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In This Issue

March 31, 2017


Calendar of This Week's Events

 

Save the Dates

Announcements

  • 5th Grade Grandparents Invited to Senior Luncheon!
  • Second Grade Author Visit Book Order Available Until April 4th!
  • 2nd Annual BEST/PTO Color Run Early Bird Registration Last Chance!
  • Stand Up for Inclusion on April 29th!

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Fifth Grade Talent Show Seeks Volunteers!
  • Volunteers Needed in the Davis Art Room!
  • Ongoing Opportunities at Davis and Lane

Community Announcements

  • Bedford Multicultural Festival 5/21
  • Kids Club Information
  • Protecting Kids from the Opioid Epidemic

  • Beginner Volleyball Program, 4/1-4/29
  • Town Yard Sale 4/2
  • Spring: An A Capella Festival 4/2
  • JGMS Presents The Lion King Jr 4/6-4/8
  • Friends of the Bedford Library Book Sale 4/7-4/9
  • Kids Jam 4/7
  • BFC Spring Egg Hunt 4/8
  • Rotary Club Meals for Kids Meal Packing Event 4/8
  • Relay for Life Fundraiser 4/10-4/14
  • Rotary Club Seeks Student Exchange Host Families
  • Bedford Rec Offerings 4/17-4/21
  • Bedford DASH Event 4/19
  • Springs Brook Park Updates
  • MCC College for Kids 7/10-8/17
  • Debate and Public Speaking Summer Camp
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

Calendar of This Week's Events

April 6: Kindergarten Author Visit, Mary Jane Begin
April 4-7:  Lane 5th Grade Talent Show
April 8:  Rotary Club Meals for Kids Meal Packing Event

Save the Dates

 
April 25, 6:30 PM:  Incoming Kindergarteners Info Session
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 DatesMarch 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

If your 5th Grader has a grandparent or senior citizen friend that they would like to invite to the 5th Grade Talent Show & Luncheon on Thursday April 6th, please email Amanda Lewis with the number of guests that will be attending.  

We would love to have them!

Check in will be from 11:15-11:45am (coffee and light snacks provided), with the luncheon and show beginning at 11:45am.  

Please email Amanda to rsvp by Sunday 4/2/17 at
amandaannelewis@gmail.com.  Thank you!!
April 29 4:00pm
Community Event - Stand Up for Inclusion 
Bedford High School
 
Join us as we welcome Pamela Schuller to share her uplifting and inspiring life's experiences about Celerbrating our Differences to build a stronger community.
 
 

Pamela Schuller is an internationally known inclusion advocate. Her extraordinary personal story of growing up with the most severe known case of Tourette syndrome in the United States—and turning that challenge into professional and personal success—is engaging, funny, a little bit heart wrenching, and deeply meaningful.  Pamela holds a BA in Psychology and Youth Outreach Through and an MA in Child Advocacy and Policy. Pamela is also a stand-up comedian, probably because she sees the world from a different point of view: one where eye-level is four-foot-seven and barking without provocation is a completely normal and entertaining part of her day. She embraces what makes herself unique while challenging communities to view inclusion differently

$5 donations greatly appreciated to help offset the costs of this event.
 

Volunteer Opportunities

Hello!   The 5th Grade Talent Show is right around the corner and we need volunteers...
LOTS OF VOLUNTEERS!!!!
 
On Tuesday April 4th in the evening, the 5th graders perform for their families.  We could really use parents of children who are not in 5th grade, since the 5th grade parents will be in the audience.  The shifts are divided into 1 hour slots, but feel free to sign up for more than one.  All that you have to do is keep an eye on the kids in the gym and multi-purpose room.  If you have a younger child it is a great opportunity to see how the show runs and what you will be going through when you have a 5th grader.   In addition, we need a volunteer to photograph all of the acts between 5pm-6pm.
Here is the sign up for Tues. April 4th:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D49A4A923A1F58-5thgrade
 
On Thursday April 6th at 11:30am, the 5th graders perform for the Council on Aging and any senior citizen guests that the children have invited.  It takes place at 11:30am in the Lane School Cafeteria.  This requires volunteers to set up appetizers and greet guests, set up and decorate tables for the show, manage the children during the show, and help to clean up.   
Here is the sign up for Thurs. April 6th:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D49A4A923A1F58-5thgrade1
 
On Friday April 7th in the morning, the 5th graders perform the show for the rest of Lane School.  We do not need as many volunteers for this performance, but we do need a few to help with coordination of the children.   
Here is the sign up for Friday April 7th:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D49A4A923A1F58-5thgrade2
 
If you are unable to help out with these time slots, there are a few other opportunities for helping with the 5th Grade Talent Show.   a we are going to need people to purchase decorations and appetizers (all reimbursed by BEST), make copies of programs, decorate the bulletin board with pictures from the show (needs to be done on Wed. April 5th, so the photos are up for the Thursday luncheon), and bake some goodies for the Luncheon.  Here is the sign up for additional opportunities:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D49A4A923A1F58-fifth
 
 
Smiles,
Amanda Lewis

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


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

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 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


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
 
April Links

New Community Announcements

Save the Date! 
Bedford Embraces Diversity is excited to announce our 3rd annual Multicultural Festival this spring!  This year it is on May 21st from 3-6 pm and the big news is that we are having it outdoors (weather permitting). We are planning to march down part of Great Road into the town center complex so we want to have a really big presence of town residents and different cultural groups from the community. Highlights of the afternoon will include the opening parade, a wide array of performing artists, interactive activities for children and adults, and ethnic foods. 
 
Bedford Embraces Diversity is a grass-roots organization that emerged three years ago as a community response to episodes of anti-Semitism. The Multicultural Festival is a fulfillment of the group’s mission statement, which includes educating the community on differences -- visible and invisible, as well as celebrating the cultural complexity of Bedford and empowering our young people to embrace their own differences and value those of others.
 
 If you are interested in participating or volunteering with the festival, please email bedfordembracesdiversity@gmail.com
See your Community Announcement Here!
Email best.pto.bedford@gmail.com
Deadline:  Thursday evening of each week

Repeat Community Announcements

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 1April 8April  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.


Save this date for a great event on April 2nd.
Local choral groups get their “sing” on in Bedford event
Bedford Patrons of Music Students (POMS) hosts “Sing Into Spring: An A Capella Festival” on April 2, 2017

This concert will feature high school vocal groups from Bedford High School, Concord Academy, Georgetown High School, and Marblehead High School.

Highlighting the concert are two professional groups:  the Boston Skyline Chorus, featured in all three seasons of WGBH’s “Sing That Thing!” and Vocal Revolution, six year winner of the Northeastern District Chorus Championships and second season winner of WGBH’s “Sing That Thing!”

Showtime is 4 PM, April 2 at Bedford High School, at 9 Mudge Road, Bedford, MA 01730. Advance tickets sales are available for $15, or tickets will be available at the door for $20. https://www.showtix4u.com/boxoffice.php?submit=Search+for+Events&begin=1542968&current_client=08491117022214985
The JGMS Department of Music and Theatre Arts will present THE LION KING, JR., based on the beloved Disney movie and Broadway musical, April 5 through 8 in the JGMS Auditorium.

Tickets are on sale now through 
www.showtix4u.com (search for "Bedford"), and cost $10 plus a small online service charge. Seating is assigned.
Performances begin with a special sensory-friendly matinee on Wednesday, April 5, at 3:30pm, and continue with evening performances on Thursday, April 6, and Friday, April 7, at 7:00pm, and Saturday, April 8, at 6:00pm. Get your tickets now!
Choose from fiction and non-fiction books in great condition across all genres. Prices range from $.50 to $2.00 unless otherwise marked.  All proceeds go to the Friends of the Bedford Free Public Library that support children, teen and adult programming as well as acquisitions for the Library.  We hope to see you there!
 
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
The Rotary Club of Bedford is currently seeking
student exchange host families
for the 2017-2018 school year!
 
By hosting a Youth Exchange student in your home, 
you’ll make a young person’s dream come true,
and you and your family will share an
unforgettable and fulfilling experience!
 
As a host family, you will 
  • Provide room and board for 3-4 months
  • Supervise the student just as you would your own children 
  • Involve the student in family activities and chores 
  • Enrich the exchange experience by including the student in family, community, and cultural activities 
For more information, answers to your questions, or to volunteer as a host family, please contact:
 
Melinda Nicholson, Youth Exchange Officer
 

Summer 2017

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
Debate and Public Speaking Summer Camp
 
This summer, Lumos Debate is offering 2 week day-camp for Bedford students grades 6-10. Your child will practice critical thinking, argumentation, and public speaking in a fun and engaging learning environment. These are the skills that will get your kid noticed and catapult them into leadership positions in school and in their future careers! For more information, call 617-901-4564 or go to lumosdebate.com.
Don't Forget About These Ongoing Ways to
Support BEST/PTO and our Schools
  • Order Bedford Spirit Wear right from the BEST/PTO Website!
  • Register your Stop and Shop card for A+ Rewards!
  • Start your Amazon.com shopping at Amazon Smile!
  • Clip those Box Tops!
  • Support all four schools through the Bedford Education Foundation (BEF)!
  • Support JGMS through the MSPA!
  • Support Bedford High School through the BHSPA!
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