Student Handbook
The information contained in the student handbook is presented to help you to succeed in middle school. We want you to study and involve yourself in school activities. Your enjoyment of New Fairfield Middle School will be proportional to your efforts here. We hope you have a very good year, that you achieve academically, and that you grow toward reaching your potential.
The information in this handbook may change. In this case, information of pertinent changes will be sent home.
STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION 
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (PL 92-138) states that no person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any academic, extra curriculum, research, occupational training, or any other educational program or activity operated by a recipient of federal funds. Please also refer to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 for additional information related to nondiscrimination.
Any student, parent/guardian, staff member, or applicant for employment or a program who feels that he/she has been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, or present or past history of mental disorder, mental retardation, or physical disability may file a grievance.
Board of Education policy regarding Student Sexual Harassment is available in the main office of the middle school or at the office of the Superintendent of Schools. Grievance procedure forms are available which provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging violations. These forms may be obtained at the office of the Superintendent or the main office of your building. In addition, any student or employee may make an inquiry or complaint directly to the Federal Office for Civil Rights. The current address and telephone number for OCR follow:
U.S. Department of Education
John W. McCormack Post Office and Courthouse, Room 701
Post Office Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
(617) 223-9662
The Title IX officer for the New Fairfield Public Schools is
Ms. Candace McCann, Pupil Personnel Director, 312-5774.
SCHOOL SCHEDULE
Homeroom 7:50 - 8:04 a.m.
Period 1 8:06-8:55 a.m.
Period 2 8:57-9:46 a.m.
Period 3 9:48-10:37 a.m.
Period 4 10:39 - 11:28 a.m.
Periods 5-7 11:30 - 1:42
(includes lunch)
Period 8 1:44 - 2:33 p.m.
Lockers/Homeroom 2:33 - 2:40 p.m.
Dismissal 2:40 p.m.
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Middle school students are not allowed in the building before 7:50 a.m. unless they have obtained an early arrival pass. Students may not remain in the building following dismissal unless they have a scheduled activity that is supervised by a member of the school's staff.
Interim Reports*
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Marking Periods
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1st Quarter--October 3, 2005
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1st Quarter--November 7, 2005
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2nd Quarter--December 16, 2005
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2nd Quarter--January 27, 2006
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3rd Quarter--March 1, 2006
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3rd Quarter--April 3, 2006
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4th Quarter--May 11, 2005
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4th Quarter--June 14, 2006
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*The interim is designed to indicate progress, not a letter grade.
SCHOOL CANCELLATIONS/DELAYS/EARLY DISMISSALS
For your information the Connecticut television stations (Channels 3, 6, and 8) and the following radio stations are the only stations from which we broadcast school cancellations, early dismissals, or school delays.
WTIC (Hartford) 1080 AM & 96.5 FM; WLAD (Danbury) 800 AM; WDAQ 98.3 FM
WEZN (Bridgeport) 100 FM; WINE (Brookfield) 940 AM, 95.1 FMWMJV (Patterson, NY) 105.5 FM
Also, if in doubt, please call the New Fairfield Middle School Information Line (203) 312-5757.
ATTENDANCE
Notification of Student's Absence:
Regular school attendance is crucial if the student is to progress and succeed academically. Excessive absenteeism can result in poor academic performance or failure of a course. In the event of a prolonged illness the parent/guardian is requested to call the school nurse (312-5890). Absent notes are then due the first morning back from an absence to the homeroom teacher.
HOMEWORK REQUESTS
Parents/ Students are requested to consult the website for day-to-day assignments. In the case of an extended illness (three or more consecutive days) a message can be left on the grade level answering machine for work.
TARDINESS
Each marking period each student will be given three occasions on which he/she can be tardy to school. On the fourth offense the student will be assigned an after-school detention from 2:40 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cycle will then repeat itself. Repeated tardiness may result in loss of one or more school privileges
TRUANCY
School attendance is such a serious matter that the State of Connecticut has passed a law (P.A. 90-240), which states that any student in grades K-8, who is absent from school without an acceptable reason, is considered to be committing an act of truancy. The new truancy law further states:
A “truant” is any student having four unexcused absences from school in any month or ten unexcused absences in a year;A “habitual truant” is any student having twenty unexcused absences within a school year; and
Each Superintendent of Schools shall file a written complaint with Superior Court for each habitual truant enrolled in the school under his jurisdiction.
EARLY DISMISSAL
Permission to be allowed to leave school before the usual dismissal time must be obtained from the middle school office.
A note stating the reason for early dismissal must be dated and signed by your parent or legal guardian. The note should indicate the time that you are to leave the school building.
The note is to be brought to the school office before the first period on the morning of the early dismissal. You will be given an EARLY DISMISSAL PASS.
Immediately prior to leaving the building, you must report to the main office with the EARLY DISMISSAL PASS in order to sign out. You should wait in the office until a parent/guardian arrives and signs you out on dismissal log.
It is your responsibility to make up all work that has been missed and to notify your teachers that classes will be missed because of early dismissal.
At no time can you leave the school premises without parental and administrative approval. Disciplinary action will be taken against any student who violates this regulation.
BUSES/TRANSPORTATION AND REGULATIONS
To ensure the safety and welfare of all students who ride buses to and from school daily the following rules are in effect:
The following are not acceptable:
Smoking; Fighting or causing a disturbance; Using profane, or abusive language; Damage to a bus or the throwing of paper or trash from bus windows; Refusal to wear seat belts; Using profane language; Placing hands, feet or head out of the window; Pushing or playing on the bus; Littering; Throwing objects; Smoking; Possession of or use of drugs and/or alcohol; Carrying flammable materials; Possession of a weapon; Deliberate refusal to obey reasonable requests from the bus driver;
The privilege of bus transportation may be denied to a student who disregards these rules. If a parent or guardian cannot provide transportation, in-school or out-of-school suspension may be substituted.
Note: Serious acts such as possession of weapons, drugs, alcohol or flammable materials will be reported to the police and may lead to immediate loss of bus transportation and/or suspension and/or expulsion.
STUDENT AGENDA BOOKS
In an effort to help students learn good organizational skills, we are supplying each student in grades 6-8 with this agenda book at the beginning of the school year. Classroom teachers will guide you in recording both short-term and long-term assignments in the designated areas. Your parents should review your agenda book with you each day. At the end of your agenda book you will find your hall passes for the year. Teachers must initial Hall passes. You must carry your agenda book when you are in the hall during class and show your initialed pass upon a staff member's request.
If an assignment book is lost, students will be expected to pay for a replacement book that will be supplied through the office. The charge for the replacement agenda book will be $8.00.
REPORT CARDS
Report cards are issued four times a year. The system used for grading on report cards is:
A+ = 98 -100
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B- = 80 - 82
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D = 63-66
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A = 93 - 97
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C+ = 77 - 79
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D- = 60-62
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A- = 90 - 92
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C = 73 - 76
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F = Failing
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B+ = 87 - 89
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C- = 70 - 72
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F- = Failing
*(50 or below)
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B = 83 - 86
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D+ = 67 - 69
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I = Incomplete
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HONOR ROLL
The Honor Roll is a special notation of those students who have demonstrated a high degree of academic achievement during a marking period. The following criteria are used to determine eligibility for the Honor Roll:
HIGH HONOR
The student must receive “A's” in all subjects
HONORS
The student must receive no grade lower than a `B' (B+, B or B-)
HEALTH SERVICES
A full time nurse is on the premises during school hours. Students are to report to the nurse's office if they become ill or have an accident in school. The school health service does not replace medical services rendered by a family physician.
With your health and safety in mind, the following is a reminder concerning certain health policies in the New Fairfield Middle School.
Medication: - The Connecticut State Law and Regulations require a physician's written order and parent's authorization for the nurse to administer any oral medications including aspirin or non-aspirin products. The prescribing physician and parent must complete a medication form obtained from the school nurse. Students may not carry any medication without advance authorization from a school administrator.
Accidents - When an accident occurs it must be reported immediately to the teacher in charge who will then report it to the nurse who will notify administration. Proper medical referrals will be made when necessary.
Visiting the Nurse:
Have your agenda hall pass signed by your teacher to go to the nurse unless it is an emergency. In an emergency, go directly to the nurse's office.
You may remain in the nurse's office for only one period. If your illness is prolonged beyond one period, you may be sent home.
BOOKS AND SCHOOL-ISSUED MATERIAL
All textbooks must be kept covered. Covers are usually available in the main office.
Lost books must be paid for. Your report card or schedule will be withheld until all book accounts are cleared.
Books and other school issued materials are checked prior to distribution and collection. You are responsible for any damage while in your possession.
It is your responsibility to write your name, homeroom, and date in the space provided in each schoolbook.
CAFETERIA
The school cafeteria is maintained as a vital part of the health program of the school. To encourage good nutrition, a well-balanced lunch is offered at a reasonable price. The lunchroom management and your fellow students will appreciate your cooperation in:
Depositing all lunch litter in wastebaskets.
Leaving the table and floor around your place in a clean condition for others.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
All students are expected to participate in physical education classes unless they have a written medical excuse from a doctor. There is no grading penalty for students who miss physical education classes because of a medical excuse. There is a dress requirement for all students when participating in class. Students must change into a sweatshirt or t-shirt and must wear sweat pants or shorts. Sneakers and socks are also required. Students who chose not to adhere to the dress requirement will receive a "zero" for the day, a grade reduction of 4 points, and are not allowed to participate. Students who miss three or more aquatic classes in a unit for any reason will have to repeat the unit (Refer to Grading and Excuse Policy for Physical Education). Physical education grading is designed to encourage and reward maximum participation and performance.
DANCES AND PARTIES
Dances and parties are for New Fairfield Middle School students only and are not open for public participation.
Social events for grades 6, 7 & 8 are separate from those for grades 9-12. Sixth, seventh & eighth graders are not to attend high school functions and high school students are not to attend middle school activities.
If a student is not in school for a total of four (4) hours the day of the dance, he/she will not be allowed to attend.
HOMEWORK POLICY
By Board of Education Policy, all secondary school students are expected to have homework at least four nights per week. Middle school students should spend between 1-2 hours per night. Failure to do so may jeopardize academic success.
LOCKERS
Every student is provided with a locker so that books, coats and other personal articles may be safely stored.
The school cannot accept the responsibility for personal property left unattended on school premises or in unlocked lockers.
Personal property is brought in at the student's own risk.
Students must lock their lockers using only school purchased combination locks on lockers.
Lockers are the property of the school and, therefore, subject to inspection by the administration.
PERSONAL APPEARANCE
It has been shown in many studies that the manner in which a student dresses and grooms him/herself is reflected in his/her behavior and academic performance in school. We take pride in the appearance of our students, and while there are no specific dress and grooming codes, students are expected to dress and groom themselves neatly in attire suitable for school activities. Hats, tank tops, mesh tops, cut-off T-shirts, T-shirts with inappropriate messages such as sexual innuendo, or drug/alcohol messages and unreasonably short skirts or shorts are not allowed. Students who are dressed inappropriately will be asked to call home for a change of clothing. In the event that a parent cannot be contacted, an internal suspension may be given.
STUDENT VISITORS
Student visitors are not allowed in the school building without special permission from the principal. Parents may request special permission for visitation of a non-resident middle school age guest by contacting the principal at least one week in advance of the visit. New Fairfield Middle School students are responsible for the conduct of their guest. On the day of the visit, the host and guest should report to the main office before homeroom.
TELEPHONE
A public telephone is located in the lobby adjacent to the high school gym entrance. This phone is for student use before school, after school and during lunch. Phones may not be used during or between classes. Office phones are available on an emergency basis.
VACATIONS
Teachers do not customarily provide advance assignments for a student who will be absent from school as a result of family vacation(s). Upon a student's return from vacation, he/she should see his/her teachers for work that was covered. Students have the same number of days to make up work as they were absent for vacation
SKATEBOARDS / ROLLERBLADES / SCOOTERS AND OTHER SPORTS EQUIPMENT USE
Skateboards, Rollerblades, and Scooters are not permitted in the building or on school grounds. Other sports equipment that is brought to school for after school use may not be carried during the school day. This equipment must be stored in a locker or in the office.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Beepers, cell phones, and laser pointes are not allowed on school property. A personal CD player, cassette player, or radio may be listened to on the school bus but must remain in your locker throughout the school day.
DISCIPLINE
The New Fairfield Middle School follows the schools Code of Conduct. To view the Code of Conduct
click here.
There are a number of Board of Education policies that govern student behavior that are available in the office of the Superintendent of Schools.