AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
At the close of school at 2:45 p.m., students may remain for sports, clubs, extra help, etc. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements for transportation home after the sport, club, or extra help. All other students are expected to leave the campus at 2:45 p.m. Students and parents should formulate an emergency plan in the event that a parent cannot secure transportation to pick up their student. This plan may include the student walking to the library or police station in the event that they find themselves at school without a ride or unable to contact a parent. Emergency plans should also include other adults to contact for a ride. The number for the Cheshire Police Department is located at the entrance to the Main Office should a student find themselves in a situation where they have no way home and are unable to contact a parent or emergency contact.
BACKPACKS/BAGS
Students are allowed to carry backpacks and book bags to and from school only. This rule will assure the safety and comfort of both students and adults. Please note: since each student has his or her own locker space, students do not need to carry all of their books and notebooks during the entire school day.
BICYCLES
By State Law students must wear a helmet when operating a bicycle. If a student wishes to ride his or her bicycle to school, he or she must observe the rules regarding bicycle safety. While buses are on school property, students should “walk” their bicycles to the street. Bicycles must be placed in the racks provided and must be locked. It is important to note that bicycles are left at the student’s own risk.
BREAKFAST/LUNCH PROGRAM
Dodd food service program includes breakfast and lunch. Both hot and cold lunches are served in the cafeteria. Milk, snacks, ice cream and a variety of other items, that meet the state nutritional guidelines, may be purchased separately. Students can purchase a cold nutritional breakfast each day before school begins and can be eaten during homeroom. The cafeteria has a pre-paid lunch program so money can be kept in students’ accounts. Students may bring their own lunches to school. Lunch periods are 25 minutes long. Free or reduced lunch is available for those who qualify. Informational literature will be given to students on the first day of school. It is important to note, students are not permitted to ask each other for money. If there is a problem they should see an adult. Please Note: High energy drinks (i.e. beverages that contain a high amount of caffeine) are not allowed in school or on school trips.
DAILY SCHOOL OPERATION
Dodd Middle School operates on a 7 period A B C D rotating day schedule. Students will generally repeat their schedule every four days. Teams may adjust their academic schedule to best meet the needs of their students.
Normal Operating Hours: 7:55 a.m. – 3:10 p.m.
School Day: 8:05 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
In the event that school has to be cancelled because of bad weather, that information will be broadcast on Cox Cable Local Access Channel. After 6:30 a.m., parents may call (203) 250-2410 for a recorded announcement or visit the Connecticut Weather Center’s Website at http://www.ctweather.com. If school is cancelled, all school-sponsored events for that day will be postponed. When school resumes, the A B C D Day Schedule will continue as originally scheduled.
If a two-hour delay is announced, the Dodd schedule will begin at 10:08 a.m.
If it appears that weather conditions may warrant early school closing, parents should listen to T.V., or sign up for an announcement on Twitter or from news stations and make plans to care for children in the event that school is dismissed early. (See Dodd website for details.)
DRESS CODE
Student dress may be regulated and students are encouraged to dress in clothing appropriate to the school situation. Restrictions on freedom of expression may be applied whenever the mode of dress is unsafe, disruptive to the educational process or contrary to law. Administrators will use reasonableness and discretion when determining the appropriateness of attire. The school staff will enforce the dress code in a consistent manner that does not reinforce or increase marginalization or oppression of any group based on race, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, cultural observance, household income or body type/size. Enforcement of the dress code will be gender neutral.
Any school dress which impairs safety or increases the risk of injury to self or others, causes discomfort to others (e.g., uncleanliness, malodorous, inappropriate language), causes distraction or disruption of the learning environment, advertises or advocates the use of alcohol or drugs, pornography, or is libelous or inherently contains unreasonable potential to upset and hurt others is prohibited.
To this end we ask students to dress appropriate for school that is respectful to the learning environment. Hats, short shirts (midriff exposure), ripped jeans with exposure of high thigh or buttocks, and spaghetti strap tops are prohibited at school.
Cheshire Public Schools recognizes the beliefs and practices of common religion and accommodates for attire needed of these religions.
EARLY DISMISSAL
Parents are urged to make medical and dental appointments for their children after school hours. If a student must be excused for a medical appointment during the school day, the parent should send a note in with the child on the day of the appointment. The student should bring the note to the Main Office for approval in the morning before going to homeroom. The student should then be signed out by the parent or the parent’s adult designee. If students begin the day on time, they must remain in school until 11:26 a.m. in order to be considered present for the day.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Dodd Middle School issues every student a chromebook at the beginning of their seventh grade year. The care and maintenance of the chromebook is the responsibility of the student it is issued to. Cheshire Public School Policy 6141.321 (Responsible Use Policy) outlines in detail, the expectations of school issued chromebooks. Use of school issued chromebooks is allowed on the CPS wireless network. This network is monitored district wide and has restrictions to websites that are deemed inappropriate for educational purposes. Websites are added to this list that is supported by the State and our district offices.
Monitoring Devices
At their discretion, teachers have the ability to monitor chromebooks that are on our wireless network through the use of Go Guardian. This ability allows for real time monitoring during school hours. If students show a pattern of utilizing websites that do not relate to the class content, disciplinary measures including restricted access to the network may be implemented.
Monitoring Content
Students in seventh and eighth grade will have access to their email. Email accounts from grades 7-10 are restricted to the "cheshire.k12.ct.us" domain meaning they cannot send or receive content if the sender does not have that email address. This restriction allows students the ability to communicate with teachers and collaborate with their classmates. Cheshire Public Schools has the ability to monitor all content that is generated, stored, and shared on its domain through the use of Gaggle. In compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), Gaggle reviews all content and notifies school administration of inappropriate content that ranges from vulgar language to suicidal overtures that are stored on our domain. Administration partners with 2-1-1 Services and Cheshire Police if we are notified of disturbing content received from Gaggle off school hours.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
Student are allowed to bring their own devices to school that may include tablets, laptops or electronic readers. Due to the unknown nature of these devices and to maintain a high level of digital security on our networks, students will be allowed to utilize the CPS Guest Network for wireless access.
Cell Phones
In alignment to board policy 5131.81, "School administrators or other authorized school personnel may authorize the use of mobile telephones of the student if his/her parent or guardian establishes to the satisfaction of the administrator that a responsible basis exists for the use of the device and then only under certain limited circumstances." Our past practice has allowed students to keep cell phones off and in their lockers during the school day. Students are permitted to check their phones for messages at their lockers before or after their lunch period. Teachers may ask students to use cell phones for instructional purposes, but must adhere to the expectations set by the teacher to include when the cell phone is permitted in the classroom. Students who possess cell phones outside of these past practices, may have the phone collected to be returned at the end of the school day. Repeated offenders will have phones returned to their parent at their convenience.
Cell Phones - Buses
The use of cell phones on school sponsored transportation is prohibited. The Dodd Middle School Administration will permit the use of an electronic device for music, internet, or texting device. Both phone and camera use is strictly forbidden. Violators of these practices may face disciplinary actions from administration.
Bluetooth Devices
Devices that are connected to cellphones via bluetooth are prohibited during school hours. These devices may include watches, buds, or other wearable devices that conceal features present on current cell phones including music listening and texting. Violators of this practice may face disciplinary actions from administration.
GRADING
Assessments are used by teachers to measure what knowledge students have attained and how it can be applied to real world applications. All Dodd assessments are aligned to the curricular areas and reflect best practices for measuring student growth. For students to be successful on assessments, they should listen and apply the recommended preparations from the classroom teacher.
The primary purpose of grade reporting is to offer feedback to students and parents. Dodd Middle School also uses grades as one indicator of several to make placement decisions in the middle school and high school and as a measure for academic counseling. Additionally, grades are used to determine eligibility for various recognition programs such as the honor roll, National Junior Honor Society, and the Presidential Academic Fitness and Improvement Awards, to name a few. For complete guidelines and eligibility criteria for these recognition programs, please visit the Dodd Middle School website.
The use of PowerSchool, provides constant, up-to-date information on student performance. Log on to www.cheshire.k12.ct.us/dodd and email your child’s teacher or team leader, for up-to-date progress reporting.
GRADING SYSTEM
Letter Grades and Numerical Equivalent
A+ 97-100 A 93-96 A- 90-92
B+ 87-89 B 83-86 B- 80-82
C+ 77-79 C 73-76 C- 70-72
D+ 67-69 D 63-66 D- 60-62
F – Below 60
INCOMPLETE GRADES
A student may be given an incomplete (I) at the end of a marking period instead of a failing grade when unfinished work remains. This is given to students on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the teacher. Students will be given ten 10 days to complete assignments or provide evidence of knowledge to the curricular standard.
LAVATORIES
Lavatories are located throughout the building. To reduce time out of class, students should use the lavatory closest to the room from which they have been dismissed.
LOCKER ROOM
In order to prevent the transmission of diseases or infections, students are advised to wear sandals or flip-flops if bare-footed in the locker room. Towels, clothing and/or equipment should not be shared.
LOST AND FOUND
Found articles such as glasses, jewelry and watches should be brought to the office. Clothing items that are lost will be placed in the Lost and Found box located on the stage. Students who lose items are urged to check in the lost and found area or office several times for missing items.
POSTERS
Signs and posters that students wish to display must be approved by the Principal. Posters displayed without authorization will be removed. Any student who posts such material without authorization shall be subject to disciplinary action.
PROPERTY, LOCKERS, AND EQUIPMENT
It is the policy of the Board to hold students responsible for any loss of or damage to the property of the school under the jurisdiction of the Board when the loss or damage occurs through fault of the student.
Any student damaging or defacing school property will be financially liable for restoring the property regardless of the condition of the property at the time of the destructive act, in addition to any other discipline up to and including arrest or civil prosecution as deemed appropriate.
In addition, anyone who witnesses such an act and fails to report it to the proper authorities will be considered as having contributed to that action. Such charges for damaged property will be exactly those which the school must incur to repair the damage.
Each student is assigned locker and/or other equipment. These items are the property of the school, loaned to students for their convenience during the school year, should be kept in good order and not abused. Students are issued one free lock each year and must be secured properly according to teacher direction. If a lock is broken, a new one may be purchased in the Main Office for $10.00.
Searches of lockers may be conducted at any time if there is reasonable cause to believe that they contain articles or materials prohibited by district policy. Parents will be notified if any prohibited items are found in the student’s locker.
Students should not attempt to repair school equipment but should notify a teacher immediately if it is not functioning properly. Any damage done will be the responsibility of the person to whom it was loaned for the current year. Administration and students will resolve damage to property, lockers, and/or equipment though restorative measures that may include service hours or monetary obligations. Students are warned not to bring large sums of money or valuables to school, liability for these items remains with the student.
SCIENTIFICALLY RESEARCHED BASED INTERVENTION (SRBI)
Students who exhibit areas of concern (academic, social, behavioral) may be referred to the SAT/SRBI team. An action plan is developed to provide the student with interventions that will promote improvement in a student’s academic and/or behavioral performance. Students are provided with targeted interventions and data is collected to monitor the student’s “response to intervention” to determine its success or the need to make the intervention more intensive. Teachers, counselors, and parents may make a referral to the SRBI team by contacting a teacher or school counselor.
STUDENT COMPLAINTS/GRIEVANCES: DUE PROCESS
A student or parent who has a complaint should first bring the matter to the appropriate teacher. If the outcome is not satisfactory, a conference with the principal should be requested within five calendar days of the event or events causing the complaint. If the outcome of the conference with the principal is not satisfactory, a conference with the Superintendent or designee can be requested within five calendar days following the conference with the principal. If the outcome of this conference is not satisfactory, the student or parent may appear before the Board of Education, in accordance with Board policy.
A student and/or parent with a complaint regarding possible discrimination on the basis of gender should contact Ms. Tracy Nolan-Hussey.
A complaint or concern regarding the placement of a student with disabilities concerning special education or programs and services should be discussed with Ms. Tracy Nolan-Hussey.