Be a part of Democracy!
Saturday, March 11 is our Town Election!
For information about the Candidates on the ballot for election, visit:
http://www.thebedfordcitizen.org/2017/02/election-2017-candidate-basics/

Week of March 10, 2017

In This Issue

A Poem of Inspiration

Calendar of This Week's Events

Save the Dates

Announcements

Pre-Order Books for Kindergarten Author Visit by 3/14
Gamewright Family Game Night 3/24
2nd Annual BEST/PTO Color Run Early Bird Registration is Open!
Bren Bataclan Paintings Raffle

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers Needed in the Davis Art Room!
Kindergarten Screening Needs Your Welcoming Smiles!
Color Run Planning Meeting 3/8
Help with our Game Night! 3/24
Community Wide Volunteer Opportunity 4/8
Ongoing Opportunities at Davis and Lane

Community Announcements

Bedford Recreation Registration 3/12
T-Ball/Baseball/Softball Registration open through 3/19
Children of Eden at BHS 3/15-3/18
BHS Town Yard Sale 3/19
Free Soccer Clinic 3/22
Relay for Life Fundraiser 4/10-4/14
Springs Brook Park Updates
BY&FS Spring Newsletter
Bedford Byline

St. Michael Parish Adult Ed. 3/12
Troop 194 Pancake Breakfast 3/19
JGMS Guidance Department presents "Screenagers" 3/21
Open Arms Open House 3/22
Beginner Volleyball Program, 4/1-4/29
Rotary Club Meals for Kids Meal Packing Event 4/8
Science if Fun! Free Workshop by BHS Girl Scout! Now - 3/25
Future Bucs All Star Baseball Camp 3/5-3/26
Kamate Fitness Family Fun
MCC College for Kids 7/10-8/17

Welcome to our
weekly newsletter
from the BEST/PTO!

We serve the staff and families of the children in grades K-5
at the Davis and Lane Elementary Schools,
Bedford, MA.

Click Here to fill out our Online Volunteer Survey!

Visit bestpto.org
to learn more!
Like us on Facebook!

If you have a community announcement that you would like to see in a future Bits from BEST,
email us!

Thank you for your support!

Dawn Kociubes
BEST/PTO President
Newsletter Editor
Holly Munsie
VP, Davis School
Sandy Morvillo
VP, Lane School
Audrey Gould,
Treasurer
Nina Tate
Secretary

A Poem of Inspiration

DAVIS SCHOOL ART ROOM

On Monday I went to help in art.
It was great fun taking part
In the painting and drawing,
Getting messy and problem solving.

I learned about the kids and friends
and the class dynamic trends.
I helped clean brushes, pass out paper, and fill water.
No art experience needed to spend time with my daughter.

Kindergarten sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4DAEAF2EA1F94-volunteer1
1^st grade sign up: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0c4daeaf2ea1f94-2016
2^nd grade sign up: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C4DAEAF2EA1F94-2ndgrade4

Calendar of This Week's Events

March 14: Kindergarten Book Orders Due for Author Visit
March 14, 6:30 PM: Evening Information Session for Parents of Incoming Kindergartners

Save the Dates

March 20-27: Kindergarten Screening for Incoming Kindergarteners
March 22, 7 PM: Color Run Planning Meeting
March 24, 6:30 PM: Gamewright Family Game Night for Davis and Lane Students!
April 6: Kindergarten Author Visit, Mary Jane Begin
April 8: Rotary Club Meals for Kids Meal Packing Event
May 2: Second Grade Author Visit, David Biedrzycki
May 16: First Grade Author Visit, Brian Lies
June 3, 4 PM: BEST/PTO Color Run
Monday, June 26: BEST/PTO Night at Fenway Park
Future Davis Hospitality Committee Events: 5/2
Future Lane Hospitality Committee Events: 4/5, 6/8
Future 2017 Box Tops Collection Dates: March 24, April 28, and May 26 (Final collection for the school year)

Click for 2016-2017 District Calendar, Davis School Calendar, & Lane School Calendar

Announcements

Friday, March 24
Davis School Cafeteria
6:30 -8 PM

RSVP Here! www.SignUpGenius.com/go/30E0A4EA8AD2CA46-gamewright

Did you miss the BEST Color Run last year?
Don't let it happen again!

Check out this video to see what it was all about and then register today!

Bring home a piece of the new Davis mural! (sort of)

Raffle tickets for these Bren Bataclan original paintings will be available in May during the Davis Spring Concerts and Celebrations of Learning!

Proceeds will be used to purchase a
new kids' art drying rack for the Davis Art Room.
Stay tuned for details!

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteerism is down in the Davis School Art Room!
Please come in for a visit!

Be a Davis School Ambassador!
Volunteer at Kindergarten Screening!

March 20, 21, 23, 24, 27

Each spring Davis School holds a Kindergarten Screening over a 5 day period to evaluate each incoming kindergartner in several areas. They are seen by teachers to evaluate basic reading and writing skills as well as fine and gross motor skills. They will see the nurses for both an eye exam and a hearing test. Qualifying children will also meet with an ELL instructor and/or an education specialist. Parents interview with the administrators.

BEST’s role is to facilitate the actual process of getting families through the screening procedures. There are multiple volunteer opportunities available across the 5 days.

If you need to drop a child off at pre-school before starting your shift, or leave early for pick up, no problem! Just leave a comment indicating that you will be a little late or need to duck out at a certain time.

To learn more, or to Sign Up to Volunteer Here, click here: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/5080A4BA4A622A75-kindergarten1

Color Run Planning Meeting
Wednesday, March 22
7 PM

New Committee Members Welcome!

RSVP to BestptoColorRun@gmail.com

Love to Play Games?

Volunteer at our BEST/PTO
Gamewright Family Game Night!

Friday, March 24
Davis School Cafeteria
6:30 -8 PM
Volunteers needed from 5:45 - 7:15 and 7:00 - 8:30 PM

Sign Up to Help Here!
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/30E0A4EA8AD2CA46-gamewright

Students Helping Students!

A Community-Wide Volunteer Opportunity!

Please consider helping the Rotary pack meals on April 8!

Click Here to Register!

See "Repeat Community Announcements" below for more information.

Don't Forget About These
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
in the Davis and Lane Schools!

Davis Library Volunteers

Show Mr. Royds and Ms. Sullivan some LOVE!
Sign up for a shift or two in the Davis Library by clicking on the links below!

Davis Library Schedule: https://bestptoma.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/davis-school-library-schedule-2016-17.pdf
March Sign Up: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080d4eaeaf2fab9-davis5

Davis Lunch and Recess Volunteers
Assist during your choice of one hour shifts during the four lunch or recess periods to ensure that students move efficiently throughout the cafeteria and to the rest rooms.
Lunch: 11:05 – 12:10 or 12:05 – 1:10, daily
Recess: 11:30 AM – 12:35 or 12:30 – 1:35, daily
Questions? Email Gretchen Heid at gretchenela@yahoo.com

To see the Davis Lunch and Recess Schedule, click here: https://bestptoma.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/davis-lunch-and-recess-schedule-16-171.pdf

Davis Lunch March Sign Up Link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094fa5af23abf49-march

Davis Recess March Sign Up Link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094fa5af23abf49-march1

Lane Lunch Volunteers
Assist during lunch periods to ensure that students move efficiently throughout the cafeteria and to the restrooms.
Questions? Email Pam O'Brien at pdob@comcast.net

March

Grade 3: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b054eadad22a64-march
Grade 4: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b054eadad22a64-march1
Grade 5: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b054eadad22a64-march2

New Community Announcements

Registration for Bedford Recreation Programming opens on Sunday, March 12 at 9:00 PM!

To access the full brochure, click here: goo.gl/3iVjwu

www.bedfordrecreation.org

(Scroll down in our "Community Announcments" for updates about Springs Brook Park below. . .)

Bedford Babe Ruth Baseball/Softball and is still accepting registrations for its Kindergarten, 1^st and 2^nd Grade Baseball and Softball programs through March 19^th.

Just go to www.bedfordbaseballsoftball.com to sign up!

Watch a segment of March 6th Bedford TV News (Link will start at 31:13) for an interview with two of the actors from Children of Eden as well as a musical performance!

Springs Brook Park Updates!

LIFEGUARD AND SWIM INSTRUCTOR EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION NIGHTS

Wed. March 22, 7:00-8:00pm,

Tues. May 16, 6:30-7:30pm and

Thursday, May 18, 8:00-9:00pm

Meet in Room 151, Recreation Building, 12 Mudge Way, North Wing Room 151

New Director Hired!

Matthew Mulrooney is from Chelmsford and boasts quite a resume. He's a swim coach and runs his own swim academy. Matthew will be running a lifeguard training course over April break.He feels it will be a great opportunity to continue recruiting guards for SBP. (they already have a number of guards hired) The Rec. Dept. is still offering to reimburse 50% at the end of the summer. The fee is $300 (which includes the $30 Red Cross fee). If you know anyone who might be interested in this class, please contact the Rec. Dept.

Summer Adventures

There will be open swim for SA. While they can't offer lessons this year, there will definitely be a swim component for the kids attending.

Springs Brook Park
Wednesday, June 7 - Friday, August 18

Registration for SBP will be coming in its own brochure after the spring/summer activities brochure comes out.

Here is a reminder of the fees so you can continue planning out your summer plans:

Full family membership:
- Bedford: $375
- Non-resident: $475
Limited family membership (Fridays, Saturdays and rest of week after 4pm):
- Bedford: $250
- Non-resident: $350
Individual membership:
- Bedford: $140
- Non-resident: $180
Swim lessons:
- Bedford members: $90
- Non-resident members: $110
Daily entry:
- Bedford only: $10, $35 family cap

Bedford Youth and Family Services Spring Newsletter

(Click on the image below to read the newsletter in its entirety.)

The Bedford Byline is now available on-line only:

See your Community Announcement Here!
Email best.pto.bedford@gmail.com
Deadline: Thursday evening of each week

Repeat Community Announcements

Boy Scout Troop 194

5th ANNUAL
ST. PATRICK'S DAY IRISH PANCAKE BREAKFAST

SUNDAY, 3/19/17
08:00 - 12:00

AMERICAN LEGION HALL
357 GREAT RD.
BEDFORD, MA

Pancakes, Juice, Coffee, Sausage…There are also some kids games- and background music.

I heard there might be some green pancakes available for those inclined!

ADVANCE TICKET PRICES: $5/ADULT, $4/YOUTH (AGES 4-9)

(ADVANCE TICKETS MAY BE PURCHASED UNTIL 3/14/17)

AT THE DOOR TICKET PRICES: $6/ADULT, $5/YOUTH (AGES 4-9)

QUESTIONS?
Contact Peter Ricci BedfordRiccis@Verizon.net

Please Join us for viewing of “SCREENAGERS”:

Please join the Guidance Department at John Glenn Middle School for a viewing of the award-winning documentary film, “Screenagers” on

Tuesday, March 21^st at 6:30 pm.
JGMS auditorium.

Students and parents are invited to the event and students will be offered some extra credit opportunities for attending (for older students)! There will be a short question and answer period following the film and additional resources will be provided to parents.
For more information on the film you can check out the website here: http://www.screenagersmovie.com/
Or feel free to contact a JGMS guidance counselor for more information!

Special 4-session
Beginner Volleyball Program
for kids 8 -12 years of age to be offered in Bedford by Gators Volleyball Club.

Great for girls or boys who want to start learning how to play the game. No experience is necessary.

Saturdays at 10:30am-12:30pm at the Lane Elementary School in Bedford, on April 1, April 8, April 22, and April 29. The head coach will be Nancy Hartmann.
(There also will be a separate intermediate-level program for kids 13 – 15.)
Go to http://gatorsvolleyball.com/weekly-skills-program/
for all the details and to register.

The Rotary Club is holding its
5th Meals for Kids Meal Packing Event
Middlesex Community College
April 8, 2017

Last year with the help of students from the Lane and Davis Schools we exceeded a quarter million meals packed!

In many parts of the world, schools close at noon because no lunch for the children can be provided. In those same countries the school lunch is the only food those children eat that day. Often there is little or no food for the weekend. To prevent hunger pain, eating cookies made from mud is not uncommon. I personally saw this happening in Haiti where now several shipments are sent each year.

We need 500 helpers from age 4 to 94. Those that helped during one of the two hour shifts last year were just fantastic. This is truly a meaningful family sharing event.
We have already raised nearly enough money. WE JUST NEED HELP PACKING!!

Ralph Hammond, The Rotary Club