RWL are divided into five categories. The five RWL categories along with some examples of what students could do to earn these hours, are listed below:

• 16 hours Career Exploration and Planning (4 hrs. per yr.) … participating in job shadows, college fairs, college visits, interviews, apprenticeships, or job fairs.
• 16 hours Community Involvement and Service (4 hrs. per yr.) … completing service projects in established organizations such as Scouts, youth groups, religious organizations; volunteering at local hospitals, animal shelters, nursing homes, hospice facilities; helping individual (non-family) community members; or volunteering at BHS in various capacities.
• 8 hours Democracy in Action (2 hrs. per yr.) … participating in a campaign effort, attending rallies, writing letters for a particular position or cause (as part of a class or on one’s own), attending or speaking at local boards and councils, serving on a local board or council, working on an important community issue, serving in our school government, helping to register people to vote, or voting.
• 8 hours Cultural Enrichment (2 hrs. per yr.) … attending concerts, plays, museums, galleries, poetry readings, or lectures; participating in a community sponsored (non-school) concert, play, art show, festival, or poetry reading; or hosting a foreign exchange student.
• 32 hours School Activities (8 hrs. per yr.) … participating in any of the co-curricular, athletic, or intramural activities offered at Bedford High School during and after school.

These requirements, approved by the School Board in May 2007, were designed to provide our high school students with experiences that will prepare them to be thoughtful, active citizens who learn through open inquiry, are prepared for their future, and demonstrate good citizenship and service to others. These expectations are consistent with the BHS Mission.

The District Mission challenges all of us by stating, “Acceptance of individuality is possible with understanding and mutual respect.” The District Vision states how the District values diversity, “Varied beliefs and viewpoints strengthen a school district. Respect for differences contributes to a better school district for all.” When students show support for a cause that is legal, not hateful and not disruptive to the learning environment of others, they are free to follow their beliefs and are acting in a manner that is consistent with District and legal parameters. The students who participated in the Day of Silence on April 16, to encourage others to stop name-calling, bullying, and harassment of gay and lesbian students, were acting consistent with the District and BHS Mission/Vision and met the requirements for RWL Democracy in Action hours. This is also consistent with the District’s efforts to prevent bullying and create a learning environment free of emotional, mental, and physical harm.

Organizations include specific words and ambitious concepts in their Mission and Vision statements. Bedford School District is no different … the school board, administration, staff and students are attempting to put these goals and beliefs into action. By including Real World Learning as a component of the Bedford High School graduation requirements, we are providing our students with experiences to prepare them for their future. We are aspiring to walk the talk.

Note: The Bedford School District Mission and Vision and BHS Mission documents are available on line … click below to review each document: BSD Mission. BSD Vision. BHS Mission.

School Nurse Day

Is seems fitting to recognize our school nurses today as part of National School Nurse Day. Over the past 18 months, they have had the challenge to take the lead on the H1N1 flu's impact on our schools. They have had daily reporting requirements to state health agencies, communicated regularly with parents and physicians, and provided information and guidance to administration to support the district through this most recent health challenge.

This is on top of the typical treatment of colds, sniffles and "counseling" they provide our children and staff on a daily basis. These days, nurses provide more varied health services to our students as many of our children have more complicated health issues. Without this medical support, these children would struggle in the regular school environment. Join me today in thanking our school nursing staff for a job well done.

Bullying Prevention

A team of Bedford School District administrators, a counselor, and a parent made a presentation to the Bedford School Board last evening on steps the District has taken to prevent bullying in our schools. The goal for our district is that all kids should be safe and supported in our schools, respected by staff and their peers, and have a sense of belonging. This is consistent with our district's mission, which states we are " ... a community of learners .... [who are] respectful of self and others."

The presentation was a progress report on specific training, student survey data, and resultant planning that has occurred in district since last spring. More specifically the group reported on the following:

• A meeting was held in May 2009, at the Bedford Town Library which highlighted the concern about bullying in schools across the country and NH and proposed possible improvements in the NH law. Members of the Bedford School Board and district/building administrators attended.
  
• A team of eight members from the Bedford School District attended the NH Conference on Bullying Prevention in June 2009, paid entirely by grant funds.
• The Bedford School Board approved a revised policy on bullying that included improved language defining bullying versus student conflict, clarified consequences for retaliation towards students who report bullying incidents, and clarified reporting responsibilities for school administrators.
  
• Students in grades 3-12 were surveyed in October-December 2009, regarding bullying situations that they have observed in their schools.
• Each school/level has developed and/or is implementing plans to reduce and limit bullying behaviors.

The Bedford School District's efforts to address bullying behaviors will be ongoing. It is a community and school issue that will require collaborative efforts by all stakeholders. We have started a constructive dialogue with our students, staff and parents which we plan to continue. The Power Point presentation from last evening and the results of the student surveys can be found by clicking here.

Conlin Selected SPED Director of the Year

The New Hampshire Association of Special Education Administrators (NHASEA) recently announced that Kathy Conlin, Bedford's Director of Special Services, was selected as the 2010 Director of the Year for New Hampshire. This award is given annually by the association to acknowledge a special education administrator whose contributions to their district have been exemplary as well as his/her leadership role in special education in the state. The award criteria used by the NHASEA is that the nominee must:

• have system level special education responsibilities;
• demonstrate exemplary performance and innovation;
• participate in special projects, research, or program development contributing significantly to the field of special education;
• and have the support and respect of teachers, parents, administrators and fellow special education directors.
  

We know the leadership, collegiality, and professionalism that Kathy brings to Bedford. Kathy is a champion for all children and works tirelessly to advance teaching and learning in our district. It goes without saying that we are proud of her accomplishments and the fact that she has been acknowledged in the state by her professional organization is long overdue. Kathy will be formally recognized by the NHASEA at their regular meeting in May and at the Excellence in Education Awards ("Edies") in June.

BHS Principal Selected

The Bedford School Board has elected William Hagen as the next principal of Bedford High School.

Mr. Hagen has served as the Principal of Salem High School since 2005. Prior to that, he was the Principal of the Amherst Middle School (Amherst, NH) from 2000-2005; Assistant Principal of Hudson Memorial School (Hudson, NH) from 1994-2004; and the Assistant Principal of the Iber Gove Holmes Middle School (Raymond, NH) from 1992-1994. A 1980 graduate of the University of New Hampshire, he earned his Master's Degree in School Administration and Supervision from Notre Dame College, Manchester in 1991, and has earned credits toward his Certificate of Advanced Study (CAGS) in School Administration at the University of New Hampshire.

The election of Mr. Hagen brings to close a 4-month search process that began in December 2009. The selection process was guided by a 14-member search committee comprised of school board members, high school staff, students, and parents, in addition to building and district level administrators. Two finalists were selected by the Search Committee, but one withdrew from the process. The search process included a visit to the school of the finalist and a day-long visit to Bedford High School for the candidate to meet with students, staff, parents and community members. Mr. Hagen will begin his tenure as principal July 1, 2010, and will replace Bob Jozokos, who has served as Interim Principal for the 2009/10 school year. Mr. Jozokos, who was not a candidate for the principal position, will resume his role as assistant principal.

We are fortunate to have found someone with Mr. Hagen's experience and qualifications. His strong background in high school and middle school administration in New Hampshire and role as principal for the 1,800 pupil Salem High School will serve Bedford well as Bedford High School continues to grow towards a diverse student body of 1,500 students. At Salem High School, Mr. Hagen developed a strong connection with his staff and students, one in which they feel valued and listened to, while encouraging students to meet high academic, social, and civic expectations. When faced with challenges, Mr. Hagen looks at how students will be impacted by a decision as part of the process. This is the culture that we aspire to have at Bedford High School.

Bus Stop Update

At this time all bus routes and bus stops have been restored to their original locations. We appreciate your patience as storm damage to low hanging wires/poles has been repaired and trees/branches removed.