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In This Issue

April 7, 2017


Calendar of This Week's Events

 

Save the Dates

Announcements

  • Lane Luncheon Donations Needed 4/12
  • Lane Library Seeks Volunteers!
  • First Grade Author Visit Book Order Available!
  • Remember to use Amazon Smile!
  • 2nd Annual BEST/PTO Color Run Registration is Open
  • Stand Up for Inclusion on April 29th!

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Ongoing Opportunities at Davis and Lane

Community Announcements

  • Support BHS Relay Club at Learning Express 4/10 - 4/14
  • Relay for Life Kids Tent
  • BFC Annual New Moms Brunch 4/29
  • April Vacation Soccer Clinic
  • Workplace Safety Summit 5/15
  • "If Only" Opioid Crisis Film Screening 5/17
  • Bedford Toy Swap 5/20
  • Active Bystander Training 5/21
  • PMC Kids Ride Registration is Open 6/17

  • 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
  • Beginner Volleyball Program, 4/1-4/29
  • Rotary Club Seeks Student Exchange Host Families
  • Bedford Rec April Vacation Offerings 4/17-4/21
  • Bedford DASH Event 4/19
  • Bedford Multicultural Festival 5/21
  • Kids Club Information
  • 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 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 3:  Walk and Bike to School Day

May 16:  First Grade Author Visit, Brian Lies
May 20:  Bedford's 12th Annual Relay for Life
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

Lane Luncheon for Teachers and Staff


Wednesday, April 12
The Last Lane Luncheon of the School Year!

Hello Lane Hospitality Committee Friends!
Thank you for volunteering for the Lane School "Spring Ahead" luncheon.

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a4ea5ab2aa20-april

If you are bringing Hot food please plan to deliver hot between 10:30-11 (1st lunch is 11) If you are bringing non-hot items please deliver anytime between 9-11- please let us help if these times are a challenge for you- we can gladly work out alternative delivery plans with enough advance notice.

If you are bringing your items the day before please make sure it is secured and clearly labeled BEST 4/12 Lunch- you can put on long table near the coffee machine.

Please email any questions/concerns~

Thanks! Lisa & Kelly

More help is needed in the
Lane School Library!


Be sure that you have a CORI on file at school and email Jacque Casserly  jacque@casserlyconsulting.com if you need a tour of the Lane Library or training (check out procedures are a little different than they are in the Davis Library).

Sign Up Here!  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c45a9ae23a1fd0-april

Unsure when your child is in the library?  See the schedule here: https://bestptoma.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/lane-school-library-schedule-2016-17.jpg
** Online Amazon Shopper's Alert **

Please consider using
smile.amazon.com for your online shopping needs. We get a small fraction of your expenditure, donated by Amazon. It is the same account, same products, same prices. Once you log in, search for "Bedford Elementary School MA" and select us from the list that pops up. You ought to get the following confirmation. "AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to 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

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
in the Davis and Lane Schools!

Davis and Lane Library Volunteers
Show some love to Mr. Royds and Ms. Sullivan at Davis,
and Ms. Coviello and Ms. Ho at Lane!
Sign up for a shift in the Davis and Lane Libraries 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

Help Support the BHS Relay Club This Week!

Relay For Life! 

 
Join us at...
Bedford's 12th Relay For Life
Saturday, May 20th

for a fun-filled afternoon while supporting a great cause!

Have fun at the
Kids Tent from 4:00-7:00
with crafts, music & games.

Kids Fight Back Lap around the track at 5:45 followed by a dance session with Jennifer Buckley of GrooveWrx & and her friends from Mighty Squad!

All funds go toward research, education, advocacy, and patient services.  Help us “Wipeout Cancer” in an effort to bring the community together in the
fight against cancer.

Bedford Toy Swap!


Sponsored by DPW and Transition Town Bedford
Saturday May 20
11 am - 2 pm

Details to follow!
http://bedfordtransition.org/whats-happeniing/
Registration is Now Open!

13th Annual Bedford PMC Kids Ride
Saturday, June 17th, 9:00am–1:00pm
at the John Glenn Middle School, Bedford  MA

2016-Bedford-Kids-LM72808-1-118-1.jpg

Please join us for the 13th Annual Bedford PMC Kids Ride on Saturday, June 17th from 9:00am-1:00pm at the John Glenn Middle School, Bedford, MA. All proceeds benefit the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and its Jimmy Fund.  Bring your bikes, enthusiasm and donations and join us to support this important cause.

REGISTER: To register to ride, click here and start fundraising today!  Rider registration fee is $10 per rider and the minimum required fundraising amount is $25, although most kids raise a lot more!  You can send a link that goes directly to your child's registration page where family & friends can donate on-line.  Parents are welcome to ride along with their kids - if you plan to ride, please consider being a Route Leader and sign up to volunteer.
 
RIDE: There is a ride for everyone of every age and skill - choose from six different chaperoned ROUTES:
·  Wally’s Way - an obstacle course for tykes on trikes
·  Yawkey Way (.5 miles)
·  Green Monster (3 miles)
·  Big Papi (5 miles)
·  Big Papi Slam (10 miles)
·  Fenway - a 12 mile off-road ride to Concord (must be entering 6th grade)

HEAVY HITTERS: Riders who raise more than $250 will receive a string bag and will be entered into a separate Heavy Hitter raffle for a chance to win!
  
VOLUNTEER:  What would we do without you?  We would love to have your help and there are lots of volunteer opportunities to choose from.  Check out all of the volunteer positions and sign up at http://www.kids.pmc.org/bedford.aspx.  For questions regarding volunteering, please email us at bedfordpmckidsride@gmail.com.

​DONATE:  Support a rider by making a donation or become a Ride Sponsor!

CELEBRATE: Join everyone at the finish line for delicious food, music, games, activities and fantastic raffle items.
 
To register to ride, volunteer or for more information visit http://www.kids.pmc.org/bedford.aspx. All riders and volunteers receive a free PMC t-shirt! If you have questions email us at bedfordpmckidsride@gmail.com.   We look forward to seeing you at the Ride!

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Interested in joining our current list of 2017 Sponsors?
Please click here for more details!

 
2017 Bedford PMC Kids Ride Committee
Nicole Abair ~ Andrea Garraway ~ Nancy Gilroy ~ Tara Goss ~
Lauren Dorn Jones ~ Laura Keating ~ Susan Lincoln ~ Kristin Martinage ~
Tracy Norman ~ Jen Piliero ~ Marty Rogers
See your Community Announcement Here!
Email best.pto.bedford@gmail.com
Deadline:  Thursday evening of each week

Repeat Community Announcements

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
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.
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
 
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

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!
Copyright © 2017 BEST PTO, All rights reserved.


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