Bulldog Bulletin
April 3, 2026
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 :
- Friday, April 3rd - End of the Third Quarter
- Week of April 6th - Assistant Principal's Week
- Wednesday, April 8th - Early Release Day (11:30 Dismissal)
- Thursday, April 9th - Report Cards Finalized
- Tuesday, April 14th - Bulldog Boosters (5PM)
- Wednesday, April 15th - Middle School Chorus Tour
- Thursday, April 16th - Junior Bulldogs Day with Vine Street
- Week of April 20th - April Vacation
- Monday, April 27th - Administrative Professional's Day (Observed at JFDS)
- Tuesday, April 28th through Friday, May 1st - Spring NWEA Testing
"I was so proud of the progress all of the students made over the course of the year. They truly saved their best performance for when it mattered most! Watching them perfect their craft and have fun while doing it reminds me why I do what I do." Mr. Gebhart
On Thursday, April 16th, the Bulldogs will host all of the Vine Street School during Junior Bulldog Day.
Staff and students will organize games and activities for our neighbors as part of a PBIS incentive.
Stay tuned to find out more!
- ELA Students in Mr. Staffiere’s class created book trailers to showcase their independent reading during the third quarter.
- Mrs. Patterson taught students how to use Canva to create trailers that included animation, music, and voice overs.
- Students will have a chance to showcase their work in class when the project is done and also as part of Atriuum, the James F. Doughty online library catalog, to help peers get interested in potential new reads.
- April is National Poetry month!!
- Mrs. McPhee's seventh grade classes have been learning about poetic forms with Miss Levesseur, a student teacher from Husson University.
- After trying their hands at haiku, limerick, acrostic, and shape poems, the students put their knowledge of poetry to work to create blackout poems.
Ms. Joliffe-Saunders helped students arrange and perform "Dorothy meets Alice," this year's school play. The show featured a cast from across the grades as they shared the tale of a boy, his book report, and the land between Wonderland and Oz.
- Once again, the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce sponsored the 7th Up Business Field Trip.
- Each year, seventh grade students across Bangor are randomly sorted into teams and travel to learn what makes businesses work.
- Each group got to see three businesses, including Hannaford, UTC, Chick Fil-A, BIA, the Zillman Museum, GE, Townsquare Media, SJ Rollins, St. Joseph's Hospital, Penquis, Haley Ward, Bangor Fire Department, Bangor City Hall, Cross Insurance Center, and the Bangor Y.
- Ask a seventh grader what they saw and learned on their trip around Bangor!
- Students in grade 7 life science classes have been learning about cell division and DNA.
- To model mitosis, students used oreos and different shaped sprinkles to visualize and represent the cell at different stages of cell division.
- They were also able to create a 3D model of DNA, shaped like a twisted ladder (double helix), and modeled the base-pair rule. DNA is copied during the interphase step of the cell cycle so that each new cell gets a copy of DNA after the cells have divided.
- They were excited to show off their models :)
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, 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.
Digital Report Cards
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.
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.
Please click the link below for more information about chronic absenteeism.