Rogers Park �Middle School���

Student/Parent Handbook

2024-2025 School Year

Extracurricular Activities

Behavior Expectations

General Information

Schedules & Calendars

Contact Information

Portrait of a Graduate

Vision & Mission

Table of Contents:

1. Vision & Mission
2. Portrait of a Graduate
3. Contact Information
4. Schedules & Calendars
5. General Information
6. Behavior Expectations
7. Extracurricular Activities

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SLIDESMANIA.COM

Welcome to Rogers Park

Dear RPMS Students and Families,

It is our great pleasure to extend a very warm welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! Whether you are returning or are new to RPMS, we are excited to have you as a member of our school community and look forward to our work together. We invite and welcome parents and families to be actively and positively involved in our school community and events.

Middle school years are a time of great transition and development for our students. We are committed to the academic, social, and emotional development of every student at Rogers Park through our engaging curricula, advisory program, student support activities, extracurricular clubs and experiences, field trips, as well as through our day-to-day interactions and relationships. These years bring many changes, challenges, and opportunities that we are prepared to support and guide students through as a school community.

This handbook contains information about our guidelines, procedures, and outlines our expectations for students. These guidelines and expectations aim to ensure that teaching and learning can take place freely in a safe and purposeful environment for all students, and it is important that parents and students are fully aware of these expectations so that they can meet them.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us using the information below. Be sure to visit our RPMS website, too. We look forward to a successful and rewarding school year!

Sincerely,

Dr. Kristy Zaleta, Principal

zaletk@danbury.k12.ct.us�203-797-4880

�Mrs. Jessica Battaglia, Assistant Principal

battaj@danbury.k12.ct.us

203-797-4870

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Ms. Jennifer Saraiva, Assistant Principal

saraij@danbury.k12.ct.us

203-797-4889

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Extracurricular Activities

Behavior Expectations

General Information

Schedules & Calendars

Contact Information

Portrait of a Graduate

Vision & Mission

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DPS MISSION

Danbury Public Schools Mission

Our mission is to develop in all children the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values which will enable them to live a productive and self-fulfilling life and engage in responsible citizenship in a global society.

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Educational equity means that all children are held to high expectations AND each child receives what they need to develop to their full academic and social potential.

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DPS Equity Statement

Students deserve a respectful learning environment in which their cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity is valued and contributes to successful academic outcomes. Danbury Public Schools is committed to identifying and correcting practices and policies that perpetuate the achievement gap and institutional racism in all forms in order to provide all its students the opportunity to succeed. This commitment means that student success will not be predicted nor predetermined by characteristics such as, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, family economics, mobility, language, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, initial proficiencies, or religion. In addition, the District will actively seek and analyze relevant disaggregated data through an equity lens and use that data to explicitly identify and address disparities in educational outcomes for the purpose of decision making, targeting areas for action, intervention, and investment.

Extracurricular Activities

Behavior Expectations

General Information

Schedules & Calendars

Contact Information

Portrait of a Graduate

Vision & Mission

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RPMS MISSION & BELIEFS

Beliefs:

1. ALL children can learn.
2. Children are our first priority.
3. High expectations and accountability for all.
4. Educational decisions and actions should be based on current, relevant research in the field of education with a focus on closing the opportunity gap.
5. Partnership between parents, educators, students and the community is important for students’ success.
6. Educators should provide varied, engaging experiences and opportunities to meet student’s individual needs.
7. School should provide safe and productive learning environments based upon mutual respect, trust and cooperation.

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Vision:

100% of our students achieve or exceed grade level expectations.

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Mission:

When students leave our school they feel loved, supported and a sense of belonging. They believe in themselves and have the skills needed to achieve their dreams. They are prepared to speak truth to power and collaborate for change.

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Vision & Mission

Extracurricular Activities

Behavior Expectations

General Information

Schedules & Calendars

Contact Information

Portrait of a Graduate

SLIDESMANIA.COM

PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE

As a district-wide community of learners, we work to provide opportunities for our students to demonstrate the following attributes on a continuum of development:

ADVOCATES: Graduates celebrate all forms of diversity and actively work to protect the rights of all in our community.

COLLABORATORS: Graduates work well with others to identify problems and create solutions with an open mind.

COMMUNICATORS: Graduates communicate their own thoughts and emotions as well as effectively engage with the perspectives and feelings of others.

INNOVATORS: Graduates identify problems and create solutions.

LEARNERS: Graduates use acquired skills and knowledge to transform life for self and positively influence the lives of others.

Social/Civic Expectations

RPMS Students will:

• Be kind.
• Work independently as well as collaboratively to solve problems and accomplish goals.
• Value diversity of thought.
• Demonstrate personal responsibility, character, cultural understanding, and ethical behavior.

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Vision & Mission

Extracurricular Activities

Behavior Expectations

General Information

Schedules & Calendars

Contact Information

Portrait of a Graduate

SLIDESMANIA.COM

CONTACT INFORMATION

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RPMS FULL STAFF DIRECTORY

Main Office: 203-797-4881 Attendance Line: 203-797-4879

* Hispanohablante * Palestrante português

Vision & Mission

Portrait of a Graduate

Extracurricular Activities

Behavior Expectations

General Information

Schedules & Calendars

Contact Information

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CONTACT INFORMATION

Central Office Administration

Board of Education

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Danbury Public Schools Website

Please click on the box for the

Extracurricular Activities

Behavior Expectations

General Information

Schedules & Calendars

Vision & Mission

Portrait of a Graduate

Contact Information

SLIDESMANIA.COM

SCHEDULE & CALENDAR

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RPMS Google Calendar

DPS 2024-2025 Calendar

Please click on the box for the

Please click on the box for the

RPMS Bell Schedule

Please click on the box for the

Extracurricular Activities

Behavior Expectations

General Information

Schedules & Calendars

Vision & Mission

Portrait of a Graduate

Contact Information

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ATTENDANCE

RPMS School Hours

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RPMS Attendance Expectations

• Students are expected to be in their first �block class before 7:40 am.
• Attendance is taken at the start of every class and all students are expected to be in class on time.
• Students who arrive late to class without a pass will be marked TU (Tardy Unexcused) and may be issued a lunch detention or a 1 hour after school detention if the issue persists. Students on late buses are TE (Tardy Excused). See slide 18 for Tardy Policy.
• If a student is going to be absent a parent/guardian must call or email the school to notify us of the absence.
• 203-797-4879
• deassd@danbury.k12.ct.us
• Robocalls are sent out to inform parents of unverified absences at 10:15 am and 3:15 pm.

Connecticut State Law on Attendance

• All children over five and under eighteen years of age shall be required to attend a public day school, unless the parent or person having control of such child can show, to the satisfaction of the Board of Education, that the child is receiving elsewhere the equivalent instruction to that provided in a public day school. The parent or person having control of a child seventeen years of age may consent to such a child’s withdrawal form.
• The Board has the responsibility to monitor compliance with all laws and regulations governing student attendance. Student attendance shall be monitored administratively for compliance with Board policies.
• The administration will work with the parent and those persons having control of the child to assist them in the assumption of their responsibilities relative to State Laws and Board of Education policies.
• Parents who do not assume responsibility for their child’s attendance as required by law may be referred to the State Prosecutor for prosecution. Administrative regulations shall govern procedures for implementation of this policy.
• A student is considered to be “in attendance” if present at his/her assigned school or an activity sponsored by the school (e.g., field trip) for at least half of the regular school day.
• A student who is serving an out-of-school suspension or expulsion should always be considered absent.

LEGAL REFERENCES: Connecticut General Statute 10-184, Chap. 168, Sec. 1-199,

Public Act 11-136, An Act Concerning Minor Revisions to the Education Statutes, Section 18, Public Act 15-225

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Extracurricular Activities

Behavior Expectations

General Information

Vision & Mission

Portrait of a Graduate

Contact Information

Schedules & Calendars

SLIDESMANIA.COM

DPS SICK DAY GUIDELINES

To aid in minimizing the spread of illness in school, the following are helpful guidelines to follow when your child is sick.

Your child must stay home for:

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• A temperature of 100 degrees or higher until they are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication
• An undiagnosed rash
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea more than once in the last 24 hours
• A severe cough or congestion, thick nasal discharge, chills or body aches
• A severe sore throat, and for 12 hours after the start of antibiotics if diagnosed with strep throat
• A severe earache
• Pink eye with discharge until 24 hours after the start of antibiotic eye drops/ointment
• Impetigo diagnosis: your child must remain home until receiving antibiotics for 24 hours and the sores are no longer draining

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• Ringworm diagnosis: your child must remain home until 24 hours of anti-fungal treatment. Lesions should be covered while in school.
• Chicken Pox. Your child must remain home until all blisters have scabbed over
• Scabies. Your child must be receiving treatment before returning to school

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Please be sure that the school has current phone information for you and your child’s emergency contacts. If your child becomes sick at school, please make arrangements for them to be picked up within 30 minutes. If your child tests positive for COVID, strep, or Influenza, please notify the school nurse.

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Extracurricular Activities

Behavior Expectations

General Information

Vision & Mission

Portrait of a Graduate

Contact Information

Schedules & Calendars

SLIDESMANIA.COM

IMPORTANT DATES

Become involved in the RPMS community! Please join us for the many events we have planned this year. The events calendar on the next page has all of the scheduled events for the year. Any additional events planned by our clubs will be shared out with students and families through Parent Square.

First Day of School

Students report to the first class listed in PowerSchool:

6th Grade

Block 1- Core Class

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7th Grade

Block 1 - Elective Class

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8th Grade

Block 1 - Core Class

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RPMS Events Calendar

Please click on the box for the

Room Numbers

100s = 1st Floor

200s = 2nd Floor

300s = 3rd Floor

DRAFT

Extracurricular Activities

Behavior Expectations

General Information

Vision & Mission

Portrait of a Graduate

Contact Information

Schedules & Calendars

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GENERAL INFORMATION

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Middle School Course Offerings

Over the course of their three years at Rogers Park, students will have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of courses and learning experiences.

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Students will be scheduled to take the following core academic courses for the entire school year in each grade:

• Language Arts or English Language Development
• Mathematics
• Algebra 1 - grade 8, with prerequisite scores met
• Science
• Social Studies (6th) or American History (7th & 8th)

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Students will also be enrolled in special area academic courses for part of the school year as described below.

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A/B Day Courses - All Grades - Students rotate between the two classes on A and B days for the entire school year:

Physical Education/Health & Music*

Physical Education/ELD Intermediate, Advanced, or Expanding

Music**: Band, Chorus, Orchestra, or Modern Music

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*Students, when indicated in an IEP, will take Study Skills in lieu of Music

**Students chose one of the four courses to take.

Quarter Courses* - Students attend a class daily for 1 quarter of the year, for a total of 4 clases over the year.

*Students who are enrolled in an English Language Development class do not take these courses.

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Grade 6: Art, Creative Writing, Digital Media, and Design & Modeling, World Cultures

Grade 7: Art, Creative Writing, Energy & Environment, Theater Arts

Grade 8: Art, Automation and Robotics, Creative Writing, and Theater Arts, World Cultures

Note: Course order is randomly assigned and all students are enrolled in all courses.

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Full Year Courses - Students in 8th grade have the opportunity to take a full year course in Spanish 1, Spanish Heritage 1

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Extracurricular Activities

Behavior Expectations

Vision & Mission

Portrait of a Graduate

Contact Information

Schedules & Calendars

General Information

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Field Trips

• Any school-sponsored field trip is a continuation of school life and all school rules will apply.
• Students are required to have fully completed a permission form by a parent/guardian for attendance on any field trip.
• Student participation in a field trip is considered a school-related absence.
• Students are responsible for any missed work.

Hallway Passes

• Students who need to leave a classroom must be given permission by the teacher to leave.
• Excessive use of a hallway pass may lead to a limited number of hallway passes granted to a student.
• Students who are habitually late to class will be issued lunch detention or after school detention.

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PTO (Parent Teacher Organization)

• Join us virtually for meetings on the 3rd Thursday of each month.
• Please email rpmspto@gmail.com for more information and for a link to the meetings.

Food Delivery

• Students are NOT allowed to receive food deliveries during school hours.
• If a parent brings food for a child it may only be during lunch times.

6th = 11:19- 11:49 am

7th = 11:53- 12:23 pm

8th = 10:46- 11:16 am

Dances/Socials

• Attending school dances/socials is a privilege. Students must be present on the day of the event.
• Any student suspended from school on the day of the event is not allowed to attend.

Emergency Drills

• Emergency drills are an important safety precaution that is practiced at regular intervals and required by law.
• It is essential that when the first signal is given, everyone obeys orders promptly and follows the classroom teacher's procedures.

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Vision & Mission

Portrait of a Graduate

Contact Information

Schedules & Calendars

General Information

Extracurricular Activities

Behavior Expectations

SLIDESMANIA.COM

GENERAL INFORMATION

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PowerSchool Parent/Student Portal

Please check the portal regularly to monitor student attendance, schedules, and grades. If you need help logging into it, contact your school counselor.

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��Parent Square

We will be using the Parent Square app to share important announcements from the school and district. If you have not done so already, go to www.parentsquare.com to sign up and view this video or document for step-by-step instructions and more information. If you need help logging into it, contact your school counselor.

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Schoology

We will be using Schoology instead of Google Classroom this year. All assignments and resources will be posted by the teachers in students’ schoology courses. �

To log in click on this logo

To log in click on this logo

District Code: K G L F

Stay Connected

Please visit our Rogers Park Middle School website for more information about our school, clubs, and programs. To visit the website click on this logo.

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Subscribe to Dr. Zaleta’s YouTube Channel to keep up to date with current events and information. Please click on the logo to visit!

Follow us on X:@RPMS_School

Teachers are always posting new projects for crowd-sourced funding that supports students’ learning and experiences on Donors Choose. Please click on the logo to view the current projects and make a donation!

Check out the DPS FACE Center (Family and Community Engagement)! They offer free parent leadership workshops, topic-specific webinars, along with family events throughout the year.

To log in click on this logo

Extracurricular Activities

Behavior Expectations

Vision & Mission

Portrait of a Graduate

Contact Information

Schedules & Calendars

General Information

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GENERAL INFORMATION

SEVEN

• As a new course this year, we will be developing it as we go through reflection and feedback from all stakeholders. The SEVEN website is where we will house all relevant information, resources, and event calendars.
• Seven is an opportunity for students and teachers to collaborate on meaningful, community-based projects that challenge students to solve problems while enhancing a variety of skills.
• All students in a SEVEN will be graded on a standards-based learning rubric. Students will be graded in the following categories:
• Quality of Research
• Community Building
• Collaboration (Teamwork)
• Individual Contribution to the Project
• Outcome (Event)
• Project length will vary based on the project depth and/or the ideas of the SEVEN.

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School Closing, Delayed Opening, Early Dismissal

When there is inclement weather, Danbury Public Schools may decide to close or delay schools. You can stay informed about school closings, delays or early dismissals through Parent Square or these radio or television stations:

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Radio:

WLAD (Danbury 800 AM/98FM) WELI 960 AM

KC101/WXCI 101.3 FM WTIC 1080 WRCH 100.5 WTIC FM 96.5 WZMX 93.7

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Television:

WVIT Channel 30/NBC 30 WTNH Channel 8

WFSB Channel 3 CW Channel 11 WABC Channel 7

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Vision & Mission

Portrait of a Graduate

Contact Information

Schedules & Calendars

General Information

Extracurricular Activities

Behavior Expectations

SLIDESMANIA.COM

GENERAL INFORMATION

PRIDE Award Criteria

Staff members hand out PRIDE awards to any student who displays one/some/all of the following:

Productive

Responsible

Inclusive

Dynamic

Empathetic

Students place their award into the grade specific container and a winner from each grade level is randomly selected at regular intervals throughout the year to win gift cards! The more PRIDE awards you earn the better chance you have at winning!

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Honor Roll Criteria

• High Honors: All Subjects = 96.0-100
• Honors: All Subjects = 90.0-95.9

Student of the Month (SOM) Criteria

• Academic Performance - NOT limited to high grades. Includes class participation, completion of assignments, improvement in or good grades that are not necessarily “A’s”.
• Behavior - Consistently displays characteristics outlined in the RPMS expectation matrix and has an overall positive attitude toward others and learning.
• Effort - works hard, is persistent, and shows resilience.
• Attendance -- attends school regularly and arrives to class on time or displays a positive improvement in attendance.

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Vision & Mission

Portrait of a Graduate

Contact Information

Schedules & Calendars

General Information

Extracurricular Activities

Behavior Expectations

SLIDESMANIA.COM

GENERAL INFORMATION

Arrival and Dismissal

• Students who are transported by bus are dropped off and picked up in the front or back of the building.
• No cars are permitted in either driveway during drop off and pick up times.
• Students who live less than 1.5 miles from the school must walk to and from school. Students who walk may enter the building in the front of the school.

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• Students who are being dropped off by parents/guardians will use the entrance road near the turf field on Memorial Drive and enter the building by the music wing. See photo below.

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Bus Number information can be found when you log into PowerSchool (on a computer) under “School Information”.�Please click on this link for the transportation website.

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Memorial Drive (Front)

Mountainville Ave. (Back)

Memorial Drive (Front)

Turf Field

Please click on this logo for the VersaTrans link.

Please call Student Transportation of America directly, if your child loses an item on their school bus at (203) 778-0782 ext. 1

Vision & Mission

Portrait of a Graduate

Contact Information

Schedules & Calendars

General Information

Extracurricular Activities

Behavior Expectations

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GENERAL INFORMATION

School Nurses

• The office is located on the first floor on the auditorium side of the building.
• Students must have a pass from their teacher to visit the nurse.
• In the event that a child must be transported to the ER via ambulance and a parent cannot be contacted, a certified staff member will accompany the student.

School Based Health Center (SBHC)

• A Nurse Practitioner/Therapist team is available during the school day to provide physical, dental, and mental health services to students who have completed and filed a permission form.
• Services to be provided will include: treatment and follow-up of minor illnesses and injuries; routine checkups; oral care; immunizations; weight control; sports, school, and job physicals; treatment of skin conditions; health education; and referrals to health and social services.
• All services are available to ALL students, with or without insurance on a sliding scale.

Medication and Physical Examinations

• To receive any medication, including Tylenol, during the school day, there must be a medication form on file signed by a doctor and a parent/guardian.
• All medication must be brought to the school nurse by a parent/guardian or other designated adult, in the original pharmacy labeled container.
• Please contact the school nurse for necessary forms and information if medication needs to be administered in school.
• Students may not transport or carry ANY medication with the exception of an Epi-Pen or inhaler that has been ordered by a qualified medical professional and with signed authorization by the parent/guardian.
• Physical examinations are required by Connecticut state law for all students entering grade 7 and all students new to the Danbury Public School system.
• School Based Health Center (SBHC) can conduct routine physical and immunizations, if needed.

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Vision & Mission

Portrait of a Graduate

Contact Information

Schedules & Calendars

General Information

Extracurricular Activities

Behavior Expectations

SLIDESMANIA.COM

GENERAL INFORMATION

FREE Breakfast & Lunch

• All RPMS students are eligible for free breakfast and lunch.
• Breakfast is served in the cafeteria from 7:25-7:40 am each morning.

Early Dismissal

• It is highly recommended that all appointments be made for after school hours.
• A parent/guardian or emergency contact MUST present a photo ID to the main office for verification.
• A student will NOT be dismissed to someone who is NOT in PowerSchool as the parent/guardian or emergency contact.
• Please be sure all contact information is updated and correct in PowerSchool

Visitor Policy

• ALL non-DPS visitors to the building MUST present a photo ID which will be run through our Raptor background check system prior to being allowed past the main office.
• NO EXCEPTIONS!

Physical Education

• PE will be outside unless there is inclement weather. Students should dress appropriately for the weather.
• All students are required to wear shoes and clothes that allow them to easily and safely run and fully participate in PE class.
• We will not be using locker rooms to change.

Lockers & Backpacks

• Lockers will NOT be used by students.
• Students may bring a backpack or string bag to school to carry their water bottle, pencils/pens, binders, folders, notebooks, etc.

Lost and Found

• RPMS is NOT responsible for lost property.
• There is a lost and found bin located in the kitchen hallway.
• All items that are not claimed by the end of the school year are donated or thrown away.

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Vision & Mission

Portrait of a Graduate

Contact Information

Schedules & Calendars

General Information

Extracurricular Activities

Behavior Expectations

SLIDESMANIA.COM

BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

Our goal is to...

• Provide ALL students with a safe school climate by building relationships and community.
• Learn skills to develop positive and productive relationships.
• Ensure students focus on nurturing appropriate behaviors and learn from their mistakes.

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Dress Code

• No bare stomach/belly/chest.
• Pants must be worn at the waist.
• No images/words depicting or advocating violence, criminal activity, use of alcohol or drugs, pornography, or hate speech.
• No slides/flip flops/slippers/or other open-toed shoe.
• No hoods may be worn.

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Tardy Policy

• Students are expected to be in their 1st period class before 7:40 am.
• After 3 AM tardies, parents will be contacted by the school.
• If pattern continues the following week:
• 1st day: Lunch Detention/Parent Contact
• 2nd day: Lunch Detention/Parent Contact
• 3rd day: After School Detention/Parent Contact
• Students are expected to arrive to every class on time.

Students with 1 or more tardy in a day:

• 1st day: Warning
• 2nd day: Parent Contact
• 3rd day: Lunch Detention/Parent Contact
• 4th day: Lunch Detention/Parent Contact
• 5th day: After School Detention/Parent Contact

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RPMS BEHAVIOR EXPECTATION MATRIX LINK

RPMS Students are caring, responsible, and safe in all areas inside and out of the school building, when using technology, and on the bus.

MIDDLE SCHOOL CODE OF CONDUCT

Electronic Devices

• ONLY DPS devices may be used in school.
• All students will have access to a DPS Chromebook for educational purposes in all classrooms.
• Using a cell phone will NOT be allowed in the classroom.
• Students who refuse when instructed to place their phone in the phone free zone will be asked to turn it into the Principal or Assistant Principal for the day.

Extracurricular Activities

Behavior Expectations

Vision & Mission

Portrait of a Graduate

Contact Information

Schedules & Calendars

General Information

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CLUBS & ELP

• Be an active member of our school community by participating in our many activities and after school clubs.
• Clubs are open to all students and there is something for everyone!
• Listen to morning announcements for details on how to sign up to join!

Extended Learning Program (ELP)

2:30-5:00 pm Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday with transportation home.

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For more information: elp@danbury.k12.ct.us

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Concert Choir

Math Club

Musical Theater (MT@RP)

Newspaper

Social Justice Club

Student Council

Tabletop Games

DIY Club

Garden Club

Jazz Band

Mural Club

Park21

Girls in Science

Yearbook

Intramural Sports

Robotics Club

Extracurricular Activities

Vision & Mission

Portrait of a Graduate

Contact Information

Schedules & Calendars

General Information

Behavior Expectations

Behavior Expectations

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Consider this...

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Nelson Mandela

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Vision & Mission

Portrait of a Graduate

Contact Information

Schedules & Calendars

General Information

Behavior Expectations

Extracurricular Activities

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