BUCCANEER NEWS Vol. #02 9/7/2026

• Here is the sports schedule for Middle School and the JGMS Athletics Website and Coach Contact Information
• Weekly Staff and Parent Bulletin Requests
• Coming Soon - JGMS Activities Information

This Week:

9/7 (M) No School - Labor Day

9/10 (Th) Lightspeed Parent Portal Webinar: 9:00 - 10:00 am - Webinar Link

9/10 (Th) Lightspeed Parent Portal Webinar: 7:00 - 8:00 pm - Webinar Link

Next Week (So Far):

9/15 (Tu) 7:00 - 8:00 pm Lightspeed Parent Portal - in Person Location TBD based on Participation (If you plan to attend, please RSVP using this link by 9/14 at 6:00 pm.)

9/19 (Sa) Bedford Day

Save the Dates

• 10/1 (Th) Back to School Night

Coming Soon -

• Picture Day (Staff and Students)
• Middle School Social
• 6th Grade Nature's Classroom Trip
• Parent Teacher Conferences

1) [NEW] Opening Remarks

2) [NEW] First Day of School, Homeroom Assignments, Schedule Distribution, and School Hours

3) [NEW] JGMS Chromebook Insurance

4) [NEW] Bus Routes, Policies, and Information

5) [NEW] E-Bike and E-Scooter Safety

6) [NEW] Device Protection Program for Grades 6–12

7) [NEW] Homework Posting and the Lightspeed Parent Portal Rollout for Grades 6-12

8) [NEW] Student Drop Off and Pick Up

9) NEW] Dropping Off Items For Your Child

10) [NEW] Lockers

11) [NEW] Lunch and Personal Identification Number (PIN):

I will say the first 2 days of school were a real success. Students gathered in the cafeteria and auditorium on the first day. 6th grade teachers collected students and 7th and 8th graders made their way to their advisory. For those that needed help, there were many adults to direct and even walk to class. Students learned their new locker and schedule and followed their schedule for a couple of days. We met as a grade in the auditorium and navigated lunch time successfully.

I observed students excited about reconnecting with their friends and meeting new teachers. Schools are at their best when they are full and I am excited about what this new year will bring for our school and our students. Thank you for you support in preparing your child for the school year!

On Tuesday, September 8, students will be assigned their school issued Chromebook and charger. Since all Chromebooks were collected at the end of the year, the devices are not charged. As such, Chromebooks will not be used during school on Tuesday, 9/8. Students will be instructed to bring the Chromebook home and charge it over night. It is best practice to keep the Chromebook charger at home and charge the device fully each evening. During Advisory this week we will be reviewing with student how to properly care for and manage their Chromebook and usage. Here are the slides we will be presenting as talking points.

Additionally, in an effort to partner with families and support healthy use of technology, assignments will be posted daily by 3pm on students Google Classroom Calendar. This procedure will ensure families have access to what is being assigned and if a student will need their device to complete assignments while at home. Please sit with your child and have them show you how to enter Google Classroom. Once in Google Classroom, you will be able to view the Google Classroom Calendar. Please see the picture for what you will look for when in Google Classroom.

Finally, as part of the district’s commitment to support healthy use of technology, we’re excited to introduce the Lightspeed Parent Portal, a web-based tool that gives parents and caregivers insight into their student’s internet activity on district-issued devices for after-school and home hours. The portal is designed to help families support responsible and healthy technology use at home.

On September 8, you will receive an automated invitation email directly from Lightspeed with instructions for getting started. Please check your inbox for the invitation. If you don’t see it, be sure to check your spam or promotions folder. Once your account is set up, you’ll be able to view your student’s internet activity and explore the tools available to support technology use at home.

A quick setup guide is linked here for your convenience. We will also offer both in-person and online meetings for families who would like additional guidance or training. All families are welcome to attend, regardless of their student’s grade level.

Webinar Session Options:

Option 1: Thursday, September 10: 9:00 - 10:00 am - Webinar Link

Option 2: Thursday, September 10: 7:00 - 8:00 pm - Webinar Link

In Person Information Session - Room Location TBD based on number of participants

Tuesday, September 15, 2026: 7:00 - 8:00 pm (If you plan to attend, please RSVP using this link by 9/14 at 6:00 pm.)

We look forward to working collaboratively with you as we support healthy habits around technology use.

NAMI Basics is a FREE, six-session program designed for parents and other family caregivers of children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral difficulties. NAMI Basics helps parents and other family caregivers of children to understand the illnesses that are causing those behavioral difficulties, and the critical role families play in the treatment of those illnesses.

The program is taught by trained teachers who are also the parents or family caregivers of individuals who experienced emotional or behavioral difficulties.

The in-person Fall 2026 series begins Tuesday, October 6 (6:15-8:45pm) in the Flint Room of the Yellow Building, 12 Mudge Way, Bedford, MA. See the attached flyer to register.

According to MGL Chapter 71 Section 59 C: "The school council, including the school principal, shall meet regularly and shall assist in the identification of the educational needs of the students attending the school, make recommendations to the principal for the development, implementation and assessment of the curriculum accommodation plan required pursuant to section 38Q.5, shall assist in the review of the annual school budget and in the formulation of a school improvement plan."

According to MGL Chapter 71 Section 59 C: "At each public elementary, secondary and independent vocational school in the commonwealth there shall be a school council consisting of the school principal, who shall co-chair the council; parents of students attending the school who shall be selected by the parents of students attending such school..." If you are a parent of a student and would like to be considered for the School Advisory Council, please reach out the the MSPA at jgmsparents@gmail.com.

According to MGL Chapter 71 Section 59 C: "other persons, not parents or teachers of students at the school, drawn from such groups or entities as municipal government, business and labor organizations, institutions of higher education, human services agencies or other interested groups including those from school age child care programs." If there are suggestions for participation from a group that meets the "other person" criteria, please reach out to jgmsparents@gmail.com.

Although not obligated in a school that does not have 9th to 12 graders, we would like students on our School Advisory Council. If your child is interested, please have them email me directly at jonathan_hartunian@bedfordps.org.

School Council meets via Zoom 2:30-3:30 on the third Thursday of each month with the exception of the first meeting which is October 8.

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

Riding the school bus is a great benefit to families and directly results in less traffic and congestion on our roads and school campuses during school arrival and dismissal times. Please visit the Bedford Public Schools Transportation webpage for current information. Bus stop policies are posted, as well as contact information for questions or concerns.

2026-27 Bus Routes and Stop Listings are now posted at BPS Transportation. Bus stop policies are posted, as well as contact information for questions or concerns.

You will also find information about the district’s new required Bus Registration Process to help ensure the safety of our students and the efficiency of our bus routes. Registration via Google Forms is greatly appreciated while a system that is integrated into our student information data system is being finalized.

There is no requirement other than to register at this time (e.g, no bus passes, no registration verification). The data will be used for planning purposes only as the district conducts route analysis for the 2027-28 school year.

**Students that come from Boston and Hanscom Air Force Base Students are automatically registered for the bus and do not need to fill out this form.**

Thank you and wishing you a happy and safe start to the new school year!

This year, Bedford Public Schools is offering a new voluntary device protection program for school-issued Chromebooks and iPads used by students in Grades 6–12. The program is intended to minimize delays in repairing or replacing devices so that students continue to have the technology they need for learning. For $50 per student, enrolled families receive $0-deductible coverage for damage, theft, loss, and hardware or battery failure. Families who do not enroll will be invoiced for each repair or replacement, with costs ranging from $50 to $420; outside or individually purchased insurance plans will no longer be accepted in place of the district program. Families may enroll or confidentially request a fee waiver through the enrollment link or QR code, and waivers are automatically processed for families using qualifying state services or MassHealth. Please visit NEW BPS Device Protection Program to sign-up or apply for a waiver.

Following our successful pilot program this spring, we will roll out the Lightspeed Parent Portal to all JGMS and BHS families this fall to give you direct control and visibility over your student’s school-issued device activity outside of school. To help you get set up and tailor controls to your family's needs, our Technology Department will host several setup sessions during device rollout, including both live Zoom webinars and in-person drop-in help sessions. Keep an eye out for an automated email invitation from Lightspeed in the coming weeks to set up your account, along with a schedule of support session dates and times.

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.

We are happy to say we had a successful orientation day this August for grade 6 students. Although we could not accommodate all families schedules, this event was not a requirement nor is something that if missed, has put your child at a disadvantage. Our teachers are prepared to support all students with their locker on the first day of school. This includes assigning student lockers and helping students with combinations.

Like it was in the past, Grade 7 and 8 students will get their locker on the first day of school.

Lunch will continue to be provided free of charge to all students throughout the 2026-2027 school year. Details on how students will choose their lunch is forthcoming from Food Services. If students do not have their PIN on the first day of school, it is ok. We will have a list with PINs for students.

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.