BUCCANEER NEWS Vol. #6 10/5/2026

• 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:

10/6 (T) Anti-Hate and Bias Task Force 7pm

10/8 (Th) School Council

Next Week (So Far):

10/12 (M) Indigenous People's Day (No School)

Save the Dates

• 10/19 (M) Picture Day (Staff and Students)
• 10/21-10/23 (W-F) 6th Grade Nature's Classroom Trip
• 10/27 (T) 7th Grade Field Trip - Boundless Adventure
• 10/30 (F) Middle School Halloween Social 5-7pm
• 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

This Week:

10/1 (Th) Back to School Night 6:00pm

Next Week (So Far):

10/6 (T) Anti-Hate and Bias Task Force 7pm

Save the Dates

• 10/19 (M) Picture Day (Staff and Students)
• 10/21-10/23 (W-F) 6th Grade Nature's Classroom Trip
• 10/27 (T) 7th Grade Field Trip - Boundless Adventure
• 10/30 (F) Middle School Halloween Social 5-7pm
• 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

As promised, here are the slides from Back to School Night.

I also want to acknowledge the effort of our student ambassadors at Back To School Night. We tried something new and I was impressed by the number of students who wanted to be a part of the evening and were super helpful! Thank you students ambassadors!

JGMS Biggest Fundraiser is now in Full SWING! How do I access to the online Meadow Farms fundraising: Website: https://shop.meadowfarms.com/john-glenn-ms-101398 and if needed the group code: 1193085 QR code on the attached flyer FREE SHIPPING THIS FRIDAY 10/09/2026 We need your support! * Please note that this year we have opt out with ultimate prizes per your sales driven, the items will be donated 100% to school for Teacher's use. Not only you are helping us with funds raised but also the sales gift prizes to the teachers.*

We’ve partnered with Meadow Farms to bring you over 2,500 gift ideas — from gift wrap and kitchen essentials to gourmet treats and personalized gifts. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! Brochures were distributed to the students this week and they will be coming home soon.

💵 Last year we raised $3500 dollars. Our goal in 2026 -2027 is to raise $5,000 through this fundraiser. This is MSPA’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and it allows us to fund important programs and events for our students and staff, including: Homework Club Student Socials & Events Teacher Grants & Enrichment Programs Hospitality for Students & Staff 8th Grade “Moving On” Celebration Discretionary funds for school improvements

How do I access to the online Meadow Farms fundraising: Website: https://shop.meadowfarms.com/john-glenn-ms-101398 and if needed the group code: 1193085 QR code on the attached flyer. '''

* Please note that this year we have opt out with ultimate prizes per your sales driven, the items will be donated 100% to school for Teacher's use. Not only you are helping us with funds raised but also the sales gift prizes to the teachers.*

What if..... ✨ I don’t want to buy anything from the sale. Is there another way to help out? Yes! You can make a direct donation at anytime instead: Zeffy: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/mspa-fall-appeal-2 MSPA Website: https://www.bedfordpco.org/packet/t76617926 By check, made out to MSPA (drop off at the JGMS office or mail to MSPA, c/o JGMS, 99 McMahon Road) Let the Fundraising BEGIN!

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.

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requires the release of the names and addresses of all 7th and 8th graders to our local Career and Technical Education (CTE) program by October 15. If you would like to opt-out of the release of your student's information, be sure to complete this Google form no later than October 14 and select "Career and Technical Education (CTE)."

There are additional opt out opportunities as well that will supplement what we already have.

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.

As of now there is a Chess Club being offered. I will update families as more clubs are offered.

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.