By Mr. Tracey
The JGMS Scholarship Drive is paying huge returns in the form of 12 students attending Nature’s Classroom next week, who may have otherwise been unable to benefit from this experience due to family financial hardship. As I mentioned in a prior email to the parent community, this Scholarship Drive was formerly and affectionately known as our "Magazine Drive". JGMS has been conducting this drive for many years to help provide funding for families in need to enable all children to attend valuable educational experiences; including, but not limited to the 8th grade trip to Washington, D.C., our 6th grade trip to Nature's Classroom, our end of the year events in the 7th and 8th grade and multiple field trips during the school year, such as trips to local museums and stage performances. In order to receive a scholarship, families complete an application that is reviewed by a small panel of administrators, the grade level counselor and team leader. Partial and full scholarships are awarded based on need.
As a Principal, former teacher and coach and the father of two children, I have reservations when it comes to fundraising and asking families for money. It just makes me feel uncomfortable. With that said, last year alone we awarded $7,200 to 8th grade families-in-need for full and partial scholarships for their child to attend the Washington trip. In addition, we awarded close to $4,000 towards scholarships for the Nature's Classroom trip. Last year, we collected just over $3,600 from the Scholarship Drive. The MSPA graciously gifted an additional $2, 000 to help offset costs. The difference was paid from money raised by our Stop and Shop A+ fundraising initiative, led by parent volunteer, Mrs. Nancy Barnes, our BoxTop initiative, led by parent volunteer, Ms. Jennifer Goldman, revenue from dance door sales, and from the remaining balance of our scholarship account. The reality is that we simply do not have the money in our accounts to continue to provide scholarships at our current rate, and I do not want any child to be left out from participating in a trip due to his/her family's financial hardship.
Bedford, as a town and parent community, is incredibly supportive and generous to the schools and children. Please know that we greatly appreciate this support and generosity. As we embark on another year of fundraising, we ask that we all talk it up and make it clear that the money raised from this event goes directly back to many of our students in the form of scholarships.
If you choose to take part in our 2014 Scholarship Drive(s), you may donate in many ways. If you were not interested in magazines, but still wish to make a contribution, a check may be sent to the school made out to John Glenn Middle School and please write JGMS Scholarship Drive in the subject line.
For information on the Stop and Shop A+ Program, please register your Stop & Shop card online and every time you make purchases at the store, you help JGMS earn
cash. http://www.stopandshop.com/savings-and-rewards/rewards-program/aplus/.
For information on the Bedford Box Top Program, please click the following link for a “how to” video: http://www.bedford.k12.ma.us/home/john-glenn-middle-school/1016-bedford-box-tops-for-education-how-to-video.html.
Our first JGMS Dance/Social is tonight, October 17, 2014 at 6:30. The cost per child is $10.00 and includes pizza, water, board games and two and half hours of smiling and jumping (Aka. middle school dancing) to such greats as One Dimension, Taylor Swift and many, many others. Our next dance will be held on December 5th.