Annual Notifications

• Please see our Annual Bullying Notice for the 2025-2026 School Year.

Visitors

As parents, you are urged to become familiar with your child's program and progress.  Although there are scheduled conferences during the year, you are invited and encouraged to be active at your child’s school.  Should you want to visit the school, please contact the principal or secretary  to arrange for a date and time for a scheduled visit.   When visiting any school in the district, all visitors must first acquire a visitor’s pass from the school office.  This requirement applies to all visitors, including parent volunteers, parents visiting classrooms, and other visitors (including outside contracted workers).  School security is of paramount importance.

The Middletown Board of Education’s entire policy governing school visitors, Policy No. 1250, may be viewed here. Policy No. 1250

Security & Safety

The Police Department, Fire Department, and staff play an important role in our school safety program.  Parents are asked to advise their children to obey and respect these people at all times.  Pupils are taught and reminded periodically that they should always cross between white lines, should stay on sidewalks and away from personal and private property of others on their way to and from school.  They are to obey all safety rules and regulations that are devised and maintained for their own welfare, protection and safety.

Parents are reminded that there are “no parking” areas around the school, such as bus loops and fire lanes.  These areas must remain open for the safety of the pupils.  

Walking students are not to arrive on school property until supervision begins at 8:50 a.m.  The school cannot be responsible for early arrivals.  In case of inclement weather, children are to report to a designated area of the school.

The Middletown Board of Education’s entire policy governing security and safety, Policy No. 1402, may be viewed here. Policy No. 1402

Pesticide Application

It is the policy of the Middletown Board of Education to implement an integrated pest management plan to reduce the amount of pesticides applied in any building, or on the grounds of any Middletown public school, by using all available pest control techniques including judicious use of pesticides, when warranted, to maintain a pest population at or below an acceptable level, while decreasing the use of pesticides.

The decision to apply pesticide in any building, or the grounds of any Middletown public school is dependent on results of periodic monitoring for pest populations to determine if a pest problem exists that exceeds acceptable threshold levels. 

No application of pesticide shall be made in any building, or on the grounds of any Middletown public school during regular school hours or during planned activities at any school, except as provided by Connecticut statute or regulation.

Parents or guardians of children in any school may register for prior notice of pesticide application at their school by . 

The Superintendent may direct that an emergency application of a pesticide be made during regular school hours or during planned activities at school without prior notice to parents or guardians of children in any school in the event of an immediate threat to human health, subject to applicable Connecticut statutory and regulatory provisions. 

There shall be no application of any lawn pesticide on the grounds of any school with students in Grade 8 or lower, except on an emergency basis, subject to applicable Connecticut statutory and regulatory provisions.

The Middletown Board of Education’s entire policy governing pesticide application, Policy No. 3524.1, may be viewed here. Policy No. 3524.1

Green Cleaning Program

The State of Connecticut requires that each local and regional board of education implement a green cleaning program for all school buildings and facilities in its district.

The Middletown School District is committed to the implementation of this law by providing the staff and, upon request, the parents and guardians of each child enrolled in each school with a written statement of the school district’s green cleaning program as well as making it available on its website annually.  

No parent, guardian, teacher or staff member may bring into the school facility any consumer product which is intended to clean, deodorize, sanitize or disinfect.

The Middletown Board of Education’s entire policy governing its green cleaning program, Policy No. 3524.2, may be viewed here. Policy No. 3524.2

Transportation

The Middletown Public Schools will ensure the safety of students and provide appropriate supervision of students when providing transportation for students in accordance with state law and regulations, and will assist disabled students by providing appropriate specialized transportation when required by law. Please click here to access the Middletown Public Schools Transportation Handbook. 

Parents and/or guardians are responsible for ensuring the safety of their children up until the point when students board the school bus or other school provided transportation, and after students get off the bus after school. This responsibility includes the selection of walking routes to/from any bus stop and/or the school building and the provision of supervision that is appropriate to the student’s age, maturity and conditions along the walking route and/or at the bus stop at all times. Kindergarten students must have an assigned adult bring them to and from their assigned bus stop. 

Children in Grades 3-5 may ride their bicycles to school with parent and/or guardian permission.   Racks are available on the school grounds for bicycle storage.  Children are strongly advised to lock their bicycles to the rack when not in use.  The school cannot be liable for bicycle damage or theft.  Children must wear helmets.

The Middletown Board of Education’s entire policy governing transportation, Policy No. 3541, may be viewed here. Policy No. 3541

Food and Nutrition Programs

Breakfast and Lunch are available to all enrolled students grades Pre-K through 12.  All available meals meet or exceed the USDA Standards for School Meals under the National School Breakfast,  National School Lunch Programs and other participating Child Nutrition Programs in accordance with the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act. A full database of nutritional information is available with our menus on the Middletown Public Schools Website under the Food Services Tabs along with our USDA Non-Discrimination Statement. The webpage also contains information on various nutrition policies including our Charging Policy, Meal Modification Policy, Wellness Policy and several other Nutrition related resources for parents.

 Meal pricing information will be sent out to all families prior to the first day of school each year along with applicable income verification forms. These forms are kept confidential and are not shared with any unauthorized representatives.

 The district uses a Point-of-Sale Online system allowing parents to make online or in person deposits on their students’ private accounts. Parents may make online deposits using MySchoolBucks (Link on Food Services Page) or they may choose to send their child with cash or a check. Checks should be made out to the Middletown Public Schools Cafeteria Fund and should state the Child's name on the check and envelope.

 For additional information, please contact the Food Services Office at 860-704-4519. The Middletown Board of Education’s entire policy governing free or reduced breakfast and lunch, Policy No. 3542.31, may be viewed here. Policy No. 3542.31

Attendance & Truancy

Regular and punctual student attendance in school is essential to the educational process. Connecticut General Statutes Section 10-184 provides that “[e]ach parent or other person having control of a child give years of age and over and under eighteen years of age shall cause such child to attend a public school regularly during the hours and terms the public school in the district wherein such child resides is in session, unless such child is a high school graduate or the parent or person having control of such child is able to show that the child is elsewhere receiving equivalent instruction in the studies taught in the public schools . . . . [T]he parent or person having control of a child seventeen years of age may consent . . . to such child’s withdrawal from school.  Such parent or person shall personally appear at the school district office and sign a withdrawal form.  Such withdrawal form shall include an attestation from a guidance counselor or school administrator of the school that such school district has provided such parent or person with information on the educational options available in the school system and community . . .  The parent or person having control of a child five years of age shall have the option of not sending the child to school until the child is six years of age and the parent or person having control of a child six years of age shall have the option of not sending the child to school until the child is seven years of age.  The parent or person shall exercise such option by personally appearing at the school district office and signing an option form.  The school district shall provide the parent or person with information on the educational opportunities available in the school system.”

So that we may seek to inform you if your child is absent without explanation, state law requires that we obtain from you a telephone number or other means of contacting you during the school day. Please complete the online Student Registration Information to provide us with this information.  For more information, please reference the online Student Handbook.

For an absence from school to be considered excused, the student’s principal or teacher must receive written documentation from the parent/guardian describing the reason for the absence within ten (10) school days of the student’s return to school, and the following criteria are met: 

1. Any absence before the student’s tenth (10th) absence is considered excused when the student’s parent/guardian approves such absence and submits appropriate written documentation. 

    

    

2. For the student’s tenth (10) absence and all absences thereafter, a student’s absences from school are, with appropriate written documentation, considered excused only for the following reasons: 

    

   1. Student illness (verified by an appropriately licensed medical professional); 

       

   2. Religious holidays; 

       

   3. Mandated court appearances (documentation required); 

   4. Funeral or death in the family, or other emergency beyond the control of the student’s family; 

   5. Extraordinary educational opportunities pre-approved by the District administrators and in accordance with Connecticut State Department of Education guidance and District regulations; or 

   6. Lack of transportation that is normally provided by a district other than the one the student attends. 

The Middletown Board of Education’s entire policy governing attendance and truancy, Policy No. 5112, may be viewed here. Policy No. 5112

Student Discipline

Good behavior is a shared responsibility between home and school.  The school may ask at any time for your assistance and cooperation.  All individuals will respect the rights of other individuals, showing respect for school property and the property of others.  Teachers will review school rules with their students. We solicit your support in maintaining a positive and safe school environment.

Your child’s teacher will contact you concerning misbehavior in the classroom.  The principal’s involvement is dependent upon the seriousness of a situation or by repeated offenses.  The principal will speak to students reported for misbehavior during the school day.  The parent will be notified if the situation is warranted.  If a child continues to break the rules, the parent will be notified either by telephone or in writing, and told what the problem is and what action is to be taken to prevent further occurrences.  A copy of the school rules will be sent home.

Conduct that is considered to violate a publicized policy of the Middletown Board of Education includes the offenses described below. Any such conduct may lead to disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, removal from class, suspension and/or expulsion, in accordance with applicable law: 

1. Striking or assaulting a student, members of the school staff or other persons. 

2. Theft.

3. The use of obscene or profane language or gestures, the possession and/or display of obscenity or pornographic images or the unauthorized or inappropriate possession and/or display of images, pictures or photographs depicting nudity.

4. Violation of smoking, dress, transportation regulations, or other regulations and/or policies governing student conduct. 

5. Refusal to obey a member of the school staff, law enforcement authorities, or school volunteers, or disruptive classroom behavior. 

6. Any act of harassment based on an individual’s sex, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by law. 

7. Refusal by a student to identify himself/herself to a staff member when asked, misidentification of oneself to such person(s), lying to school officials or otherwise engaging in dishonest behavior. 

8. Inappropriate displays of public affection of a sexual nature and/or sexual activity on school grounds or at a school-sponsored activity. 

9. A walk-out from or sit-in within a classroom or school building or school grounds. 

10. Blackmailing, threatening or intimidating school staff or students (or acting in a manner that could be construed to constitute blackmail, a threat or intimidation, regardless of whether intended as a joke). 

11. Possession of any weapon, weapon facsimile, deadly weapon, martial arts weapon, electronic defense weapon, pistol, knife, blackjack, bludgeon, box cutter, metal knuckles, pellet gun, air pistol, explosive device, firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, whether functional or not, or any other dangerous object or instrument. The possession and/or use of any object or device that has been converted or modified for use as a weapon. 

12. Possession of any ammunition for any weapon described above in paragraph 11. 

13. Unauthorized entrance into any school facility or portion of a school facility or aiding or abetting an unauthorized entrance. 

14. Possession or ignition of any fireworks, combustible or other explosive materials, or ignition of any material causing a fire. Possession of any materials designed to be used in the ignition of combustible materials, including matches and lighters. 

15. Possession, sale, distribution, use, or consumption of tobacco, electronic nicotine delivery systems (e.g. e-cigarettes), or vapor products, or the unlawful possession, sale, distribution, use or consumption of drugs, narcotics or alcoholic beverages (or any facsimile of tobacco, drugs, narcotics or alcoholic beverages), including being under the influence of any such substances or aiding in the procurement of such substances. The term “electronic nicotine delivery system” shall mean an electronic device used in the delivery of nicotine or other substances to a person inhaling from the device, and includes, but is not limited to, an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe or electronic hookah and any related device and any cartridge or other component of such device, including, but not limited to, electronic cigarette liquid. The term “vapor product” shall mean any product that employs a heating element, power source, electronic circuit or other electronic, chemical or mechanical means, regardless of shape or size, to produce a vapor that may or may not include nicotine and is inhaled by the user of such produce. The term “drugs” shall include, but shall not be limited to, any medicinal preparation (prescription and non-prescription) and any controlled substance whose possession, sale, distribution, use or construction is illegal under state and/or federal law. 

16. Sale, distribution, or consumption of substances contained in household items; including, but not limited to glue, paint, accelerants/propellants for aerosol canisters, and/or items such as the aerators for whipped cream; if sold, distributed or consumed for the purpose of inducing a stimulant, depressant, hallucinogenic or mind-altering effect. 

17. Possession of paraphernalia used or designed to be used in the consumption, sale or distribution of drugs, alcohol or tobacco, as described in paragraph 15 above. For purposes of this policy, drug paraphernalia includes any equipment, products and materials of any kind which are used, intended for use or designed for use in planning, propagating, cultivating, growing, harvesting, manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, processing, preparing, testing, analyzing, packaging, repackaging, storing, containing or concealing, or injecting, ingesting, inhaling or otherwise introducing controlled drugs or controlled substances into the  human body, including but not limited to items such as “bongs,” pipes, “roach clips,” vials, tobacco rolling papers, and any object or container used, intended or designed for use in storing, concealing, possessing, distributing or selling controlled drugs or controlled substances. 

18. The destruction of real, personal or school property, such as cutting, defacing or otherwise damaging property in any way. 

19. Accumulation of offenses such as school and class tardiness, class or study hall cutting, or failure to attend detention. 

20. Trespassing on school grounds while on out-of-school suspension or expulsion. 

21. Making false bomb threats or other threats to the safety of students, staff members, and/or other persons. 

22. Defiance of school rules and the valid authority of teachers, supervisors, administrators, other staff members and/or law enforcement authorities. 

23. Throwing snowballs, rocks, sticks and/or similar objects, except as specifically authorized by school staff. 

24. Unauthorized and/or reckless and/or improper operation of a motor vehicle on school grounds or at any school-sponsored activity. 

25. Leaving school grounds, school transportation or a school-sponsored activity without authorization. 

26. Use of or copying of the academic work of another individual and presenting it as the student’s own work, without proper attribution; or any other form of academic dishonesty, cheating or plagiarism. 

27. Possession and/or use of a cellular telephone, radio, portable audio player, CD player, blackberry, personal data assistant, walkie talkie, Smartphone, mobile or handheld device, or similar electronic device, on school grounds or at a school-sponsored activity in violation of Board policy and/or administrative regulations regulating the use of such devices. 

28. Possession and/or use of a beeper or paging device on school grounds or at a school-sponsored activity without the written permission of the principal or his/her designee. 

29. Unauthorized use of or tampering with any school computer, computer system, computer software, Internet connection or similar school property or system, or the use of such property or system for inappropriate purposes. 

30. Possession and/or use of a laser pointer, unless the student possesses the laser pointer temporarily for an educational purpose while under the direct supervision of a responsible adult. 

31. Hazing. 

32. Bullying, defined as an act that is direct or indirect and severe, persistent or pervasive, which:

     

    a. causes physical or emotional harm to an individual

     

    b. places an individual in responsible fear or physical or; emotional harm; or

     

    c. infringes on the rights or opportunities of an individual at school; or Bullying shall include, but need not be limited to, a written, oral or electronic communication or physical act or gesture based on any actual or perceived differentiating characteristics, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic status, academic status, physical appearance, or mental, physical, developmental or sensory disability, or by association with an individual or group who has or is perceived to have one or more of such characteristics. Cyberbulling, defined as the act of bullying through the use of the Internet, interactive and digital technologies, cellular mobile telephone or other mobile electronic devices or any electronic communications. 

33. Acting in any manner that creates a health and/or safety hazard for staff members, students, or the public, regardless of whether the conduct is intended as a joke.

34. Engaging in a plan to stage or create a violent situation for the purposes of recording it by electronic means; or recording by electronic means acts of violence for purposes of later publication.  

35. Engaging in a plan to stage sexual activity for the purposes of recording it by electronic means; or recording by electronic means sexual acts for purposes of later publication. 

36. Using computer systems, including email, instant messaging, text messaging, blogging or the use of social networking websites, or other forms of electronic communications, to engage in any conduct prohibited by this policy. 

37. Use of a privately owned electronic or technological device in violation of school rules, including the unauthorized recording (photographic or audio) of another individual without permission of the individual or a school staff member. 

38. Engaging in teen dating violence, defined as any act of physical, emotional or sexual abuse, including stalking, harassing and threatening, that occurs between two students who are currently in or who have recently been in a dating relationship. 

39. Any action prohibited by any Federal or State law. 

40. Any other violation of school rules or regulations or a series of violations which makes the presence of the student in school seriously disruptive of the educational process and/or a danger to persons or property.

The Middletown Board of Education’s entire policy governing student conduct and school discipline, Policy No. 5114, may be viewed here. Policy No. 5114

Examinations

District and state-mandated tests are administered to gather performance data to improve instruction and student learning.  These tests measure what each student knows and can do in relation to specific educational standards.  The following testing occurs during the school year:

• The state-mandated Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium is administered each spring to all students in grades 3-5;

• The state-mandated Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT) in Science is administered each spring to all students in grade 5; 

• The Connecticut Physical Fitness Test is administered to all students Grades 4;

• Benchmark assessments in Language Arts and Math on a trimester or quarterly basis.

The Middletown Board of Education’s entire policy governing examinations, Policy No. 5121, may be viewed here. Policy No. 5121

 Notification of Rights under FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. § 1232g, et seq., affords parents and eligible students (i.e., students over 18, emancipated minors, and those attending post-secondary educational institutions) certain rights with respect to the student's education records.  They are:

• The right to inspect and review the student's education records within forty-five (45) calendar days of the day the District receives a request for access.

• Parents or eligible students should submit to the school principal a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect.  The principal will make arrangements for access and notify the parents or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.

• The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the parents or eligible student believe are inaccurate or misleading, or otherwise violate the student's privacy rights.

• Parents or eligible students who wish to ask the District to amend a record should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record the parents or eligible student want changed, and specify why it should be changed.

• If the District decides not to amend the record as requested by the parents or eligible student, the District will notify the parents or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment.  Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parents or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.

• The right to privacy of personally identifiable information in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

One exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to a school official with legitimate interests.  A school official is a person employed by the District as an administrator, supervisor, instructor or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the Board of Education; a person or company with whom the District has outsourced services or functions it would otherwise use its own employees to perform (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee; or a parent, student, or other volunteer assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.  A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

Upon request, the District discloses a student's education record without consent to officials of another school, including other public schools, charter schools, and post-secondary institutions, in which the student seeks or intends to enroll, or is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes of the student’s enrollment or transfer.

The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the District to comply with the requirements of FERPA.  The name and address of the agency that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W. Washington, DC 20202-4605

The District may disclose any of the items listed as “DIRECTORY INFORMATION” without prior written consent, unless notified in writing by parent/guardian to the contrary. 

 “Directory information” includes information contained in an education record of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed.  It includes, but is not limited to, the parent’s name, address and/or e-mail address, the student’s name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, photographic, computer and/or video images, date and place of birth, major field(s) of study, grade level, enrollment status (full-time; part-time), participation in school-sponsored activities or athletics, weight and height (if the student is a member of an athletic team), dates of attendance, degrees, honors and awards received, the most recent previous school(s) attended and student identification numbers for the limited purposes of displaying a student identification card.  The student identification number, however, will not be the only identifier used when obtaining access to educational records or data.  Directory information does not include a student’s social security number, student identification number or other unique personal identifier used by the student for purposes of accessing or communicating in electronic systems unless the identifier cannot be used to gain access to education records except when used in conjunction with one or more factors that authenticate the user’s identity, such as a PIN or password.

The school district may disclose directory information about students after they are no longer in enrollment in the school district.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the district will continue to honor any valid objection to the disclosure of directory information made while a student was in attendance unless the student rescinds the objection.

An objection to the disclosure of directory information shall not prevent the school district from disclosing or requiring a student to disclose the student’s name, identified or institutional email address in a class in which the student is enrolled.  Parents and/or eligible students may not use the right to opt out of directory information disclosures to prohibit the school district from requiring students to wear or display a student identification card.

The written objection to the disclosure of directory information shall be good for only one school year.  School districts are legally obligated to provide military recruiters and institutions of higher learning, upon request, with the names, addresses and telephone numbers of secondary school students, unless the secondary student or the parent of the student objects to such disclosure in writing.  Such objection shall be in writing and shall be effective for one school year.  In all other circumstances, information designated as directory information will not be released when requested by a third party unless the release of such information is determined by the administration to be in the educational interest of the school district and is consistent with the district’s obligations under both state and federal law.

The Middletown Board of Education’s entire policy governing FERPA, Policy No. 5125, may be viewed here. Policy No. 5125

Private Technology Devices

Students may possess privately-owned technological devices on school property and/or during school-sponsored activities provided they are not used during instructional time, except as specifically permitted by instructional staff, or used for an improper purpose, including, but not limited to sending any form of harassing, threatening, or intimidating message; gaining or seeking to gain unauthorized access to District technology resources; damaging District technology resources; accessing or attempting to access any material that is obscene or contains pornography; cyberbullying; using such device to violate any school rule, including the unauthorized recording (photographic, video or audio) of another individual without permission of the individual or a school staff member; or taking any action prohibited by any Federal or State law. The term “privately-owned technological devices” includes, but is not limited to, personal laptops, Chromebooks, Smartphones, network access devices, Kindles, Nooks, cellular telephones, radios, personal audio players, iPads or other tablet computers, walkie-talkies, Blackberries, personal data assistants, iPhones, Androids, smartwatches and other electronic signaling devices. 

Use of the cellular telephone shall be limited to the period before classes begin in the morning and after the student’s last class in the afternoon.   

The Middletown Board of Education’s entire policy governing student use of private technology devices, Policy No. 5131.82, may be viewed here. Policy No. 5131.82

Bullying – Safe School Climate Plan

The Board is committed to creating and maintaining a physically, emotionally, and intellectually safe educational environment free from bullying, teen dating violence, harassment and discrimination.  In order to foster an atmosphere conducive to learning, the Board has developed the following Safe School Climate Plan, consistent with state law and Board Policy.  This Plan represents a comprehensive approach to addressing bullying, cyberbullying and teen dating violence and sets forth the Board’s expectations for creating a positive school climate and thus preventing, intervening, and responding to incidents of bullying and teen dating violence.  

Bullying behavior and teen dating violence are strictly prohibited, and students who are determined to have engaged in such behavior are subject to disciplinary action, which may include suspension or expulsion from school.  The district’s commitment to addressing bullying behavior and teen dating violence, however, involves a multi-faceted approach, which includes education and the promotion of a positive school climate in which bullying will not be tolerated by students or school staff.

I. Prohibition Against Bullying, Teen Dating Violence and Retaliation

A. The Board expressly prohibits any form of bullying behavior and teen dating violence on school grounds; at a school-sponsored or school-related activity, function or program whether on or off school grounds; at a school bus stop; on a school bus or other vehicle owned, leased or used by a local or regional board of education; or through the use of an electronic device or an electronic mobile device owned, leased or used by Board of Education.

B. The Board also prohibits any form of bullying behavior outside of the school setting if such bullying (i) creates a hostile environment at school for the student against whom such bullying was directed, (ii) infringes on the rights of the student against whom such bullying was directed at school, or (iii) substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school;

C. The Board further prohibits any form of teen dating violence outside of the school setting if such violence substantially disrupts the educational process;

D. In addition to prohibiting student acts that constitute bullying, the Board also prohibits discrimination and/or retaliation against an individual who reports or assists in the investigation of an act of bullying.

E. Students who engage in bullying behavior or teen dating violence in violation of Board Policy and the Safe School Climate Plan shall be subject to school discipline, up to and including expulsion, in accordance with the Board's policies on student discipline, suspension and expulsion, and consistent with state and federal law.  

II. Definition of Bullying 

A. “Bullying,” defined as an act that is direct or indirect and severe, persistent or pervasive, which:

a. causes physical or emotional harm to an individual; b. places an individual in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm; or c. infringes on the rights or opportunities of an individual at school; or

Bullying shall include, but need not be limited to, a written, oral or electronic communication or physical act or gesture based on any actual or perceived differentiating characteristics, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic status, academic status, physical appearance, or mental, physical, developmental or sensory disability, or by association with an individual or group who has or is perceived to have one or more of such characteristics.

III. Other Definitions

A. "Cyberbullying" means any act of bullying through the use of the Internet, interactive and digital technologies, cellular mobile telephone or other mobile electronic devices or any electronic communications.

B. "Electronic communication" means any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photoelectronic or photo-optical system.

C. “Emotional intelligence” means the ability to (1) perceive, recognize and understand emotions in oneself or others, (2) use emotions to facilitate cognitive activities, including, but not limited to, reasoning, problem solving and interpersonal communications, (3) understand and identify emotions, and (4) manage emotions in oneself and others.

D. "Hostile environment" means a situation in which bullying among students is sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of the school climate.

E. "Mobile electronic device" means any hand-held or other portable electronic equipment capable of providing data communication between two or more individuals, including, but not limited to, a text messaging device, a paging device, a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer, equipment that is capable of playing a video game or a digital video disk, or equipment on which digital images are taken or transmitted.

F. "Outside of the school setting" means at a location, activity or program that is not school related, or through the use of an electronic device or a mobile electronic device that is not owned, leased or used by a local or regional board of education.

G. “Positive school climate” means a school climate in which (1) the norms, values, expectations and beliefs that support feelings of social, emotional and physical safety are promoted, (2) students, parents, and guardians of students and school employees feel engaged and respected and work together to develop and contribute to a shared school vision, (3) educators model and nurture attitudes that emphasize the benefits and satisfaction gained from learning, and (4) each person feels comfortable contributing to the operation of the school and care of the physical environment of the school.

H. "Prevention and intervention strategy" may include, but is not limited to, 

(1) implementation of a positive behavioral interventions and supports process or another evidence-based model approach for safe school climate or for the prevention of bullying identified by the Department of Education, 

(2) school rules prohibiting bullying, teen dating violence, harassment and intimidation and establishing appropriate consequences for those who engage in such acts, 

(3) adequate adult supervision of outdoor areas, hallways, the lunchroom and other specific areas where bullying is likely to occur, 

(4) inclusion of grade-appropriate bullying and teen dating violence education and prevention curricula in kindergarten through high school, 

(5) individual interventions with the bully, parents and school employees, and interventions with the bullied child, parents and school employees, 

(6) school-wide training related to safe school climate, 

(7) student peer training, education and support,  

(8) promotion of parent involvement in bullying prevention through individual or team participation in meetings, trainings and individual interventions, and

(9) culturally competent school-based curriculum focusing on social-emotional learning, self-awareness and self-regulation.

I. “School climate” means the quality and character of school life based on patterns of students’, parents’ and guardians’ and school employees’ experiences of school life, including but not limited to, norms, goals, values, interpersonal relationships, teaching and learning practices and organizational structures.

J. "School employee" means 

(1) a teacher, substitute teacher, school administrator, school superintendent, guidance counselor, school counselor, psychologist, social worker, nurse, physician, school paraprofessional or coach employed by a local or regional board of education or working in a public elementary, middle or high school; or 

(2) any other individual who, in the performance of his or her duties, has regular contact with students and who provides services to or on behalf of students enrolled in a public elementary, middle or high school, pursuant to a contract with the local or regional board of education.

K. “School-Sponsored Activity” shall mean any activity conducted on or off school property (including school buses and other school-related vehicles) that is sponsored, recognized or authorized by the Board of Education.

L. “Social and emotional learning” means the process through which children and adults achieve emotional intelligence through the competencies of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making.

M. “Teen dating violence” means any act of physical, emotional or sexual abuse, including stalking, harassing and threatening, that occurs between two students who are currently in or who have recently been in a dating relationship.

IV. Leadership and Administrative Responsibilities 

A. Safe School Climate Coordinator

The Superintendent shall appoint, from existing school district staff, a District Safe School Climate Coordinator (“Coordinator”).  The Coordinator shall:

(1) be responsible for implementing the district’s Safe School Climate Plan (“Plan”);

(2) collaborate with Safe School Climate Specialists, the Board, and the Superintendent to prevent, identify and respond to bullying in district schools;

(3) provide data and information, in collaboration with the Superintendent, to the Department of Education regarding bullying; and

(4) meet with Safe School Climate Specialists at least twice during the school year to discuss issues relating to bullying in the school district and to make recommendations concerning amendments to the district’s Plan.

B. Safe School Climate Specialist

The Principal of each school (or the Principal’s designee) shall serve as the Safe School Climate Specialist.  The Safe School Climate Specialist shall investigate or supervise the investigation of reported acts of bullying, collect and maintain records of reports and investigations of bullying in the school and act as the primary school official responsible for preventing, identifying and responding to reports of bullying in the school.

V. Development and Review of Safe School Climate Plan

A. The Principal of each school shall establish a committee or designate at least one existing committee (“Committee”) in the school to be responsible for developing and fostering a safe school climate and addressing issues relating to bullying in the school.  Such committee shall include at least one parent/guardian of a student enrolled in the school, as appointed by the school principal.

B. The Committee shall:  

(1) receive copies of completed reports following bullying investigations; 

(2) identify and address patterns of bullying among students in the school; 

(3) implement the provisions of the school security and safety plan,  regarding the collection, evaluation and reporting of information relating to instances of disturbing or threatening behavior that may not meet the definition of bullying, 

(4) review and amend school policies relating to bullying; 

(5) review and make recommendations to the Coordinator regarding the Safe School Climate Plan based on issues and experiences specific to the school; 

(6) educate students, school employees and parents/guardians on issues relating to bullying; 

(7) collaborate with the Coordinator in the collection of data regarding bullying; and 

(8) perform any other duties as determined by the Principal that are related to the prevention, identification and response to school bullying.

C. Any parent/guardian serving as a member of the Committee shall not participate in any activities which may compromise the confidentiality of any student, including, but not limited to, receiving copies of investigation reports, or identifying or addressing patterns of bullying among students in the school.  

D. The Board of Education shall approve the Safe School Climate Plan developed pursuant to Board policy and submit such plan to the Department of Education. Not later than thirty (30) calendar days after approval by the Board, the Board shall make such plan available on the Board's and each individual school in the school district's web site and ensure that the Safe School Climate Plan is included in the school district's publication of the rules, procedures and standards of conduct for schools and in all student handbooks.  

VI. Procedures for Reporting and Investigating Complaints of Bullying

A. Students and parents (or guardians of students) may file written reports of bullying.  Written reports of bullying shall be reasonably specific as to the basis for the report, including the time and place of the alleged conduct, the number of incidents, the target of the suspected bullying, and the names of potential witnesses.  Such reports may be filed with any building administrator and/or the Safe School Climate Specialist (i.e. building principal or his/her designee), and all reports shall be forwarded to the Safe School Climate Specialist for review and actions consistent with this Plan. 

B. Students may make anonymous reports of bullying to any school employee.  Students may also request anonymity when making a report, even if the student’s identity is known to the school employee.  In cases where a student requests anonymity, the Safe School Climate Specialist or his/her designee shall meet with the student (if the student’s identity is known) to review the request for anonymity and discuss the impact that maintaining the anonymity of the complainant may have on the investigation and on any possible remedial action.  All anonymous reports shall be reviewed and reasonable action will be taken to address the situation, to the extent such action may be taken that does not disclose the source of the report, and is consistent with the due process rights of the student(s) alleged to have committed acts of bullying.  No disciplinary action shall be taken solely on the basis of an anonymous report.

C. School employees who witness acts of bullying or receive reports of bullying shall orally notify the Safe School Climate Specialist or another school administrator if the Safe School Climate Specialist is unavailable, not later than one (1) school day after such school employee witnesses or receives a report of bullying.  The school employee shall then file a written report not later than two (2) school days after making such oral report.

D. The Safe School Climate Specialist shall be responsible for reviewing any anonymous reports of bullying and shall investigate or supervise the investigation of all reports of bullying and ensure that such investigation is completed promptly after receipt of any written reports.  The Safe School Climate Specialist shall also be responsible for promptly notifying the parents or guardians of the student alleged to have committed an act or acts of bullying, and the parents or guardians of the student against whom such alleged act or acts were directed, that an investigation has commenced.  In order to allow the district to adequately investigate complaints filed by a student or parent/guardian, the parent of the student suspected of being bullied should be asked to provide consent to permit the release of that student’s name in connection with the investigation process, unless the student and/or parent has requested anonymity.

E. In investigating reports of bullying, the Safe School Climate Specialist or designee will consider all available information known, including the nature of the allegations and the ages of the students involved.  The Safe School Climate Specialist will interview witnesses, as necessary, reminding the alleged perpetrator and other parties that retaliation is strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action.

VII. Responding to Verified Acts of Bullying

A. Following investigation, if acts of bullying are verified, the Safe School Climate Specialist or designee shall notify the parents or guardians of the students against whom such acts were directed as well as the parents or guardians of the students who commit such acts of bullying of the finding not later than forty-eight (48) hours after the investigation is completed.  This notification shall include a description of the school’s response to the acts of bullying; the results of such investigation; and verbally or by electronic mail, if such parents’ or guardians’ electronic mail addresses are known, that such parents of guardians may refer to the plain language explanation of the rights and remedies available under Conn. Gen. Stat. Sections 10-4a and 10-4b once such explanation has been provided to the Board by the Connecticut Social and Emotional Learning and School Climate Advisory Collaborative and published on the Internet website of the Board.  In providing such notification, however, the Middletown Public Schools will take care to respect the statutory privacy rights of other students, including the perpetrator of such bullying.  The specific disciplinary consequences imposed on the perpetrator, or personally identifiable information about a student other than the parent/guardian’s own child, may not be disclosed except as provided by law.

B. In any instance in which bullying is verified, the Safe School Climate Specialist or designee shall invite the parents or guardians of the student against whom such act was directed to a meeting to communicate the measures being taken by the school to ensure the safety of the student/victim and policies and procedures in place to prevent further acts of bullying.  The Safe School Climate Specialist or designee shall also invite the parents or guardians of a student who commits any verified act of bullying to a meeting, separate and distinct from the previously described meeting, to discuss specific interventions undertaken by the school to prevent further acts of bullying.  The invitation may be made simultaneous with the notification described above in Section VII.A.    

C. If bullying is verified, the Safe School Climate Specialist or designee shall develop a student safety support plan for any student against whom an act of bullying was directed.  Such support plan will include safety measures to protect against further acts of bullying.

D. A specific written intervention plan shall be developed to address repeated incidents of bullying against a single individual or recurrently perpetrated bullying incidents by the same individual.  The written intervention plan may include counseling, discipline and other appropriate remedial actions as determined by the Safe School Climate Specialist or designee, and may also incorporate a student safety support plan, as appropriate.

E. Notice to Law Enforcement. If the Principal of a school (or his/her designee) reasonably believes that any act of bullying constitutes a criminal offense, he/she shall notify appropriate law enforcement.  Notice shall be consistent with the Board’s obligations under state and federal law and Board policy regarding the disclosure of personally identifiable student information.  In making this determination, the Principal or his/her designee, may consult with the school resource officer, if any, and other individuals the principal or designee deems appropriate.  

F.  If a bullying complaint raises a concern about discrimination or harassment on the basis of a legally protected classification (such as race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability or gender identity or expression), the Safe School Climate Specialist or designee shall also coordinate any bullying investigation with other appropriate personnel within the district as appropriate (e.g. Title IX Coordinator, Section 504 Coordinator, etc.), so as to ensure that any such bullying investigation complies with the requirements of such policies regarding nondiscrimination.   

VIII. Teen Dating Violence

A. The school strictly prohibits, and takes very seriously any instances of, teen dating violence, as defined above.  The school recognizes that teen dating violence may take many different forms and may also be considered bullying and/or sexual harassment.

B. Students and parents (or guardians of students) may bring verbal or written complaints regarding teen dating violence to any building administrator.  The building administrator shall review and address the complaint, which may include referral of the complaint to the Safe School Climate Specialist and/or Title IX Coordinator.

C. Prevention and intervention strategies concerning teen dating violence shall be implemented in accordance with Section X below.  Discipline, up to and including expulsion, may be imposed against the perpetrator of teen dating violence, whether such conduct occurs on or off campus, in accordance with Board policy and consistent with federal and state law.

IX. Documentation and Maintenance of Log

A. Each school shall maintain written reports of bullying, along with supporting documentation received and/or created as a result of bullying investigations, consistent with the Board’s obligations under state and federal law.  Any educational record containing personally identifiable student information pertaining to an individual student shall be maintained in a confidential manner, and shall not be disclosed to third parties without prior written consent of a parent, guardian or eligible student, except as permitted under Board policy and state and federal law. 

B. The Principal of each school shall maintain a list of the number of verified acts of bullying in the school and this list shall be available for public inspection upon request.  Consistent with district obligations under state and federal law regarding student privacy, the log shall not contain any personally identifiable student information, or any information that alone or in combination would allow a reasonable person in the school community to identify the students involved.  Accordingly, the log should be limited to basic information such as the number of verified acts, name of school and/or grade level and relevant date.  Given that any determination of bullying involves repeated acts, each investigation that results in a verified act of bullying for that school year shall be tallied as one verified act of bullying unless the specific actions that are the subject of each report involve separate and distinct acts of bullying.  The list shall be limited to the number of verified acts of bullying in each school and shall not set out the particulars of each verified act, including, but not limited to any personally identifiable student information, which is confidential information by law.

C. The Principal of each school shall report the number of verified acts of bullying in the school annually to the Department of Education in such manner as prescribed by the Commissioner of Education.

X. Other Prevention and Intervention Strategies

A. Bullying behavior and teen dating violence can take many forms and can vary dramatically in the nature of the offense and the impact the behavior may have on the victim and other students.  Accordingly, there is no one prescribed response to verified acts of bullying or to teen dating violence.  While conduct that rises to the level of “bullying” or “teen dating violence,” as defined above, will generally warrant traditional disciplinary action against the perpetrator of such bullying or teen dating violence, whether and to what extent to impose disciplinary action (e.g., detention, in-school suspension, suspension or expulsion) is a matter for the professional discretion of the building principal (or responsible program administrator or his/her designee).  No disciplinary action may be taken solely on the basis of an anonymous complaint of bullying.  As discussed below, schools may also consider appropriate alternatives to traditional disciplinary sanctions, including age-appropriate consequences and other restorative or remedial interventions.  

B. A specific written intervention plan shall be developed to address repeated incidents of bullying against a single individual or recurrently perpetrated bullying incidents by the same individual. This plan may include safety provisions, as described above, for students against whom acts of bullying have been verified and may include other interventions such as counseling, discipline, and other appropriate remedial or restorative actions as determined by the responsible administrator.

C. The following sets forth possible interventions which may also be utilized to enforce the Board’s prohibition against bullying and teen dating violence:

(1) Non-disciplinary interventions 

When verified acts of bullying are identified early and/or when such verified acts of bullying do not reasonably require a disciplinary response, students may be counseled as to the definition of bullying, its prohibition, and their duty to avoid any conduct that could be considered bullying.  Students may also be subject to other forms of restorative discipline or remedial actions, appropriate to the age of the students and nature of the behavior.

If a complaint arises out of conflict between students or groups of students, peer or other forms of mediation may be considered.  Special care, however, is warranted in referring such cases to peer mediation.  A power imbalance may make the process intimidating for the victim and therefore inappropriate.  In such cases, the victim should be given additional support.  Alternatively, peer mediation may be deemed inappropriate to address the concern.

When an act or acts of teen dating violence are identified, the students involved may be counseled as to the seriousness of the conduct, the prohibition of teen dating violence, and their duty to avoid any such conduct.  Students may also be subject to other forms of restorative discipline or remedial actions, appropriate to the age of the students and nature of the behavior.

(2) Disciplinary interventions

When acts of bullying are verified or teen dating violence occurs, and a disciplinary response is warranted, students are subject to the full range of disciplinary consequences.  Anonymous complaints of bullying, however, shall not be the basis for disciplinary action.

In-school suspension and suspension may be imposed only after informing the accused perpetrator of the reasons for the proposed suspension and giving him/her an opportunity to explain the situation, in accordance with the Board’s Student Discipline policy.  

Expulsion may be imposed only after a hearing before the Board of Education, a committee of the Board or an impartial hearing officer designated by the Board of Education in accordance with the Board’s Student Discipline policy.  This consequence shall normally be reserved for serious incidents of bullying and teen dating violence, and/or when past interventions have not been successful in eliminating bullying behavior.  

(3) Interventions for bullied students and victims of teen dating violence

The building principal (or other responsible program administrator) or his/her designee shall intervene in order to address incidents of bullying or teen dating violence against a single individual.  Intervention strategies for a bullied student or victim of teen dating violence may include the following:

(a) Referral to a school counselor, psychologist or other appropriate social or mental health service;

(b) Increased supervision and monitoring of student to observe and intervene in bullying situations or instances of teen dating violence;

(c) Encouragement of student to seek help when victimized or witnessing victimization;

(d) Peer mediation or other forms of mediation, where appropriate; 

(e) Student Safety Support plan; 

(f) Restitution and/or restorative interventions; and

(g) Periodic follow-up by the Safe School Climate Specialist and/or Title IX Coordinator with the bullied student or victim of teen dating violence.

(4) General Prevention and Intervention Strategies

In addition to the prompt investigation of complaints of bullying and direct intervention when acts of bullying are verified, other district actions may ameliorate potential problems with bullying in school or at school-sponsored activities.  Additional district actions may also ameliorate potential problems with teen dating violence.  While no specific action is required, and school needs for specific prevention and intervention strategies may vary from time to time, the following list of potential prevention and intervention strategies shall serve as a resource for administrators, teachers and other professional employees in each school.  Such prevention and intervention strategies may include, but are not limited to:

(a) School rules prohibiting bullying, teen dating violence, harassment and intimidation and establishing appropriate consequences for those who engage in such acts;

(b) Adequate adult supervision of outdoor areas, hallways, the lunchroom and other specific areas where bullying or teen dating violence are likely to occur;

(c) Inclusion of grade-appropriate bullying and teen dating violence education and prevention curricula in kindergarten through high school, which may include instruction regarding building safe and positive school communities including developing healthy relationships and preventing dating violence as deemed appropriate for older students;

(d) Individual interventions with the perpetrator, parents and school employees, and interventions with the bullied student, parents and school employees;

(e) School-wide training related to safe school climate, which training may include Title IX sex discrimination/sexual harassment prevention training, Section 504/ADA training, cultural diversity/multicultural education or other training in federal and state civil rights legislation or other topics relevant to safe school climate;

(f) Student peer training, education and support; 

(g) Promotion of parent involvement in bullying prevention through individual or team participation in meetings, trainings and individual interventions;

(h) Implementation of a positive behavioral interventions and supports process or another evidence-based model approach for safe school climate or for the prevention of bullying and teen dating violence, including any such program identified by the Department of Education;

(i) Respectful responses to bullying and teen dating violence concerns raised by students, parents or staff;

(j) Planned professional development programs addressing prevention and intervention strategies, which training may include school violence prevention, conflict resolution and prevention of bullying and teen dating violence, with a focus in evidence based practices concerning same;

(k) Use of peers to help ameliorate the plight of victims and include them in group activities;

(l) Avoidance of sex-role stereotyping;

(m) Continuing awareness and involvement on the part of school employees and parents with regards to prevention and intervention strategies; 

(n) Modeling by teachers of positive, respectful, and supportive behavior toward students;

(o) Creating a school atmosphere of team spirit and collaboration that promotes appropriate social behavior by students in support of others;

(p) Employing classroom strategies that instruct students how to work together in a collaborative and supportive atmosphere; and

(q) Culturally competent school-based curriculum focusing on social-emotional learning, self-awareness and self-regulation.

D. In addition to prevention and intervention strategies, administrators, teachers and other professional employees may find opportunities to educate students about bullying and help eliminate bullying behavior through class discussions, counseling, and reinforcement of socially-appropriate behavior.  Administrators, teachers and other professional employees should intervene promptly whenever they observe mean-spirited student conduct, even if such conduct does not meet the formal definition of “bullying.”

E. Funding for the school-based bullying intervention and school climate improvement strategy may originate from public, private, federal or philanthropic sources.

XI. Improving School Climate

Please see the Middletown Public Schools individual school website for each school’s climate plan. The district plan is included in this handbook and in the policy section of the district’s website. The climate plan will be updated and shared with the school community and public annually. 

XII. Annual Notice and Training

A. Students and parents or guardians of students shall be notified annually of the process by which students may make reports of bullying.

B. The Board shall provide for the inclusion of language in student codes of conduct concerning bullying

C. At the beginning of each school year, each school shall provide all school employees with a written or electronic copy of the school district’s safe school climate plan and require that all school employees annually complete training on the identification, prevention and response to bullying as required by law.

D. As required by state law, the Board, after consultation with the Department of Education and the Social and Emotional Learning and School Climate Advisory Collaborative,  shall also provide on its website training materials to school administrators regarding the prevention of and intervention in discrimination against and targeted harassment of students based on such students’ (1) actual or perceived differentiating characteristics, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic status, academic status, physical appearance or mental, physical, developmental or sensory disability, or (2) association with individuals or groups who have or are perceived to have one or more of such characteristics.

E. Any person appointed by the district to serve as district safe school climate coordinator shall complete mental health and first aid training offered by the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

XIII. School Climate Assessments

Biennially, the Board shall require each school in the district to complete an assessment using the school climate assessment instruments, including surveys, approved and disseminated by the Connecticut State Department of Education.  The Board shall collect the school climate assessments for each school in the district and submit such assessments to the Connecticut State Department of Education.

Form Available for Download: Report for Bullying Incidents 

The Middletown Board of Education’s entire policy governing bullying, Policy No. 5131.911, may be viewed here. Policy No. 5131.911

Dress & Grooming

School is a student’s place of work; therefore, he/she is required to dress professionally. This professional dress expectation will encourage a safe and respectful school atmosphere, and ensure success in our learning objectives. In order to maintain an environment conducive to the educational process, the Board of Education requires the following clothing regulations:

a. Clothing considered to be outerwear will be kept in lockers, coat closets or cubbies during regular school hours.

b. Only head coverings worn as part of a students’ religious practice are allowed.

c. Footwear will be safe and appropriate. No flip flops, slippers, or spike heels.

d. Only prescription eyewear is allowed (clear or photo-gradient).

e. Any item that may be used as a weapon or which may present a safety hazard to the student, other students, or staff is prohibited.

f. Oversized metal belt buckles and all metal belts or belts featuring metal other than the buckle such as chains hanging off the belt or loops are not allowed.

g. Spiked or studded bracelets, brass knuckles, oversized or multi-finger rings, belts or any other article of attire with spikes or studs attached, or any other clothing item that may present a safety hazard to the student, other students, or staff will not enter school or a school activity.

h. Attire or accessories may not be offensive, or promote illegal activity. Attire or accessories which contain disruptive writing or pictures likely to unduly disrupt the educational environment, or which constitute “fighting words”, gang colors, signage, etc., or which depict the logo or emblems of drugs, tobacco products or alcoholic beverages; or attire or accessories that encourage the use of such products are prohibited.

Sneakers are required when children are participating in physical education in the gym. You may provide your child with an extra pair of sneakers to be kept in your child’s classroom. Mark all outdoor clothing, boots and shoes with your child’s first and last name. Flip flops are not safe foot attire; students must wear shoes with a back or sneakers at all times while on school grounds or when participating in school-sponsored activities.  Feel free to check the lost and found area located at each school at any time if your child’s belongings are misplaced. If misplaced clothing items contained in the lost and found areas are not claimed by the summer, they will be donated to charity.  When cooler weather begins to approach, please be sure your child dresses accordingly.

The Middletown Board of Education’s entire policy governing student dress, Policy No. 5132, may be viewed here. Policy No. 5132

Food Allergy/Asthma/Diabetes Management

The Middletown Public Schools recognizes that food allergies, glycogen storage disease (GSD) and diabetes may be life threatening. For this reason, the District is committed to developing strategies and practices to minimize the risk of accidental exposure to life threatening food allergens and to ensure prompt and effective medical response should a student suffer an allergic reaction while at school. The District is also committed to appropriately managing and supporting students with glycogen storage disease and diabetes. The District further recognizes the importance of collaborating with parents, students aged eighteen (18) and older, and appropriate medical staff in developing practices and encouraging strategies to enable the student to become increasingly proactive in the care and management of his/her food allergy, GSD or diabetes, as developmentally appropriate.

Students with life-threatening food allergies and diabetes should be referred to a Section 504 team, which will make a final determination concerning the student’s eligibility for services under Section 504. The Section 504 team may determine that the only services needed are an Individualized Health Care Plan and/or Emergency Care Plan (ECP); in that case, the IHCP and/or ECP will also serve as the student’s Section 504 plan. Students with GSD and less severe food allergies should be referred to a Section 504 team if there is reason to believe that the student’s GSD or food allergy substantially limits a major life activity, including, but not limited to, caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, working, and the operation of a major bodily function. 

The District shall provide education and training for school personnel regarding the management of students with life-threatening food allergies, GSD and diabetes. Each school within the District shall also provide age-appropriate information to students about food allergies, GSD and diabetes, how to recognize symptoms of an allergic reaction and/or low blood sugar emergency and the importance of adhering to the school’s policies regarding food and/or snacks.

Each school within the District will develop appropriate practices to minimize the risk of exposure to life threatening allergens, as well as the risks associated with GSD and diabetes. The District should conduct periodic assessments, at least annually, of its Management Plan and Guidelines for Students with Food Allergies, GSD and/or diabetes. 

The Middletown Board of Education’s entire policy governing food allergy/asthma/diabetes management, Policy No. 5145.25, may be viewed here. Policy No. 5145.25

Non-discrimination

It is the policy of the Board that any form of discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, alienage, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability (including pregnancy), veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by state or federal law is prohibited, whether by students, Board employees or third parties subject to the control of the Board. The Board’s prohibition of discrimination or harassment in its educational programs or activities expressly extends to academic, nonacademic and extracurricular activities, including athletics. It is also the policy of the Board to provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any discrimination on the basis of protected characteristics such as race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, alienage, disability (including pregnancy), veteran status or gender identity or expression.

Any student and/or parent/guardian wishing to file a complaint regarding discrimination may obtain a copy of the Board’s complaint procedures and complaint form which are included in the Board’s Administrative Regulations Regarding Non-Discrimination/Students. These regulations accompany Board Policy #5145.4 and are available online at https://www.middletownschools.org/board_of_education/policies___bylaws or upon request from the main office of any district school. If a complaint involves allegations of discrimination or harassment based on reasons such as gender/sex or disability, such complaints will be handled under other appropriate policies (e.g., Policy #5145.5 Prohibition of Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment; Policy #5145 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973). All other complaints by a student or parents/guardians alleging discrimination against a student on the basis of the protected characteristics listed herein should file a written complaint with: 

Name: Harry Snyder   Address: 311 Hunting Avenue, Middletown, CT 06457  Email: snyderh@mpsct.org Phone:  (860) 638-1446

Preferably, complaints should be filed within thirty (30) days of the alleged occurrence. Timely reporting of complaints facilitates the investigation and resolution of such complaints. The district will investigate such complaints promptly and equitably, and will take corrective action when allegations are verified.

The Middletown Board of Education’s entire policy governing non-discrimination, Policy No. 5145.4, may be viewed here. Policy No. 5145.4

Title IX - Prohibition of Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment

It is the policy of the Middletown Board of Education (the “Board”) for the Middletown Public Schools (“the District”) that any form of sex discrimination or sexual harassment is prohibited, whether by students, District employees or third parties subject to substantial control by the Board. Students, District employees and third parties are expected to adhere to a standard of conduct that is respectful of the rights of students, District employees, and third parties. Any student or employee who engages in conduct prohibited by the Board’s Policy regarding Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972-Prohibition of Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment (Students) shall be subject to disciplinary action. Any third party who engages in conduct prohibited by the Board’s Policy regarding Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972-Prohibition of Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment (Students) shall be subject to remedial measures, which may include exclusion from school property.

NOTICE OF THE TITLE IX COORDINATOR 

The District’s Title IX Coordinator is Harry Synder. Any individual may make a report of sex discrimination and/or sexual harassment directly to the Title IX Coordinator using any one, or multiple, of the following points of contact: Address: 311 Hunting Hill Ave 06457 Email: snyderh@mpsct.org Phone: 860-638-1446

The Middletown Board of Education’s entire policy governing Title IX of the Education Amendments, prohibition of sex discrimination and sexual harassment, Policy No. 5145.5, may be viewed here. Policy No. 5145.5

Section 504/Americans with Disabilities Act

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 504”) is a non-discrimination statute enacted by the United States Congress. Section 504 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by recipients of federal funds. Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA” or “Title II”) also prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by state and local governments. To qualify as having a disability under Section 504 and the ADA (collectively, “Section 504/ADA”), an individual must (a) have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual; (b) have a record of such an impairment; or (c) be regarded as having such an impairment. “Major life activities” include, but are not limited to, caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating and working. A major life activity may also include the operation of a major bodily function, including, but not limited to, functions of the immune system, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine and reproductive functions.

Under Section 504, the school district has specific responsibilities to identify, evaluate and provide an educational placement for students with a disability.  The school district’s obligation includes providing such eligible students a free appropriate public education (“FAPE”).  Section 504 defines FAPE as the provision of regular or special education and related services that are designed to meet the individual educational needs of a student with a disability as adequately as the needs of students without disabilities are met, and that are provided without cost (except for fees imposed on non-disabled students/parents).  

A student can have a disability and be covered by Section 504/ADA even if he/she does not quality for, or receive, special education services under the IDEA.

A parent may call the building principal to request a 504 Meeting if their child has a disability and may require accommodations to access his or her education. The parent is then notified by mail of a meeting to discuss the referral to 504, evaluations are conducted or reviewed and a determination of qualifications for a plan is then determined. This may take several meetings. If the child qualifies for reasonable accommodations under Section 504, a plan is developed and reviewed annually.

The following is a description of the rights and options granted by federal law to students with disabilities under Section 504. The intent of the law is to keep you fully informed concerning decisions about your child and to inform you of your rights if you disagree with any of these decisions. Under Section 504, you have the right:

1. To be informed of your rights under Section 504; 

2. To have your child take part in and receive benefits from the Middletown School District’s education programs without discrimination based on his/her disability. 

3. For your child to have equal opportunities to participate in academic, nonacademic and extracurricular activities in your school without discrimination based on his/her disability; 

4. To be notified with respect to the Section 504 identification, evaluation, and educational placement of your child; 

5. To have an evaluation, educational recommendation, and placement decision developed by a team of persons who are knowledgeable of your child, the assessment data, and any placement options; 

6. If your child is eligible for services under Section 504, for your child to receive a free appropriate public education. This includes the right to receive reasonable accommodations and services to allow your child an equal opportunity to participate in school and school-related activities; 

7. To prevent your child from being educated with peers who do not have disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate; 

8. To have your child educated in facilities and receive services comparable to those provided to non-disabled students; 

9. To review all relevant records relating to decisions regarding your child’s Section 504 identification, evaluation, and educational placement; 

10. To obtain copies of your child’s educational records at a reasonable cost unless the fee would effectively deny you access to the records; 

11. To request changes in the educational program of your child; 

12. To an impartial hearing if you disagree with the school district’s decisions regarding your child’s Section 504 identification, evaluation or educational placement. The costs for this hearing are borne by the local school district. You and the student have the right to take part in the hearing and to have an attorney represent you at your expense. 

13. To file a court action if you are dissatisfied with the impartial hearing officer’s decision or to request attorney’s fees related to securing your child’s rights under Section 504. 

14. To file a local grievance with the designated Section 504 Coordinator to resolve complaints of discrimination other than those involving the identification, evaluation or placement of your child. 

15. To file a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights. 

The Section 504/ADA Coordinator for this district is:

Vacianna Spaulding 311 Hunting Hill Avenue Middletown, CT 06457 Telephone: 860-638-1428

For additional assistance regarding your rights under Section 504, you may contact:

Region I - Boston (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont)
Peter Chan, Regional Manager
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Government Center
J.F.Kennedy Federal Building - Room 1875
Boston, MA 02203
Voice phone (800) 368-1019
FAX (617) 565-3809
TDD (800) 537-7697

U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights 550 12th Street, SW Washington, DC 20202-1100 Telephone: 1-800-421-3481

Connecticut State Department of Education Bureau of Special Education and Pupil Services P.O. Box 2219 Hartford, CT 06145  Telephone: (860) 807-2030

Form Available for Download: Section 504 Complaint Form 

The Middletown Board of Education’s entire policy governing Section 504/ADA, Policy No. 5145, may be viewed here. Policy No. 5145

Field Trips

The Board of Education recognizes that field trips for students when properly planned, executed, evaluated, and used as a device for teaching and learning, are an educationally sound and important ingredient in the instructional program of the District. All school-sponsored field trips require administrative approval. Field trip procedures shall establish assurances that: 

• All students have parental/guardian permission for trips.
• All trips are properly supervised.
• All safety precautions are observed, including a reunification plan should a child become separated from a group, or the groups are relocated due to a natural or manmade emergency.
• All trips contribute to the educational program.
• All trips must allow a plan for payment alternatives.

The school nurse has the right to deny participation in field trip activities due to concerns for student health and well-being resulting from the failure of the parent/student to submit required documents for implementing medical interventions during the field trip prior to the day of the trip. Parents/guardians who feel their child should not participate may deny permission and arrangements will be made for the child to remain at school on the day of the trip. The administration reserves the right to deny the participation for any student on any overnight field trip based upon a record of inappropriate behavior and/or poor attendance pattern. The administration further reserves the right to deny the participation for any student on any field trip based upon actions or behaviors that may adversely impact the health and safety of students and/or staff. 

Students are expected to exhibit the same behavior as is expected of them on school grounds or at any school-sponsored activity.  Standards of conduct will be reviewed prior to leaving the school.  Since the trip is a school-sponsored activity, usual school rules apply.  Students are expected to dress appropriately. 

The Middletown Board of Education’s entire policy governing field trips, Policy No. 6153, may be viewed here. Policy No. 6153

Homework/Make-Up Work

Homework is an extension of classroom lessons.  While the student’s homework assignment can sometimes be accomplished during class time, most often the homework assignment is to be completed at home or before or after school. The purpose of homework is to reinforce concepts taught in school, to see the connection between effort and achievement, and to practice independently those skills learned in school.  Parents can greatly assist their children by providing a homework-friendly environment.

 The following serves as a suggested guideline for the approximate length of time that the schools will expect students to devote to homework on a weekly basis:

Kindergarten - 45 minutes

Grades 1-3 - 150 minutes

Grades 4-5 - 175 minutes

The above should not preclude long-range assignments through which a student learns to budget time over several days or a week.   Finally, consideration will be given to students who may not have adequate time for homework preparation due to religious observance, illness, or other reasons.

The responsibility for the make-up of work rests with the student, not the teacher.  Unless a student has an extended illness, all make-up arrangements will be completed within five (5) days from when the student returns to school.

The Middletown Board of Education’s entire policy governing homework/make-up work, Policy No. 6154, may be viewed here. Policy No. 6154
Title I Program

Students in Middletown are served by Title I federal funds.  In our town, the project supports programs in four public and one non-public elementary schools. Money must be used to serve children who require remediation in their studies.  This money provided is above what the Board of Education normally spends on children.  For additional information, please contact the Grant Services Office (860-638-1414) located at 311 Hunting Hill Avenue.

Parents’ Right to Know Teacher and Paraprofessional Qualifications

Parents of students attending any school receiving Title I funds may request information regarding the qualifications of teachers and paraprofessionals who work with their child. Parents may submit a request, in writing, to the Superintendent of Schools, to receive information regarding: 

• Whether the teacher has met state qualifications and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction;
• Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which state qualification or licensing criteria have been waived;
• Whether the teacher is teaching in the field of discipline of his/her certification; and
• Whether the student is provided services by a paraprofessional and, if so, his/her qualifications.        

The Middletown Board of Education’s entire policy governing Title I, Policy No. 6161.31, may be viewed at Middletown Board of EducationBylaws & Policies. ​​​​​​​
Student Privacy

The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), 20 U.S.C. § 1232h, affords parents and eligible students (i.e. students over 18 or emancipated minors) certain rights with respect to the administration of student surveys, the collection and use of personal information, and the administration of certain physical exams.  These rights include:

1. The right of a parent to inspect, upon request, a survey created by a third party before the survey is administered or distributed by a school to a student;

2. The right of a parent to inspect, upon request, any survey concerning one or more of the following confidential topics:

1. political affiliations or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent;

2. mental or psychological problems of the student or the student’s family;

3. sex behavior or attitudes;

4. illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;

5. critical appraisals of other individuals with whom respondents have close family relationships;

6. legally recognized privileged relationships, such as those with lawyers, doctors, physicians, or ministers;

7. religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or the student’s parent; or

8. income, other than as required by law to determine eligibility for certain programs or for receiving financial assistance under such programs;

3. The right of a parent to consent before a student is required to submit to a survey that concerns one or more of the confidential topics (see #2, above, a-h) if the survey is funded in whole or in part by a program of the U.S. Department of Education;

4. The right of a parent to inspect, upon request, any instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum.  Instructional material means any instructional content that is provided to a student, regardless of its format, including printed or representational materials, audio-visual materials, and materials in electronic or digital formats (such as materials accessible through the Internet) but does not include academic tests or academic assessments;

5. The right of a parent to inspect, upon request, any instrument used in the collection of personal information from students gathered for the purpose of marketing, selling or otherwise providing that information to others for that purpose.  Personal information means individually identifiable information including, a student or parent’s first and last name, a home or other physical address; a telephone number or a social security number;

6. right of a parent whose student(s) is scheduled to participate in the specific activities provided below to be directly notified of the specific or approximate dates of the following activities, as well as the right of a parent or eligible student to opt-out of participation in these activities:

   1. activities involving the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information collected from students for the purpose of marketing or selling that information (or otherwise providing that information to others for that purpose);

   2. the administration of any survey containing confidential topics (see #2, above, a-h); or

   3. any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening that is required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school, scheduled by the school in advance, and unnecessary to protect the immediate health and safety of a student.  Such examinations do not include a hearing, vision, or scoliosis screening or other examinations permitted or required by State law. 

Parents and eligible students may not opt-out of activities relating to the collection, disclosure, and/or use of personal information collected from students for the exclusive purpose of developing, evaluating, or providing education products or services for, or to students or educational institutions, such as the following:

1. college or other post-secondary education recruitment, or military recruitment;

2. book clubs, magazines, and programs providing access to low-cost literary products;

3. curriculum and instructional materials used by elementary and secondary schools;

4. tests and assessments used by elementary and secondary schools to provide cognitive, evaluative, diagnostic, clinical, aptitude, or achievement information about students;

5. the sale by students of products or services to raise funds for school-related or education-related activities; and

6. student recognition programs.

To protect student privacy in compliance with the PPRA, the Middletown Public Schools has adopted policies regarding these rights.  Parents and/or eligible students who believe their rights have been violated under the PPRA may contact:

Family Policy Compliance Office U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, D.C.  20202-8520

The Middletown Board of Education’s entire policy governing student privacy, Policy No. 6162.51, may be viewed here. Policy No. 6162.51

Special Education and Pupil Personnel Services

The Middletown Board of Education provides special education and related services (speech & language, counseling, etc.) to students who are eligible for such services. Click here to be directed to the Middletown Public Schools Special Education website. 

For students eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”), the District shall follow procedures for identification, evaluation, placement and delivery of services to children with disabilities provided in state and federal statutes which govern special education. The Board of Education, in fulfilling its legal duties and responsibilities for providing special education programs for the students of the District, shall be assisted through membership in the Regional Educational Service Center and through cooperative associations with other districts. If necessary, students may also be placed in private school educational facilities. 

If you suspect that your child may have a disability, you may contact your child’s principal to request a Planning and Placement Team (PPT) meeting to review your concerns.  Parents or guardians are notified at least five (5) days in advance in writing of the PPT meeting to discuss the referral to special education.  If the PPT determines that your child needs to be evaluated, school staff will conduct the evaluations only with your written consent.  A multidisciplinary evaluation must be conducted to determine eligibility.  If the student is eligible, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed, implemented and reviewed annually. A team approach consisting of school staff, parents and administration is used in developing the IEP.

The pamphlets entitled Parental Notification of the Laws Relating to Seclusion and Restraint, and the Procedural Safeguards in Special Education outline parents’ rights under the IDEA and Connecticut special education laws and are provided one time per year and upon request.  Billing Medicaid for Health-Related Services in Student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) is also provided to parents one time per year. These documents can also be accessed at the Middletown Schools Special Education website at https://www.middletownschools.org/departments/special_education_and_pupil_services.                                                                               

Billing Medicaid for Health-Related Services in Student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP)

The IDEA allows certain services provided under an IEP to be covered by Medicaid.  Medicaid funds help pay for the costs of providing these services.