August 2, 2023
Dear Bedford Middle School Parent,
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! The BMS staff and I look forward to partnering with you to make your child’s learning experiences positive and successful. We are committed to offering an outstanding educational program in a caring and friendly environment. This letter contains important information relative to the start of school, and I ask you to please review it carefully.
All students and parents are invited to visit our facilities, learn about our programs, and meet our instructional staff on Monday, August 21st from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. as we host “Meet Your Teachers Night.” Upon arrival, parents and students should report to homerooms to get class schedules before visiting other classrooms. We encourage you to share information about your child with each of his/her teachers. If you are unable to attend that evening, please feel free to send a note or email teachers outlining the information you would like to share with them.
If this is your child’s first year at BMS, there will be a brief presentation in the front gym at 6:00 p.m. that evening and again on Tuesday, August 22nd , at 1:00 p.m. (if you missed the 21st).
The first day of school for students is Wednesday, August 23rd. Breakfast will be available in the cafeteria at 7:45 a.m. It is helpful if most students arrive at BMS between 7:55 and 8:10. If you have to drop your children off early, they can wait in the front gym or cafeteria until the 7:55 bell rings. When dropping students off, please pull up as far as possible in the loop in front of the school to facilitate the flow of traffic. Students will be required to be in class by 8:15.
Bedford Middle School’s website at www.bedfordasd.org/o/bms gives parents access to a wealth of resources to keep informed about school events. There is a “BMS Orientation Slide Show” link containing detailed information about procedures, staff, activities, and more. Please take some time to review it.
Parents are encouraged to set up their cell phones to receive notifications from BMS and/or the School District. Just download the Bedford ASD app and go to “settings” under the main menu to select your notification preferences.
Another opportunity to maintain updated information about your child is to contact our instructors by email or by phone. Addresses for our teachers can be found on the school website. The following times are when classroom teachers are available for meetings or to receive phone calls.
6th grade teachers 9:05-9:35 or 12:25 - 12:55
7th grade teachers 9:50-10:20 or 1:10 - 1:40
8th grade teachers 10:35-11:05 or 1:50-2:20
Middle school is a time of change for your child and we look forward to teaming with you to make your child’s transition through adolescence a smooth and successful one. If you ever have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 623-4200.
Sincerely,
Mr. Kevin Windows
Principal
PowerSchool and Schoology:
The Bedford Area School District uses a student information system called PowerSchool and a student learning system called Schoology. Parents who are new to the district or need a refresher on how to access and use PowerSchool and/or Schoology can visit the Bedford Middle School website and click on Technology Recourses. You will see information / directions for both systems listed on that menu. If you experience any difficulties, please contact the BMS office for assistance.
Reminders from the school nurse:
- 6th graders are required to have a physical examination. Physical examinations will be offered by the school physician on October 19th. If interested please contact the school nurse.
- 7th graders are required by the state of Pennsylvania to have a Tdap and Meningococcal vaccine by the first day of school.
- 7th graders are also required by the state of Pennsylvania to have a dental exam on or after September 1st, 2022. Please be sure documentation of the exam is submitted to the nurse. BMS will offer free dental exams to any student who cannot provide this documentation from a family dentist.
- If your child takes medication during the school day, please contact the school nurse prior to the start of school.
Forms to Return:
Included in this mailing are important forms that need to be completed and returned. You can bring all forms with you on Meet Your Teachers Night or send them with your child during the first days of school.
- BMS Student Information / Emergency Medical Information (front and back). This form needs to be returned as soon as possible. Please Note: All individuals listed as emergency contacts are assumed to be permitted to pick up the child unless otherwise stated on the form.
- BASD Internet and Google Apps Form (front and back). This is only for 6th graders.
- COPPA Consent Form. This is only for 6th graders.
- Important Information About iPad Insurance. There is nothing to return at this time. This form is just to inform parents of the insurance process and encourage participation. Insurance enrollment packets will be available in your child’s homeroom on Meet Your Teachers Night or sent home with your child on the first day of school. A staff member will be in the cafeteria on Meet Your Teachers Night to accept payments and forms. Forms must be returned to the school by September 8th regardless of participation choice.
Upcoming Events:
All upcoming events are listed on the Bedford Middle School website. Please be sure to check this site frequently for updates and other information.