BGMS Bulletin
December, 2025
December Family Newsletter
A message from your admin team
Dear BGMS Families,
Happy December! As we wrap up the fall semester, I want to share a few important reminders and send a big thank-you to our entire school community.
Students finishing strong!
Over the next three weeks our students will be working hard to finish projects, prepare for final assessments, and demonstrate the growth they’ve made this semester. Please encourage regular attendance, restful nights, and consistent study time—those small routines make a big difference.
Thank you!
Thank you for your continued support — from helping with homework to attending conferences and supporting school activities. Your partnership is essential to student success and we appreciate all you do.
December Fun!
We are excited to once again celebrate the holiday season at BGMS! There will be special dress up days for each of the 15 school days in December. Scroll down to check out the lineup!
Wishing you a peaceful and joyful month ahead. If you have questions or need anything, please reach out to the main office!
TOGETHER, we are BISON STRONG!
Countdown to Winter Break - Dress Up Days
Student Testing and Events 11/5 - 11/7/25
- Monday, 12/1
- Spelling Bee Practice
- Middle School Basketball Practice after school
- Boys - 3:15 - 5:00
- Girls - 3:15 - 4:45
- Tuesday, 12/2
- Middle School Basketball Practice after school
- Boys - 3:15 - 5:00
- Girls - 3:15 - 4:45
- Wednesday, 12/3
- English 6 - Test
- BGMS Spelling Bee - 1:30 pm
- BGMS Basketball - AWAY - Riverheads
- Girls - 5:30 pm
- Boys - 7:00 pm
- Thursday, 12/4
- English 6 - Test
- Middle School Basketball Practice after school
- Boys - 3:15 - 5:00
- Girls - 3:15 - 4:45
- Friday, 12/5
- Algebra Test
- Math 8 Quiz
- 8th graders meet with BGHS counselors
- Fun Afternoon - 3:15 - 5:00 pm
- NO BASKETBALL PRACTICE
December Menus
December 5 - Fun Afternoon
Friday, December 5 is our second Fun Afternoon that was rescheduled from November. Here are a few reminders:
On MONDAY (12/1): Permission forms (which are also the entry tickets) go home with students.
By THURSDAY (12/4): Permission forms (tickets) and $3 entry cost MUST be received by your student's homeroom teacher.
Students should be picked up by no later than 5:00 at the designated locations. Our students are not allowed to stay at school for any high school evening events between 5:00 and the event.
Students with second quarter suspensions, significant missing work and/or multiple unexcused absences may not be eligible for BGMS Fun Afternoons.
We love chances for families to participate in the life of BGMS. We have many opportunities throughout the year for families to join us on field trips, supervise events and help in classrooms. If you would like the school to have a volunteer form on file, please download the attached form, fill it out, and send it back to school with your student.
STOPit App
As the year begins, we want to remind you that STOPit is still here to support your student’s safety and well-being. The app provides a safe, anonymous way for students to report concerns, get help, or find resources—anytime, anywhere.
With STOPit, students can:
- Submit a Tip — Share something serious without giving their name
- Crisis Text Line — Connect 24/7 with a trained mental health counselor
- Resources — Access help for needs like food, shelter, bullying, or anxiety
Your encouragement can make a difference—please take a moment to remind your student how to access STOPit:
- Open the app or download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play
- Search for our school in the list or enter the school code
- Accept the terms—and they’re ready to go!
Thank you for helping us keep our school community safe and supported.
ACPS School Communications Between Home and School - 2025-2026
BGMS PARENT ORGANIZATION
BISON COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Calling all parents! The Bison Community Council is our new parent organization and they need your participation.
The mission of the Bison Community Council is to:
● Support the teachers, staff, and students of Buffalo Gap Middle School;
● Encourage family and community involvement in the life of the school;
● Promote a culture of volunteerism and engagement within the school;
● Strengthen relationships between the school, families, and the greater Buffalo Gap
community.
Please consider ways you can help support our school this year. Many hands make light work!
UPCOMING EVENTS
See Sports Section Below for Athletic Schedules
Event Information
Event Information
Students with no ISS or OSS suspensions and less than 5 unexcused absences this quarter are eligible to attend the event.
Event Information
Event Information
Event Information
Event Information
The Bison Community Council will be having a fundraiser event on the last day of school before the break. The Sweet as Honey coffee truck will be parked at school this day. Grab a cup of coffee and support your BGMS parent organization!
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS
Middle School Basketball
Middle School Basketball is underway! Both teams practice after school on non-game days unless school is closed. Boys will practice from 3:15 - 5:00 and girls will practice from 3:15 - 4:45. If you have questions, please reach out to our athletic coordinator, Julie Sanger, at jsanger@augusta.k12.va.us
Middle School Basketball Schedule
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Cafeteria Information
Breakfast and Lunch are offered free again this year for ALL students. A la carte items can be purchased during your student's lunch period. Students may either pay in cash or by having money on their account.
Safety
Students and visitors will enter the building and move through our weapons detectors daily. Just as last year, note that zippered binders are not permitted due to weapons detector procedures. Regular notebooks/binders and zippered pencil pouches are acceptable; however, some items must be removed from the backpack and reviewed by our staff at the detector stations. Items such as Chromebooks, umbrellas, glasses cases, large scissors, and certain other metal items must be removed before students are able to pass through the detectors.
Chromebook Charging
Students are asked to charge their Chromebooks each evening so they are ready for use each day.
Cell Phones/Smart Watches
Cell phones and smart watches can be a huge distraction in the educational setting. Since our students have Chromebooks, they have all the technology they need for the academic setting. Phones and smart watches must be turned off and stored in backpacks, and students are not allowed to use these during the day at school. If you need to contact your child for an emergency, please call the front office. Students may also come to the office to call home if needed.
RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES
BGMS FAN GEAR!!
Looking for some BGMS Gear? CLICK ON THE PHOTO ABOVE! We've got you covered! Shenandoah Awards and Apparel has created a merch store with several designs for purchase. Some designs have our HERD acronym and others contain the logo or another BGMS design. All orders can be placed online, but they will need to be picked up at Shenandoah Awards and Apparel, 220 Frontier Drive, Staunton, VA 24401. Buyers will receive an email when orders are ready. More designs and products will be added. Join the HERD and get yours today! Click the picture above to be linked to the store.