Good Evening Panther Families, we hope everyone is having a great weekend and has been able to enjoy the sunshine!
Upcoming Dates/Events:
Monday 2/24/25 is a B day for exploratory classes
District Calendar: The school district calendar for the 24-25 school year is linked here:
6th & 8th Grade Social Studies DeSSA assessment on Tuesday, 2/25: 6th & 8th graders will be demonstrating their learning on the social studies DeSSA assessments Tuesday morning.
Upcoming Professional Development Day: March 21th, school closed for students
Upcoming Parent Teacher Conferences 3/27 & 3/28: Sign-ups to be shared in next weekend’s update, school closed for students on 3/27 & 3/28.
New Updates
Black History Month: Activities, spirit weeks, assemblies and arts contests are continuing throughout the month. Details will be shared with students each week during homeroom and on announcements.
Panther Sports: Boys & Girls basketball seasons wrap up this week! The teams have home games on Monday & away games on Wednesday @ McCullough; boys play first both games. Student-athletes & coaches will dismiss at 1:30 on Wednesday. Schedules for games are here: https://www.panthers-sports.com/.
2025-2026 Teacher of the Year Nomination Information Please see details on the link: Deadline tomorrow
Evacuation Drill this week: We will be having an evacuation (fire drill) drill this week, tentatively scheduled for Tuesday or Wednesday.
One School, One Book Update: Two weeks completed of reading Linked by Gordon Korman! Special thanks to our GBTV readers for this week, especially one GB parent, Ms. Schofield. Log in to our PLAYLIST if you’d like to listen along. Our Week 2 discussion questions are posted HERE for you to share your thoughts on the story. Have a great weekend and keep on reading!
Field Trip: Spanish Immersion students are taking a field trip to Villa Corona Mexican Restaurant on Wednesday.
7th grade Pathways Day: 7th grade students will interact with staff and student visitors from William Penn High School on different career pathways and programs on the morning of Thursday 2/27.
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.
Marching Colonials Clinics: These clinics are designed for potential and current marching band members in current grades 7th-11th to get an experience of what there is to offer in the William Penn Marching arts programs. This does not commit you to joining the Marching Colonials, but rather give some insight into what you might expect to see in the months to come leading up to the official 2025 season. This will provide an opportunity for students to engage with current members and the marching band staff in a more relaxed setting leading up to our official marching band season kickoff in late May! More information and sign-ups on link 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
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
Health & Wellness 2/2/25 Announcment Please see the announcement from the district lead nurse on flu season.
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:
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: 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.’
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 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. 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