Good Evening Panther Families, we hope everyone is having a great weekend and is looking forward to a fantastic week at school.
Upcoming Dates/Events:
Monday 1/27/25 is an A day for exploratory classes
District Calendar: The school district calendar for the 24-25 school year is linked here:
New Updates
Lockdown Drill: Monday, 1/27, we will have a lockdown drill in the afternoon. For common language, the lockdown actions and key phrasing is, “Locks, Lights, Out of Sight”. -Doors to be locked -Lights to be off -Out of sight as much as possible from interior windows.
Panther Sports: Boys & Girls basketball away games this week on Monday & Wednesday 1/22. Girls play first for both games. Student-Athletes and coaches will dismiss early in the one o’clock hour for the away games. Schedules for games are here: https://www.panthers-sports.com/.
One School, One Book: We are excited to announce that Gunning Bedford is once again participating in a One Book – One School event this February. Students, Staff, and the Community are all invited to read along together as we begin the novel Linked by Gordon Korman. Please see additional details on the link here: 2025 GB One School, One Book Sign Up & sign-up form here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F4EADAB2BA0FE3-54615911-linked
Students to Sign-In during Homeroom: For the next 5 school days, students will sign-in during the homeroom classes. This is part of the mid-year unit count from the state department of education.
Interim Assessment Blocks (IABs): IAB’s are assessments students engage in that teachers use the learning data to assess bundles of content. Earlier this month, students engaged in one for ELA. On Tuesday morning 1/28 GB students will engage in a Math IAB.
The Heart In The Game event at George Read Middle School (9am-1pm) February 1st includes non-invasive electrocardiogram (ECG) interpreted by physicians proficient in the interpretation of ECG in the population being screened, and hands-only CPR and AED use demonstrations Register at: https://www.heartinthegame.org/register-for-screening
YMCA Partnership: Sign-ups for new sessions starting on January 28th. WOW After School Program at the Bear-Glasgow YMCA (Working on Wellness) Visit Link here for info: YMCA WOW January – April 2025.pdf
Link here to sign up: https://ymcade.formstack.com/forms/bear_2024_parent_guardian_agreement_
Contact Ebony Tessein: etessein@ymcade.org or 302- 257- 5854 with any questions.
Delaware Smile Check: The Delaware Smile Check Program is coming to GB on Thursday, February 24th for dental screenings. See linked for more information and the link or QR code to register if you are interested in having your student screened. Gunning Bedford Smile Check Information 2025.docx Gunning Bedford Smile Check QR code 2025.pdf
Student Kudos:–Snowman Contest Winners from Mrs. Kalb’s math class
2024-2025 Yearbook Order Information: Order a yearbook for your student Link to order is here:
Updates from 6th grade teachers: Please see weekly update here for 6th grade families: document will be updated each week by 6th grade staff:
Update from Grade Level Administrators:
Update from 6th grade assistant principal, Dr. Thomas-Brown:
Update from 7th grade administrator, Mr. Sopkanich:
Update from 8th grade assistant principal, Mrs. Nowell
Rolling Updates
IXL Math Club: IXL Math is a great way to sharpen your math skills through engaging, interactive lessons that help you improve at your own pace. By joining the IXL Math Club, you’ll not only boost your math abilities but also have the chance to participate in fun field trips and earn Hayden Bucks, which can be redeemed for rewards. Participation takes place in-person on Thursdays after school, with after school buses available, or virtually for added flexibility.For more information and/or to sign-up, please see linked fliers IXL Club Flier 24-25 SY.pdf IXLMathClubRegistration.pdf or contact Crystal.braxton@colonial.k12.de.us Lozetta.hayden@colonial.k12.de.us
Colonial Compass: Colonial Compass continues this week on Wednesday during period 5. Colonial Compass is a Colonial designed high school and career-readiness course for middle school students. The goal of Colonial Compass is to increase career exploration at the middle school level. Colonial decided to create a course designed to be implemented for 30 minutes, once a week. The course curriculum is being used by all three middle schools for 24-25 SY. The vision for the Colonial Compass program is for middle schoolers to leave middle school prepared for high school, college, and career. We want to empower students to better understand themselves and discover their greatest potential. Our vision is that students will leave middle school with an actionable plan to help them reach their high school, college, and career goals.
Car Rider Drop-off and Pickup Details: Parents/guardians, please stay in your car during pickup. It ensures a safe experience for students, families, and staff. If your student is being driven to school, please review the images linked before on where drop-off and pick-up is located. am and pm. AM is in the front of the building, PM is on the side of the building. Staff will be present to support in building the routine with students and families. Our doors open at 7:55AM each day. Please be mindful of dropping off students before then as staff are not outside. In the afternoon, car rider dismissal begins at 2:37PM on the side of the building. Families will pull into the parking lot on the side of the building and form a line that goes up and around the lot. Please follow the directions of staff supporting the dismissal to ensure a safe dismissal for all.
Health Office Information: Please view a letter from our school nurse, Mrs. Taylor: GB 2024-2025 Greetings from Nurse Taylor.docx Please coordinate any medication drop-offs with Nurse Taylor, do not send students to school with their own medication, it must be brought to school by a parent/guardian.
Support Links for Families: –Please use this link for more information & FAQ about Home Access Center –To update the contact information you have on file please fill out the form linked here:
Early Dismissal Procedure: We must check the ID of the persons picking up before releasing the child. Please ensure early dismissals are completed prior to 2:00 PM.
Breakfast & Lunch for students: All students at Gunning Bedford get free breakfast & lunch each day. Students are not able to have any outside delivery food for lunch time; For example no Door-Dash or UberEats delivery. The lunch times for students are:
| 8 lunch: 11:05-11:35 | 6 Lunch: 11:47-12:17 | 7 Lunch: 12:27-12:57 |
Student cellphone expectations: Please review the letter and research linked here on our cellphone expectations for students. We have an expectation for a cell phone use free experience for students during the school day. When students arrive at school, their phones are to be out of sight and not in use. After School Activities Pick-Up Details: Student safety is our biggest concern. Please do not park in the first 5 bus slots or along the sidewalk outside of the auditorium. Both areas are noted in the map below by a blue ‘X.’ This ensures that our students can safely cross the bus court to get on their assigned buses.
Student Lockers, Coats, Cellphones, & Expectations for Dress: Students are to use their lockers to store their coats and bags each day. Students have access to their lockers multiple times during the school day to pick-up/dropoff items. Students are to not wear backpacks or coats during the school day. Students are to use their own lock on their lockers. Students are to not wear hats, hoods, or sunglasses inside the building. Link for Code of Conduct & Colonial Expectations for Dress:. Also, student horseplay is not appropriate at school. Students are to keep hands/feet to themselves.
Change of Address/information Documents: Link in Spanish: Link in English:
Please use the link above, to complete the form so that the office is aware of the change, and we can update your student’s file. Please note that in order to update or change your address you need to provide proof of residency and below is the list of acceptable documents for this: Utility Bill: Electric, Water, Sewer, Lease/Deed/Mortgage *The bills need to be in the parent or guardian’s name.
Grade level Administrators & Counselors: The names and contact emails for our grade administrators and school counselors are listed below. They are your go-to contacts for supporting your student.
Administration School Counselors
| 6th Grade AP: Dr. Thomas-Brown | 6th Grade: Ms. Sheppard |
| 7th Grade Administrator: Mr. Sopkanich | 7th Grade: Mr. Arent |
| 8th Grade AP: Mrs. Nowell | 8th Grade: Ms. Pine |
| ILC Administrator: Mrs. Melissa Eger | |
| Principal: Mr. Johnston |
Have a great rest of the day and remember, you can’t hide that Panther Pride!
Sincerely,
Bill Johnston, Principal, Gunning Bedford Middle School