DISTRICT NEWS
We will be providing updates as that information becomes available through direct communication to families on our BCPS website, YouTube channel, and social media (Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter).
SCHOOL CLOSURE REMINDER
Monday, February 6, 2023, is a Professional Development Day. School is closed for students.
SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK
National School Counseling Week is February 6-10, 2023. This year’s theme is School Counselors: Helping Students Dream Big. School counselors help students succeed in school, apply interpersonal skills, and plan their careers. The combination of their training and experience makes them a unique and integral part of our schools. We appreciate all of the work they do to help students!
BCPS TEACHER OF THE YEAR
We are so proud to announce this year’s Bedford County Public Schools Teacher of the Year. Huge congratulations to Jefferson Forest High School’s Thomas Fox! Click the link below to watch the announcement.
https://youtu.be/8HDdsh_PPBA
INCLEMENT WEATHER CODES
Click the link below to view the codes that will be used this year to communicate with families during times of inclement weather. Families are encouraged to look for official information on the division’s social media pages and website, in addition to announcements being sent through email to all families. To receive email notification, please ensure your child’s school has your updated email and contact information. Codes will also be shared with local media after the division has made the information available through its own communication vehicles mentioned above.
Click here for detailed information about inclement weather codes.
BEDFORD'S BEST NOMINATIONS
We want to showcase our amazing staff!
Bedford County Public Schools in partnership with the Bedford Area Education Foundation will be using our Bedford’s Best program to recognize two staff members a month in our school division who go above and beyond to make a difference in people’s lives every day.
Nominations can be made by anyone with first-hand knowledge of the work that our staff member is doing. To nominate someone, please click the picture linked below.
Submissions may be featured on the Bedford County Public Schools' website and social media platforms.
STUDENT REGISTRATION FOR THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR
Please click the link below to review the enrollment criteria for both NEW and RETURNING students.
Click here for the 2022-2023 school year student registration information.
BEDFORD COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD ISSUES RESPONSE TO FACILITY USE AGREEMENT
The Bedford County School Board and administration understands that there are concerns in the community regarding an organization that is leasing the Jefferson Forest High School Auditorium for a family movie night in February 2023.
Bedford County Public Schools does not endorse the activity, organization, or mission of this organization, and the school division has had no involvement in this event except in processing the facility agreement pursuant to School Board Policy KG, Community Use of School Facilities. Furthermore, although the organization’s name includes the words “after school club,” there is no such club affiliated with Jefferson Forest High School or any of our schools.
U.S. Supreme Court precedent requires that if school divisions make their facilities available to outside organizations, they must provide equal access to all outside organizations to use their school facilities, provided the outside organizations meet the requirements specified in policy. School Board Policy KG does not allow the School Board to discriminate against any outside organization on the basis of viewpoint. To disallow this organization to use the facility would place the school division in opposition to its own policy.
We hope this information clarifies the position of Bedford County Public Schools. We hear the concerns that have been expressed and appreciate your understanding.
BCPS NEEDS BUS DRIVERS
Bus drivers start at $16.25 an hour and bus driver substitutes earn $14.24 an hour. Bedford County Public Schools pays for training and certifications.
Contact Monica Yokum to get started!
540-586-1045 ext. 10259
[email protected]
Click here for our Bus Driver Recruitment Video!
POTENTIAL CHANGES TO SCHOOL ZONE BOUNDARIES
With current and future anticipated housing development in the eastern part of Bedford County, the enrollment at some of our schools will soon outpace capacity. For that reason, the Bedford County School Board is considering making alterations to selected school attendance zones. The full proposal can be viewed at this link. An interactive tool tied to the Bedford County GIS system allows families to search the proposed changes by address to determine how the plan may affect their children's attendance zone.
The School Board will continue to consider this proposal at future meetings, including opportunities for public input. In the meantime, if you have input or questions about this proposal, you are welcome to email [email protected].
HEALTH INSURANCE OPTIONS FOR FAMILIES
If you are uninsured and need additional health insurance options, COVER Virginia's website can assist you. If you are unable to log on, please contact your school nurse. Please see the brochures below for more information.
FAMIS Brochure in English
FAMIS Brochure in Spanish
USAC AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), provides eligible households $30 per month off their internet bills. ACP-eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.
To deliver maximum cost savings to families, the federal government has secured commitments from 20 leading internet providers to offer ACP-eligible households a high-speed internet plan for no more than $30 per month. Eligible families who pair their ACP benefit with one of these plans can receive high-speed internet at no cost.
Click the following link to learn more.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/getinternet/
BUDGET & CIP INFORMATION FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2022-2023
School Board Approved Budget for SY 22-23
School Board Approved Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for SY 22-23
SCHOOL NUTRITION UPDATES
Students attending some of the schools in Bedford County will receive free school meals this year as part of the federal Community Eligibility Provision meal program. The schools that met the requirements based on the school’s economically disadvantaged status are as follows: Bedford Elementary School, Bedford Primary School, Big Island Elementary School, Goodview Elementary School, Huddleston Elementary School, Moneta Elementary School, Montvale Elementary School, Stewartsville Elementary School, Liberty Middle School, Liberty High School, Staunton River Middle School, and Staunton River High School.
Parents with children attending these schools do not need to apply for free meals.
All other schools will resume the regular school meals program. Daily lunch for students will be $2.40 Elementary/$2.65 Middle & High and breakfast will be $1.35. Milk will cost $0.60.
Parents wanting to apply for free meals should submit an application online at https://www.myschoolapps.com. If your family chooses to apply please complete a "Free and Reduced Meal Price Application Form." The forms can be obtained and returned (completed) to any school office.
The final state budget provided funding to eliminate reduced co-pays for students eligible for reduced-price meals. Therefore, both free and reduced students will receive free meals.
Bedford County Schools uses MySchoolBucks for managing school meal accounts. Parents can create their online school payment accounts by going online to https://www.myschoolbucks.com.
School lunch menus are available online at https://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?sid=1498255712935&page=menus. Parents can print monthly menus from this site.
ONLINE MEAL APPLICATION
Free and Reduced Price Meals are available to families who believe they may qualify. You will be notified by mail of your child's status. Only complete one application per family. To submit an application online, click the button below.
ANGEL FUND DONATIONS
Would you like to help support the feeding needs of students in Bedford County Public Schools? Click the button below to donate to the Angel Fund Account at a school of your choice. Thank you in advance for making a difference in a child’s life!
SCHOOL CASH ONLINE
School Cash Online is a safe, simple and secure way for parents to pay for field trips, yearbooks, spirit wear, athletic fees and more. No need to take out cash or write checks, now you can shop online from the comfort of your own home. Click here and choose Register.
Parent Registration Resource Flyer
Click here for School Cash Online - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in PDF format
SCHOOL BOARD INFORMATION
The Bedford County School Board will conduct its regular monthly meeting on February 9, 2023, in the Liberty High School auditorium located at 100 Liberty Minutemen Drive, Bedford, VA 24523.
The agenda for the 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. portion of the meeting includes a closed session to discuss personnel and legal matters, a dinner break, and, as time permits, staff reports, and Informational items.
The Board will reconvene for the formal meeting at 7:00 p.m. for Information, Action, and Consent items.
All Board meetings are open to the public and are broadcast via live stream on the school division’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCvIyLnQJ8uBXH9Y36C9uvw
The complete agendas can be accessed on BoardDocs:
https://bedford.sharpschool.net/school_board/board_docs_-_school_board_meetings__policies
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