MiddletownPublic Schools

Attendance fine - Annual Notification of Obligations Under C.G.S. 10-184

Connecticut General Statute 10-184 provides:  All parents and those who have the care of children shall bring them up in some lawful and honest employment and instruct them or cause them to be instructed in reading, writing, spelling, English grammar, geography, arithmetic and United States history and in citizenship, including a study of the town, state and federal governments. Subject to the provisions of this section and section 10-15c, each parent or other person having control of a child five 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 in which 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. For the school year commencing July 1, 2011, and each school year thereafter, the parent or person having control of a child seventeen years of age may consent, as provided in this section, 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 in the 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.

Connecticut General Statute 10-185 provides that each day's failure to comply with these requirements is a separate offense, punishable by a $25.00 fine.

See also, Policy #5113 Attendance

So that we may seek to inform you if your child is absent without explanation, the law also requires that we obtain from you a telephone number or other means of contacting you during the school day. Please complete the online registration information. Also for more information, please reference the online Student Handbook.

Annual Bullying Notice

• Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policy 5131.911
• Safe School Climate Plan 5131.911
• Annual Bullying Notice - Appendix A 5131.911
• Current Annual Bullying Notice Letter from Superintendent
• Forms to Report Bullying or Teen Dating Violence Incidents - Forms A through G
• Bullying Letter to Parents - Forms H through K
• Guide for Investigating Bullying Behavior

Transportation Handbook - Middletown Public Schools

Click here to be directed to the Bus Routes & Transportation website for more information.

Reporting of Abuse, Neglect and Sexual Abuse:

#5141.4 - Policy

#5141.4 - Regulation

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

Annual Notification of Rights Under FERPA

Policy #5125 Student Records; Confidentiality- Directory Information

Policy 5125 - Form 1 - Release of Confidential HIV-Related Information

Policy 5125 - Form 2 - Transfer of Confidential Student Information

Policy #5145.14 On-Campus Recruitment - Release of Information to Military Recruiters or Institutions of Higher Education

Further, and in accordance with state and federal law and guidance, the District may disclose education records to another school for enrollment purposes, which may include exploration of educational placement options by the District or educational placement decisions made by a planning and placement or Section 504 team, or in order to explore placement options for the provision of alternative educational opportunities.

Click here to be directed to the Food Services Website containing more details concerning our programs, including free or reduced meals, HUSKY Plan, etc.

View #6142.101 Wellness Policy

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.

View Middletown School Districts' Green Cleaning Statement and Product Chart

#3524.2 - Policy Hazardous Material in Schools - Green Cleaning

Other resources:

• a list of questions and answers about green cleaning and the law:
  Wastebusters Green Cleaning Video Discussion Points
  
  
• curriculum resources for teachers to utilize the video in classes: 
   Green Cleaning Educational Resource

Click here to be directed to the Facilities Department website.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) allows certain services provided under an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to be covered by Medicaid. Medicaid funds help pay for the costs of providing these services. 

Medicaid Letter to Families 2018

Billing Medicaid for Health Related Services in an IEP, Information for Families

Medicaid Parental Consent Form 2019

Billing Medicaid for Health Related Services in an IEP, Information for Families Spanish

Medicaid Consent Form Spanish

Click here to be directed to the Middletown Public Schools Pupil Services and Special Education website.

All parents are entitled to:

• Inspect and review their child’s educational records during regular business hours.
• Consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s educational record.
• Request the amendment of the student’s educational records to ensure that the records are not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights or other rights.

See Policy #6172.4 Parent Involvement.

The Middletown Public School District has implemented an integrated pest management program that involves reducing the number of food storage sites within district buildings and carefully controlling the use of herbicides and pesticides on district property.

In compliance with recently passed state legislation, principals at all Middletown public schools will notify parents/guardians and staff of their building's IPM program and herbicide/pesticide application program. Any parent/guardian or staff member wishing to receive advanced notification of the pesticide and herbicide applications may submit a written request, preferably at the beginning of the school year, to the appropriate school principal.

Pesticide/Herbicide Notification letter to Parents, Guardians and Staff from Peter Staye, Director of Facilities Operations, dated October 28, 2020.
IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Program Summary 2020 -- Pesticide/Herbicide Listing dated October 27, 2020.

Integrated Pest Management Plan

Information concerning the Middletown Public Schools Integrated Pest Management Plan can be found in the following pdf files:

View our Policies & Bylaws for the latest policies:

#3524.1 Policy - Pest Management/Pesticide Application

#3524.1 Regulation - Pest Management/Pesticide Application

Asbestos Management Plan

Asbestos Management Plan Notification Letter to Parents, Guardians and Staff from Peter Staye, Director of Facilities, dated September 10, 2020. 

Click here to be directed to the Facilities Department website.

Asbestos Management Plan

Click here to be directed to the Facilities Department website.

The following listed policies, regulations and/or formspertain to students and may be accessed by clicking on the underlined policy number.

Access the entire Policy, Bylaws & Regulations Manual which site contains all policies & bylaws adopted by the Middletown Board of Education.

NOTE: Policies may be updated and changed throughout the year. Always check our website for the most current document.

Notification of Rights Under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (“PPRA”)

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. the 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 school district 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

504 - Annual Notification:

• Notice of Parent/Student Rights under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Policy #5145)

Resource Guide to Section 504

Notice of Rights Under Section 504

Section 504 Referral

Click here to be directed to the Special Education and Pupil Personnel Services website.

Annual Notifications:

• Procedural Safeguards in Special Education
• Notice of Parent Rights for PPTs
• Parental Notification of the Laws Relating to Restraint and Seclusion July 2018
• Annual Report on Use of Restraint and Seclusion July 2017-2018 School Year
• Middletown Special Education Policy and Procedures Manual Revised 2020-07

Special Education Evaluations:

If you suspect that your child may have a disability, you may request a PPT (Planning and Placement Team) meeting through your building principal. Parents or guardians are notified five (5) days in advance by mail of the PPT meeting to discuss the referral. You may request a meeting in advance of the PPT to discuss the process and ask any questions you may have. There are also many resources on this site that you may find helpful.  At the referral PPT, you will have an opportunity to share your concerns and the school staff will review your child's performance. If the PPT determines that your child needs to be evaluated, school staff will conduct the evaluations with parental consent.

A multidisciplinary evaluation must be conducted to determine eligibility.  Within forty (40) school days from the date of the referral, the completed evaluations are reviewed at the PPT meeting to determine eligibility. You will be offered a meeting in advance of the PPT to review the evaluations and ask questions regarding the results.   If the student is eligible, an IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) is developed and implemented with your consent. The team including school staff, parents and administration will develop the specialized instruction and support services related to the areas of disability identified through the evaluation and identification process.

504 - Annual Notification:

• Notice of Parent/Student Rights under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973           (Policy #5145)

State Department of Education Complaint Resolution Procedure

Under federal law, school districts must inform “teachers, staff, parents and appropriate private school officials or representatives” of the procedures developed by the Connecticut State Department of Education for resolving complaints alleging a violation of one of the ten enumerated federal statutes and regulations pertaining to certain federally funded educational initiatives (i.e. Reading First; Even Start Family Literacy Programs; Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities etc.).  34 C.F.R. § 299.10.   The specific ten federal statutes and regulations are listed in the state’s complaint resolution procedures. 

YOUR RIGHT TO REQUEST INFORMATION CONCERNING TEACHER AND PARAPROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

            As a parent of a student enrolled in Middletown Public Schools, under the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, you have a right to request the following information concerning the qualifications of teachers and paraprofessionals who work with your child:

1. Whether your child’s teacher has met State qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction;
2. Whether your child’s teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which State qualification or licensing criteria have been waived;
3. Whether your child’s teacher is teaching in the field of discipline of his or her certification; and
4. Whether your child is provided services by paraprofessionals, and, if so, the paraprofessionals’ qualifications.

If you wish to obtain this information, please contact Geen Thazhampallath, Chief of Talent & Performance Management, 311 Hunting Hill Avenue, Middletown, CT 06457 at 860-638-1446.

Click here to be directed to the Office of Talent & Benefits.

Statement of Non-Discrimination

The Middletown Board of Education is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, and it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry, alienage, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability or pregnancy in any of its education programs, activities, or employment policies.  All educational programs and offerings, including vocational education and extracurricular activities, subscribe to this policy. Marco Gaylord, Chief of School Operations and Communications, has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the district non-discrimination policies and may be reached at 311 Hunting Hill Avenue, Middletown, CT  06457; phone (860) 638-1485; email gaylordm@mpsct.org

Title VI, VII and Title IX Statement

In compliance with regulations implementing Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1973, and applicable state laws, the Board of Education prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, military or veteran status, national origin, sex, ancestry, sexual orientation, or past or present physical or mental disability. Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, unwelcome sexual advances, direct or indirect demands or requests for sexual favors, sexual comments, gestures or other physical actions of a sexual nature when:

• submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's educational success;
• submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for educational decisions affecting such individual; or such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational environment.

The District Titles VI and VII and IX Coordinator is:

Marco Gaylord, Director of Operations 
311 Hunting Hill Avenue
Middletown, CT 06457
Phone: (860) 638-1485 or (860) 638-1465
Fax: (860) 638-1425

Email: gaylordm@mpsct.org

Inquiries may be directed to the coordinator or to the Boston Office:

Region I - Boston (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont)

Regional Office for Civil Rights
US Department of Education
8^th Floor, 5 Post Office Square
Boston, MA 0109-3921
Voice phone (617) 289-0111
FAX (617) 289-0150
TDD (877) 521-2172

Email: OCR.Boston@ed.gov

Grievance procedures are available which provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging violations of Titles VI and VII and Title IX. These procedures are available to all participants, students and employees in the Middletown School System and are contained in this handbook.

Notification of Grievance Procedures

The Middletown Board of Education is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, military or Veteran status, national origin, sex, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or past or present physical or mental disability in any of its education programs, activities or employment policies. In compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972, the following grievance procedure is presented:

The purpose of this procedure shall be to settle equitably, at the lowest possible administrative level, issues which may arrive with respect to possible discrimination within the Middletown School System. The grievance proceedings will be kept as informal and confidential as may be appropriate at any level of the procedure.

1. Level One - School Principal/Building-Level Title IX Coordinator

If a complainant is not satisfied with the disposition of the problem through informal procedures, he/she may submit his/her claim as a formal grievance in writing to the Principal.

The Principal shall within fifteen (15) days render a decision and the reasons therefore in writing to the complainant, with a copy to the Superintendent of Schools.

2. Level Two - District Coordinator for Title IX Activities

In the event that such aggrieved participant in the school system is not satisfied with the disposition of his/her grievance at Level One, or in the event that no decision has been rendered within fifteen (15) days after presentation of the grievance, he/she may file a written grievance directly to the District Title IX Coordinator.

This use of the Level Two process may be initiated at any time during the school fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) in which a Level One decision is unacceptable to the aggrieved party.

3. Level Three - Superintendent of Schools

In the event that the aggrieved participant in the school system is not satisfied with the disposition of his/her grievance at Level Two, or in the event no decision has been rendered within fifteen (15) days after the meeting with the Coordinator, he/she may file a written grievance indicating such dissatisfaction, with the Superintendent of Schools.

The use of the Level Three process may be effected at any time during the school year (July 1 - June 30) in which a Level Two decision is unacceptable to the aggrieved party. Within twenty (20) school days after receiving the written grievance, the Board of Education shall meet with the aggrieved party and the Coordinator for the purpose of resolving the grievance. The Board of Education must render a decision in writing regarding the grievance within fifteen (15) school days of the Level Three meeting.

Click here to be directed to the Title IX website.

• 5145.6 - Policy Grievance Procedure for Title IX
• 5145.6 - Regulation Grievance Procedure for Title IX
• 5145.6 - Form Report Form for Complaints of Discrimination or Harassment

PROHIBITION OF SEX DISCRIMINATION AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT 

It is the policy of the Middletown Board of Education (the “Board”) for the ­Middletown Public Schools that any form of sex discrimination or sexual harassment is prohibited in the Board’s education programs and activities, whether by students, Board 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. It is the policy of the Board to maintain a working environment free from harassment, insults or intimidation on the basis of an employee's sex and free from discrimination based on sex.  Verbal or physical conduct by a supervisor or co-worker relating to an employee's sex that has the effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, unreasonably interfering with the employee's work performance, or adversely affecting the employee's employment opportunities is prohibited.

Any employee or student who engages in conduct prohibited by the Board’s Policy regarding the Prohibition of Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment (Personnel) shall be subject to disciplinary action.  Any third party who engages in conduct prohibited by the Board’s Policy regarding the Prohibition of Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment (Personnel) shall be subject to remedial measures, which may include exclusion from school property.

Sex discrimination occurs when a person, because of the person’s sex, is denied participation in or the benefits of any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

Sexual harassment under Title IX means conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:

(1) An employee of the Board conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the Board on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct (i.e., quid pro quo);

(2) Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the District’s education programs or activities; or

NOTICE OF THE TITLE IX COORDINATOR

The District’s Title IX Coordinator is Marco Gaylord, Chief of School Operations and Communications. 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 :

Marco Gaylord, Director of Operations 
311 Hunting Hill Avenue
Middletown, CT 06457
Phone: (860) 638-1485 or (860) 638-1465
Fax: (860) 638-1425

Email: gaylordm@mpsct.org

The Title IX Coordinator manages the District’s compliance with Title IX, Title VII and Connecticut law with respect to sexual harassment and/or sex discrimination and is an available resource to anyone seeking information or wishing to file a formal complaint of same. When a student, District employee, or other participant in the District’s programs and activities feels that such person has been subjected to discrimination on the basis of sex in any District program or activity, including without limitation being subjected to sexual harassment, such person may contact the Title IX Coordinator or utilize the Title IX, Title VII and Connecticut law grievance systems set forth herein to bring concerns forward for the purpose of obtaining a prompt and equitable resolution.

Report Form for Complaints of Discrimination or Harassment

NOTICE 5131.111

MIDDLETOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Middletown, Connecticut

NOTICE TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS REGARDING THE USE OF

VIDEO RECORDERS ON SCHOOL BUSES

Video cameras will be in use on school buses to monitor school transportation and will be video recording bus routes at random during the upcoming school year. Students will not be notified when a recording device has been installed on their bus.

Recordings shall be reviewed on a routine basis by the principal and evidence of student misconduct will be documented. Students found to be in violation of the district's bus conduct rules, as contained in the student handbook, shall be notified and disciplinary action will be initiated under the guidelines contained in the district's discipline procedures for district-approved student transportation.

Video recordings shall be treated as protected student records under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. The following guidelines shall apply:

1. Recordings shall remain in the custody of the school district; 

2. Parents or students over the age of 18, who wish to view a video recording in response to disciplinary action taken against a student may request such access under the procedures set out in the Student Records Management policy of the district;

3. Persons unrelated to a disciplinary incident shall not be permitted to view bus videotapes.