Both the grading and excuse policies for New Fairfield Middle School students are designed to encourage and reward maximum participation and performance. The expectations for students participating in physical education are summarized below:

Students who do not comply with these expectations are warned and then may have a 2-point deduction in their grade if the behavior continues.

Students who show up late to class meaning 5 minutes after the bell for class and they are not checked in and in their lines ready to go will have a 1-point deduction in their grade.

Students who are caught chewing gum in class at any time will also have a 1-point deduction. Chewing gum in school in not allowed at any time and is also a major safety issue in the Physical Education class.

There is a dress requirement for all students to be allowed to participate. Students must change into a sweatshirt or a T-shirt, sweat pants or shorts and sneakers and socks. Students must change into bathing suits during aquatics units. They may wear T-shirts over their suits in the pool.

Students who choose not to adhere to the dress requirement will receive a “zero” for the day, a grade reduction of 4 points. However, students will be required to participate in some type of activity for the day. Students who miss three or more aquatics classes in a unit for any reason will have to repeat the unit.

Students will be excused without grade penalty from physical education lessons when they submit a medical note written on a doctor's stationary. Students can also be excused from a class with a note from their parent or guardian. However, students will be expected to make up classes they missed due to a parent note during two X-IME periods (two T-TIME periods equals one regular class period). If students do not make up the class missed due to a parent note, the missed class will result in a 4-point reduction.

We believe that this system encourages students to think and plan, to have control of their decision-making, and to assume responsibility for their decisions.