BENNIE DOVER JACKSON MIDDLE SCHOOL
2015-2016
STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK
Doing Our Best Leads to Success!
This planner belongs to:
NAME: ______
GRADE: ______Period 1 Teacher: ______
New London Public Schools
Philosophy – Mission – Goals
- Outstanding student achievement
- Preparing students for successful lives as adults
- Delivering the best possible customer service
BENNIE DOVER JACKSON MIDDLE SCHOOL
BDJMS Mission Statement
Each student demonstrates strength of character and is college ready.
BDJMS Vision Statement
BDJMS is where your best leads to success!
A highly trained staff and engaged community.
Dedicated to assisting each student to be focused, prepared, and the best they can be.
Table of ContentsHistory of Bennie Dover Jackson / 3
School Calendar / 4
BDJMS Staff / 5
BDJMS Period Schedule / 5
BDJMS Honor Code of Conduct / 6
Instruction / 6
Grades / 7
Fees, Fines, and Charges / 8
Homework / 8
Attendance / 9
Student Transportation / 10
Dress Code and Middle School Uniform / 11
Field Trips / 12
Expectations for Appropriate Behavior / 12
BEST Behaviors and Expectations / 13
Appropriate Language / 13
Electronic Devices / 13
Student Lockers / 14
Student Discipline / 14
Courses of Disciplinary Action / 15
BDJMS Discipline Matrix / 16
Student Support Services / 17
School Based Health Center / 18
Non- Discrimination Policy / 18
Harrassment / 18
Student Use of Technology / 19
Acknowledgement Signature & Media Permission Form / 20
HISTORY OF BENNIE DOVER JACKSON
& BENNIE DOVER JACKSON MIDDLE SCHOOL (BDJMS)
The name Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School was selected in honor of the first African American teacher in New London, Bennie McKissick Dover Jackson. Bennie was born on December 23, 1921 and was the youngest of three brothers and three sisters. She began her career in New London at Jennings School where she taught from 1951 until 1972. She was head teacher at Waller School and then at Winthrop School from 1973 until her retirement in 1982. In 1987, she became a member of the New London Board of Education.
Among the numerous recognitions Mrs. Jackson received was the Outstanding Teacher of the Year award in 1971. She died on October 30, 1988. On April 9, 1992, a groundbreaking ceremony was held on Waller St. to begin the reconstruction of New London Junior High School. In 1993 the building was remodeled and the school was renamed Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School.
Before Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School and New London Junior High School, Waller St. has had a long history of educational excellence. In 1952 Chapman Technical High School, Williams Memorial Institute and Bulkeley High School combined to create New London High School on this site. From 1952 – 1969 New London High School served as a regional high school, serving as many as 2200 students from Waterford, East Lyme, Salem, and Montville. In 1970, a new high school was constructed and the old high school became New London Junior High School and ultimately Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School.
Students at BDJMS maintain a strong pride and history in achieving high levels of academic excellence. We are proud of our past, work hard in the present, and are continually planning for the future! At BDJMS, doing our best leads to success!
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School Calendar 2015 - 2016
School closes for the year upon the completion of 180 days, Snow days will be added to the end of the year.
New London PublicSchools
/ AUGUST / SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER
M / T / W / T / F / M / T / W / T / F / M / T / W / T / F
3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 1 / 2
10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / LD / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9
17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / CD / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16
TM / TM / TM / 27 / 28 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 24 / 25 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22 / 23
3131 / 28 / 29 / 30 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 29 / 30
1st day of School: August 27, 2015
3 DAYS / 21 DAYS / 21 DAYS
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER / JANUARY / FEBRUARY
M / T / W / T / F / M / T / W / T / F / M / T / W / T / F / M / T / W / T / F
2 / TM / 4 / 5 / 6 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / HB / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
9 / 10 / VD / 12 / 13 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12
16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / WB / WB / 17 / 18 / 19
23 / 24 / THANKSGIVING
BREAK / 21 / 22 / 23 / HB / HB / MLK / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22 / 22 / 23 / 24 / 25 / 26
30 / HOLIDAY BREAK / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 29 / 29
16 DAYS / 17 DAYS / 19 DAYS / 19 DAYS
MARCH / APRIL / MAY / JUNE
M / T / W / T / F / M / T / W / T / F / M / T / W / T / F / M / T / W / T / F
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 1 / 2 / 3
7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / TM / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10
14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17
21 / 22 / 23 / 24 / GF / Spring Break / 23 / 24 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 20 / 21 / 22 / 23 / 24
28 / 29 / 30 / 31 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28 / 29 / MD / 31 / 27 / 28 / 29 / 30
21 DAYS / 16 DAYS / 21 DAYS / June 8th last day of school.
6 DAYS (180)
GENERAL INFORMATION
BDJMS Administration
Principal: Dr. Alison Burdick,
Asst. Principal: Mr. Roland Dunham,
Asst. Principal: Mr. Lawrence Washington,
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BDJMS Staff
Administration
Principal: Dr. Alison Burdick,
Asst. Principal: Mr. Roland Dunham,
Asst. Principal: Mr. Lawrence Washington,
Main Office(860) 437-6480
Secretary,
Priscilla Nieves / School Nurse
(860) 437-6489
Registered Nurse,
Jan Binkowski
Attendance & Office of the Assistant Principal’s
(860) 437-6495
Secretary,
Dominique Rosa / Student Services (Guidance)
(860) 437-6483
Secretary
Amanda Dodd
Student Services (Guidance)
(860) 437-6483
Counselors,
Tedman Martinez
Brooke Melian / School Safety Officers
(860) 437-6480
Steve Bakoulis
Al Costa
BDJMS PERIOD SCHEDULE
Lockers & Breakfast / 7:15 - 7:30Period 1 / 7:30 - 8:20
Period 2 / 8:23 - 9:13
Period 3 / 9:16 - 10:09
Period 4 / 10:12 - 11:02
6th Grade
LUNCH / 11:05 - 11:26Period 5 / 11:31 - 12:21
Period 6 / 12:23 - 1:13
Period 7 / 1:16 - 2:05
7th Grade
Period 5 / 11:05 - 11:55LUNCH / 11:58 - 12:19
Period 6 / 12:23 - 1:13
Period 7 / 1:16 - 2:05
8th Grade
Period 5 / 11:05 - 11:55Period 6 / 11:58 - 12:48
LUNCH / 12:49 - 1:10
Period 7 / 1:16 - 2:05
HALF DAYS: 7:30-11:45
All students should go directly home when dismissed from school and/or clubs. Students will not be permitted to loiter in the building.
BDJMS HONOR CODE OF CONDUCT
RESPECT TO OTHERS:
BDJMS students who respect other students, teachers, administrators and staff will:
· Behave in a manner, which is supportive of others.
· Use appropriate language in school at all times.
· Use appropriate tone of voice when speaking.
· Demonstrate courtesy toward one another.
· Be considerate of the comfort and safety of others.
RESPECT TO PROPERTY:
BDJMS students who respect property will:
· Use school facilities, furniture, and/or equipment with care.
· Use property belonging to others only with their permission.
· Return, in a timely manner, any borrowed items to his/her owner.
· Not chew gum, eat candy, or other food items outside of the designated times and designated locations throughout the school day.
ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITY:
The BDJMS student who is academically responsible will:
· Be prepared for class with required materials.
· Honor assignment deadlines.
· Complete his/her assignments to the best of his/her ability.
· Complete assignments neatly.
· Be responsible for missed work.
· Participate in all classroom activities.
· Seek help when needed.
· Use hallways, bathrooms, nurses office, and water fountain responsibly so that they can maximize their time in class and learning.
Students are given this planner to assist them in managing their time to ensure that homework is recorded and completed with additional space for noting important tests, projects, or assignments that may be due.
INSTRUCTION
At BDJMS, all classrooms have adopted a workshop model for instruction. Workshop Model is a systematic approach to classroom instruction where students are engaged in student centered student focused, and student driven learning. The teacher plans time for students to read, write, and think during each lesson. Workshop Model includes a Do Now, Mini Lesson, Work Period, and a Debrief.
With the idea being that students should be leading learning, a Do Now and Mini Lesson do not last more than 15-20 minutes so that an ample Work Period can be experienced. During the Work Period, students are to work collaboratively in practicing skills that are being assessed and all teachers confer with individual students to offer valuable feedback. During the Debrief, students verbalize what learning has occurred.
Do Now:
- Done at the beginning of the class
- Includes “writing your thinking”
- Beginning to think as a learner
Mini Lesson:
- Focused on the teacher
- Thinking about learning
- Mental planning begins for learning
Work Time:
- Focused on the student
- Students and teachers are asking questions
- Opportunities for collaboration
Debrief:
- Sharing out learning
- Asking questions that still remain
- Sharing final thoughts and observations
In class, during work time, students will have opportunities to collaborate. As we work to achieve group goals, learn to show responsibility, accept responsibility, and actively listen and respond, work time may include one or more of the following types of work experiences for students:
Independent Work / Partner Work / Group Work / Whole Class Work- On own (no partner)
- Quiet
- focused on task (thinking)
- completing task (working)
- Asking for help from adults in the classroom
- Following the 5 P’s / - One or two partners
- 6” voices
- Taking turns
- Focused on task
- Interactions with partner(s) only
- Asking for help from adults in the classroom
- Following the 5 P’s / - two to four partners
- 12” voices
- Taking Turns
- Focused on task
- Interactions with group only
- Asking for help from adults in the classroom
- Following the 5 P’s / - One Voice (teacher or speaker)
- Speak clearly
- Be a respectful participant
- Listen to and respond to each other’s ideas
- Follow the speaker
- Focus on the task
- Ask for help
- Following the 5 P’s
5 P’s
Positive Polite Productive Punctual Prepared
GRADES
Students are rated on their ability to demonstrate a variety of essential skills and concepts. These skills and concepts are defined as standards. All standards assessed at BDJMS are derived from the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Students are rated on a four point scale receiving a score of 4,3,2,1 depending upon their mastery level. Additionally, students are assessed in all areas in four Learner Qualities (actively listening and responding, showing responsibility, accepting responsibility, and working to achieve group goals).
Students and parents can access grades, assignments, attendance and school bulletins through PowerSchool. Please see your child’s School Counselor for log-in information. When using your internet web browser, type in this web site: https://powerschool.newlondon.org/public/. Using PowerSchool, students and parents will be up to date with assignments that have or have not been completed, grades, and attendance. This information will keep you informed of the progress being made in all classes. You and your parents can also contact individual teachers via email, by clicking on the teacher’s name below the class. All scores are updated by 7:30am Monday morning by the teachers.