Good Evening Panther Families, we hope everyone is having a great long weekend, staying safe with the windy weather, and is looking forward to a great week at school.
Upcoming Dates/Events:
Tuesday 2/18/25 is a B day for exploratory classes
District Calendar: The school district calendar for the 24-25 school year is linked here:
New Updates
Black History Month: Activities, spirit weeks, assemblies and arts contests are continuing throughout the month. Details will be shared with students this week during homeroom and on announcements. There are assemblies this Thursday morning for each grade level.
FFA Week Celebration: Please see slide below with details:
Panther Sports: Boys & Girls basketball away games on Wednesday @ MOT Charter; boys play first. Student-athletes & coaches will dismiss at one o’clock. Schedules for games are here: https://www.panthers-sports.com/.
Health & Wellness 2/2/25 Announcment Please see the announcement from the district lead nurse on flu season.
Upcoming Family Connections Meeting: Due to a scheduling conflict, the Family Connections meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 18 has been postponed. A new date will be communicated as soon as it is scheduled.
Yearbook Info: 8th grade families, if they would like to submit a baby picture for the yearbook, please see Mr. Blocker in room 105 during homeroom. He will be collecting pictures starting 2/2/25. Also, 2024-2025 Yearbook Order Information: Order a yearbook for your student Link to order is here:
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. We began reading the book last week! 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. Reading along with your student is a great way to build literacy skills and love of reading!
2025-2026Teacher of the Year Nomination Information Please see details to nominate a teacher.
8th Grade Adventure Aquarium Update: We are continuing to work with the Adventure Aquarium to reschedule our 8th grade field trip. We are hoping to update 8th grade students and families with the new date in the near future.
Upcoming Job Fair for 8th Grade Students: Jobs for Delaware Graduates is excited to announce a Career Expo happening February 19th at Wilmington University in New Castle from 5:30pm- 7:30pm. Come meet various employers looking to fill part time jobs, internships and share career opportunities with you. Maximize your networking and career opportunities at this free event. Not to mention, prizes will be given out throughout the evening. Please visit www.jobsdegrads.org and look for the events page to sign up!
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
STEAM Showcase: Wednesday evening, March 26 at William Penn High School
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
YMCA Partnership: Sign-ups for new sessions has begun. 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.
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