BUCCANEER NEWS Vol. #19
01/09/2024
John Glenn Middle School: Weekly Family Bulletin
JGMS Community Members Show
HEART
Honor Empathy Acceptance Responsibility Tenacity
Looking Ahead
- BPS 2023-2024 District Calendar
- Here is a list of the sporting events for this week
- Buccaneer News Archive
- Looking Ahead/Save the Date Calendar Items - NEW
Monday, January 1, 2024 New Year's Day (No School)
Thursday, January 4 2:30-3:30pm Homework Club - Family Letter and Dates
Next Week (So Far):
Monday, January 8, 2024 2:30-3:30pm Homework Club - Family Letter and Dates
Thursday, January 11 2:30-3:30pm Homework Club - Family Letter and Dates
CONTENTS
1) [NEW] MCAS Schedule
2) [NEW] A message from Bedford Embraces Diversity
3) [NEW] Martin Luther King Jr Day Observance - January 15, 10:30 am
4) [NEW] Chess Club Opportunity #1
5) [NEW] Chess Club Opportunity #2
6) [NEW] Mark Calendars - February Social
7) [REMINDER] Parent Education: What Parents and Caregivers Need to Know (and Do) to Decrease Stress, Worry, and Anxiety
8) [REMINDER] Chromebook Care
9) [REMINDER] Yearbook Help and Ordering a Yearbook
10) [REMINDER] Social Club for 11-14 Year Olds
11) [REMINDER] From MSPA
12) [REMINDER] Tips to Managing Our Children's Phone
Please note - We now have a Buccaneer News Archive page which will also be linked to our website. Please consider bookmarking this link to have access to the Buccaneer News without having to scroll to an old email.
Regular Reminders
[REMINDER] Homework Club Family Letter
[REMINDER] JGMS Extra Curricular Activities Updated
[REMINDER] Important Information for JGMS Caregivers from the MSPA (Middle School Parents Association)
[REMINDER] JGMS Attendance Policy and Reporting Attendance
[REMINDER] Student Drop Off and Pick Up
1) [NEW] MCAS Schedule
As you may know, the Massachusetts Education Reform Law of 1993, G.L. c. 69, § 1D, requires that all students meet the Competency Determination (CD) standard, which is usually done by earning a passing score on MCAS. This requirement is for all students educated at public expense. Although MCAS scores do not impact middle school advancement, at JGMS, we use MCAS scores and other data sources to identify areas for improvement for individual students as well as make curricular and scheduling adjustments that impact all students.
After careful deliberation we have finalized the MCAS dates for 2024. When scheduling MCAS this year we navigated a variety of possible schedule conflicts. We scheduled testing in a way that honors the priorities below to the best of our ability. When scheduling, we:
tried to avoid the very beginning of the MCAS testing window. This prevents us from falling victim to the testing website malfunction and gives us more time to prepare students and ourselves for testing days.
tried to avoid the end of the MCAS testing window. This gives us ample time to administer make ups.
tried to avoid testing on days leading up to a vacation.
avoided Wednesdays as they are shorter days.
worked around school events and trips that have been scheduled.
did our best to avoid holidays.
Throughout the year and especially around the test dates, please help your child by continuing to prioritize attendance on testing days, support your child in getting a good night of sleep, and eating breakfast on the morning of the test. Thank you for supporting your child's education and participation in MCAS testing. Please make notes of the dates and our effort to minimize conflicts. Although we do our best to avoid religious holidays, we were unable to avoid all of them. If there is a test scheduled during a holiday that your child recognizes or your child will be out for any reason, please let us know and we can plan to schedule the test session for your child during our make up window.
The MCAS dates have been confirmed and as promised, are posted below.
2) [NEW] A message from Bedford Embraces Diversity
Bedford Embraces Diversity (BED) has hosted an event and community service project, such as a donation drive for the local food bank, each year since 2017. For this, our eighth year, BED is again sponsoring a community event and are collecting items for the Bedford Food Pantry.
The Bedford food pantry has welcomed our offer to collect Personal Care/Paper Items as donations, and we are hoping the JGMS community would like to be involved as are the other Bedford schools. We would like to have a donation bin in the JGMS lobby for students and staff to bring items in for our donation drive community service project. I've attached some flyers to use for signage and I can provide a box, if needed, to collect the items. Erin Dorr, a PDC board member and friend to the BED, can collect donations as needed, and also at the conclusion of the drive. We would like the donation drive to run next week, from Monday, Jan. 8th to Friday, Jan. 12th.
Click flyer for complete information
3) [NEW] Martin Luther King Jr Day Observance - January 15, 10:30 am
Join Bedford Embraces Diversity for our eighth Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day observance in the Middlesex Community College student center, 591 Springs Rd. Doors open at 10, with the program beginning at 10:30. A light breakfast will be served.
We ask that you bring a donation of a personal care item to benefit the Bedford Food Pantry. Items needed include: deodorant, body wash, face wash, dish soap, tissues, feminine hygiene products, shampoo, conditioner, tooth paste, tooth brushes, mouth wash, dental floss, razors, shaving cream, hand sanitizer, paper towels, toilet paper, hair brushes, laundry detergent, fabric softener, Q-tips, cotton balls, diapers, wipes.
The program will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Bedford METCO program. The keynote speaker and vocalist will be the Rev. Clarence Powell, a Bedford METCO graduate. Powell, a Ph.D. candidate at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, is the founder and pastor of Abundant Life Deliverance Temple in Dorchester. He also will be the vocalist for the event, accompanied by backup singers and his son playing keyboards.
The commemoration also will feature a panel discussion of Bedford METCO alumni reflecting on their experiences, moderated by Akil Mondesir, Bedford Public Schools METCO Director and DEI Coordinator and a 1998 BHS graduate.
To RSVP, email: bedfordembracesdiversity@gmail.com.
Click flyer for complete information
4) [NEW] Chess Club Opportunity #1
Afterschool Chess Club is for players (grades 6-8) looking for an informal opportunity to play chess with their friends and peers. The program will be supervised by Mrs. Burstein, and equipment will be provided. Beginner chess players are encouraged to attend and instruction will be given by peers on the game. This program is for all levels. Thursdays 2:30-3:30pm, January 11th to March 7th (8 weeks, no class on 2/23) at JGMS in Mrs. Burstein's room, B219.
Sign up through the Bedford Recreation Department.
Click flyer for complete information
5) [NEW] [NEW] Chess Club Opportunity #2
In addition to the chess club offered by Mrs. Burstein, there is a chess club that meets at the Bedford Library on Fridays from 3-4.
Click flyer for complete information
6) [NEW] Mark Calendars - February Social
The JGMS Social that was scheduled for March 8, 2024 needed to be rescheduled for February 9, 2024. Please make note of this on your calendar.
7) [REMINDER] Parent Education: What Parents and Caregivers Need to Know (and Do) to Decrease Stress, Worry, and Anxiety
LYNN LYONS LICSW
Modeling Matters:
Wednesday January 10th, 2024 7-9pm
Bedford High School Auditorium
The current news about young people and mental health has created warranted concern, but the information can be over-whelming and hard to sort through. Parents need strategies
to help their children manage their anxiety, moods, and social pressures. Based on current research and over 30 years of clinical experience, Lynn Lyons will talk about the common traps adults fall into and the key adjustments needed to prevent and help mental health challenges in our kids.
Click the picture for more information
8) [REMINDER] Chromebook Care
Please take some time to review with your child the importance of treating their Chromebook care. We have been observing some mishandling of the Chromebooks which include sliding it on the ground to tossing it as if it was a pile of textbooks. The Chromebook policy is on pages 27-31 in the JGMS Student Handbook.
In addition to caring for their Chromebook, please encourage your child to charge their device each night. We know how vigilant students with cell phones are to charge up their phone at night. So if they can bring that same energy (pun intended) to charging their Chromebook, we can ensure students will have a functioning device each day.
If you need to purchase a new charger, please reach out totech_support@bedfordps.org and they can facilitate a purchase.
If you want to purchase insurance which will fully cover the Chromebook, please use this link.
Here is where to buy the charger?
9) [REMINDER] Yearbook Help and Ordering a Yearbook
Parents and students can be helpful in creating a memorable yearbook and the yearbook staff is looking for more photos for this years yearbook. Please use the link below to submit photos. Thank you!
Photo Submissions - https://forms.gle/VqFMrmFfmw1LAVuB8
To order a yearbook please go to Yearbookordercenter.com and enter the code 4008 for JGMS
10) [REMINDER] Social Club for 11-14 Year Olds
Department of Children and Families and their Recreation Therapist, Alex, has set up an Adaptive Social Club for kids ages 11-14. The details of the club are in the picture below. Monday night Social Club is an adaptive program for individuals with special needs. The program is designed to promote confidence and independence, while practicing social skills. Participants will have to chance to work with our Therapeutic Recreation Specialist each week. They will learn and use community integration tools that are needed to have a successful night out at a restaurant, with friends.
11) [REMINDER] From MSPA
Visit the John Glenn Middle School Parents Association (MSPA) at www.bedfordpco.org.
The 2023-24 FREE Online Student Directory for caregivers of students at JGMS & BHS is LIVE on the MSPA/BHSPA's joint website: https://www.bedfordpco.org/directory.
Only those who have an account, and are signed-in will be able to view the Directory.
It's NOT TOO LATE to add your student's information? Visit us at: http://bedfordpco.org/, where you will be prompted to login. If you already have a Membership Toolkit account login with another organization, you can use the same log-in on our site.
- Go to: https://www.bedfordpco.org/
- Click the Register/Login button.
- If you already have an account with another organization that uses Membership Toolkit you can use the same email and password to login. You can then proceed to the numbered steps below. If not,
- Select "Create Account" and fill in the name, email, and password information.
- Click "verify my email" and then check your email for a link to complete the process. The link expires in 2 hours. If you do not receive the email, check your spam or junk folders.
- Once you have verified your email address, log back in and finish the registration process.
- Complete the Parent/Family and Student Information.
- Complete the Directory/Publish Preferences.
Once the Primary Account is set up, the Primary User can add other email addresses to their account, which will allows a Secondary User to have their own login information, with access to the family account.
Questions? - Please don't hesitate to contact us at jgmsparents@gmail.com
12) [REMINDER] Tips to Managing Our Children's Phone
We received even more new tips for managing our children's phone! Keep them coming. Thank you all for adding some helpful hints!
When I am not acting as the principal at JGMS, I am the father of three daughters of 4, 7, and 9 years old. I admit, I use my phone to keep my children busy at times and unfortunately, they became aware of how to find things I thought I was preventing. I noticed they kept finding their way into YouTube or games I thought deleted numerous times. Turns out I would "Remove" the App (removing isn't deleting apparently), just to find out it was in the Library. Then I would delete the app, just to find out they could download a previously purchased app without a password. My kids were taking control of their electronic usage and I couldn't keep up. After hearing from some families about their concerns with phone and social media use, I felt compelled to repost a note from a previous year which includes tricks to blocking certain privileges from my own phone. I am proud to say that I was successful last year in navigating the technology, I deleted and prevented apps from coming back, the then 6 and 8 year old accepted their fate rather quickly, and my wife and I survived the meltdown of my then 3 year old.
Now many of you have likely figured out how to permanently delete apps, block privileges, and limit time on devices and you don't need the help of a novice like me. I do wonder however if some could use a bit of advice from each other. So in the spirit of a partnership, I created a document with tips to gaining control over our children's device. I have given anyone access to read and/or edit the document. This way we all can view the advice and also can add ideas that may be helpful. I am an iPhone user and I started the document with 3 seemingly basic iPhone suggestions. Please feel free to add any tip you found helpful in navigating technology with your children's phone. Together I would like to think we can support all children to be model citizens in both the physical and digital world.
REGULAR REMINDERS
[REMINDER] Women of Science Co-chairs Lisa Morrison & Heather Kurzman
Each spring Bedford High School hosts the Women of Science Scholarship Competition. This year we are looking to develop new community partnerships with local science and technology companies. Corporate sponsors can help us create opportunities for students to gain access to role models they may not otherwise have through providing financial support and/or female volunteers.
If you work in a technology-/science-related field and feel that your company would be a good fit as a corporate sponsor please reach out to us at: Lisa_Morrison@bedfordps.org or Heather_Kurzman@bedfordps.org
[REMINDER] Homework Club Family Letter
The Homework Club is set to start on October 16 and meets Mondays and Thursdays. Please review the letter and email any questions to Amanda Raboin ~ Homework Club Advisor ~ Amanda_Raboin@bedfordps.org.
Por favor, haga clic para obtener una carta familiar traducida del club de tareas.
Por favor, clique para obter uma carta familiar traduzida do clube de tarefas.
[REMINDER] JGMS Extra Curricular Activities Updated
JGMS has a variety of clubs and sports that meet outside of school hours. The list of clubs and the times they will meet have been finalized and are posted.
CLUBS
Please see the active clubs in the JGMS Student Activities Summary document.
SPORTS
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.
JGMS Athletic Coordinator: Ken Norling
JGMS Cross Country: Ken Norling
JGMS Boys Soccer: Christine Lennox
JGMS Girls Soccer: Paul Harrington
JGMS Field Hockey: Indigo FoxTree
JGMS Football: Goeff Chase
[REMINDER] Important Information for JGMS Caregivers from the MSPA (Middle School Parents Association)
Welcome to the 2023-24 school year. We are excited to announce that the MSPA will be using Membership Tool Kit (MTK) this year. The BEST/PTO successfully launched use of MTK last year, so families with younger students may already be familiar with the name.
The Middle School Parents Association (MSPA) and the Bedford High School Parents Association (BHSPA) are coming together to provide a one-stop information center for caregivers of both John Glenn Middle School (JGMS) and Bedford High School (BHS) students. Caregivers will be able to stay in-the-know with school-specific communications, a combined JGMS & BHS Student Directory (later in the fall), and much more, please register at our new site.
We invite you to visit us at: https://www.bedfordpco.org/, where you will be prompted to login and then create an account. If you already have a Membership Toolkit account login with another organization, you can use the same log-in on our site.
Register Today!
- Go to: https://www.bedfordpco.org/
- Click the Register/Login button.
- If you already have an account with another organization that uses Membership Toolkit you can use the same email and password to login. Then proceed to steps 7 & 8 below. If not,
- If you do not have an account with another organization that uses Membership Toolkit, select "Create Account" and fill in the name, email, and password information.
- Click "verify my email" and then check your email for a link to complete the process. The link expires in 2 hours. If you do not receive the email, check your spam or junk folders.
- Once you have verified your email address, log back in and finish the registration process.
- Complete the Parent/Family and Student Information.; once done, click the "Save" button.
- Complete the Directory/Publish Preferences; once done, click the "Save" button.
Once the Primary Account is set up, the Primary User can add other email addresses to their account, which will allow a Secondary User to have their own login information, with access to the family account.
Please note that our site is active, but under construction. While under construction, both parent associations' websites will continue to be up and running separately.
Questions? - Please don't hesitate to contact us at jgmsparents@gmail.com.
[REMINDER] JGMS Attendance Policy and Reporting Attendance
Attendance Policy: Getting to school on time each day is a way for your child to show they understand the RESPONSIBILITY part of HEART at John Glenn Middle School. We will be working with your child and reminding them to give themselves enough time to get ready and to get to school on time. It is important that students are making a strong effort to come to school on time each and every day.
Please see our attendance policy.
Reporting 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. The phone number to call is (781) 275-3201 ext 4799 or you can 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.
[REMINDER] Student Drop Off and Pick Up
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.
Help Desk
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. The phone number to call is (781) 275-3201 ext 4799 or you can 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.