General Information
General Information
LPS School Calendar
LMS School Hours
Building opens for students: 7:30
Homeroom begins: 7:42
Classes Begin: 7:53
Dismissal: 2:05
LMS Daily Schedules
Homeroom: 7:42 7:49
Block 1: 7:53- 9:14
Block 2: 9:18- 10:39
Block 3: 10:43-12:35 (lunch)
Block 4: 12:39-2:00
Homeroom: 2:00-2:05
LMS Staff List
Emergency Closings/ Delays
In the event of inclement weather or mechanical breakdown, school may be closed, delayed, or require early dismissal for student safety. Announcements will be made in the following manner: Automated Messaging.
Parents will receive phone calls or email via contact information provided. Paperwork for this option is available in the main office and should be updated.
School Closing: No school classes or activities for the day.
Delayed Opening: School classes will operate with a 2 hour delayed opening schedule.
Early Dismissal: School will be dismissed with coordination with parental notification and transportation services.
Student Arrival/ Departure
Students should not arrive or enter the building before 7:30am. The school doors will be locked until 7:30. Upon arrival students should report to the cafeteria for breakfast, media center or prepare for the opening of the school bell to ring at their lockers and report to homeroom. Students are not permitted to roam and walk others to class. Students cannot leave school grounds once they have arrived. After 2:05, only students who have official school business or who are participating in supervised activities should be in the building and must be checked in with the main office or the teacher they are staying with. There is no late bus provided for students.
Daily Announcements
Daily Announcements are shared with students daily, during homeroom. Announcements are presented visually on a Daily Slide show and presented in each room as well as over the intercom.
Weekly Announcements
The school publishes a weekly memo that included events happenings, school cafeteria menus, registration forms for co-curricular activities, and other important info needed for parents and students. The memo is shared with students, parents, and teachers.
Cellphones and Technology
Cell Phones are not allowed to be used or accessed during the school day.
Students shall not possess or use a laser pointer and attachments, or a remotely activated paging device while on school property, on school transportation or while attending a school sponsored activity on or off school property.
Personal electronic devices, cell phones, smart watches, and other electronic devices from home are not a required part of our academic program and therefore not allowed at school. Air pods and audio headphones are not to be worn during the school day unless being used in the classroom for academic work. Personal tablets, laptop computers, and other electronic devices may not be used during school, unless permission is granted by administration in coordination with a staff member and IT approval. The consequences for improperly using any electronic device without school and/or parental permission are:
First offense: device is taken away by an adult and may be picked up by the student in the office at the end of the day. Entered as a minor referral.
Second offense: device is taken away by an adult and parent/guardian will be called and must come to the school to pick up the device. Entered as a minor referral.
Third and subsequent offenses: device is taken away by an adult and parent/guardian will be called and must come to school to pick up the device, and the student will be given an after school detention. Entered as a major referral.
Please note: Whether your student brings a personal technology device to school, with or without your consent, please be advised that LMS/LPS is not liable for any lost, stolen, or damaged equipment that students bring to school. Photos or videos of students taken with a cell phone or electronic device engaged in a school-related activity are "education records" protected by FERPA (Federal Educational Right for Privacy Act) and should never be taken or used for social media of any type.
Drinks/ Waterbottles
Students are permitted to only have water with them while outside of the cafeteria. No outside drinks (coffees, lattes, takeout drinks, energy drinks, teas, or sodas) are to be present outside of the cafeteria. If a child has an outside drink as listed above, they will be asked to leave that item in the main office. Student water bottles must not have a squirt top. Please have your child’s name on the water bottle.
During snack times during the day outside of the cafeteria, students should only have individual servings of items and are not to share (ex. Entire bags of Taki’s are not needed at school).
Student Dress Code
All students are expected to dress and groom themselves neatly in clothes that are suitable and appropriate for school activity and learning. Students are not to wear bandanas and head coverings of any kind unless prior permission is given by administration; large winter jackets, “Comfies”, “Snuggies”, and blankets; pajamas and clothing that resembles sleepwear; costume onesies; strapless or backless clothing or shirts; muscle shirts and shirts that expose the torso; clothing that has less than a 3” inseam; clothing that does not cover undergarments; and clothing that advertises, promotes or expresses racism, discrimination, bigotry, illegal activities, tobacco products, alcohol, or violence or could cause injury to self or others; and slippers or cleats.
Administration reserves the right to address the dress code with any student wearing an article of clothing deemed inappropriate or offensive and this policy may be continually updated based on current trends of fashion and student adherence.
If dress code is violated, the student will remain in the main office until the issue is addressed and remedied.
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Lockers
Lockers are provided for the convenience of students. Clothing and valuables should be locked away securely when not in use. The school is not responsible for items left in lockers. Lockers are issued to students as a service, but the security of the lockers cannot be guaranteed by the school. Since lockers are a permanent part of the building, students are expected to keep them in good, usable condition. Lockers are the property of the Board of Education and are subject to inspection by the administration at their discretion. Inspection and cleaning of lockers for reasons of health and safety will be scheduled periodically and supervised by faculty members. All students may be issued individual lockers, both regular and gym. These lockers are for their personal use. Students should memorize their locker combinations and never share the information. Students should report locker problems immediately to a teacher or the main office.
Backpacks
Book bags may be used by students to carry their belongings to and from class. It is encouraged for students to not carry ALL of their class work with them throughout the day and to access and utilize their lockers when possible. Every child has a locker assigned to them and if help is needed to use the lock, please contact administration.
Cologne & Perfume
Recognizing that students and staff may have sensitivity and/or allergic reactions to various fragrant products, students and staff are not permitted to wear or bring perfume and/or cologne to school. Regular hygiene is encouraged, including the use of roll-on and stick deodorants/antiperspirant; however, sprays of any kind are not permitted.
Dances/ Social Events
Dances and social nights may be scheduled throughout the year. Only Ledyard Middle School students can attend. All students are expected to know and adhere to the following:
No student will be allowed to attend any event if not in school for one half day (3 hours) or more on the day of the event.
All school rules may, apply.
Any illegal activity may result in police involvement.
Students may not leave the school building during the event.
Students must be picked up by parents promptly when the event ends.
Dances/ social nights are considered earned, extra-curricular activities. Frequent detentions, suspensions, poor attendance, or excessive tardiness will result in restrictions from dances.
Visitors to School
All visitors must report to the receptionist’s office and display identification or visitor’s badge. Faculty and staff members have been asked to direct people without visitor identification to the receptionist’s office. Parents and guardians who are picking up their children from school must also report to the receptionist’s office so their children may be dismissed from class. We do not permit students to bring guests to school. Former students wishing to visit teachers are requested to arrange visits after the current students have been dismissed.
Walking/ Riding Bikes to School
Students are to park bicycles in the school’s bicycle racks. A helmet is required to be worn at all times when riding bikes. The school is not responsible for any loss or damage to student property. Riding bicycles to school is considered a privilege and may be revoked at any time by the principal.
Leaving School Grounds
Once students arrive at school, they must remain until such time as the students are released for the day. If students leave the school grounds during normal school hours, parents and/or the police will be notified as needed.
Field Trips
Field trips may be scheduled for educational, cultural, or extracurricular purposes. Any student whose behavior is considered detrimental to the well-being of other students may be barred from participation by the principal. While on a trip, all students are considered to be “in” school. This means that conduct and dress standards will be appropriate for the field trip activity. Anticipated field trip experiences are theater performances, science center visits, amusement park experiences.
Lost & Found Items
Please label items. Lost and found routinely has thousands of dollars worth of items left without a home. Students who find items that are left behind are asked to take them to the office where they can be claimed by the owner. After a reasonable amount of time, lost and found items may be donated or discarded.
School Store
The Ledyard Middle School PTO operates a school store in the cafeteria during lunch times at various times during the school year.
Student Personal Property
Students should not bring large amounts of money (more than $20) or other valuables to school. Not only do they disturb classes, but they are often lost or stolen. Students should not leave valuables in desks or lockers. Students wearing glasses or watches should keep track of these articles at all times. Students are responsible for their personal property. School insurance does not cover loss or damage to personal property, including sports or music equipment.
Student Office Telephone Use
The office phone is available for student use with permission. Students staying for late afternoon or evening affairs should make arrangements with their parents for transportation before leaving home in the morning. Telephone messages for students during the school day will be delivered in an emergency if the calls originate from parents. Students may use the office phone during the school day for emergency purposes upon permission being granted by office personnel.
Health Services Information
The school is serviced by a nurse from the Ledyard Public Health Service. Emergency first aid is available for in-school illnesses or accidents from 7:30 a.m. until the last bus departs at the end of the school day. In the event of illness or accident, school personnel will give emergency care only. Parents are responsible for any additional care needed. All students should have a written pass from the faculty or staff member on duty before reporting to the health room. If the health room is closed, students should report to the main office. Parents of students with health problems are to report the problems to the school nurse at the beginning of the school year or when such problems are present.
Concussion Protocols
Whenever a child has received a serious/significant injury to his/her head while at school, his/her parent/guardian will be notified of the injury by the nursing office.
Postural Screenings:
The State of Connecticut Department of Education requires that students have a postural screening in grade 7 or 8. Our district has chosen to do the screening during the seventh grade year for female students and the eighth grade year for male students if they have not already had it done at their physician’s office. This screening is performed in March.
Immunizations
Per Connecticut State Regulations, before starting the 7th Grade, your student may need two immunizations: Tdap and Meningococcal.
Prior to entering 8th grade you student may need: Hep A
Please submit your student’s updated immunization record to the Health Office as soon as possible. We will be working all summer updating medical records.
Medications:
Students who require medication in school will need a completed “Authorization for Administration of Medication by School Personnel” form. This form is to be signed by the student’s physician, parent and the school nurse. All medications require this form, including inhalers. All medications should be submitted to the Health Office in its original container and labeled with the student’s name before the start of school. Medications must be in the original container. Prescription medication must have a current pharmacy label. All medication (prescription and over the counter) must be stored in the health office and dispensed by the nurse or trained designee. A single dose of medication will be prepared by the nurse to administer during a field trip. Multiple doses of medication for longer field trips require specific physician authorization and pharmacy packaging (BOE Policy 5141.21)
Failure to observe these guidelines will be grounds for immediate confiscation of the medication for possible referral to the student’s parents/guardians or to police authorities. Only students who have been approved to participate in the Self Administration of Medication Program will be allowed to carry medication (inhalers and epi-pens only) on their person. No other medication (including aspirin or Tylenol) is to be kept in student’s possession. Unauthorized medication will be confiscated if found in a student's possession. Students who take improper amounts of medication or who take medication without proper notification and supervision will be subject to the same consequences outlined under Drug and Alcohol Use and/or Abuse.
Physical Examinations
Per Connecticut State Regulations, prior to entering 6th grade, students will need a Physical Examination. Please feel free to submit updated physicals to the Health Office at any time. A record of all immunizations required by law must be on file. Physicals are required for all students participating in interscholastic sports. Physicals must be current within 13 months and must remain current throughout the sport season. The form must be on file in the health office prior to the student trying out and participating in the sport, this includes the Ledyard Cycling Club.
Health Insurance Information
There is a new legislative mandate, section 119 of Public Act 07-2, which requires school districts to identify children who lack health insurance and provide information to their parents about the HUSKY plan. On the first day of school, each student will receive HUSKY information, including the parent questionnaire to be completed by parents/guardians. When parents return the signed HUSKY form to the school (indicating they would like consumer information about the HUSKY program), the school nurse will send the HUSKY forms to the enrollment contractor at the following address: HUSKY Program, PO Box 280747, East Hartford, CT 06128. These forms can also be accessed at the following website: http://www.ct.gov/sde.
Student Insurance
Students injured on school property or during school activities are not covered by school insurance. Parents of students who do not have health plans are encouraged to participate in the student insurance program, which is available at a nominal cost. When students insured under this plan are injured at school, they will be given claim forms from the nurse’s office. These forms must be completed by parents/guardians and presented to the respective physicians or hospitals. The school merely acts as an intermediate in supplying the insurance forms, and assumes no liability for any subsequent negotiations with the company.
Library/ Media Center
The Media Center is an important information hub within our middle school. Our media center promotes a culture of learning in an environment that encourages lifelong learning, a love of reading, and the building of media literacy skills. Students are encouraged to use the media center when their schedule permits. When using the Media Center or its services it is important to remember the following:
Return all books promptly as others may be waiting for them.
Appropriate behavior in the media center is essential and expected at all times.
A signed pass (or notification to the media center via phone) from your teacher is necessary if you wish to use the media center during class time.
Please check in with the media center staff upon arrival and have your traveler signed before leaving the media center.
Students are responsible for the cost of replacing lost or damaged library books.
Physical Education Info
Physical education is an important aspect of the student’s day. To be excused from gym classes for a period of time, students must submit to the nurse a written request from a physician. A note from a parent/guardian requesting a student be excused from class for one day must state the reason and may or may not be approved by the nurse. All students are required to wear rubber soled shoes and have a change of clothes for class.
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