Bulldog Bulletin
September 5 , 2025
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!
Here are some upcoming dates to remember :
- Monday, September 15th - School Pictures
- Tuesday, September 16th - Bulldog Boosters in the Library (5PM)
- Wednesday, September 17th - Early Release Day (students dismissed at 11:30AM)
- Monday, September 22nd & Tuesday, September 23rd - Fall NWEA Reading Testing
- Wednesday, September 24th & Thursday, September 25th - Fall NWEA Math Testing
Our friends from ABM have done an amazing job at fixing up the building and helping us get ready for back-to-school. They continue their work in the boiler room, on the roof, and in other fun spots of the building. If you see anyone in the halls from ABM, make sure to say "Thank you!"
Mrs. Ruth Gunnell is the Instuctional Coach for JFDS & WSCS.
- Hi! I'm Ruth Gunnell /guh-NEL/, the Instructional Coach for JFDS and WSCS. I've been teaching since 2003 with a brief hiatus to raise a couple of children. Most of my experience has been teaching middle school English Language Arts, and I have a Master's Degree in Literacy Education. I am delighted to begin this new role as Instructional Coach and be a thinking partner with teachers, using student data to help inform responsive instruction.
Mr. Stephen Urli is the new Athletic Director for the middle schools.
- I am originally from New York, but attended the University of Maine and fell in love with the area. I received my bachelors degree in Elementary Education in 2021 and will be graduating with a Masters in Educational Leadership in May of 2026, also from the University of Maine. I have taught middle school science for the past four years, the last two at the William S. Cohen School. I also completed my student teaching at Cohen, and when I finished, I knew I wanted to end up back in the Bangor School Department. Throughout my teaching career, I gained experience as a track coach and as an athletic director for two years. My goal is to foster a culture where effort, integrity, and respect are celebrated just as much as competition and achievement. My vision for the athletic programs at Doughty and Cohen is to provide students with opportunities to grow as athletes, teammates, and individuals; preparing them not just for high school sports, but for life.
Mrs. Carmen Placencia has joined our special education department.
- Hi! My name is Carmen Rioux (soon to be Carmen Placencia—I’m getting married in October!). I’m originally from Winterport and a graduate of Hampden Academy. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Special Education from the University of Maine at Farmington in 2011 and completed my Master’s degree in 2024 in the same field.
- I spent many years teaching special education and working with multilingual learners in Bucksport. Most recently, I served as a special education teacher and then as the Director of Special Services in RSU 63 (serving the communities of Holden, Eddington, and Clifton). While I gained valuable experience in administration, I realized my true passion is being in the classroom. I’m excited to be back teaching and thrilled to start the school year at JFDS!
- Outside of school, I enjoy reading in my backyard, exploring the nearby nature trails, building LEGO sets with my fiancé, and spending time with our two quirky cats, Wallace and Mildred.
Mrs. Christi Proctor is one of our two new sixth grade staff members.
- Born and raised in West Virginia, my family and I moved to Maine in the winter of 2023, and quickly fell in love with the winters here! We have had so much fun discovering snowshoeing and what it means to never fully see your grass until mid-April; we love the snow so much!
- We have two sons in the Bangor school system and I am beyond honored to join this amazing community of educators. I graduated from Glenville State University with my Bachelor’s degree in English Education, 5-12 in 2006 and spent the following years substitute teaching and raising our boys as my husband completed his degree. In 2015 I began teaching at a small private elementary school in southern West Virginia, where I taught PreK-3rd grades.
- I am so excited to jump into the middle school setting and co-create, with students, a learning environment that fosters empathy, creativity, and trust. We are going to have a great year!
Mrs. Kelsey Hilton has also joined the sixth grade team.
- I was born and raised in South Florida, my family and I have been living in Maine on and off for the last 10 years. At home, I have 3 kids, 3 dogs and 3 birds.
- I graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 2015 with a BA in Elementary Education. In my 7 years of teaching I've taught 2nd, 4th and now 6th grade.
- In my spare time, I like to play board games or video games, read books, bake, and spend time with my family.
Mrs. Edward organized the Third Annual JFDS Activity Fair at the Downeast School yesterday. Students and families were able to meet with advisors from some of the 50+ clubs and activities offered each year.
The 2025-26 School Calendar includes six early release days for professional development. Middle school students will be dismissed at 11:30AM on the following days:
- Wednesday, September 17th
- Wednesday, October 15th
- Wednesday, February 11th
- Thursday, March 12th
- Wednesday, April 8th
- Wednesday, May 13th
Looking to show off your school pride?
Wights Sporting Goods has an ongoing JFDS school store for hoodies, t-shirts, and more.
Chronic Absenteeism - Did You Know?
- 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.
Powerschool Parent Access
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