BUCCANEER NEWS Vol. #8 10/20/2025

• Here is a list of the sporting events for this week (UPDATED)
• Weekly Staff and Parent Bulletin Requests

1) [NEW] Halloween Social

2) [NEW] Thank you from MSPA

3) [NEW] Shawsheen Tech Open House, November 5th From 6:00-8:00pm

4) [NEW] Parent/Teacher Conferences

5) [NEW] Before School Opportunities

6) [REMINDER] Applications open for The Beacon Santa (deadline October 31)

7) [NEW] Flu Clinic

8) [REMINDER] Trauma & Grief Response Workshop - October 22

9) [REMINDER] Impact Aid Survey October 1 - October 31

10) [REMINDER] MSPA Fund Raiser

11) [UPDATE] Save the Dates

This Week:

10/21 (T) Bedford Anti-Hate/Bias Taskforce 7:00-9:00pm

10/21 (T) 7th grade Boundless Adventures field trip

10/22 (W) 6th Grade Nature's Classroom Trip

10/22 (W) Team Leader Meeting 2:15-3:30

10/23 (Th) 6th Grade Nature's Classroom Trip

10/23 (Th) Healthy Hours Working Group 3:30-5:00pm

10/24 (F) 6th Grade Nature's Classroom Trip

Next Week (So Far):

The Halloween Social was a great success and we were so happy to see so many students and staff in attendance. There were games, dancing, crafts, and a scary haunted hallway. The evening was not possible with the efforts of Ms. Naylor, Mr. McGrath, the custodians, and the the volunteers.

Thank you to the following for their time making this year's fall social a great time and a success!

Vinnie McGrath

Jen Naylor

Nicole Shadeed

Wendy Tanahashi-Works

Libbey Bienert

Kim Limoli

Tyler Wilson

Betsy Wilson

Lauren Noferi

Jen Buckley

Jon Cappetta

Allyson Hayden

Maureen McDermott

Rakhi Naik

Lindsey Goodhue

Corinne Amirault

Liz Cowles

Karen Burstein

Tara Kosinski

Karen Santos

Ahead of our annual field trip to Shawhsheen on 11/12, we encourage interested students to attend Shawsheen's Open House. Parents and students welcome!

Tour classrooms, meet teachers and students, explore all of the program offerings that prepare graduates for college, careers and beyond...

We will hold Parent/Teacher Conferences this year on the following dates:

1. Wednesday, November 5, 2025 4:00-7:30 Parent Teacher Conferences

2. Wednesday, November 19, 2025 2:15-4:15 Parent Teacher Conferences

Information about sign ups, including how to sign up, will be shared next week.

It is important for me to inform incoming families and remind returning families that it is your choice whether you schedule a conference for your child and there is no requirement to schedule a conference for your middle schooler. Our goal is to ensure that conferences are meaningful and useful to you and for your family. Therefore, I ask you to consider your child and whether:

• You feel they are developing appropriately at grade level academically and socially.

• You have received or are actively receiving ample/sufficient communication from your teachers regarding your child’s learning and middle school experience thus far.

If you answer yes to either of the bullets above, please consider emailing your teachers to ask if they think a conference is necessary for your child before taking a slot or requesting an alternate time. Oftentimes a check in with a teacher via email or telephone will provide the information you need to support your child in lieu of a scheduled conference.

After we send out sign up links next, we invite all families to sign up for a conference or request one via email to your child's team leader if the slots fill up before you can sign up. As we have done in previous years, if you are not able to schedule a time on November 5 or 19, and feel a conference will be helpful, we will accommodate you at times that have yet to be determined.

Finally, to ensure all families have access and we can maximize time allotted, all conferences will be via zoom. We look forward to communicating more next week.

In case you were note aware I want to be sure to share the opportunities your children have for the morning routine before school. The building is supervised starting at 7:00am.

As many know, the 6th graders are supervised in the auditorium and the 7th/8th graders are supervised in the cafeteria. Additionally, breakfast is available for all students. Something families may not aware of is that we open the gym for students move before school. So if your child is feeling hungry or like they need to get their wiggles out before school starts, please consider getting to school before 7:30.

The Beacon Santa is a program that provides vouchers to area stores that can be used to provide food, clothing and toys for the holidays to families in our community. If you would like to apply, all completed applications and letters for the Beacon Santa must be submitted to the organization by Friday, October 31. Applications will not be accepted after this date. Please read all requirements and be sure handwritten signatures are gathered in time for your application to be submitted by the October 31 deadline. The application can be accessed at this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QI9L-eycNlbFy_OtH4K4-izS51wvcr7P/view?usp=sharing

The Health Department will be offering a flu vaccine clinic to JGMS students on Thursday, November 6th during the school day. The clinic will offer both the traditional flu vaccine and the intranasal flu vaccine (FluMist). Attached to this email you will find the Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) for both vaccines. It is required that you register your student in advance of the clinic. Please note that there are limited spaces available and registration will close on October 23rd. We do collect insurance. If you are uninsured and experiencing hardship, please contact me to see if we can make accommodations. To register your student for the JGMS flu vaccine clinic, click this link to be directed to the Health Department’s school vaccine clinic webpage to get the registration link: https://bedfordma.gov/201/Flu-Vaccine-Clinic-Information---School.

Please note that you will have to choose an appointment time as part of the registration process – this is a default in the system. Please choose any time available – students will be called down based on the teacher, not based on appointment time. Students who are registered should follow their regular morning schedules and will be provided with a pass from their teacher to get their flu vaccine.

If you are unable to make this clinic, Bedford Health Department’s Town-Wide Clinic will be offering traditional and intranasal flu vaccine to those 3 years of age and older. Please go to the Health Department’s Vaccine Clinic Information – Community page to find the link to register. Please email me with any questions at jbarmashi@bedfordma.gov or call the Health Department at 781-275-6507.

The Bedford Public Schools, Health & Human Services and Youth & Family Services Departments will be hosting “Understanding Trauma & Grief: A Response Workshop,” presented by Joanna Wu from the Edinburg Center, on Wednesday, October 22nd, from 6:00–7:30 PM in the Bedford Town Hall Reed Room. Doors open at 5:30 PM, and pizza and child care are available. Use the link or QR code from the attached flyer to register.

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. Your survey will be sent by email via DocuSign. 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.

https://www.bedfordps.org/district/business-office/pages/202526-annual-federal-impact-aid-survey

Click on Picture for more Information

📌 Save the Date: Our Biggest Fundraiser Opens 10/1 We’ve partnered with Meadow Farms to bring you over 1,000 gift ideas — from gift wrap and kitchen essentials to gourmet treats and personalized gifts. The sale opens 10/1 (more details & links to shop will be emailed out once the store opens).

💵 Our goal 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

✨ 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: Online at bedfordpco.org Venmo: @JohnGlennMSPA Credit Card: bedfordpco.org

By check, made out to MSPA (drop off at the JGMS office or mail to MSPA, c/o JGMS, 99 McMahon Road)

1. Tuesday, October 21, 2025: 7th grade Boundless Adventures field trip

2. Wednesday, October 22, 2025 to Friday, October 24, 2025 - 6th Grade Nature's Classroom Trip

3. Wednesday, November 5, 2025 4:00-7:30 Parent Teacher Conferences

4. Wednesday, November 12, 2025 8th Grade Shawsheen Field Trip

5. Wednesday, November 19, 2025 2:15-4:15 Parent Teacher Conferences

On the rare occasion you are requesting an item be placed in a weekly bulletin, please refrain from email and please use the Google Form listed as

• Weekly Staff and Parent Bulletin Requests

It is listed above so you may access it from these bulletins anytime.

Using the link will ensure your item is considered in a timely manner. I typically check them every Sunday. Any item I have questions about may need to wait so please give 2 weeks notice as

Think ahead and order a yearbook for your child! Go to www.yearbookordercenter.com and put in code 4008 for John Glenn middle school. We do order extras and do not always have enough to go around in June so secure yours now! As we get closer to to the end of the year, the price will increase to ensure we meet our ordering quota. Please purchase now and get them when they are at their lowest! Email Ms.Beinert with any questions or if you require financial assistance this year.

CLUBS

JGMS has a variety of clubs and sports that meet outside of school hours. The list of clubs are listed here

SPORTS

For students who want to compete in sports at JGMS, please sign up here

Sports Opportunities at JGMS: Students have a variety of options. Here is a list of sports that we offer at JGMS throughout the year.

Coaching Staff: JGMS offers four sports in the fall. Please contact the JGMS coach with questions. Please contact your child's coach via email for information regarding games, practices, or changes to schedules. Sports schedules can be found each week at the link at the top of bulletin listed as "This week's sports schedule - Click "view Schedules" on right to find Middle School schedules. Practice/Tryout information for sports are listed below.

GENERAL:

JGMS Athletic Coordinator: Ken Norling

FALL:

JGMS Cross Country: Ken Norling

JGMS Boys Soccer: Pete Simonini

JGMS Girls Soccer: Paul Harrington

JGMS Field Hockey: Indigo FoxTree indigo_foxtree-mcgrath@bedfordps.org

JGMS Football: Joe Curran joseph_curran@bedfordps.org

WINTER:

JGMS Boys Basketball: Vinnie McGrath

JGMS Girls Basketball: Greg Hinz

SPRING:

JGMS Boys Baseball: TBD

JGMS Girls Softball: TBD

JGMS Co-Ed Outdoor Track: Ken Norling

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.

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.