Connecting our Caring Community and Innovative Educators to Build Stronger Schools

Our educators are doing incredible work with the funds provided by the BAEF. Following are excerpts from 2024-2025 grant reports:

The BAEF awarded Mrs. Watson $1154.91 for the purchase of equipment to study the Effect of Heart Function and Jaw Muscle Activity on EKG Wave Differentials.

Mrs. Watson at Forest Middle School reports: "These funds have allowed me to increase the rigor and impact of my classes. Before, EKG was only accessible in a doctor’s office setting. We now have brought this valuable tool to the students at school. These sensors are an item that will provide very valuable data to my students and tie perfectly into the current curriculum. This unit of EKG Sensors is now the first unit of study starting Fall 2025. This project was designed to impact my Mock Medical School and Robotics classes. Being able to constantly improve the curriculum adds so much value to the class. We added CPR this past year (I am a certified instructor) to learn the basics. This perfectly ties to that. And it takes the CPR process to a new level since it will show what is happening to the heart."

The BAEF awarded Ms. Charlton $660 for the purchase of Breakout Boxes for Critical Thinking and Collaboration.

Ms. Charlton from Moneta Elementary reports: "I love the team building that occurs when using these boxes! Students who are reluctant to participate receive encouragement from their peers and join in on the fun. When my students arrive and see the boxes in the room, they can’t wait to start math class. I have several holiday-themed math review breakouts that I use throughout the year that help review math concepts. I encourage others to utilize this great teaching tool."

The BAEF awarded Ms. Riggles $2500 for the purchase of 50 ukuleles and music.

Ms. Riggles with Boonsboro and Big Island Elementary Schools reports: "Students were excited to learn a guitar-like instrument and motivated to play popular songs. I had planned on using them for only the 4th and 5th grades. Just seeing the instruments in the room excited the younger students, so I allowed 2nd and 3rd grade students to learn some very basic songs with the ukuleles. The students really enjoyed using an instrument they had heard in movies and that they could see how they could build upon this in the future."

The BAEF awarded Ms. Olsen $203.50 for the purchase of Reading Resources.

Ms. Olsen from Huddleston Elementary reports: "This project greatly benefited my classroom and students. It gave me reading resources to implement into my classroom that are backed by the science of reading, which helped them grow as readers. These resources not only benefited my current class of students, but will benefit many students to come as I implement the resources year after year, helping my students grow into successful lifelong readers. Thank you so much!"

Save the Date: Fall Breakfast

Please join us on Tuesday, November 18th at 7:30 am for our Fall Breakfast at the Bower Center for the Arts in Bedford. We will be honoring our sponsors and educators, as well as showcasing student innovation. We have MUCH for which to be thankful and hope you will join us! Please RSVP to info@bedfordeducation.com.

Deep academic knowledge is often associated with critical thinking, and rightfully so. However, most employers or institutions will tell you that while the three “R’s” (reading, writing, and arithmetic) are essential, those who can think critically through soft skills (professionalism, work ethic, communication, teamwork, and adaptive problem-solving) are far more likely to succeed. Couple this with the alarming data on youth mental wellness, and it is clear that the work of building well-rounded critical thinkers is no small task. Bedford County Public School’s mission is to provide equal opportunities to enable all students to think critically, collaborate, create, communicate, and become productive citizens. Thanks to the ongoing support of the Bedford Area Educational Foundation, our intentional efforts in fulfilling this mission are stronger than ever.

While educators teach and model these skills every day, any initiative becomes more productive when it is supported through access to robust materials, training, and support. At the elementary level, School Counselors are now equipped with comprehensive resources to provide routine opportunities for all students to build the “knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to recognize and manage their emotions, demonstrate caring and concern for others, establish positive relationships, make responsible decisions, and handle challenging situations constructively.” These opportunities are delivered through engaging weekly lessons using direct instruction, small group and partner simulations, school-wide common language (keys to communication), parent newsletters, and thematic stories that exemplify the skills learned each week. At the secondary level, School Counselors and Intervention Design Specialists (IDS) are now trained to implement multiple programs designed to “build self-esteem, set and monitor goals, improve decision making, maintain personal control, and enhance interpersonal communication.” These programs involve both large and small group activities, as well as one-on-one sessions.

Put simply, the BAEF has demonstrated tremendous commitment by equipping us with materials, training, and support to ensure that every student in BCPS will be empowered to become critical thinkers with the skills needed to succeed now and in the future.

Sources

Soft skills: The competitive edge. United States Department of Labor. (n.d.). https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/publications/fact-sheets/soft-skills-the-competitive-edge

BAEF at Work in our Community:

Bedford's Best

Bedford County Public Schools, in partnership with the Bedford Area Educational Foundation, uses the Bedford’s Best program to recognize two staff members per 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.

We would like to thank Georgia-Pacific for sponsoring Bedford's Best for the 2025-2026 School Year!!

To nominate someone, please visit the link below.

https://forms.gle/MbicKQcfxV2xyiTV7