Bedford Central School District

The Bedford Central School District shall cultivate curiosity and a passion for learning by providing challenging educational opportunities for all students so they may achieve their full potential as productive and contributing members of society.

It is with great pride we present to you "What you need to know" about the Bedford Central School District.

We seek to provide an environment which builds the foundation for lifelong learning and responsible citizenship. Accordingly, we are dedicated to cultivating curiosity and a passion for learning by providing challenging educational opportunities for all students so they may achieve their full potential as productive and contributing members of society

Our schools foster the development of positive interpersonal relationships and self-esteem within a safe and secure environment. They are places where all are treated with mutual respect and empathy, encouraged to act responsibly, and contribute in their own way as valued members of the community.

We understand that the objectives of an educational program are best realized when mutual understanding, cooperation, and effective communications exist among the home, community, and school.

We hope you find the information contained herein about our schools and programs helpful in developing a full understanding of who we and our approach to education.

The schools of the Bedford Central School District have tradition of pride and excellence as a member of BCSD. However, they each enjoy their individuality and unique culture. The following links will bring to to useful information about each of our schools.

• Fox Lane High School
• Fox Lane Middle School
• Bedford Hills Elementary School
• Bedford Village Elementary School
• Mount Kisco Elementary School
• Pound Ridge Elementary School
• West Patent Elementary School

An Excellent Education

• Should be well-rounded, rigorous, challenging, and provide students with the foundational and critical thinking skills required for continued learning.
• Should connect students with teachers who are supportive, foster curiosity, and are inspirational to all students.
• Should foster self-confidence, self-awareness, and general social and emotional growth and well-being.
• Should prepare students for their future as respectful and productive citizens and members of our society.
• Should foster the love of learning.

Students Learn Best When

• They feel personally actively engaged and challenged.
• They have positive and productive relationships with their teachers grounded in mutual respect.
• They have a safe, comfortable, supportive environment where they are respected as individuals, and feel membership in a community.
• They have and can access a wide network of varied support systems, and systems exist to identify and address student needs.
• They are encouraged to be creative and curious learners.

The Role of Parents/Guardians in the Educational Process is

• To encourage, motivate, and support students and educators.
• To foster growth, independence, and self-advocacy for students.
• To collaborate with and advocate for students and educators.
• To be in a productive two-way relationship with the schools, and to foster and model for students mutual respect.
• To be informed about and engaged in the educational system and process.

The Role of Technology in Education is

• As a tool to foster digital citizenship through responsible, respectful, effective, and appropriate use.
• To facilitate communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and deep learning.
• To create endless opportunities for deep exploration, analysis, and synthesis of information.
• Not to replace learning, but rather to be an essential tool to aid in the education process by allowing students to access higher levels of thought about the content and processes of the curriculum.

District Fiscal and Operational Practices

• Should place students first.
• Should be responsible for the present and the future.
• Should respect all stakeholders.
• Should be transparent, clear and as simple as possible.
• Should be balanced and prudent.

The curricular programs of the Bedford Central School District are designed to inspire students to think, create, and problem solve. Our programs are intended to uncover the unique gifts and brilliance in each student. Good teaching should promote deep thinking, launch future learning, and allow students to experience real-world, real-life, authentic, meaningful, rigorous, challenging, motivating and transformative learning.

The following links will introduce you to our curricular programs:

• Athletics
• English Language Arts
• Fine Arts
• Health and Physical Education
• Mathematics
• Performing Arts
• Science and Technology
• Social Studies and Business
• World Languages

This section of our What you Need to Know presents key district data sets for our current and prospective constituents to gain a deeper understanding of the Bedford Central School District's performance as an educational institution.

BCSD provides comprehensive support programs to ensure all students achieve their full potential. The following provides information about how programs meet the specific learning, social, and emotional needs of our students:

• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
• Guidance Program
• Special Education
  
• Pupil Personnel Services

The District also posts delay, early dismissal, or closing information on the District Website, BCTV, and uses WHUD, News 12, NBC-TV, CBS-TV, FOX 5, and ABC-TV to broadcast school closings, late arrivals, and early dismissals.

On days when inclement weather is predicted, the decision to close school could be made the evening prior. If not, the decision-making process begins at 3:30 a.m. and includes research on weather conditions, assessment of site conditions for our schools, consultation with the highway departments of our towns, and a conference call with regional superintendents of schools. A decision will be made by approximately 5 a.m. and the communication process will be initiated.

Some important information:

• A "Delay" means a 2-hour delay for students and staff. Students report to their bus stops or arrive at school 2 hours after normal time.
• For Early Dismissals, the earliest dismissal bus runs for the high school/middle school begin at 10:20 a.m. Elementary students are dismissed at 11:30 a.m.

• If schools are closed, facilities are not available for use for after-school or evening activities by internal or external organizations; therefore, all after-school activities are canceled, except for after-care programs in the schools.

• For Early Dismissals, staff members are dismissed 30 minutes after the students.

• If schools are closed or there is an early dismissal on a Friday, please check the District website for the status of weekend activities.