BUCCANEER NEWS Vol. #9 10/26/2026

• Here is the sports schedule for Middle School and the JGMS Athletics Website and Coach Contact Information
• Weekly Staff and Parent Bulletin Requests
• BPS 2026-2027 District Calendar
• JGMS Activities and Clubs
• School Lunch Menu - Click Here

• This Week:

  10/26 (M) Flu Clinic (see Table of Contents for Information Below)

  10/27 (T) 7th Grade Field Trip - Boundless Adventure

  10/28 (W) Shawhseen Valley Technical High School Field Trip (Grade 8)

  10/30 (F) Middle School Halloween Social 5-7pm

  
  

  Next Week (So Far):

  11/3 (T) No School - Professional Development For Teacher

  11/4 (W) Parent Teacher Conferences 2:30-4:30pm (via Zoom)

  
  

  
  

  Save the Dates

  • 11/4 (W) Parent Teacher Conferences 2:30-4:30pm (via Zoom)
  • 11/18 (W) Parent Teacher Conferences 4:30-7:30pm (via Zoom)
  • 5/25-5/28 (T-F) 8th Grade Washington DC Trip
  • 6/15 (T) 7th Grade Field Trip - Kimball Farms Field Trip

Our Halloween Social is coming up this Friday and it will be lots of fun. Admission is $20 and includes paying for the DJ, pizza, party favors, and other miscellaneous expenses that go with running and event like this. Proceeds go to the JGMS Scholarship Fund for field trips. All are welcome!

Please note:

Students are not permitted to leave early without prior permission requested to the principal or a phone call from an adult during the event is also acceptable.

We need *lots* of parent Halloween donations of decorations and snacks to make this year a success. Please use the signup link and share widely to other parents.

The 6th-grade had a successful journey to Outdoor Classroom in Freedom, New Hampshire last week. Approximately 160 students spent 3 days and 2 nights exploring the outdoors and participating in activities that are not traditionally able to be done at school. The students sang, dissected, learned to make fire, used natural night vision, used all of their senses in creative ways, learned about native plants and the organisms that depend on them, tried woodworking, bonded with new friends, and had amazing food! The 6th-grade teams and the JGMS administration would like to say thank you to everyone who made this trip possible, from the kids who were engaged and had fabulous behavior, the parents who supported the trip, and a huge thank you to the chaperones

Nadine Coletta

Nicole Prince

Libbey Beinert

Meagan Asp

Jackie Supprise

Alison Breaux

Lindsey Goodhue

Janelle Day

Renee Anderson

John King

Colby Schalek

Cliff Chuang

Charlie Puopolo

Paul Grady

Tyler Wilson

Kenneth Norling

Paul Harrington

Jonathan Brome

Anders Helgason

Jill Marquis

Samuel Malcolm

We are grateful for for everyone's effort to make the trip safe and special for all who attended.

A big thanks to Mr. McGrath, Ms. Pietrasiak, Ms. Raboin, Ms. Fisichella, Ms. Tatar, Ms. Bakerian, Ms. Limoli, and Ms. d'Entremont who planned the trips that supported the students who did not go to Nature's Classroom. These students had lunch at Ken's Deli, went candlepin bowling in Cambridge, and went to a movie in Salem!

I want to say thank you to Ms. Tracy Fernald and our nursing staff for supporting the trip and all the medical needs of our students. Preparing for the trips was a huge undertaking which was done in addition to their daily responsibilities. We are so fortunate to have the support and caring health care professionals who care so much about our students.

A thank to Ms. Cormier, Ms. Danielson, Mr. Moore, Mr. Lavoie, and Mr. Bacigalupi for holding down the fort while teachers of 7th and 8th volunteered their time holding down the fort in New Hampshire.

It's important to acknowledge that his trip does not occur without the careful planning of our trip coordinator, Nadine Coletta. Ms. Coletta put in months of work to prepare this trip for our students. She knows each student and their needs and takes on the responsibility of caring for your children as if she was caring for her own. We are grateful for her effort to make the trip safe and special for all who attended.

Students, staff, and families are invited to volunteer to help plant 300 yellow tulips to promote mental health awareness. See the flyer for details.

Please be on the lookout for information about conferences next Wednesday 11/4. We will send a stand alone email with sign up information.

Bedford Dollars for Scholars awards scholarships, based on the success of our annual fundraising campaigns, to graduating seniors from Bedford and Hanscom Air Force Base.

• These resulting Dollars for Scholars scholarships represent about 40% of our awards each year. Additional scholarships are funded by the business community, social organizations, endowed scholarships and memorial scholarships.
  
• Students eligible for these scholarships must be graduating seniors from Bedford High School, or residents of Bedford and Hanscom Air Force Base graduating from other secondary schools, receiving a GED, or completing acceptable home schooling.

Bedford Dollars for Scholars has helped 3,909 students by awarding $3.9 million since our inception in 1965. In 2026, we awarded over $220,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors.

Please see below for the information, including field trips for 8th graders to learn more about Career Technical Education (CTE) programs.

For Bedford Residents:
Shawsheen Valley Technical High School is our area CTE option. Each year, JGMS partners with Shawsheen to provide additional opportunities for students to learn about the high school experience and technical programs at Shawsheen. For Grade 8 students, a visit to Shawsheen will be Wednesday, October 28, 2026. For Grade 7 students, Project Explore typically runs in the winter. Project Explore is a three-week afterschool program to experience some of the programming available at Shawsheen. The program is free and transportation is provided. As the dates are finalized, more information will be shared by JGMS or the grade-level school counselor.

• Shawsheen Valley Technical High School Admissions Website and Contact information: https://www.shawsheentech.org/

• November 1, 2026: Applications will be available on their website.

• November 5, 2026 (6-8pm): Shawsheen Tech Community Open House

• January 14, 2027 (6-8pm): Additional Shawsheen Tech Open House

• February, 1, 2027: Deadline for 9th grade applications

For students in the METCO program:

Grade 8 students who reside in Boston will visit Shawsheen Valley Technical High School to better understand what a technical high school offers. Though students from Boston cannot attend Shawsheen, there are technical high school options throughout the Boston Public Schools and they will visit Madison Park Technical Vocational High School on Thursday, November 12, 2026. The Shawsheen visit will be on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.

Madison Park Technical Vocational High School has the most CTE programs in Boston.

• Madison Park Technical Vocational High School Admissions Website and Contact Information: https://madisonpark.bostonpublicschools.org/admissions/

• October 1, 2026: Applications will be available on their website

• February 13, 2027: Deadline for 9th grade applications

• For campus visits, Madison Park will schedule by phone or email

The English High School, Boston Arts Academy, Boston Green Academy, and Edward M. Kennedy Health Career Academy all offer at least one CTE program, as well.

Why Technical School?

The Massachusetts Office of College, Career, and Technical Education shares: "CTE programs prepare students to graduate with skills and credentials that will provide them with advanced employment opportunities if they enter the workforce immediately upon graduation... Signature components of these programs include at least 900 hours of immersive learning time, co-operative education in partnership with local employers, and opportunities to earn high-value industry recognized credentials. The CTE frameworks are developed to guide instruction and support program design that ensure students graduate with the skills and learning experiences that best prepare them in their field."

In addition to offering specialized career training, we know that students who attend technical schools may also choose to attend college. In 2025, over 50% of graduates at Shawsheen and nearly 40% of graduates at Madison Park planned to attend a 2- or 4-year college after graduation.

Questions?

For general questions about CTE or high school options, please be in touch with your JGMS grade-level school counselor. For specific questions about one of the schools listed above or their specific application, please reach out to that school's Admission Office.

Today you will be receiving an email from Bedford Public Schools and Superintendent Chuang via DocuSign. This message will include your 2026-2027 Federal Impact Aid Survey form.

As we do each October, we are asking for parent/guardian cooperation in filling out a survey form to meet the requirements of Public Law 874. Under the provisions of Public Law 874, Bedford Public Schools must conduct an annual Federal Military Impact Aid Survey. The Town of Bedford receives a substantial sum of money under this provision, which lowers the cost of education to the taxpayers.

Please help us identify all federally connected students whose families are Active Duty Military, live on Hanscom AFB, OR work on federal facilities including Hanscom AFB, Bedford VA, Boston VA, Lincoln Public School on HAFB, Lincoln Labs, Mitre, and more!

Our yearly survey is fully electronic with e-signature. Parents/Guardians will receive a unique survey for each enrolled child. It is very important that all surveys are completed and electronically signed for each student, as reimbursement is made for all eligible students on a per-pupil basis. You may request a paper survey copy.

We thank you very much for your assistance with this important annual survey. For all questions regarding this matter, please contact the Business Office at bps-impactaidsurvey@bedfordps.org or 781-275-7708 for assistance.

For more information, please visit our website: 2026-2027 Annual Federal Impact Aid Survey

As the school year gets underway, I know many of you are thinking about how to best support your child through the transition. Whether they’re feeling anxious, adjusting to new social dynamics, or simply taking time to settle in, support is available.

Bedford Public Schools partners with Cartwheel, a virtual mental health provider, to make sure families can access care when they need it. Here’s what's available:

• Individual therapy for your child (grades 3+) — appointments available within days, with no waitlist. Psychiatric support available when appropriate.

• Parent and caregiver guidance (Prek-Grade 12) — practical support for navigating challenges at home

• Care Programs designed for specific challenges families often see:

• School Avoidance — for students struggling to attend or stay at school

• Screens & Social Media — for students and families navigating challenges with screens, social media, and digital stress

• Big Behaviors, Big Feelings — for students experiencing intense emotions or behavior challenges at school or home

Appointments are virtual and flexible, including evenings and weekends. Care is available in multiple languages, including Spanish. Care is free with Medicaid, and most private insurance plans are accepted.

If you think your child or family could benefit from support, complete this simple interest form, and someone from Cartwheel will follow up with you.

If you have any questions, you can reach out to your school counselor or student support team.

JGMS offers a variety of clubs and programs outside of school hours. Please click here for a list of clubs and programs. To sign up please email the advisor of the club.

If you do not see a club your child is interested in, please have them send an email to their counselor who will inform school administration. We try to find a willing and able advisor and use our partnership with Bedford Recreation to create clubs that students are hoping for.

Below are some clubs direct advertising

JGMS has a partnership with the Bedford Recreation Department. We are able to create clubs that are not offered through the towns Collective Bargaining Agreement. While the club does charge a nominal fee, they occur at JGMS after school.

If your child is hoping to have a club, have them ask me. It may exist or I can see about finding an adult to sponsor it.

As part of ensuring that we are meeting the educational needs of our students, Bedford Public Schools utilizes STAR Renaissance benchmark assessments. Students in grades 6-10 complete Star assessments in Reading and Math 2-3 times per year. Please know that these assessments are just snapshots of a student’s skills, and that we use many data points to inform scheduling and instruction. The results help educators and administrators personalize teaching and learning for all students.

Please see the attached communication regarding signing up for access to Star Reading and Math reports.

Thank you,

Denise Breakall (JGMS English Curriculum Coordinator),

Kelly Williamson (Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning & interim BHS English Program Director)

Patrick Morrissey (Mathematics Program Director 6-12)

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is pleased to share the MCAS Family Portal with you. This online tool lets you see your student's MCAS test results. Preliminary MCAS results from spring 2026 are available. You will also see your student's results from past years (2023–2025), if available. The Family Portal will be updated in September when final results are ready. Go to MCAS Family Portal to create an account. You will need your student's date of birth and your student's registration code which is located on the front of the student demographics page in Aspen. For more information, see the Quick Start Guide and MCAS Family Portal Help Guide. If you have any questions, please contact the main office at your child's school.

Bedford Public Schools is introducing a new voluntary device protection program for school-issued Chromebooks and iPads used by students in Grades 6–12 beginning with the 2026–2027 school year.

For $50 per student, families who enroll receive $0-deductible coverage for damage, theft, loss, and hardware or battery failure. The program is designed to provide families with predictable protection from potentially significant repair or replacement costs while helping ensure students always have access to a working device.

If You Choose Not to Enroll

Participation is voluntary. Families who do not enroll will continue to be financially responsible for damage, loss, or theft of their student’s district-issued device and will be invoiced according to the repair fees referenced below. Beginning this year, outside or individually purchased device insurance plans will not be accepted in place of the district program.

Type of Repair for a Chromebook

https://www.bedfordps.org/district/news/new-bps-device-protection-program

How to Pay

• JGMS Device Protection Payment Link
• Fee Waiver Application

Please be aware and follow the drop off and pick up routines designed to provide a safe environment for entry and exit of students.

DROP OFF: Please see the drop off routines below

Students who:

• walk/bike to school may enter in the front by the School Administration wing or the parking lot door

• ride the bus to school should enter in the front by the School Administration wing

• ride in a car to school should enter in the back parking lot. Caretakers should follow the traffic pattern laid out below in the morning

PICK UP: Please see the pick up routines below

Student who:

• walk/bike from school may exit any door that is most convenient.

• ride the bus from school may exit may exit any door that is most convenient. These students will walk to Bedford High School to pick up the bus. Dismissal at JGMS is at 2:16 and the dismissal at BHS is at 2:24. Busses will depart from Bedford High School at 2:28.

• ride in a car from school should exit the school by the parking lot. Caretakers should follow the traffic pattern laid out below in the afternoon.

Ms. Cormier and Ms. Danielson are happy to ensure your child has what they need to be successful each day. In order to support their efforts we ask you use our cubby system for all items that are not electronic.

When you enter the main door at JGMS you will see a large wooden cubby where we ask families to leave student belongings. Chromebooks or other electronics have their own process however the process begins at the cubby. There are forms that parents can fill out along with instructions. Below are pictures so you will know what to expect.

You will see we ask parents to email their child that an item has been dropped off. Our priority is that our students get what they need in a timely manner and the process is efficient. To ensure the system works as planned, we will teach the students about this system, we will periodically check the cubby for items that need to be picked up, and also ask that you remind your child to check their email periodically during the day (especially if they know you may drop off their item) and check the cubby on their way to lunch.

Attendance: Please let us know when your child will be absent, late, or dismissed by emailing JGMS_Attendance@bedfordps.org. If for a dismissal, please indicate a time as well. You can also send a note with your child to be dropped off in the main office prior to going to class. If we know of a dismissal ahead of time we will attempt to have your child ready when you arrive.

Religious Holidays: Please follow the directions explained here.

Tech Support: If your child is having technical trouble throughout the school year please send an email to tech_support@bedfordps.org.

Taking the Bus: Please see the guidance on the district’s transportation website. Please review the transportation guidelines with your children as we hope families will choose to ride the bus again.

Sports schedules: Please visit the sports section of the website to access the schedules of the upcoming seasons. You can click on “view schedules” under the calendar on the right. You should look for “middle school” teams when searching for your child’s sport.