BUCCANEER NEWS Vol. #7 10/13/2025

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

1) [REMINDER] JGMS Picture Day - Tuesday, October 14th, 2025

2) [NEW] Back To School Night Slides

3) [NEW] Applications open for The Beacon Santa (deadline October 31)

4) [NEW] Flu Clinic

5) [NEW] Trauma & Grief Response Workshop - October 22

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

7) [NEW] Donations and Volunteers needed for JGMS Fall Social

8) [NEW] Student Drop Off Safety Request

9) [REMINDER] MSPA Fund Raiser

10) [UPDATE] Save the Dates

This Week:

10/13 (M) No School - Indigenous People's Day

10/14 (T) Picture Day (Staff and Students)

10/16 (Th) Healthy Hours Working Group 4:00-6:00pm

10/17 (F) Middle School Social 6:00pm-8:00pm

Next Week (So Far):

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

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

The password for JGMS is JGMF25 and sent out to you via email as well.

Please click the link here or the picture for access directly to the pre-order site.

Please note, Hayward Photography will offer a pre-sale with pricing that is better than if you purchase after picture day. JGMS only benefits from pre-sales, which means that if you want to take advantage of the lowest prices and have some money go back into the school, you must take advantage if the pre-sale.

We are excited to announce that we are entering the 3rd year in our partnership with Hayward Photography for our annual school pictures. I have had a wonderful experience with Hayward Photography throughout my career and I am confident you will also be happy with their services.

All students will have their picture updated for our student database and yearbook. In addition, the pictures serve as an opportunity for families to purchase pictures of their children through the years. Purchasing pictures is not a requirement however it's worth sharing that a percentage of sales (up to 25%) comes back to JGMS and the proceeds go back to supporting the student experience at JGMS. So you can plan for picture day haircuts and/or an outfit, picture day is scheduled for Tuesday, October 14th, 2025

To read more about Hayward Photography, please visit their website: https://www.haywardphotography.com/

It was nice to see many of you on Thursday evening. Thank you for taking time to join us.

As promised, here are Back To School Night Slides

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

The JGMS Fall Social is Friday 10/17 from 6-8pm and MSPA needs your help! Please use the sign-up link below to drop off snacks or gift cards, make a financial donation, or volunteer at the social. Thank you for your support!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0A4DA9AA23A1FF2-59102852-fall

Over the past few weeks, the front parking lot has become increasingly congested and unsafe during morning arrival. Cars are pulling into spaces to drop off students, which prevents staff from parking and leads to cars idling while waiting for a spot. Additionally, students are crossing between vehicles, creating unsafe conditions. Last week, several cars have entered the bus drop-off lane, even as buses were arriving. Even when our School Resource Officer was present to redirect traffic, a vehicle entered the bus lane, reversed back into the street, then drove through the exit into the staff lot to idle.

This pattern is creating unnecessary risk for both students and staff and we ask families to follow the drop off procedure outlined below.

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. Thursday, October 9, 2025 6:00pm-8:30pm: Back To School Night

2. Tuesday, October 14, 2025: Picture Day (Staff and Students)

3. Friday, October 17, 2025: Middle School Social 6:00pm-8:00pm

4. [NEW] Tuesday, October 21, 2025: 7th grade Boundless Adventures field trip

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

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

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

8. 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.