Glen Ridge Middle School Program

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

1. What is the arrival time for students?

 

Period one class begins at 8:00 a.m.  The school building opens at 7:15 a.m. for students.  The cafeteria does have breakfast items available for purchase.  If students are late, they should report to the attendance desk and sign in.  A pass will then be given to the students to admit them to class.  When a student receives his/her report card, tardies and absences will be recorded.

 

2. What does my child have to do to leave school early?

 

If your child needs to leave school early, please send in a note with your child, stating the time for dismissal and the reason.  Students should bring the note to the attendance desk before block one.  They will be given a pass to get out of class at that time.  The pass should be shown to the teacher, and then brought to the attendance desk when the student is leaving school.  Parents are to come into the school to sign out their child at the attendance desk.  Parents are to come into the school to sign out their child at the attendance desk. 

 

If your child will be coming back to school after an appointment, they should come to the attendance desk and they will be issued a pass to their next class.

 

3. What do you do when your child is absent?

 

If your child is going to be absent from school, please call the attendance desk number at 973-429-4872 which is available 24 hours a day.   If your child will be absent for three days or more, homework may be requested by calling Ms. Petrosino in the guidance office at 973-429-8309.

 

4. When does the Middle School Band Meet?

 

Band is part of the regular schedule and meets everyday, all year, period one for seventh grade band and period 4 for eighth grade band.

 

5. What happens if my child forgets his/her lunch?

 

Lunch may be brought to the attendance desk and left for your child.

 

6. Can the children use the telephones at G.R.H.S.?

 

Pay phones are located outside the gym, main office and parking lot.  Students may use the phone in the main office for emergencies. Students may carry cell phones but they must be “off and away” and can be used only after school hours.

 

7. How does our honor roll work?

 

In 7th & 8th Grade a student achieves honor roll status with A’s & B’s in all subjects and High Honor Roll Status by achieving A’s in all subject areas.

 

8. What are the library hours at G.R.H.S.?

 

The Glen Ridge High School library opens at 7:45 a.m. and closes at 4:00 p.m. every day except Friday when it closes at 3:15 pm. 

 

9. How much does lunch cost and what is available?

 

There is a regular hot lunch that is available everyday and costs $3.50; this includes a 16 ounce fountain drink.  A cold lunch, a deli-style sandwich and chips is available from $2.50to $4.50 approximately.  Students may also buy other items ala carte. Many students bring their lunch and supplement it with items from the cafeteria.  Our cafeteria is open for breakfast from 7:30 to 8:00 a.m. and serves a variety of breakfast foods. Our lunches are 30 minutes long.  All students in the 7th and 8th grade eat at the same time and are supervised by an administrator and teachers.

 

10.             Are students assigned lockers and do they need their own lock?

 

All students are assigned a locker. Their hallway locker number is assigned and listed on their schedule.  Students are given a combination lock for that locker.  Students are not allowed to use their own lock unless an administrator has given special permission.  Students are also assigned a physical education lock and locker. Locker must be locked at all times. A lost lock cost $5.00 to replace.

 

11.             What co-curricular opportunities are available at G.R.H.S.?

 

The middle school co-curricular program includes clubs and special events that vary from year to year.   A monthly newsletter with upcoming activities and events will be posted on www.glenridge.org

 

12.             How does Glen Ridge Middle School Program notify parents about the progress of their students?

 

All teachers are expected to keep in close communication with the parents.  Our teachers may e-mail, phone or write to parents about their child’s progress. Our teachers also use a program called Family Access which enables parents to view their child’s progress.  Parents are encouraged to arrange conferences with their child’s teacher.  The Middle School Guidance Counselor, Ms. Petrosino, will be able to assist in arranging those meetings.  Progress reports are mailed home at the midpoint of each marking period.  The dates of these mailings are listed in the district calendar.  Three evenings are scheduled for parent-teacher conferences.  You can find these dates in the district calendar also.

 

13.             What is included on the Middle School report card?

 

The Middle School Program uses a very traditional report card which includes a grade in every subject and teacher comments.  The grades that are used are A, B, C, D, and E.  Teachers can use pluses and minuses.  A numerical base is explained on the report card.  For example, an A- indicates a grade between 90-92, a B indicates a grade range of 83-86, and a C+ indicates a grade range of 77-79.

 

14.             What happens at Dances?

 

The Glen Ridge Middle School Program and the Glen Ridge Recreation Department sponsor grade level dances for middle school students. Attendance at dances is a student privilege.  Students are expected to follow the rules set up for dances or risk losing their privilege.   Dances are typically on Friday nights from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. 

 

·       Students must be in school the day of the dance in order to attend the dance.

·       Students are expected to arrive on time to the dance.  Any student who will be late by more than a half-hour must notify the administration during the school day and have a parent drop them off in the lobby.  Otherwise, the student will not be allowed to attend the dance. 

·       Students must dress appropriately.  This means no halter, tube, thin strap, backless, bare midriffs or low revealing neckline shirts.

·       Students are not permitted to use cell-phones, pagers, or other communication devices.

·       Glow sticks are not permitted.

·       Glen Ridge Middle School program Dances are only for students enrolled in the Glen Ridge School District.

·       At the end of the dance students are not allowed to leave unless they are picked up by an adult.

·        If a student has to leave the dance early they must be picked up by an adult.

 

 

 

15.             What are the rules about skateboards, bikes, ipods, rollerblades, scooters, etc.?

 

The Glen Ridge Middle School program does not want any of the above items to interfere with instruction. Students may use any of these items on their way to and from school, but students are not allowed to use them during school hours. 

 

16.             Is there a specific homework policy?

 

There is no specific homework policy for our 7th & 8th grade students.  The amount of time varies because of the work habits of individual students.  Parents should be concerned if either their child is spending too much time on homework (over three hours) or is not working at all on homework.  In the middle school years homework time may increase due to the addition of studying.

 

17.             What standardized tests are used in 7th and 8th grades?

 

The seventh grade students take the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge 7(NJASK 7) and the Test of Cognitive Skills (TCS). Eighth grade students take the New Jersey of Skills and Knowledge 8 (NJ ASK 8).  

 

 

18.             Where can students be dropped off or picked up from school?

 

Students can be dropped off on either Ridgewood Avenue or Woodland Avenue.  The school parking lot is closed and is for faculty only.  Please do not block the entrance or exit to the parking lot.

 

 

19.             Is there a dress code?

 

All students are expected to dress appropriately while attending school.  Anyone who dresses in an inappropriate manner will be sent home.  School policy prohibits pupil dress or grooming practices that: 

 

·       Are Hazardous to health or safety

 

·       Interfere with school work

 

·       Disrupt the educational program

 

·       Advocate illegal or unhealthy behavior

 

·       Contain inappropriate pictures or words

 

·       Cause excessive wear or damage to school property

20.             When does the Home & School Association meet?

 

The Home & School Association meets monthly.  Dates and times are listed on the district calendar.

 

21.             Is there a summer reading program?

 

Seventh and eighth grade students do have summer reading assignments and suggested readings.  These assignments are given on move-up day in English classes and are also posted on the Glenridge website.

 

22.             Is there a calendar of events?

 

The Glen Ridge School district publishes an annual district calendar that is sent home in August.  A newsletter, Transitions, will include activities and special events.  The newsletter will be posted on the GR website.

 

23.             How does a student know when there is an emergency school closing?

 

The Instant Alert System will notify you.  Additionally, Students and their families can access the GRPS website at www.glenridge.org  or the GRPS voice mail system at (973) 429-8300.