When and where is this event?
Our Mardi Gras Bash is on Saturday, February 3, from 7pm to 11pm. We’re excited to host this year’s event at a new venue–the Hilton Garden Inn in Burlington.
Where is that place?
The Hilton Garden Inn is located at 5 Wheeler Road in Burlington. Just past the Burlington Mall on Middlesex Turnpike, take a left at the Dunkin Donuts onto Wheeler Road. The hotel is 0.2 mile down the road on your left. Or, you can shoot right up 128N to the mall exit – you will see the hotel coming down the ramp. Then, take a left onto Middlesex Turnpike and the next left onto Wheeler Road.
How much are tickets and where do I get them?
Tickets are $50 each and can be purchased online at our website–bedfordeducation.org–through Monday, January 29. If you don’t buy your tickets by the deadline, tickets will be available for $60 at the door.
When should I buy tickets?
The sooner the better! If you are planning on going, we encourage you to buy tickets NOW. It will greatly help us in planning how much food to provide and how many beads and other items to purchase.
What should I wear?
Good question! There are no requirements here. Wear what you would to any festive gathering, and if you are so inclined, add some Mardi Gras flair! Some people may wear PURPLE, GOLD, or GREEN, take the opportunity to wear something SPARKLY, or wear Mardi Gras themed accessories–MASKS, BEADS, HATS, etc.–OR all of the above!
Trust us, a good time will be had by all no matter what you are wearing! There will be beads available at the event with a chance to ‘win’ more throughout the evening, but feel free to come wearing more of your own as well.
Will I need cash?
The bar is cash only, but we will accept all major credit cards, cash, or checks for the raffle, silent auction, and tickets at the door.
Will there be food?
Yes! We will provide a selection of stationary and passed appetizers throughout 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. 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 here.
I have a question about your event. Who should I contact?
Send an email to BEF Co-Presidents Meg McAllister and Jen Kelley at president@bedfordeducation.org and they will be happy to answer any questions.
We hope to see you there!
The BEF Bash Planning Committee
Lisa Gedaminsky, Lisa Harrell, Jen Kelley, & Meg McAllister
Davis School teachers Susan Nocera and Amy Corssino were awarded a $1,300 grant for a Buddy Bench for the Davis School playground. A Buddy Bench is a colorful, clearly marked bench designed for students who may have difficulty navigating the process of finding playmates, or finding the confidence to join in, at recess. It will give students the opportunity to both reach out for help and give other students the experience of offering themselves as a friend. The goal of the bench is to teach students to reach out to one another, to eliminate loneliness and to foster friendships on the playground.
Fourth grade teacher Julia Herman was awarded a $1,000 grant for a SMART Document Camera SDC-450 for her classroom. During the school day, the document camera will allow Ms. Herman to instantly share student work and demonstrations with her class and give students the opportunity to share their own learning and process with their peers. Additionally, the document camera can be used to create recordings that students and parents can access at home.
Lane School was awarded a $500 grant for materials and supplies for the Lane School Chicken Coop Project led by Keith Kinney and Jean Mickel. Keeping live chickens allows Lane School students to investigate external and internal structures of animals as well as deepen their understanding of animal adaptations. This funding will allow Lane’s creative and innovative school-wide endeavor to flourish in the coming year.
BHS Robotics teacher John O’Connor was awarded a $2,800 grant for a robotic model sailboat project. In class, the students will expand their programming and operating skills by working with a 3 foot robotic model sailboat with on-board computers, sensors, and servo motors. The students will take what they know about sailing and teach it to a computer. The computer can “feel” using sensors, “think” with the program the students write, and “act” via servo motors controlling rudders and sails.
BHS English teachers Cassie Dresser and Sarah Kane were awarded a $450 grant for a classroom set of graphic novels and adapted texts for struggling readers. These texts will allow students to access the original texts in creative ways that will increase the amount of class time analyzing literature and decrease the amount of time spent on basic comprehension of the texts.
BHS teachers Kimberly Comeiro and Victoria Breslin were awarded a $1,300 grant for Project Adventure Challenge Course Team Building program for the students in the STEP program, a therapeutic program for students who struggle with social-emotional challenges. Project Adventure in Beverly, MA has designed a curriculum that focuses on building trust, teamwork, self-confidence and empathy. Skills learned from this exciting hands-on experience will be integrated into the STEP classroom and carry beyond the students’ time at BHS.
Bedford Education Foundation 