BGMS Bulletin
October, 2025
October Family Newsletter
A message from your admin team
Dear BGMS Families,
It’s hard to believe that October is already upon us! September was a month full of exciting moments to celebrate. We enjoyed fall sports, FFA events, fine arts, lots of classroom learning, exciting projects, our first Fun Afternoon, and Club Day. Isn't it exciting to see these opportunities for our young Bison? When you scroll down to the Upcoming Events section, you will see a busy October too!
As we enjoy all of these opportunities, we have been truly overwhelmed by the amazing support from all of you, and especially our new parent organization, the Bison Community Council (BCC). As we approach the end of the first quarter, we encourage you to support your students in continuing to make great choices and focusing on their academics. Our goal is for every student to embrace the mindset of improvement—because everyone can improve. Every bit of extra effort makes us stronger and opens doors to new opportunities.
We feel fortunate to work alongside you and your students, and deeply appreciate every chance to make BGMS Bison Strong TOGETHER!
Fall Sports Team Photos - Monday and Tuesday
Fall sports will take team photos from 3:30 - 4:30 PM on Monday, 9/29 and Tuesday, 9/30
- MONDAY 9/29 - Volleyball and Football
- TUESDAY 9/30 - Cheer and Cross Country
Student Testing and Quizzes 9/29 - 10/3/25
- Monday, 9/29
- Math 7 Quiz
- Tuesday, 9/30
- English 7 Quiz
- Wednesday, 10/1
- English 6 - 1st Quarter Benchmark - Day One
- Science 7 - Unit Test
- Civics 8 - Quiz
- Thursday, 10/2
- English 6 - 1st Quarter Benchmark - Day Two
- Friday, 10/3
- History 6 Test
- Algebra 1 - 1st Quarter Benchmark
- Math 8 Test
We love chances for families to participate in the life of BGMS. We have many opportunities throughout the year for families to join us on field trips, supervise events and help in classrooms. If you would like the school to have a volunteer form on file, please download the attached form, fill it out, and send it back to school with your student.
E-IMPACTS
Opt-Out by October 10
You should have received a message from ACPS in your Parent Portal about Evidence-Informed Mental Health Prevention, Assessment, Collaboration, & Treatment in Middle Schools (E-IMPACTS). As a reminder, if you wish to opt your student out of this survey, please go into Parent Portal and use the resources to opt out by October 10.
The (Early Identification System) EIS is a HIPAA- and FERPA-compliant online system that helps schools identify student mental or behavioral health needs.
What are the benefits?
- Based on results, the EIS provides recommendations for evidence-based supports across 7 risk areas assessed by EIS Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3
- Gives access to hub of Interventions for K-12 students
- Addresses 7 risk areas: internalizing and externalizing problems, peer relationships, bullying behaviors, attention and academic issues, emotional dysregulation, and school disengagement
If you have questions about this survey, please contact ACPS Student Services to speak with Sarah Matus or Michelle Hibshman at 540-245-5135.
Special Education Advisory Council
STOPit App
As the year begins, we want to remind you that STOPit is still here to support your student’s safety and well-being. The app provides a safe, anonymous way for students to report concerns, get help, or find resources—anytime, anywhere.
With STOPit, students can:
- Submit a Tip — Share something serious without giving their name
- Crisis Text Line — Connect 24/7 with a trained mental health counselor
- Resources — Access help for needs like food, shelter, bullying, or anxiety
Your encouragement can make a difference—please take a moment to remind your student how to access STOPit:
- Open the app or download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play
- Search for our school in the list or enter the school code
- Accept the terms—and they’re ready to go!
Thank you for helping us keep our school community safe and supported.
ACPS School Communications Between Home and School - 2025-2026
BGMS PARENT ORGANIZATION
BISON COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Calling all parents! The Bison Community Council is our new parent organization and they need your participation.
The mission of the Bison Community Council is to:
● Support the teachers, staff, and students of Buffalo Gap Middle School;
● Encourage family and community involvement in the life of the school;
● Promote a culture of volunteerism and engagement within the school;
● Strengthen relationships between the school, families, and the greater Buffalo Gap
community.
Please consider ways you can help support our school this year. Many hands make light work!
UPCOMING EVENTS
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Any 8th grade girl interest in JV Basketball can meet with Coach Morgan before 1st period on Tuesday
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Park behind BGMS and meet at the BGHS track for the start. No tents are allowed on the football field.
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VOLLEYBALL, CHEER AND CROSS COUNTRY
Basketball
A message from Mrs. Sanger, our Athletic Director
Basketball
As we begin to wind down some fall sports, open gym dates are coming soon! If you are interested in participating in the BGMS or BGHS JV basketball programs, get your VHSL physical and watch for open gym dates very soon!
MIDDLE SCHOOL FOOTBALL
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Cafeteria Information
Breakfast and Lunch are offered free again this year for ALL students. A la carte items can be purchased during your student's lunch period. Students may either pay in cash or by having money on their account.
Safety
Students and visitors will enter the building and move through our weapons detectors daily. Just as last year, note that zippered binders are not permitted due to weapons detector procedures. Regular notebooks/binders and zippered pencil pouches are acceptable; however, some items must be removed from the backpack and reviewed by our staff at the detector stations. Items such as Chromebooks, umbrellas, glasses cases, large scissors, and certain other metal items must be removed before students are able to pass through the detectors.
Chromebook Charging
Students are asked to charge their Chromebooks each evening so they are ready for use each day.
Cell Phones/Smart Watches
Cell phones and smart watches can be a huge distraction in the educational setting. Since our students have Chromebooks, they have all the technology they need for the academic setting. Phones and smart watches must be turned off and stored in backpacks, and students are not allowed to use these during the day at school. If you need to contact your child for an emergency, please call the front office. Students may also come to the office to call home if needed.
RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES
BGMS FAN GEAR!!
Looking for some BGMS Gear? CLICK ON THE PHOTO ABOVE! We've got you covered! Shenandoah Awards and Apparel has created a merch store with several designs for purchase. Some designs have our HERD acronym and others contain the logo or another BGMS design. All orders can be placed online, but they will need to be picked up at Shenandoah Awards and Apparel, 220 Frontier Drive, Staunton, VA 24401. Buyers will receive an email when orders are ready. More designs and products will be added. Join the HERD and get yours today! Click the picture above to be linked to the store.