Category Archives: Uncategorized

“Suit N’ Tie” Wins Scoops for Schools!

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suit n tieCongratulations to Ms. Deisenroth’s 5th grade class who won the Scoops for Bedford Schools fundraiser with their flavor creation, Suit N’ Tie (vanilla ice cream with fudge swirl and brownie pieces). The flavor will be served at our Bedford Farms starting TODAY, Saturday, May 7th.

Proceeds from the sale of “Suit N’ Tie” will support the Bedford Education Foundation and B.E.S.T. (Bedford Elementary Schools Together)! Be sure to stop by and grab a scoop or two. The flavor will be served for a limited time while supplies last.

Thank you to everyone that participated! The results can be found here: https://scoopsforbedfordschools.typeform.com/report/ZunNnr/upHD

Student Board Grant Deadline – April 1

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Teachers from all the Bedford Public schools are invited to apply for a BEF High School Student Board grant. The grants are reviewed by the student board. Interviews with the student board are set up for each of the teachers who have applied. The students then decide which grants meet the funding criteria, namely creativity, number of students touched by grant, and sustainability. The amount of funding available depends upon the success of student fundraising for the year.

Grant money up to $500 will be awarded by the student board to each school: Davis, Lane, JGMS and BHS.

STUDENT BOARD GRANT DEADLINE: April 1st

STUDENT BOARD GRANT CRITERIA:

  1. Teacher-initiated. Student-initiated projects or ideas will be accepted but MUST be SUBMITTED AND SPONSORED BY a TEACHER.
  2. Grant may be added to other grants received.
  3. The grant should reflect BEF mission to be creative and innovative.
  4. Technology-related grants must be approved by Ms. Murray.
  5. The number of students touched by the grant will be a consideration.
  6. Chaperone travel will be considered for funding.
  7. Grants that support self-sustaining initiatives will be given a priority.

Email completed grant application to grants@bedfordeducation.org by April 1st. A confirmation email will be sent to you within three days of submitting your application.

A short interview by the student board will be part of the application process.

Winter Dance Party Raises $1600 for the BEF

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Click on “KidsJam Winter Dance Party 2015” under Events for more photos from the event.

Bedford children danced away the winter blues at the first ever KidsJam Winter Dance Party on March 7 to benefit the Bedford Education Foundation (BEF). Thanks to the energetic efforts of Jennifer Buckley of KidsJam, Nancy Griffiths of Kamate Fitness, and their team of volunteers, the event was a huge success. Fifty-five children from second to fifth grade had a blast at the sold-out event as they danced, played games, and were treated to exciting demonstrations by Kamate BodyJam instructors and Callahan’s Karate Instructors. After working up a sweat, the children enjoyed a well-deserved break for a snack provided by Diane Hughes of the Higgins Group and craft time where they learned how to make three-dimensional snowflakes.

In addition to ticket sales, a raffle with items sponsored by local businesses and community members, helped to raise over $1,600 for the BEF. Raffle prizes were donated by Jennifer Buckley, Dr. Mayada Najim of Bedford Family and Laser Dentistry, Patriot Pediatrics, LaserCraze, Patterson’s Dancewear, the Harrell Family, and Kamate Fitness.

BEF member Lisa Harrell, one of the organizers of the event, appreciates the community support, “Thank you to all of the volunteers, sponsors and families who supported the Bedford Education Foundation in this incredibly fun event.”

“This event started with Jennifer Buckley sending me an email offering to host a dance to support the BEF.” says Meg McAllister, one of the Co-Presidents of the BEF. “Jennifer, along with a team of volunteers, helped make this a great night for so many kids. It is efforts like these that make it possible for the BEF to continue to provide new opportunities for innovative and creative learning for the students of Bedford.”

Jennifer Buckley was thrilled that the event went so well. She told Meg and Lisa, “I personally had a ball. Next time (and I do suggest we do it again next year!), you’ll have to come up on the stage for a bit to see what we see – 55 wonderful faces having fun!”

KidsJam Winter Dance Party – March 7

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For girls and boys in second to fifth grade: Come and shake off the winter blues at our first ever KIDSJAM WINTER DANCE PARTY to benefit the Bedford Education Foundation! Kids will enjoy great music, funky cool moves, crafts, and games! Parents can check out our kid-friendly raffle prizes! Water and a nut-free snack will be provided (thanks to the Higgins Group).

$20 per child. Pre-registration is required via the Bedford Rec Dept. website. Go to the main registration page and search “BEF” to sign up for this special event.

Questions? Contact Jennifer Buckley of KidsJam at jennifersbuckley1@gmail.com or Lisa Harrell of the BEF at harrellfamily07@yahoo.comScreen Shot 2015-02-06 at 8.41.16 AM

BEF Student Board Accepting Grant Applications

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The BEF Student Board invites the teachers and administrators at all four Bedford Public schools to apply to receive a BEF Student Board Grant (up to $500). The grants will be reviewed by the student board and the students will arrange to interview each applicant.  The students will then decide which grants meet the funding criteria, namely creativity, the number of students touched by grant, and sustainability.  The amount of funding available depends upon the success of student fundraising for the year.

Click here for the High School Student Board Grant Application.

Applicants are asked to email completed grant applications to grants@bedfordeducation.org by April 1.

BPS Technology Showcase a Success!

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Congratulations to all of the students, faculty, administrators, parents and Bedford residents who made the March 19, 2014 Bedford Public Schools Technology Showcase such a success!

It was a pleasure to see how effectively students at every level and every school are integrating technology into their school day and sharing their understanding of technology. The student presenters were animated, knowledgeable, professional and excited to share their knowledge with parents and all who attended.  It was a wonderful evening and a great educational experience for all.   Well done!

BEF Top Ten List

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 We are a volunteer group that includes parents with and without children currently in the Bedford school system, community members and corporate partners.

9

 Most of our members have been actively involved in the PTO’s of Davis, Lane, JGMS and BHS, so you may recognize some friends from over the years.

8

 There are no membership dues or secret handshakes.

7

 We welcome and need new members to continue our mission. Many of our members have children in upper grades or who are ready to move on to college. To stay relevant, we need parents of children representing all grade levels and in particular, we’d like a greater   parent representation from the elementary schools.

6

 We meet once a month for 75 minutes – starting and ending on time.

5

 Our mission is to pilot, encourage and fund the creative and innovative ideas of teachers and administrators that may not be currently implemented in our Bedford schools.

4

 We review and award grant requests three times during the year: February, July and October. We support and fund grants for all of the Bedford public schools: Davis, Lane, JGMS and BHS.

3

 We have funded 105 grant requests since the Fall of 2008. We piloted grants for SmartBoards, iPads, Robotics, vegetable and herb gardens at Davis and Lane, stability balls, a “green screen” for the BHS communications students (just like they have in major tv stations!), Skype cameras, Nooks, digital microscopes, and many more items that have enhanced the classroom experience.

2

 We have awarded $92,755 to teachers since the Fall of 2008. Our funds come from our fundraising events (i.e. Bedford’s Got Talent Show, BEF Winter Bash, Bedford Day Box Lunch Special) and from private and corporate donors.

1

 We have a terrific and valuable mission, a committed small core of volunteers with passion who have truly made a difference in the quality of education for our children in the classroom and their talented teachers. All we need is YOU.