DISTRICT NEWS
We will be providing updates as that information becomes available through direct communication to families, our BCPS website, YouTube channel, and social media (Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter).
BCPS PRIDE - CLICK HERE
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
Mental Health Awareness Month, which is in May, is designed to highlight the importance of taking care of your mental wellness. It’s also a great time to share valuable resources and learn where you can get mental health support.
Mental health is essential to our overall health, and the importance of attending to mental health has become even more pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has not only negatively impacted many people’s mental health but has also created barriers to treatment.
Millions of adults and children across America experience mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Nearly one in five Americans lives with a mental health condition. Those living with mental health conditions are our family, friends, classmates, neighbors, and coworkers.
If you or someone you know needs to seek assistance check out one of these resources:
Mental Health America
National Alliance on Mental Illness
mentalhealth.gov
National Institutes of Mental Health
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
American Psychiatric Association
2021 TEACHERS & EDUCATION SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR
Bedford County Public Schools proudly presents our 2021 Teacher of the Year, Liberty High School's Matt Uselton. CONGRATULATIONS MATT!!!
Click here for surprise announcement video.
Congratulations to all our Bedford County Public Schools’ Teachers of the Year & Education Support Staff of the Year!
Click here for our Teacher of the Year recognition video.
Click here for listing of Teachers of the Year.
Click here for our Education Support Staff of the Year recognition video.
Click here for listing of Education Support Staff of the Year.
SUMMER SESSION
BCPS will be opening up the Credit-Bearing Summer Session starting April 19, 2021, through May 28, 2021. The format will be online courses through Edgenuity. Students can sign up for new courses through the online application form. More information can be found by clicking on the links below.
Summer Session Flyer
Direct Link to Webpage
Summer Session Application Form
BCPS Online Payment System
GRADUATION CEREMONY
We are excited to announce the details and updated information for the 2021 Graduation Ceremony:
Date: Saturday, May 29, 2021 (rain or shine)
Location: Liberty University - Williams Stadium
Time: Liberty High School - 9:00 a.m.
Staunton River High School - 12:00 p.m.
Jefferson Forest High School - 5:00 p.m.
Details:
Each graduate will receive 10 guest tickets which must be presented for entry into the graduation. Information on ticket distribution will be communicated by Monday, May 3, 2021.
Streaming services will be provided. The link to view the ceremony will be posted on the BCPS Facebook page.
Guests will need to be seated promptly in the assigned seating area provided by the LU staff. Due to cleaning protocols of the facility and preparation for the next graduation ceremony, guests should exit immediately to their vehicle after the ceremony has concluded.
Parking information will be communicated at a later date.
Masks must be worn at all times.
2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR
Planning has begun for the 2021-2022 school year. Our goal is to return to school five days a week, all day, with mitigation strategies. For more information, please see the infographic.
2021-2022 Infographic
2021-2022 Plain Text
NEW SUPERINTENDENT APPOINTED
Dr. Marc Bergin has been appointed as the Superintendent of Bedford County Public Schools following a unanimous vote by the School Board at its March 11 regular meeting. He will assume his new position on June 1, 2021.
Click here for more information on our new superintendent.
SUPPORT STAFF JOB FAIR
The Recruitment and Retention Team is excited to announce a BCPS Job Fair that will consist of applicants participating in a virtual interview session for support staff positions. The fair will be open until the end of May. Please see the flyer linked below for more information.
Support Staff Job Fair Flyer
Screening Interview Link
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
Bedford County Public Schools still remains closed to the public, but essential appointments can be made by calling your child's school.
The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) has developed a parent resource on how to talk about COVID-19 with your child. The CDC provides daily updates and health-related guidance in regards to COVID-19 if further information is needed for your family.
COVID-19 and Your Mental Health Infographic
Guidance Regarding Face Coverings - Beginning 11/18/20
Bedford County Public Schools: Contact Tracing
What is Contact Tracing?
PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION
Apply online for free preschool for the 2021-2022 school year. Please use the link Preschool & Kindergarten Information page to access further information and follow the directions provided on the web page to complete and submit the electronic application. Click here for Informational Flyer.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
NOTE: For those registering for Kindergarten for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year
Any child who is five years old on or before September 30, 2021 may enter Kindergarten.
There are two steps to registering.
1. Register your child online using one of the following links.
New Kindergarten students who have never been in BCPS before:
https://registration.powerschool.com/family/gosnap.aspx?action=28086&culture=en
Previous BCPS Preschool students who will be moving up to Kindergarten: https://registration.powerschool.com/family/gosnap.aspx?action=28084&culture=en
2. Provide the required documentation by making an appointment with your child’s school office.
Documents needed for Kindergarten registration:
- Birth Certificate
- Updated physical
- Record of immunizations
- Proof of residency (copy of mortgage, lease, or real estate tax statement)
Appointments must be made to ensure social distancing. Anyone with an appointment should wear a mask when entering the school offices. There will only be one family in the office at a time. For additional information, please contact your child’s school.
School contact information can be found at http://bedford.sharpschool.net/schools.
Click here for Kindergarten Registration Flyer
STUDENT REGISTRATION FOR 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR
NOTE: For those registering for the current 2020-2021 school year
Student registration for the 2020-2021 school year with Bedford County Public Schools is open.
New Students - Click here to register
Returning Students - Click here to register
SCHOOL NUTRITION UPDATES
Media Release - School Meals Free for all Children
Meal Service Update Letter
School Nutrition Program Frequently Asked Questions
PANDEMIC ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER (P-EBT)
We are happy to update families about Pandemic-EBT payments that will take place throughout the upcoming week. School divisions across the state of Virginia submitted information to the Virginia Department of Social Services in January for a third round of P-EBT benefits. However, payments were not issued to families because the Virginia Department of Social Services and the United States Department of Agriculture had not approved a new state plan. A new state plan has now been approved and payments will begin on Wednesday, March 17, 2021.
In order for students to be eligible for P-EBT payments, they must be participating in 100% virtual learning (Bedford Connects) or be attending a school that is considered to be participating under a hybrid modality (a combination of in-school and virtual instruction). Currently, the three high schools in the division operate under the hybrid modality. In addition to a student having to be 100% virtual or hybrid, the student must also be currently approved for free or reduced-price school meals. If you are unsure if your child is approved for free or reduced-price meals, please contact the School Nutrition Office at 540-586-1045, option five for assistance.
Please refer to the P-EBT flyer and the P-EBT Frequently Asked Questions at the links below for further details about P-EBT payments.
Pandemic-EBT Payments Flyer
Pandemic-EBT Payments Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Click here for Intro to School Cash Online video
Click here for School Cash Online - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in PDF format
LIVE STREAMING SERVICE OF HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS
You can now follow and subscribe to BCPS Athletics on the NFHS network (Pixellot). This is a live streaming service of high school athletics. At this time, Football and Volleyball will be active for online spectators that subscribe to the service. Spring sports (limited options) will be added at a later date. Click here for more information.
BUDGET INFORMATION
Click here for budget information
SCHOOL BOARD INFORMATION
The Bedford County School Board will conduct its regular monthly meeting on May 13, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. in the School Board Office conference room located at 311 South Bridge Street, Bedford, VA.
This meeting will be open to the public but will have limited seating due to physical distancing requirements. Those who sign up for public comment that arrive after maximum seating capacity has been reached will be admitted into the building one at a time when it is their turn to speak.
Additionally, any member of the public attending the meeting will be required to wear a face covering. Priority seating will be given to meeting participants.
The public is encouraged to watch the meeting via live stream on our YouTube channel. Tune in at 5:00 p.m.
BCPS YouTube channel link:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCvIyLnQJ8uBXH9Y36C9uvw
BoardDocs, BCPS School Board Meeting Management System link:
http://bedford.sharpschool.net/departments/school_board/BoardDocs/
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