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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.
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Connect with us on Social Media for important school information!  Use the links below!
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE PARENTS WHO CONTRIBUTED TO TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK!  

PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO SEND IN YOUR FOOD ITEMS AND DONATIONS!  

Events this week:
Monday, May 6th - Breakfast
Wednesday, May 8th - Luncheon
Friday, May 10th - Sweet Treats

Please click HERE to donate a food item, gift card, monetary contribution or to help with set up and clean up!  Thank you!

Monday, May 6 - Friday, May 10 - Teacher Appreciation Week 
Wednesday, May 8 - Girl Empowerment Event for middle school girls (see flyer below)
Wednesday, May 8 - Continued Community Conversation about Suicide Prevention
Thursday, May 9 - 6th grade math MCAS
Friday, May 10 - 6th grade math MCAS
Monday, May 13 - 8th grade STE MCAS (updated)
Tuesday, May 14 - 8th grade STE MCAS (updated)
Thursday, May 16 - 7th grade math MCAS (updated)
Friday, May 17 - 7th grade math MCAS (updated)

Tuesday, May 21 - Friday, May 24 - 8th Grade Washington DC trip
Tuesday, May 21 - JGMS grade 6 concert
Thursday, May 30 - JGMS grade 7 and 8 concert
Monday, June 17 - 8th Grade Moving On Ceremony & Party
Tuesday, June 18 - 8th Grade Canobie Lake Trip
Wednesday, June 19 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!
Not sure how to sign up for JGMS sports?  Use the following link to walk you through - JGMS Sports Registration through Aspen.   Check out the Sports Schedule for weekly activities.

Monday, May 6 - All Night Graduation Meeting, 7pm
Tuesday, May 7 - Relay for Life fundraiser at Ken's Deli, 4pm-9pm
Friday, May 10 - BHS Playwright Festival
Saturday, May 11 - Military Appreciation Game and Fundraiser, 2pm
Saturday, May 11 - BAA Golf Tournament
Saturday, May 18 - Bedford Relay for Life
Wednesday, May 22 - Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) - Suicide Prevention Workshop


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Attention 8th Grade Parents
Important Information Regarding MOVING ON


WHAT IS MOVING ON?  Moving On is the graduation ceremony for the 8th grade class.  The event involves an hour-long graduation ceremony held in the BHS gym (6-7pm) for the students and their families followed by a dinner/party for the 8th grade students only (7:15-10:00pm) in the JGMS cafeteria/gym.  Moving On is scheduled for Monday, June 17, 2019.  Looking for more information about the event, visit the MSPA website using this link.

THANK YOU to all of the parents who submitted their photos and forms!  

If you have not submitted the pictures or forms, please see the information below and send them into JGMS no later than Friday, May 10th.


ACTION NEEDED BY ALL PARENTS/GUARDIANS:
 
1.  Please make sure the email listed in Aspen is up-to-date by May 1st.
We will be getting an updated email list from the school next month. Invitations to Moving On (for 8th grade families) will be sent via email.

2.  Please send in your contribution of $20 by May 1st.
Moving On is run entirely on donations from the 8th grade families. We are looking for each 8th grade family to contribute $20. You can download a copy of the forms from the MSPA website (it was also sent home with your student). The form also contains a t-shirt size request.

3. Please send in a baby picture and 1-3 other pictures by May 1st.
The hallway at JGMS will be decorated with photos of the 8th graders through the years. Your help will be needed to pull this off -- this letter explains what photos are being requested and how to submit them. Please note that photos will not be returned. Also, consider enlisting your child’s help in selecting the photos, since this evening is about them! You can download the letter from the MSPA website.

4.  Complete the t-shirt form and send it in by May 1st.
Photos and T-shirt sizing information are due by May 1st. Each graduating 8th grader will get a t-shirt which they can wear for the Canobie Lake field trip at the end of the school year.

5. Your child's first and last name will be pulled from Aspen for the program and certificate.  If you would like to change the way your student's name will appear in the program and certificate,  please email jgmsmovingon@gmail.com.  If you have no changes, you don't need to do anything!

For changes, please email the name to us at the email above with Moving On Name in the subject line.

Please email us with any questions at JGMSMOVINGON@gmail.com!

Thank you!
Susan DiGangi and Lisa Kaushik, Moving On Chairs

MSPA 2018/2019 Grants

The MSPA is thrilled to fund the following grants as part of our 2018/2019
Grant Program:

Pre-Dance Pot Luck - May 3rd
The JGMS Pre-dance Pot Luck dinner was a huge success!  Thank you to Renee Anderson and team for pulling off this event!  What a great way to make student connections and build friendships!
 
Let’s talk about it: Body Image, Self-Esteem and Healthy Relationships May 8th

The JGMS Guidance Department will be hosting a Girls Empowerment workshop on May 8, 2019 from 12:30-3:00pm. Space is limited.
Please RSVP to Maureen_McDermott@bedfordps.org to reserve a spot. Food will be provided at 12:30pm. The workshop will run from 1:00pm-3:00pm.

The workshop will cover topics including self-esteem, social media, body image, healthy relation- ships and more. The presenter, Ashley Olafsen, will share her own personal stories and strate- gies, and girls will have an opportunity to discuss topics through meaningful conversations and activities. Ashley Olafsen is a two-time author, TEDx Speaker, and social entrepreneur who is passionate about issues that affect teenagers. As the co-founder of MOVE, LLC, she works with young women on topics like body image, self-esteem, mental health and relationship abuse.  
SEE FLYER BELOW.

BHS All-Night Graduation Committee Meeting Tonight at 7pm!
 
All-Night Graduation is just one month away! The All-Night Graduation Committee will be meeting TONIGHT, Monday, May 6th at 7 p.m. in the BHS cafeteria. We need parents/guardians from all grades to help make the All-Night Graduation celebration a success, especially since parents of Graduating Seniors cannot attend the Party. Come find out how you can volunteer at this fun and worthwhile event!   There is a lot to do in this last month, and any and all help is appreciated. Hope to see you there! If you have any questions, please email Dawn Kociubes/Kerry Rackey at bedfordang@gmail.com
The MSPA Elections were held last week and we are excited to announce the following positions for the 2019/2020 school year!  Are you interested in getting involved?  Email us at jgmsparents@gmail.com!  We would love to have you!

Co-President - Lisa Kaushik (2nd year in this position) 
Co-President - Jessica Fair (1st year in this position)
Vice President - Karen Sobol (1st year in this position)
Treasurer - OPEN
Secretary - OPEN

Committees
School Directory Chair - Cheryll Bell
Webmaster - OPEN
Teacher Appreciation Week Coordinator(s) - OPEN
Hospitality Coordinator(s) - OPEN
eNews Coordinator (prepare weekly eNews) - OPEN
METCO Representative - OPEN

8th Grade Moving On Co-chairs - OPEN


Current 2018-2019 MSPA Board Members
Co-Presidents:  Susan DiGangi & Lisa Kaushik
Co-Vice President:  Jessica Fair  
Treasurer:  Robin Steele
Secretary:  Karen Sobol
METCO Parent Representative:  Danita Brewster

Committees:
Hospitality:  Audrey Gould

Teacher Appreciation Week:  Carrie Raho & Kelly Anderson

8th Grade Moving On Chairs:  Susan DiGangi & Lisa Kaushik - jgmsmovingon@gmail.com


For more information, click here!  We would love to hear from you!
Questions?  Please contact jgmsparents@gmail.com.

 
Thank you to the Art Departments and everyone involved in pulling off the K-12 Art Show!  What an amazing display of artwork from so many talented students! 


JGMS Student Clubs:  There is a club for everyone at JGMS - Science, Math, Art, Student Council and more.  See below for more information.

Yearbooks:  There is still time to solidify your child’s yearbook order! Yearbooks are scheduled to arrive in June.  We are not guaranteed to have extras, so order one now.  If there are extras they will be $35 in June.  To order just go to yearbookordercenter.com and put in code 4008 when it asks for our school code.  If you prefer to pay in cash or check and not credit card you can send in money along with your child’s name and grade to Libbey Beinert Hunnewell. Remember also that there is a sibling deal where you save a bit by buying two books!!  Email libbey_beinert-hunnewell@bedfordps.org if have any questions or require financial assistance with purchasing the yearbook.  

Bus Schedule for JGMS and METCO:  Not sure of your student's bus number or route?  Click here.  METCO bus schedule can be found here.

Late Bus Pickup: The late bus schedule is Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.  Students will pick the bus up at the Bedford High School at 4:05 P.M,  Students are asked to check in with the bus driver to see if the bus stops in their neighborhood (there are 4 busses).  Specific questions can be addressed with Bedford Charter Service at 781-275-9524.

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MSPA News - Important Information and Dates:


8th Grade Moving On: Thank you to the many parents/guardians who came out for the April 25th meeting.  We had a great turnout and the planning is well underway!  Please stay tuned for the next meeting.  It's not too late to join a committee and help with the planning!  PLEASE COME and find out the latest plans for this event and how you can help!

Moving On is the 8th grade graduation ceremony (held at the BHS gym) followed by a dinner/dance for 8th grade students (held at the JGMS cafeteria and gym).  The dinner/dance event is planned by JGMS 8th grade parents - we will need lots of help!  The date for this event is Monday, June 17th. Questions?  Email JGMSMovingOn@gmail.com.  

Continued Community Conversation about Suicide Prevention facilitated by Riverside Trauma Center May 8

On Wednesday, May 8th at 7pm in the BHS LGI Riverside Trauma Center (RTC) will host a follow up community conversation for parents and guardians. The focus will be how to talk with teens about death and adolescent suicide with the aim of further addressing the needs of the bereaved as well as prevention efforts going forward. RTC Director, Larry Berkowitz, Ed.D will facilitate the conversation. Dr. Berkowitz holds a doctoral degree in Counseling and Consulting Psychology from Harvard University and is a licensed Psychologist in Massachusetts. He is on the Executive Committee of the Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention and serves as the Co-Chair of the Northeast Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention.

This second conversation is being sponsored by Bedford High School, Bedford Youth & Family Services, BHS Parent Association (BHSPA), and MS Parent Association (MSPA).

Please consider attending this conversation.

The MSPA is pleased to help fund the Homework Club at JGMS!  Homework Club is held on Tuesday's and Thursday's after school.  Please click here for more detailed information.  

NO Homework club Thursday, May 9th

Tuesday, May 14th

Thursday, May 16th

Tuesday, May 21st

Thursday, May 23rd

Tuesday, May 28th

Thursday, May 30th

Tuesday, June 4th

Thursday, June 6th

2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR
Confused by Aspen?  We've posted a number of links on the MSPA website to help you navigate!  
https://bedfordmspa.wordpress.com/useful-info/parent-aspen-support/
BHS Playwright's Festival
 
The Bedford High School Theater Department presents the third annual Playwright’s Festival. The six plays in this festival are written, directed, and designed by BHS students. The playwrights are Charlie Anderson, Natasha Ferguson, Jillian Guetersloh, Willa Potter, and Lucy Santiago. Additionally, Jackie Altman will perform her history fair performance about Irena Sendler before she competes at the National History Day Competition. There are about twenty-five students involved as actors, directors, designers, or writers. The performance will culminate in an optional talk-back with the writers and the directors of the plays. Audience members will have the chance to ask the writers and directors specific questions about the process of writing and directing the plays. The performance will be Friday, May 10 at 7pm in the BHS auditorium. Tickets to this event are $5 and can be purchased at the door starting one hour before the performance. 

BEDFORD FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY EVENTS

Looking for activities for your 6th-8th grader on Wednesday afternoons? Check out what the Bedford Public Library has to offer! This program has been a huge hit with teens!

TEEN PROGRAMS

TAG (Teen Activities Group) meets most Wednesdays at 1:30 pm during the school year and is open to everyone in grades 6 through 12. We enjoy snacks and all different kinds of activities – crafts, games, movies, experiments, and more! There is no sign-up – just drop in!

5/8 – Movie – The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part – Everything is awesome in Bricksburg until Duplo invaders arrive. (PG)
5/15 – Silly Games – Get your spring wiggles out with a variety of silly one-minute games.
5/22 – Ice Cream Social – Celebrate the end of TAG with ice cream sundaes! Don’t forget to tell us what you liked most about TAG this year!

To see library events for all ages, visit the library’s Calendar here - http://ow.ly/o7oK30naj6Z.

Pam Aghababian, Young Adult Librarian, can be contacted for more information.
 

Destination Imagination T-Shirt Fundraiser

Bedford's 7th grade Destination Imagination team, The Skittleworms, is selling t-shirts to offset the cost of competition at DI Global Finals in Kansas City, Missouri. There are three shirt designs to choose from: Women of Science (artwork by BHS student Maddie McAllister), Bedford Pride, and Creativity is Contagious. Each comes in a variety of styles and colors. Limited time! Order by May 11. More information at www.skittleworms.com.  
Bedford Athletic Association "Buccaneer Classic" Golf Tournament
May 11, 2019
Patriot Golf Course
Registration at 12 PM. Shot Gun starts at 1 PM. Dinner catered by Red Heat Tavern at approx 5 PM.
Register to participate or sponsor the event. Proceeds are used to fund our yearly scholarships to qualified Bedford student-athletes in June.

Space is limited to 64 golfers and will be filled on a first come-first serve basis. To register, please return your completed player registration form with your entry fee of $125.00 per person/$500 per foursome payable to Bedford Athletic Association.

To register for or sponsor the event, forms can be found on our website at https://www.bedfordathleticassociation.org/golf-tournament

Bedford Youth and Family Services 

The 2018 Youth Risk Behavior Survey provides data from our students on their risky behaviors. Last spring, students in grades 6-8 (John Glenn Middle School - JGMS) and grades 9 - 12 (Bedford High School - BHS) answered questions about smoking, drinking, sexual behavior, bullying, and other risky behaviors. This data helps inform the health curriculum in our schools and health programs offered in the town.  See how well you know our students by taking the following quiz. To take the full quiz online click HERE 

For more information visit: https://www.bedfordma.gov/youth-family/news/test-your-knowledge-on-drug-and-alcohol-abuse

Talk to Your Teen About Mental Health

"Adolescence is a difficult time for teens and parents. With so much change happening for a child, it can be difficult for a parent to know when their teen is experiencing regular adolescent moodiness and when they might be struggling with a more serious mental health issue".  Read more about this subject here.
 
 
Middlesex Community College - College for Kids 2019

These programs are designed for students ages 8-17 in grades 3 through high school. Programs are offered on both MCC’s Bedford and Lowell campus July 8 through August 15.  Please see the link below for registration information:

Bedford Neighbor Brigade is a group of nearly 300 volunteers supporting our community's families in crisis. Families face significant challenges when tragedy unexpectedly strikes. The impact on household routines often makes life seem unbearable. Having volunteers delivering meals, running errands or offering a simple act of kindness is worth more than words can say. Recipients of care include people in a temporary crisis such as illness, major surgery or sudden tragedy or accident. 
 
Non-medical services consist of, but are not limited to: 
- delivering meals 
- running errands 
- driving patients to and from medical appointments 
- dog walking
 
The Brigade is currently helping 3 Bedford families. There is no minimum requirement to how often a volunteer helps out. Sign up to fill a need only when it works with your schedule. All residents are welcome to join this community network of volunteers. To join the Bedford Neighbor Brigade visit the site here and select “fill in an application”. Contact Bedford’s Chapter Leader Amy Mason at BedfordMA@neighborbrigade.org with any questions or if you know a person in need.

Finding it challenging to get your kids to and from afterschool activities? Want to help your child flex their independence muscles? The Bedford DASH (www.BedfordDash.com) offers an alternative to your parental taxi service, while helping your kids learn to navigate in the community!

The DASH provides door-to-door transportation, available for all adult Bedford residents including youths age 12 – 18 who may ride the DASH independently if parental permission is on file. See the details on our blog and on their website.

PRINCIPAL TRACEY’S LATEST BLOG: http://jgmsblog.weebly.com  
 
Super Easy Ways to Support the School and MSPA:   

A+ School Rewards by Stop & Shop: Every time you make purchases at Stop & Shop, you can help JGMS earn cash. Go to www.stopandshop.com and select Savings & Rewards.  Follow the prompts to create your online account.  You'll need your 13 digit Stop & Shop Card number and the School ID #07051.  If you don't know your Stop & Shop Card Number call 1-877-366-2668 OPTION 1.

Amazon Smile program: When shopping on Amazon, use this link http://smile.amazon.com/ch/04-2759931  It is unique to Bedford Schools and if used, Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to the “Bedford Schools Association” (an equal split between JGMS & BHS Students).

Box Tops for Education: collect box tops to support the schools. See btfe.com or email Barbara Murphy at barbamurphy@yahoo.com with any questions.
Copyright © 2019 Bedford MSPA (JGMS Parent Association), All rights reserved.


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