James F. Doughty School -

Happy Kwanzaa! Kwanzaa is a week-long holiday honoring African culture. It falls between Dec 26 and Jan 1 each year. The seven principles of Kwanzaa are: unity; self-determination; collective work and responsibility; co-operative economics; purpose; creativity; and earth.

Merry Christmas! The original meaning of Christmas was to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The story of the Nativity and the events surrounding the birth of Jesus are particularly important in religious celebrations of Christmas. Many traditions that are around today have their roots in pre-Christian winter festivals, including the importance of candles and decorations made from evergreen bushes and trees, symbolizing everlasting light and life.

The Bangor School Department has launched a new app to keep families informed. Please download the new app today. The old app will be discontinued as of December 31, 2023.

Happy Yule and Winter Solstice! Countries all over the world have been celebrating and honoring these astronomical events for thousands of years, from building structures that line up with the solstice to holding loud festivals in their honor. Yule is celebrated in many ways. In some countries, it is a two-month celebration that starts in the middle of November, a 12-day celebration that starts on the winter solstice, or a three-day feast that starts on the night before the winter solstice. On the winter solstice, people from many pagan cultures honor the sun and the middle of winter. Modern-day pagans celebrate Yule on the day of the winter solstice. At Stonehenge in England, people celebrate by gathering before dawn after the longest night to watch the sunrise through one of the stones. Yule celebrates the sun’s rebirth by giving each other gifts, having parties, and thinking deeply about one’s faith. This is a time of fresh beginnings, rebirth, transformation, breaking bad habits, and creativity.

To give our maintenance staff adequate time to assess our generator and boiler after this morning's outage, we have decided to cancel after-school activities today, December 21, 2023.

The James F. Doughty School lost power for approximately 30 minutes this morning at 11 AM. We have been able to restore generator power. Our phones have been restored. Thank you for your patience if you are trying to contact us. Sam Moring Principal

Families, faculty, and staff, This is James Tager, Superintendent of the Bangor School Department. All schools will be open tomorrow to provide a warm and safe environment for students. Our generators are currently working and we believe it is important to offer a warm place to learn and a good meal for all students. Be safe, be well, and thank you for entrusting us with your students. Enthusiastically Yours, James Tager Superintendent

The safety and well-being of our students and staff are our top priorities. Due to severe weather conditions overnight, including downed trees and power lines, and multiple roads being inaccessible, we have determined that it is unsafe to open our schools today.  In consideration of everyone's safety, we've decided to close all schools on December 19, 2023. Students, families, faculty, and staff, please stay safe. Enthusiastically yours, James Tager Superintendent

Due to the storm, there will be a 2-hour delay for the BSD on 12/19/23.  This delay will give us time to assess both our school facilities and road conditions. Students, families, faculty, and staff, please stay safe and remain vigilant of your surroundings as you make your commute to school tomorrow.

Families and Staff of the Bangor School Department, Today, there will be a normal dismissal for all students. However, in light of the high gusts of wind and water on road surfaces, we have decided to cancel all after-school activities. This decision has been made to ensure the safe travel of our students and staff.. We kindly ask that you take the necessary precautions when picking up your children, considering the weather conditions. Your understanding and cooperation are greatly appreciated as we prioritize the well-being of our school community. We encourage our employees to leave work once their work day is completed. Be safe and be well. James Tager

Happy Hanukkah! Also called the Festival of Lights, it begins on Kislev 25 and is celebrated for eight days. Legend recounts that there was only one small cruse of pure oil, enough to light the menorah in the Temple for one day, but it lasted eight days.

Our maintenance staff help provide a safe and comfortable environment for students to learn. We are currently looking for two positions to fill our maintenance team. If you or anyone you know is looking for a position with good pay and great benefits contact us at 207-262-9125.

The Middle Schools Winter Concert will take place at Peakes Auditorium on Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m. Band, chorus and orchestra students will perform at the concert. Please reach out to the music directors or call the schools with any questions. WSCS: 941-6230 JFDS: 941-6220

Bangor Day is December 22! Join us in our celebration by wearing red and white! In addition, we want to support and help those in need in our community. During the month of December we are: The Good Shepherd Food Bank is in need of funds to build boxes for a no contact food distribution. We will donate all money collected to the Good Shepherd Food Bank. The City of Bangor and the Bangor School Department will collect money. For a $10 donation, BSD Staff may wear jeans on December 22. Donations may be given at any Bangor school. Please make checks payable to Bangor School Department. Let's show our Bangor spirit, wear our school colors, and help those in need in our community. Donation of funds will be collected at all eleven (11) Bangor Schools and the City Hall beginning on November 15.

Thank you to Superintendent Tager and Assistant Superintendent Harris-Smedberg for joining us and serving Thanksgiving lunch to our students and staff.

​The Governor's Office and Maine Department of Education have provided resources for teachers and parents for dealing with mental health in the wake of the Lewiston tragedy. https://www.maine.gov/governor... https://mainedoenews.net/2023/... https://mainedoenews.net/2023/...

Happy Diwali! Diwali celebrations may vary in different communities, but their significance and spiritual meaning are generally “the awareness of the inner light”. It is also the beginning of the new financial year for the business community.

Safety Reminder: Check the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors twice a year. Heating Season is upon us, do it today.

The Bangor School Department will be closed November 10, 2023 in honor of Veterans Day.