Bulldog Bulletin
December 12, 2025
The Bulldog Bulletin features school events, updates on student life, and general information about JFDS.
Be sure to check the JFDS website regularly for news, the events calendar, and more. Download the Bangor App as well to help stay connected!
Here are some upcoming dates to remember :
- Week of December 15th - JFDS Spirit Week
- Wednesday, December 24th to Sunday, January 4th - Winter Vacation
- Monday, January 12th & Tuesday, January 13th - Winter NWEA Reading Testing
- Wednesday, January 14th & Thursday, January 15th - Winter NWEA Math Testing
- Monday, January 19th - No School
- Friday, January 23rd - End of the second quarter
- Friday, January 30th - JFDS Cheering Invitational at BHS
- Monday the 15th - PJ Day
- Tuesday the 16th - Twin Day
- Wednesday the 17th - Color Wars (6th Grade = Blue, 7th Grade = White, 8th Grade = Pink)
- Thursday the 18th - Dress Like a Teacher/Dress Like a Student Day
- Friday the 19th - Favorite Holiday/Ugly Sweater Day
- Monday the 22nd - Blue & White Day
- Tuesday the 23rd - Bangor Day
Beginning with the second quarter, JFDS will pilot a transition from printed report cards to a fully digital reporting system in PowerSchool. This change will allow families to access grades more quickly and securely, reduce paper use, and provide a more consistent way to monitor student progress throughout the year.
Families have received instructions on how to access the digital portal. If you need assistance accessing the PowerSchool portal, please reach out to techsis@bangorschools.net or call the main office at (207)941-6220.
Families who prefer a printed report card have the option to request a paper copy. To receive a paper copy in the mail, call the main office at (207)941-6220.
- Our seventh grade Maine Studies classes recently spent two days learning about the importance of native plants in our landscapes and how these plants, such as milkweed and asters, provide food and habitat year-round for all of our wildlife.
- Students learned that growing native plants is a lengthy process, but also quite simple, as the potted seeds spend their entire lives outside, just as the plant in the wild would. In some cases, these plants will be ready to be transplanted into our existing and new school garden beds next year, and for others, it will take an additional year before they are ready.
- Mrs. Patterson, our school librarian and garden coach, and Ms. Brown, teacher of Maine Studies, collaborated on this project and will continue to offer more opportunities for our students to learn through hands-on experiences focusing on native plants and wildlife, and someday become a Pollinator-Friendly garden certified garden.
- In celebration of December the twELFth, Mrs. Loring worked with all of the students to build an "Elfie Wall."
- Elf is a beloved movie for all JFDS staff and students, and the Elfie Wall is a great way to celebrate, even for the South Pole elves.
- Staff and students were able to pick their favorite Elf quote to be featured in their picture.
- Ask your Bulldog if they took an Elfie!
- The World Wars and the Cold War have been hot topics in Mr. Haskins’ social studies class lately. Recently, eighth grade students learned about propaganda during World War I by creating their own propaganda posters. In seventh grade, students are exploring bias and contextual art by comparing Paul Revere’s 1770’s portrayal of the Boston Massacre with Alonzo Chappel’s 1868 depiction.
- On a lighter note, Mr. Haskins’ biggest challenge has been the newest, coolest saying, “Six/Seven.” Kids make teachers pay dearly with laughter and hand gestures if they dare utter the numbers in juxtaposition. Of course, Mr. Haskins and his Generation-Xers annoyed parents with the saying “psych” (“sike”) around the time New Kids on the Block were “Hanging Tough.” Either way, every generation of teenagers has a version of comical, yet harmless sayings—which is just one of the reasons kids make teaching the best job in the world.
You can now order 25-26 Yearbooks in the office with cash or check for $25.00 each. You can also order your yearbook online through Memory Book for an additional service fee of $2.99.
- Go to https://shop.memorybook.com/login or QR Code
- Click to create an account.
- Enter your name, email, and our Class CODE: 232734M
- Create your own password.
After creating your account, you’ll be taken to the products page.
- Select the one for your student.
- Enter the student name, grade, and homeroom teacher.
- You’ll also see an option for a student who may not be able to purchase one; even one extra book can make a big difference!
The 2025-26 School Calendar includes six early release days for professional development. Middle school students will be dismissed at 11:30AM on the following days:
- Wednesday, February 11th
- Thursday, March 12th
- Wednesday, April 8th
- Wednesday, May 13th
Looking to show off your school pride?
Wights Sporting Goods has an ongoing JFDS school store for hoodies, t-shirts, and more.
Chronic Absenteeism - Did You Know?
- Chronic absenteeism occurs when a student misses 10% of the days that they are enrolled in school. In Bangor, for a student attending the entire school year, chronic absenteeism would be 17 days or an average of approximately two days per month. Chronic absenteeism is based on total absences - both excused and unexcused. We look forward to meeting our school goal of 95% attendance by June 2025!
Please click the link below for more information about chronic absenteeism.