Bulldog Bulletin

The Bulldog Bulletin features school events, updates on student life, and general information about JFDS.

Be sure to check the JFDS website regularly for news, the events calendar, and more. Download the Bangor App as well to help stay connected!

• Monday, April 20th to Friday, April 25th - No School - Vacation Week!
• Wednesday, April 23rd - Administrative Professional's Day
• Friday, May 2nd - School Lunch Hero Day
• Monday, May 5th to Friday, May 9th - Teacher Appreciation Week
• Monday, May 5th and Tuesday, May 6th - NWEA Math Testing
• Wednesday, May 7th and Thursday, May 8th - NWEA Reading Testing
• Tuesday, May 13th and Wednesday, May 14th - Eighth Grade MEA Science Testing
• Monday, May 19th - Sixth Grade Science Field Trip to UMaine
• Monday, May 26th - Memorial Day - No School
• Monday May 26th - Memorial Day Parade

Spring time means it is time to get ready for the 2025-26 school year. Here are some things to expect:

• Eighth grade students met with counselors and current students from Bangor High School during the end of March and first weeks of April.
• Course requests have been completed and are in the hands of BHS staff.
• Toward the end of the school year, BHS will send draft schedules to the middle schools to give to students.
• Eighth graders will travel to BHS for Step Up Day in the morning on Thursday, May 29th.
• Questions about next steps at BHS? Call Bangor High School at 207-992-5500.

• Teachers at JFDS have already shared their recommendations for next year with the administrators at JFDS.
• In late April, course recommendations will be sent home to parents and families with students for review. Please return these forms ASAP with any notes or corrections.
• If you have questions about recommendations, please reach out to your child's current teacher.
• SEVENTH GRADE PARENTS - when your child is in eighth grade, they have the option of taking a full year of Spanish or a full year of French, or neither. Please indicate your choice on the course recommendation sheet when it comes home.
• Questions about course selection for next year's seventh and eighth grade? Reach out to Mrs. Reardon, our school counselor, at kreardon@bangorschools.net.

• JFDS administrators and staff meet with the staff at Fairmount to make sure children are placed appropriately.
• Feel free to reach out to Fairmount staff about their recommendations for the middle school.
• Fifth grade students will visit JFDS for Step Up Day on the morning of Wednesday, June 4th.
• There will also be an informational parent night on that same evening here at JFDS.
• If you have questions about course selection during the summer, feel free to call the school at 207-941-6220.

• Seventh graders in JMG are working on their multicultural awareness unit. One of the activities we did during this unit was try different breads from different cultures from all over the world.
• Students were then asked to choose one of the cultures and complete a mini career research project on that specific culture. Students then shared their projects with the class, to show the similarities and differences throughout all of the different cultures.
• The JMG Closing Ceremony has been scheduled for Monday, June 2nd, at 6PM.

Congratulations to the twenty 6-8th graders at JFDS who put on the spring play The Epic Quest of the Damsels in Distress by Kenneth Wasemann on March 20-21. Students did a great job with both performances, and their success is something special, as, for most of the actors, this was their FIRST time ever in a play! Audiences enjoyed the hilarity on stage, and many commented how much they enjoyed the performances. Bravo to the cast and crew of the play! A huge thank you again to all the adults who helped in any way with props, costumes, support, transportation, and even a teacher taking on an acting role late in the rehearsal process!! (Thanks, Mr. O!)

• Each of the three branches of our musical team put on amazing city-wide events during March and April.
• We are so proud of all of our Band, Chorus, & Orchestra members for the progress they have made this year and the outstanding performances we have all been able to enjoy.
• Stay tuned for news about the end-of-the-year middle school performances.

• A number of JFDS staff and students headed up the hill to support students at Vine Street in March.
• Guest Reader Day is a great tradition at Vine Street based around PBIS. This year, the event was tied into Pajama Day as well.
• Thanks to Mrs. Lowe, Mrs. Hanscom, Mrs. Loring, Nurse Ireland, & Mrs. Sinkins along with some JMG students for making it a special day for Vine Street students.

• Interested in helping the school while sharing your opinions?
• Click here to take the Spring 2025 PBIS Family Survey.

Click here to download a copy of the 2025-26 BSD School Calendar.

• Chronic absenteeism occurs when a student misses 10% of the days that they are enrolled in school. In Bangor, for a student attending the entire school year, chronic absenteeism would be 17 days or an average of approximately two days per month. Chronic absenteeism is based on total absences - both excused and unexcused. We look forward to meeting our school goal of 95% attendance by June 2025!

• Please click the link below for more information about chronic absenteeism.

  https://5il.co/32v66

• ConnectSafely helps to educate people about online safety, privacy, security, & digital wellness.
• Click here to find out more information.

Would you like access to the parent portal of PowerSchool? Click on this link to sign up:

https://forms.gle/apRn3BWD2FJEjXWXA

Confirmation of your account will come from techsis@bangorschools.net

Do you have school related questions or need help from someone at the school? Feel free to reach out to the main office at (207) 941-6220.