BUCCANEER NEWS Volume #23
January 30, 2023
John Glenn Middle School: Weekly Family Bulletin
JGMS Community Members Show
HEART
Honor Empathy Acceptance Responsibility Tenacity
Save the Dates:
This week's sports schedule - Click "view Schedules" on right to find Middle School schedules.
- Looking Ahead/Save the Date
- District Calendar
- JGMS January Lunch Menu
- Previous Buccaneer News - New Item
- 1/31 (T) 2:30-3:30pm No Homework Club - Family Letter and Dates
- 2/2 (TH) 8:45-9:45am JGMS Parent/Principal Chat Via Zoom (Click for Link)
- 2/2 (TH) 2:30-3:30pm No Homework Club - Family Letter and Dates
- 2/7 (T) 2:30-3:30pm Homework Club - Family Letter and Dates
- 2/9 (TH) 2:30-3:30pm Homework Club - Family Letter and Dates
Table of Contents
1) [NEW] JGMS Parent/Principal Chat Via Zoom
2) [NEW] Gear to support BHS and JGMS Theater program
3) [NEW] Tote Bags
4) [NEW] Grade Posting
5) [REMINDER] Honor Roll
6) [REMINDER] MCAS Dates
7) [REMINDER] Highlighting Proud Moments
8) [REMINDER] From Nurse Fernald - UPDATE ON COVID HOME TESTS
9) [REMINDER] Poster Contest
10) [REMINDER] It Takes a Village - Drop Off and Pick Up
11) [REMINDER] Bedford High School’s Relay for Life
12) [REMINDER] JGMS and Recreation Partnership
13) [REMINDER] JGMS Extra Curricular Activities
14) [REMINDER] MSPA News
1) [NEW] JGMS Parent/Principal Chat Via Zoom
Please join me for the JGMS Parent/Principal Chat Via Zoom on Thursday, 2/2 from 8:45-9:45am. As always, the format is open. I look forward to sharing some highlights of the last month, some events to look forward, and hearing what is on your mind. The chat will be via Zoom (Click for Link).
2) [NEW] Gear to support BHS and JGMS Theater program
The music department is doing a fundraiser on Custom Ink for the BHS and JGMS Theater programs.
If you would like to browse or purchase anything, here's the link:
All proceeds from the sales of these shirts will go towards the extracurricular theater programs at BHS and JGMS. These theater programs annually involve 80-120 students from each school. Recently, both theater programs have spent money to improve their lights and sound and we are fundraising to help pay for the new equipment! We appreciate your support and can't wait to see students, families, and supporters sporting our brand all over town! Sales end 2/10/23 and shirts will be delivered on 3/1/23
3) [NEW] Tote Bags
At JGMS we do not allow students to carry their back packs for a variety of reasons. We do however allow students to carry tote bags. The tote bag allows students to safely carry their Chromebook and other necessary materials throughout the day. If you think this option will be good for your child please consider sending them in with one. Nothing fancy required, a reusable shopping bag will work just fine.
4) [NEW] Grade Posting
As we finalize grades and confirm all have been submitted and are accurate, we will send out an email with how to access your child's report card.
5) [REMINDER] Honor Roll
As principal, I am charged with a responsibility for making decisions or advocating for decisions that are good for all students. It is certainly not an easy task and it is a responsibility I take seriously. Since the topic of honor roll came up I have been giving it a lot of thought. After collecting anonymous student and parent feedback
- I carefully reviewed every data point from the 877 responses.
- I read each of the 1,807 comments from students and parents
- I created additional data points that represent the all points of view
- I created a summary of data for MSPA and School Advisory Council (SAC) to review
I stated in previous Buccaneer News I would make and communicate a a final decision before the end of 2nd quarter which ends on January 20, 2023. I write this update to share that I am not ready to communicate a final decision. Last week I had a meaningful and helpful consultation with MSPA and SAC representatives. We reviewed all the raw data and a summary of over 200 responses. In order to be as thoughtful as I feel I need to be, I will take time with representatives from student council and staff to gather their input which I will do in the coming week. When I feel I have consulted with representatives from all stakeholders, I will feel ready to make and communicate a final decision.
I understand that these are big issues and there will be strong feelings with how we proceed. This decision will be made thoughtfully and I simply need more time. More important, as stated by a parent from the survey, "how we proceed deserves to be done right and doing it right is more important than doing it quickly."
Thank you for your patience and support.
-Jon
6) [REMINDER] MCAS Dates
We have finalized our MCAS Schedule which is below. 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, including scheduling a test during Ramadan. If there is a test scheduled during a holiday that your child recognizes, please let us know and we can plan to schedule the test session for your child during our make up window.
As I mentioned last week, when scheduling MCAS, we navigate a variety of possible schedule conflicts. We are fortunate to be in a school that can minimize the number of testing days required however, we need to be mindful of scheduling in a way that is best for all students. When we schedule we:
- try 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.
- try to avoid the end of the MCAS testing window. This gives us ample time to administer make ups.
- try to avoid Mondays and Fridays.
- try to avoid testing on back to back days.
- work around school events and trips that have been scheduled.
- do our best to avoid holidays, including Ramadan which is March 22 to April 21 this year.
7) [REMINDER] Highlighting Proud Moments
Sometimes, a "third party pat on the back" will motivate a child to continue to put forth a strong effort and sometimes it is just nice to be recognized. I invite all families to share with me the ways in which their child excels in and out of JGMS. This recognition could simply be so that the adults at JGMS are aware or it could result in recognition in one or all of our communication tools which could be to inform students and the community.
8) [REMINDER] From Nurse Fernald - UPDATE ON COVID HOME TESTS
As you know, respiratory illnesses such as RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus) COVID-19, the flu, etc are on the rise everywhere. As we continue to navigate the cold and flu season, it is very helpful to know if your child is home with a communicable illness. Please report any positive cases of communicable illness such as flu, strep, RSV and COVID when you call the school to report your child's absence.
- Please continue to screen your child for illness before sending them to school.
- Please keep your child home when they are sick. And always test for covid even if they have MILD symptoms on the COVID-19 checklist before sending them to school .
- Although not mandatory, we encourage anyone with mild symptoms to wear a mask to prevent the spread of germs in the classroom setting.
We appreciate everyone's cooperation in keeping our schools safe and healthy.
COVID-19 home test kits are available in the nurse's office. Please contact Tracy Fernald at tracy_fernald@bedfordps.org, or ask your student to stop by the nurse's office to pick one up for home use.
In addition the Town of Bedford offers free COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits for Bedford residents in four locations throughout Town buildings.
9) [REMINDER] Poster Contest
JGMS Environmental Club is going to have a Poster Contest for Anti-Idling Awareness. All are welcome to participate in this contest. Please read through the announcement carefully as it has all the information regarding specifications and requirements. The deadline to submit posters is March 10th. Please encourage your students to participate in this contest. Please feel free to contact Mr. Harrington (paul_harrington@bedfordps.org) or Mrs. Bharatan (neeti_bharatan@bedfordps.org) if you have any questions.
10) [REMINDER] It Takes a Village - Drop Off and Pick Up
At the parent/principal chat we discussed the effectiveness of the morning drop off and afternoon pick up routines. There was a consensus that the routines are effective when everyone follows the protocol. I was able explain the rationale behind the changes and also explain that I have chosen to use the teachers and other administrators in a supervisory role inside the building rather than out back directing traffic. I emphasized the importance of every caretaker doing their part to make car drop off efficient and safe.
I have done my best to set up a system of drop off and pick up that is safe and efficient for students and drivers. I will continue to make myself available, as I am able, to ensure traffic is managed in the way it is intended. Please view the procedures for drop off and pick up. I am confident that over time the the procedures will become habit.
Please feel free to share this information on social media to get the word out to as many people as possible, especially the adults who may not be reading my communications as closely or may be picking up your child or your friend's child.
11) [REMINDER] Bedford High School’s Relay for Life
Bedford High School’s Relay for Life Committee is an organization which directly benefits the American Cancer Society by funding research for a cure, patient care/support, rides to life-saving treatment, and so much more! Relay For Life is a dedicated student-led group which works to organize fundraisers and recruit participants for the relentless fight against cancer.
Each year, Bedford is one of the many towns to host a Relay for Life overnight event. During this activity-filled, magical night, team members take turns walking around the Bedford track. The event is 14 hours in length (although participants can leave as early as they want) and each team is asked to have a member on the track at all times to signify that cancer never sleeps. Cancer patients do not have the ability to stop fighting because they're tired and neither do we.
For more information, please click here.
12) [REMINDER] JGMS and Recreation Partnership
I am proud to share that we have a variety of unique clubs available to students this winter. We often have new clubs opening up before they are posted so please visit the recreation website regularly to check for new opportunities.
JGMS Club Offerings: Winter 2023
Rubik's Cube Club
Description
Grades 6-8 NO Class 2/20
Location: John Glenn Middle School
Instructor: Elizabeth Wilson
The JGMS Rubik's Cube Club is for anyone who wants to learn to solve the Rubik's Cube! This club is a recreational focused club giving cubers a place to hang out with their peers who are also interested in this fun puzzle game!
Register Here: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/bedfordma/activity/search/detail/15426?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true
Yo-yo, Diabolo & Game Club
Instructors: Bonnie Kline
2:30-3:30 PM
JGMS Cafe
Tuesdays, 3/7-4/25 (no class 4/18)
Link to register: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/bedfordma/activity/search/detail/15349?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true
13) [REMINDER] JGMS Extra Curricular Activities
Update is that Homework Club has been added.
JGMS has a variety of clubs and sports that outside of school hours. Please see below for the clubs we offer and click the link if available. I have been collecting meeting days and times and will continue to update this bulletin as they come in. Please see the information that is currently available and reach out to the teacher for information to sign up and hope to have a more updated list with more information next week.
Summary of All Clubs - This link includes meeting times, rooms, and advisor contact information
CLUBS
SAGA (Sexuality and Gender Alliance)
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 two sports in the winter. 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 the 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 Boys Basketball: Vinnie McGrath
JGMS Girls Basketball: Greg Hinz
14) [REMINDER] MSPA News
New to JGMS? Sign up for the MSPA newsletter!
Get weekly updates on all the happenings at JGMS and what the MSPA is up to.
Click here to sign up.
What is the MSPA?
The MSPA is a non-profit volunteer organization run by parents. Its purpose is to facilitate communication between parents and the school community and to raise and distribute funds to supplement programs and services for the JGMS students and school community. Do you have ideas on how the MSPA can best support JGMS? Please email us at jgmsparents@gmail.com.
MSPA Fall Appeal
The MSPA's main fundraiser, our annual Fall Appeal, is in full swing! Please make a donation to help get our school year projects going. The MSPA has already purchased the Student and Teacher Agendas and sponsored a Welcome Back Luncheon for the teachers. There are many more critical initiatives coming up such as Homework Club, Teacher Grants, Enrichment Programs, Student and Teacher/Staff Hospitality Events, and the 8th Grade Moving On Ceremony. So please donate today - we can't do it without your help! Donations can be made the following ways:
- Click HERE to donate through Paypal
- Check made payable to MSPA and mailed to Kelly Randazzo 5 Selfridge Road Bedford, MA 01730
- Venmo: @JohnGlenn-MSPA
Help Desk
FAQ: NEW TO JGMS AND GOOD TO KNOW INFORMATION
Chromebook Insurance: Here is the link to sign up online.
2022-2023 School Calendar:
Please see the BPS 2022-2023 District Calendar
Attendance: Please let us know when your child will be absent, late, or dismissed by emailing JGMS_Attendance@bedfordps.org. When reporting your child's absence to please indicate the reason. 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.