MSPA: Bedford Middle School Parents Association Newsletter
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!
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK It was a busy week at JGMS last week! Teacher Appreciation Week 2019 was a tremendous success! The MSPA kicked off the week with a breakfast on Monday, May 6th, a luncheon on Wednesday, May 8th, and a day of sweet treats on Friday, May 10th with and over $800 in donated prizes for a teacher raffle.
This year the TAW food donations, volunteers and event planning was organized and executed by JGMS parents Carrie Rahoand Kelly Andersonwho went above and beyond with their creativity and dedication to make the week nothing short of spectacular for the teachers. Thank you Carrie and Kelly! The teachers were also treated to a buffet of homemade Korean dishes prepared by JGMS parents Eun Chong, Mia Byun, and Jessie Hwang. It was a huge hit!
Thank you also to Bedford TV for the videotaping of JGMS students thanking their favorite teachers and and JGMS parent Julie Manoogian for her assistance. The video was looped for teachers to watch during the Wednesday luncheon and was a great hit!
We would like to thank the following local businesses who contributed to our events during the week:
Stop & Shop, Starbucks, and Wegmans
The JGMS parent community made the week so special with beautiful salads and fruits, homemade desserts, lots of generous gift cards, and beautiful floral centerpieces. Thank you to the following parents for their donations:
Abir Zaloom, Aidan Hwang, Ana Flores, Andrea Barney, Audrey Gould, Bennet Family, Carrie Raho, Dawn Savoie, Deb Griffin, Desi Dimitrova, Emily Mitchell, Estelle Mense, Eun Chong, Gina Kolak, Gretchen Kind, Heather Randhahn, Jasmina Ivanova, Jeannette Sheahan, Jen Kelly, Jenn Heller, Jennifer Bouchard, Jennifer Buckley, Jennifer Stewart, Jess O’Connor, Jessica Castro, Jessica Fair, Jill Crotty, Josephine Fu, Karen Sobol, Kathy Recca, Keiko Iseda-Brown, Kelly Anderson, Kerri Modry, Kim Lorusso, Kranti Parvate, Kristen Hough, Lakshmi Kishore, Lisa Kaushik, Lita Lum, Mandy Bonneau, Meg Bowman, Nancy Saunders, Neetu Devdas, Otti McCucheon, Renee Georgette, Ryan Touri, Sally Morrison, Samantha McCarthy, Sarah Blackman, Soraya Stevens,
Srividya Rajagopalan, Susan DiGangi, Tara Goss, Tricia Daley
We want to make sure we have included everyone! Please email us at jgmsparents@gmail.com if we have missed anyone! Thank you!
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 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.
Saturday, May 18 - Bedford Relay for Life Wednesday, May 22 - Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) - Suicide Prevention Workshop
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 thislink.
THANK YOU to all of the parents who submitted their photos and forms! THANK YOU also to all of the Committee Chairs and parents who are working hard behind the scenes planning a memorable evening for our 8th grade students!
If you have not submitted the pictures or forms, please see the information below and send them into JGMS ASAP.
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 formsfrom 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
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.
JGMS Student Clubs: There is a club for everyone at JGMS - Science, Math, Art, Student Council and more. See below for more information.
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.
******************************************************************************** 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.
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.
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!
5/15 – 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.
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
"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.
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.
