This spring, we’re trying something new.
For many years, the Bedford Education Foundation’s (BEF) Bash has brought our community together to celebrate and support innovation in Bedford’s public schools. This year, instead of hosting the Bash, we are inviting individuals and families to support the Bedford Education Foundation’s work through a Spring Appeal while we begin planning for next year.

Same mission. Same direct impact.
If you’ve supported the BEF Bash in the past—or believe in strong public schools—you understand how important this work is. This year, instead of a ticket or sponsorship, we invite you to make a direct contribution to the BEF. Every dollar raised goes straight into Bedford classrooms, supporting programs that inspire creativity, innovation, and inclusive learning.

BEF dollars are already at work across Bedford.
With community support, the BEF grants have funded meaningful opportunities for students at every level, including:

• Author visits that educate and elevate student voices
• Hands-on literacy tools that build early reading skills
• Makerspaces that foster creativity and problem-solving
• STEM, robotics, and coding programs that blend technology and art
• Garden clubs, mindfulness spaces, and therapeutic learning opportunities
• Translation technology that strengthens connections with ELL families

These grants often support ideas that fall outside traditional school budgets—but make a lasting difference in how students learn, explore, and thrive.

Your support makes it possible.
Your gift helps ensure that creativity and innovation remain staples of every student’s experience in the Bedford Public Schools. A contribution at any level helps the BEF continue empowering educators and students to meet the growing challenges of the 21st century. 

Please consider donating today. 

Thank you for being part of a community that believes in investing in our schools—and in the students who will shape our future. 

With gratitude,
The Bedford Education Foundation

The Bedford Education Foundation (BEF) is excited to welcome new volunteers as we start the 2025–26 school year! We are a K-12 organization and many of our dedicated volunteers have supported the BEF for five, ten, or even more years, and now it’s the perfect time to bring in fresh voices and ideas. Because most roles are very manageable, people tend to stay involved for a long time—helping to make BEF a strong and successful organization. 

The BEF has funded over $375,000 to the Bedford schools to assist with the implementation of creative and innovative projects since 2008, and we need your help to continue doing so. We are a fun group of parents of all ages, and we would love to have you join us!

Next month, on Wednesday, October 8th, we are hosting an “all-call” meeting at 7:00pm, for both current and potential members. Please consider joining this meeting if you would like to hear more about the BEF, what we do, and how you can help. We meet by Zoom for no more than an hour each month to plan grant cycles and organize our biggest annual fundraiser, the BEF Bash.

Beyond our monthly meetings, there are basically two ways you can volunteer:

Grants Committee

• Reviews grant applications (twice yearly: July & Nov). That’s TWO MEETINGS a year!
• Helps decide what innovative projects get funded.
• Looking for thoughtful, curious volunteers.
• No special background needed—just interest in supporting creative learning.
  

Events and Fundraising Committee (Winter Bash)

• Help plan our signature event—the BEF Bash! Help with theme ideas, logistics, sponsorships, silent auction outreach, and day-of support.
• Brainstorm and develop new fundraising opportunities to support the BEF. 
• Looking for energetic, organized volunteers.
• Experience helpful but not required.

Because of the seasonal time commitment of both the grant and events groups, we find that many people help with both, but that is not necessary. 

Please join us on October 8th at 7:00PM to learn more!

ZOOM LINK: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81329052701?pwd=BY2vwroiwx2fAiEFxUo4jKnmmCdp05.1

Meeting ID: 813 2905 2701
Passcode: 900064

If you are interested in learning more and are unable to attend the October 8th meeting, please reach out to Jen Kelley at president@bedfordeducation.org. 

The Bedford Education Foundation is proud to announce the funding of three large grants in our Summer 2025 grant cycle, totaling $21,000. Congratulations to all of our grant recipients!

To date, the BEF has funded $370,000 towards creative and innovative projects in the Bedford Public Schools. Thank you to our community partners and supporters for making this impact possible, and thank you to our dedicated educators. We look forward to these projects being implemented during this coming school year.

Once again, the Silent Auction at the Bash was a fun, slightly competitive, and beautifully presented part of the Island Vibes evening! Thank you for participating! We are so very grateful to the community partners who donated the amazing items and services that made this possible. Thank you all! And special thanks to the one and only Audrey Gould for coordinating the Silent Auction for so many years, simply the best!

Here is the link to the full BEF Island Vibes Bash photo album thanks to Creative Images Boston! Shannon and Rodrigo have once again captured the fun and community that the Bash is all about, and we can’t thank them enough for joining us again! Find them all under “Community” at http://www.creativeimagesboston.com

Let’s hear it for our BEF Island Vibes Bash Paradise Patrons! These local friends gave the Bedford Education Foundation an extra level of support this year, and we are very grateful for their generosity. If you didn’t get your festive fedora at the Bash, Jen might still have it! Thank you all!

Lots of follow up on the Island Vibes Bash coming this week! As we said Saturday night, our business sponsors are a group whose impact on our success cannot be overstated. Their generosity and commitment to our schools makes the Bash, and therefore the mission of the BEF, possible. Here is a final round-up of our sponsors this year. Thank you all!

We never get tired of saying this – THANK YOU, BEDFORD! Once again you showed up to support our educators and students at the BEF Island Vibes Bash. What an incredible evening. We are thrilled how beautifully everything came together, and we had SO MUCH fun! More to come soon, thank you for joining us!

This is it, Bedford! The Bedford Education Foundation’s Island Vibes Bash is the biggest party of the year supporting ALL Bedford schools, and it’s coming right up on Saturday evening, March 1st! Please read on. This is your chance to help us raise funds to support innovation and creativity in the Bedford Public Schools, you DO NOT want to miss it!

When and where is the event?                                                                    

The BEF Island Vibes Bash is on Saturday, March 1st, from 7:00-11:00pm and takes place at the Café Escadrille in Burlington. We will be in the main ballroom and lovely parlor area. From Bedford, take exit 51A for US-3/S towards Winchester off of Rt.128 North. The Café Escadrille is located approximately 1/2 mile down on the left. The far parking lot is the one for functions.

How much are tickets and where do I get them?

Tickets are $55 each and can be purchased online on this site https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/bef-island-vibes-bash through Thursday, February 27th. You can also purchase a “Paraside Patron” sponsorship if you so choose for $250, which includes two tickets, an event keepsake, and entry into a special raffle at the Bash. If you don’t buy your tickets by the deadline, tickets will be available for $65 at the door, but the deadline to be a Paradise Patron is SUNDAY, February 23rd.

When should I buy tickets?

NOW! If you are planning on going, we encourage you to buy tickets now if you haven’t already. It really helps us in planning, AND it saves you money!

What should I wear?

Good question! There are no requirements to be thematic. We tried to make this one as easy and fun as possible! If you do dress the theme, some ideas are tropical prints, resort wear, full-on Parrott Head, fun accessories, or just throw on some jeans and flip flops – you are on vacation for the night, and it’s just a party! Trust us, a good time will be had by all no matter what you are wearing.

Will I need cash?

The bar accepts cash as well as credit cards. For door tickets, as well as our fabulous Silent Auction, the BEF will accept cash, check, and all major credit cards.

Will there be food?

Yes! We will provide a selection of stationary and passed appetizers throughout the evening.

Will there be music?

Yes! We have once again secured our amazing DJ Joe Kaszuba from Fine Tune Entertainment for the event, so bring your requests! The dance floor will be ready! We also have a fun addition this year with a steel drum performer, Jefferey Clayton of PanNeubean Steel, for the first part of the evening.

Do I have to be a Bedford resident to attend?

No. If you have friends and family who are interested in a fun night out and supporting our schools, bring them along. The more the merrier!

Is this a family event?

No. This event is adults-only.

What are you raising funds for anyway?

Great question! The Bedford Education Foundation, established in 2008, provides grants to support innovation and creativity at all four of Bedford’s Public Schools. To date, we have funded nearly $350,000 in K-12 initiatives. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, so we need YOUR HELP to continue being able to support such wonderful grant programs. Find out more about us at bedfordeducation.org.

What if I can’t go to the Bash, but I’d still like to support the BEF?

Thanks! You can make a tax-deductible donation to the Bedford Education Foundation on our website here: https://bedfordeducation.org/donate/.

I have a question about your event. How can I get an answer?

Send an email to BEF President Jen Kelley at president@bedfordeducation.org and she will be happy to answer any questions.

We hope to see you there!

The BEF Island Vibes Bash Planning Committee

Jen Kelley

Cindy Tulimieri

Gretchen Kind

Christine Smith

Jana Magnus

Audrey Gould

Elena Pellegrino

Christine McLellan

Bhuvana Husain

Jenn Hagan

Ashlee Santerre

The Bedford Education Foundation is proud to announce the funding of ten grants in our Summer 2024 grant cycle, totaling $16,500. Congratulations to all of our grant recipients.

To date, the BEF has funded nearly $350,000 towards creative and innovative projects in the Bedford Public Schools. Thank you to our community partners and supporters for making this impact possible!