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Frequently Asked Questions
May my child take medication in
school? Back to Top
Medication to be administered in school by the nurse must be accompanied
by a signed statement from the physician stating dosage and frequency. Both
the physician and parent must fill out and sign it. Please do not allow your
child to carry over-the-counter medication of any kind. This is a
violation of school rules.
When can I talk to my child’s teacher and/or counselor?
Back to Top
When you wish to talk to one of your child’s teachers or counselor please
call and leave a message on his/her Voice Mail by following the
prompts. Your call will be returned as soon as possible. The
school phone number is 667-5888.
Does John Wallace have a dress code?
Back to Top
The middle school portion of the Newington Public Schools Dress code as
amended by the Board of Education on May 23, 2001 is repeated here.
The middle school rules are designed to meet the needs of early adolescent
youth. The rules are not intended to dictate style or manner of
dress. Rather, they should enhance the self-image of students, reduce
peer pressure and avert disruptions and distractions.
The following items are inappropriate for wear at the middle school level.
1. See-through blouses or
shirts.
2. Halters, tank tops or tube
tops
3. Bare mid-riff styles
4. Undershirts, thermal
undershirts and concert T-shirts as outer shirts
5. Hats
6. Outer garments
(jackets, quilted vests, etc.)
7. Short shorts (in-seams
less than about 5”), cut offs or athletic shorts (except for physical
education classes).
8. Articles of clothing
bearing suggestive or inappropriate pictures or words.
In addition, clothing should be neat, clean and in good repair.
Shirts should be properly buttoned and shirt-tails tucked in. Students
wearing inappropriate attire will be required to change immediately.
Black-soled footwear that can cause black marks on floors and walls are not
allowed.
How do I check if my child has homework?
Back to Top
All team and foreign language teachers tape assignments given each day.
Parents and students can check for them by calling 665-8690.
How much homework should my child have each night?
Daily time allotments suggested for homework is.
Grade
5
40 - 60 minutes
Grade 6 &
7
90 minutes
Grade
8
90 - 120 minutes
How do I find out if school is delayed or cancelled
due to weather? Back to Top
To find out if school is cancelled or delayed due to weather call our
special hotline number – 665-8665. The superintendent will also contact
radio/television stations including WRCH, WDRC, WPOP, WCCC, WTIC, WHCN, WKSS,
WWYZ, WVIT-TV (Channel 30) and WTNH-TV (Channel 8) to provide this information.
Where do I go to pick up my child before dismissal time?
Parents should send in a note first thing in the morning indicating their
child needs to be dismissed early. When coming to pick up the child they
should report to the main office and the child will be called down at that
time.
Is my child allowed to take the bus to
school? Back to Top
To be eligible for bus transportation, a student must live more than
one and one-half miles from school and will be issued a yellow I.D. card and
bus pass. It should be carried at all times and shown to the
driver upon request. If lost, a replacement may be obtained for
$2.50. REMEMBER, NO PASS... NO RIDE! The I.D. card must be turned in at
the end of each school year. School bus stops are considered school/town
property. All school rules are in effect at these locations and must be
followed.
Is there a late bus?
A late bus is available for bussed students who must stay after
school. The late bus leaves the
school every afternoon, Monday through Thursday, at approximately 3:50
P.M. There are no late busses on
Fridays or on legal length days.
You must have your I.D. cards to board the bus.
Special Bus Pass Back to top
In emergencies a student may have to ride the school bus home with a friend.
The office must have written notes from the parents of both students
explaining the emergency 24 hours in advance. Both students must be
bus students. The principal must approve the pass.
What should I do if my child is absent from
school? Back to Top
A parent or guardian should call the school before 9:00 a.m. on the first day
of absence. Otherwise, a staff member will call a parent at home
or at work. A NOTE TO THE HOMEROOM TEACHER IS REQUIRED TO BE PRESENTED
ON YOUR FIRST DAY BACK TO SCHOOL. Failure to bring in a
note could result in a one hour detention or a suspension for truancy.
Why are students detained after
school? Back to Top
Detentions for violation of school rules may be conducted during lunch,
recess or for one hour after school, generally from 2:40 until 3:40 P.M.,
Monday through Friday. Teachers may detain students after school any
day for disciplinary reasons or to make up work. These students must
serve on the same day that the detention is given unless other arrangements
are made with the teacher. Under unusual circumstances, a student will
be allowed to serve the detention on the following day. Detention has
priority over home commitments, work, play, etc. Students with a
legitimate reason to post-pone detention must bring a parent's note the next
day. Students who are detained must arrange their own
transportation home. Late buses are available to eligible students
Monday through Thursday only. Failure to serve detention will
result in suspension.
How many times a year are report cards
given? Back to Top
Report cards are issued three times a year in grade 5 and four times for
grades 6-8. Parent conferences are held twice a year in November and April.
Parents are urged to make every effort to attend these conferences along with
their child. Interim progress reports are sent midway through the marking
period if a student is having difficulty.
Is there a lockdown
procedure? Back to Top
Code Red/Green is an emergency evacuation drill which is carried out
twice a year.
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