Frequently Asked Questions about the new Bedford High School
School Opening
How can I get a tour of the building?
There will tours of both the new Lurgio Middle School and the Bedford High School on Olde Towne Day, September 15, 2007. Students are invited to sign up to give the tours. There will also be a Pancake Breakfast from 7-9am in the cafeteria.
How can I get extra help?
First, try to meet with your teachers before, during, or after school. You can also go to the Academic Center in Room 222 for help any time of the school day. There is always a teacher available there. Even the teachers who you don't have are willing to help you - just ask! Your advisor is a good source of help and information too. Finally, you can see your guidance counselor to see what else we can do to help you succeed.
Question Archive
What does the daily schedule look like?
The schedule that has been approved by the school board has four classes a day, a 15 minute advisory time, a 20 minute break time for clubs, student government, getting help from a teacher, and a 30 minute lunch. The four classes will be held every other day, with four other classes on the days in between.
What is the "delayed day" option?
One idea that the planning team is exploring, is allowing students to come in "late", after the first class, and then staying in school "late" to take the missed class at the end of the regular school day. In effect, it would shift that student's schedule later by 90 minutes. This idea is in the exploratory stage, and all incoming students are being surveyed on this possibility on their course registration forms. The delayed day schedule would be on a voluntary basis for students and teachers. Checking it off on the course registration sheet is not binding, but will help us to gauge interest for further exploration.
How long will the classes be?
Classes will be 85 minutes long, and students would go to specific classes every other day. This amount of time provides enough time to complete math and science labs, to practice with your group in music, or to do an activity and have time to discuss it. In wellness, there is enough time to get in a workout and in art, you can concentrate on your work, not the clock.
How can we just sit for 85 minutes?
The block schedule with 85 minutes or so has been used in many schools for years. Students in this setting do NOT sit and take notes for 85 minutes. The teaching and learning methods vary during the 85 minutes and from day to day. There will be some notetaking, some discussion, activities, labs, measuring, collecting data, reporting out, debating, presenting, writing, and journaling. You will be moving from one learning method to another during the block.
What about teachers who like to lecture?
Teachers can and will do some lecture-style teaching, but it will not be the only teaching method, and it will not be for 85 straight minutes. We are being very careful that the teachers we hire have successful experience or the real desire to teach in the block. We are looking for teachers who understand that students have many learning styles that can be addressed during the block, and who know that most students do not learn as well from straight lecturing.
How does having classes every other day work for students?
Actually, the every other day format is more like college classes, and there are many benefits for students. They can concentrate and integrate their learning with fewer classes in a day. They feel less rushed or run by the clock. With better learning during class, and time during the 85 minutes to ask questions, homework is easier to complete. Also, many students have homework in only two or three subjects per night. The homework in a course may be a bit more than from a 45 minute class, but it is less daunting to tackle two or three assignments at night that the five or six in a traditional schedule. Students can also manage their time to fit their work, sports and activities. For example, on the night of an away game, a student could do one class’ assignment and still get a good night’s sleep, while doing the other work the next night when there is only a two hour practice.
What time will the school day start and end?
The school day is from 7:40 to 3:00pm.
Athletics
What types of athletic program will be offered at BHS?
Bedford High will start with a full athletic program as class "I". Most sports will be at the Varsity level, except those that are "collision" sports. More information regarding Athletics can be found on the Athletic pages created by Thor Nilsen, the Athletic Administrator.
Courses
What levels of courses will be offered?
The main levels are Post Secondary Prep (PSP) and Honors for the four core areas of English, Social Studies, Math and Science. There is also a Foundations level for students with specific IEP needs, and an AB level which uses double the amount of time to cover the competencies. In addition, there will be an array of courses at the AP level, and possibly IB (International Baccalaureate) if approved. Electives will be at the PSP level, so that students may take advantage of the many offerings at BHS. For more information, see the Program of Studies.
What types of courses will there be in English and Social Studies?
For the first three years, the required English/Social Studies courses will be combined into co-taught Humanities courses. These are We The People: American Studies I, The American Dream: American Studies II, and Global Studies. There will be two teachers in the classroom who will teach and guide students through these inter-disciplinary courses. Writing will be an integral part of the English electives, including a required course for all freshmen, titled In Writing, which will improve students' analytical writing skills. This will help students in their other classes such as when they are writing a scientific analysis. There will be a considerable number of electives in Social Studies the first year, and then more added in English the second year of operation.
What courses will there be in Math and Science?
The math progression will start from Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II and then either PreCalculus & Calculus and/or Discrete math electives. Science offers Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, followed by an array of science electives at the PSP, Honors and AP/IB levels. In both math and science, Foundations courses will be available as needed. The Program of Studies contains a list and descriptions of the courses available for next year.
What World Languages will be available?
French and Spanish will have classes through the fifth year, including AP/IB. Conversational French and Spanish will also be offered as exploratory courses. There will be four years of Latin and Mandarin Chinese. For students who would like to learn a different way of communicating, there will also be four years of American Sign Language. Check with potential colleges for their policy on accepting specific languages in their prerequisites.
Once I start a language at Bedford, will I be able to continue in it until I graduate?
Once we will offer a language at Bedford High, all students who successfully start that language may continue in it until they graduate, even if the class size is very small.
What about German?
Students who have begun German at West or another high school will be able to continue German through German IV, if there is an interest at Bedford High. There will not be a German I class offered in September, so no more students can enter the program unless they test at the German II level the summer before opening.
What Arts electives can I take?
Bedford High offers four areas in the Arts, any of which will fulfill the Arts 1/2 unit requirement. They are Fine Arts, Music, Dance, and Theatre. We hope most students will take far more than the 1/2 unit, and try various arts in their years at BHS.
Do I need to take Introductory courses in each of the Arts before I take other courses?
There are no requirements for introductory courses in Art and Music, so you can jump right into Painting, Sculpture, Guitar or Band. Dance and Theatre will have some courses that progress, but not a specific introductory course that is required.
What about Gym and Health classes?
If you have gym and health credits, they will all be transferred to Bedford High School. At BHS, you will be taking Wellness courses which are a combination of gym, exercise, health, first aid, CPR, goal setting and decision-making skills. You will need a total of three units of Wellness (including transfer credits) to graduate. You may be able to "count" a sport or physical training such as dance or health club attendance as your third unit of Wellness in your junior or senior year through an Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO) if approved by the School Board.
Can I take classes at MST?
Starting in your junior year, you can take classes at the Manchester School of Technology. The main programs offered are in the following fields:
- Construction - Landscape and Horticulture, Carpentry, Electricity, Plumbing
- Business and Marketing - Business Management, Marketing, Tourism, Finance, CADD
- Mechanical - Collision Repair, Automotive, Electronics and Communications
- Services - Cosmetology, Health, Culinary, Early Childhood Education, Fire Prevention and Law Enforcement
- Communications - Graphics and Printing, Video, Engineering and Architectural Drawing
Planning out your four years now is the best way to be sure you can fit MST courses into your schedule, as you will also need time for travel.
Registration
How do I register for classes at Bedford High if I am in 8th grade at McKelvie?
You will register by filling out the freshman course registration sheet given to you at your homeroom meetings, and turn it back in to your homeroom teacher by February 13. You can get another copy online here. Since you are already attending school in the Bedford School District, that is all you need to do. You will get a copy of your preliminary schedule before summer vacation.
How do I register for classes at Bedford High if I am in 9th grade at West?
You will register by filling out the sophomore course registration sheet given to you at West. You can get another copy online here. If you are a freshman currently at West, the SAU will obtain your information to transfer you back to BHS. You will get a copy of a preliminary schedule before summer vacation.
How do I register for classes at Bedford High if I am in 8th or 9th grade at another school, and I live in Bedford?
You can call the Planning Team office to get a copy of the Program of Studies and course registration materials. Turn in these in by February 13 in order to get the classes you want. Later registrations may limit which courses are available to you. You will need to fill out the course selection sheet as well as the formal school registration.
What if I'm just not sure if I will be going to BHS?
Please fill out a course selection sheet, even if you think you may attend another school. We will then make room for you in classes you want in case you change your mind. We can always remove you from our class lists if your final decision is to go elsewhere. If you register at the last minute, your schedule options may be limited due to class size limits and full electives.
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