FAQ's

  • We become successful by helping others become successful.

    Parents need help navigating the waters of Selden Middle School, too!

    Before School Starts…
     

    When does my student find out his/her schedule? 

    • Schedules will be given out on the first day of school. Students will receive a packet in the mail. On the front label of the envelope there will be a homeroom number for the first day of school.

    What can I do to help prepare my student for the first day of school?

    • Practice “opening a locker” with a combination lock: turn the dial right – then left past the first number – then right to open the lock. The teachers in 6th grade will spend the first day reviewing procedures, giving tours and lockers.

    • Important locker etiquette: never share your combination with anyone!

    • If your student has a problem with his/her locker, tell him/her to go see the teacher who assigned the locker.

    • Make sure he/she gets a good night’s sleep and has a healthy, hearty breakfast before leaving for school. Allow plenty of time to get to school.

    • After the first day of school, help your student memorize his/her student ID number and locker combination.

    Once School Starts…


    School Hours:

    • The school building opens to students at 7:35 am. Students are not to be in the school building prior to 7:35 am without the prior permission and supervision of a teacher. The school day ends at 2:20 pm with all students being dismissed by 2:30 pm daily. Students who are not participating in a school sponsored clubs, activities or athletic programs are not permitted to remain in the school building or on school grounds beyond 2:30 pm. To ensure the safety of students, students may not wait on school grounds for late-starting events (4:00 pm or later).

    What will my student’s day look like?

    • 6th graders have a main team of teachers with whom they will spend most of the day (6 out of 9 periods for most students).

    • 7th and 8th graders change teachers every period. There are no teams.

    • Students switch out of their classes every 40 minutes. They have 4 minutes in between classes to visit the lockers, bathrooms and get to the next class.

    What supplies will my student need?

    • The teachers will tell the students what they specifically need for their class. In the meantime, check the supply list to begin to collect some of the items.  

    • Some teachers may have lists of classroom supplies you may donate. Don’t be shy to ask about what contributions they need for their classrooms! Tissues, pencils, blue/black ballpoint pens, colored pencils, and binder paper are classroom favorites.

    How do I purchase SMS apparel for my student?

    • T-shirts, sweatshirts, gym clothes are available through the PTA during Open School Night and through their webpage on this site.

    What is SSR/Advisory?

    • Sustained Silent Reading – the kids will have 20 minutes of SSR during advisory periods. They are required to read, so make sure your student has a book every day! Teachers have books available but it is helpful to be prepared. Our library will allow students to borrow books to read in the class.

    Whew! Elementary School was exhausting! I’ve heard they don’t want parent involvement or help at the middle school. Guess I get to check out until my student is about a junior in high school, right??

    • NOOOOOOOO!!!!! Now is the time for your student to establish good study and organization habits for high school and college. Many social, emotional, physical and academic changes are happening in your student’s life during middle school. Your student needs your involvement now more than ever!

    • Attend sporting events! Attend 6th grade Science Night!

    • Check homework with your student every night and be active in your student’s academic experience. Volunteers are needed for PTA activities. Contact the PTA and offer your assistance.

    • See the tips below.

    What can I do to help throughout the year to make my student successful at SMS?

    • Attend Back to School Night and Parent/Teacher Conference Night (if necessary).

    • Encourage use of the agenda to keep track of homework assignments, deadlines, tests, projects, etc.

    • Homework – make sure they do it…AND turn it in!

    • Encourage students to get on the Parent/Student Portal and check their progress.

    • Encourage your student to try something new in one of the many after school programs or clubs.

    • E-mail or call teachers with questions. Check School Loop for homework and grade updates.

    • Encourage your student to continue to read for fun – use Selden’s wonderful library and the Middle Country Public Library.

    • Make sure your student listens to the morning and afternoon announcements.

    • Although they’re older now, middle school kids still need lots of sleep, so stick to a regular bedtime.

    • Feed your student breakfast before he/she leaves for school, or send a piece of fruit, toast or something else to eat on the way. Pack a lunch, send money, or make sure their accounts have money to buy lunch. Students use their Student ID to purchase lunch from their account.

    • If your student has a problem with something in the classroom, talk to the teacher first. If for some reason it isn’t resolved, then talk to your counselor; they are available to help in many ways at school.

    Communication… How will I contact my student’s teacher?

    • Staff e-mail addresses are usually the first initial of the name + last name @mccsd.net (i.e.,
      Mr. John Smith's email address will be jsmith@mccsd.net)

    • Find out the teacher’s contact preference: e-mail or phone. Ask at Back to School Night.

    I want to access the Parent/Student Portal to keep track of my student’s progress

    • Parents need to register online (see directions in Registration Packet) so that you can log on and check attendance, grades, homework assignments, upcoming tests, etc.
    • Check homework, project due dates and test schedules in your student’s hand-written agenda and compare to the portal.
    • The portal can send you emails to tell you how your student is doing. You can set it up to send your email Daily, Weekly, or Bi Weekly emails.

    I am having problems getting into the Portal. How do I do this?

    • Please email psadmin@mccsd.net to expedite your request.  Include the following information in your email:

    1. Student first and last name

    2. School Attending

    3. Student ID Number (if available)

    4. Brief description of your issue and on which account: parent /student or both

    How can I stay connected and keep up with what’s happening at SMS?

    • Check out the Selden Middle School website! There is a wealth of information here.
    • Read the Student & Parent Handbook.
    • Check the agenda book nightly and write notes in it to the teachers.
    • Check the school Calendar. It’s updated every Monday.
    • Read the MSM newsletter; Issues will be distributed electronically.
    • Join SMS PTA.
    • For more school district or school board information, go to the Middle Country Central School District website: www.mccsd.net.

    SMS Procedures…  

    I am dropping my student off at school by car. Where can I do this?

    • Enter through the gates and stay to the left. A staff member will direct your car out of the campus and your student will walk into the west wing entrance. Our procedure in the AM and PM allows for safer transport of our students and the 30 buses that need to enter and exit the campus quickly.

    My student is late to school with a note. What do they have to do?

    • Have your student walk directly to the attendance office. A pass will be written. Please try to have your student arrive earlier than 7:45 am if they are getting a ride or walking. Busses come in at 7:35 am.  Being on time is crucial to student success.

    I need to pick up my student. How do I get into the building to do that?

    • Many parents are aware of recent issues regarding school safety in schools throughout the country. To ensure the safety and security of our students and learning community at SMS, it is very important that photo ID be presented when entering the building. This DOES NOT need to be a driver's license. It can be your library card, membership card to Costco, Sam's Club or any place where a photo is placed on a card. Please understand that this is a Board of Education Policy that we must follow.

    How can I get my student released early?

    • Attendance is crucial to success in school and staff are paying special attention to students who are absent or late to school on a regular basis. There is often a strong correlation between poor attendance and poor grades. We ask that you try to schedule medical or other necessary appointments for your student at times other than during the school day. Should your student need to leave before our normal dismissal time, please call the Attendance Office or send your student with a note to give to the Attendance Secretary before school begins. A pass will be issued for the student to meet you at the Attendance Office at the appropriate time. If Attendance does not know your student is leaving early, it will take extra time to go to the classroom, get the student, go to the locker and then escort the student to the office. Parents asking to pick up students after 2:00 pm will be asked to wait until normal dismissal time at 2:20 pm.
    • Send a note with your student in the morning or call us. We will make sure they are ready for pick up at the time you request. You must have photo identification to have your student released. Students will only be released to adults named on the emergency contact card or in our student system. No releases will be honored after 2:00 pm. The student can be picked up from Attendance. If you are bringing them back (in the case of a doctor's appt.), bring them to Attendance and sign them back in. If the Attendance office is closed, come to PPS.

    My student is going to be absent. Who do I contact and when?

    • Please call first thing in the morning. The number is 285-8406. State who the student is, what grade and why they are absent. 
    • If you prefer to email the Attendance office, do so at cmeigel@mccsd.net. Please mention the student's name, your name, the phone number where you can be reached and the reason for the absence or lateness.
    • If you need homework, let the school know and the level office will send a notice to the team. Work will be left 24 hours later at the front lobby desk. Please pick it up.
    • Doctor’s notes are appreciated when a medical facility is visited.

    How do I sign my student into your school?

    • Go to Central Registration (285-8890) to sign your student into the school district. Then they will direct you as to which school your student will attend. While you think they might attend Selden, they may be in Dawnwood's section of the district.

    Can my student chew gum in the building?

    • This is a no gum chewing zone. After almost five years of removing more gum from the desks, halls and classrooms than you could even possibly imagine (we’re talking many hundreds of ugly gum messes each year), we’ve decided that WE’RE DONE WITH GUM.  That’s right! Student's and their gum will have to part company BEFORE they enter Selden Middle School. We have really nice, large trash receptacles all over the school.

    How do I sign my student out of your school?

    • Call Mrs. Brandt in PPS (285-8410) ahead to make sure we have the paperwork ready for you. Then come to the PPS office to sign transfer papers. The parent who signed the student into the district must come to Selden. Make sure lockers are cleaned out of materials and lock returned to teacher. Bring a bag to carry everything. All textbooks and fees owed must be returned or paid in advance to records being transferred. Please remit materials to the library.

    A divorced or separated parent wants a copy of their student's grades and progress reports. What do they have to do?

    • Both parents need to put a written request to PPS granting permission for the other to have access. Please include the phone number, new address to mail and who it should go to.  We will make additional labels to send out the reports.

    I want my student to go home with my neighbor. What do I do?

    • Your neighbor must be on our contact information to allow us to release your student to someone other than yourself. A written note or phone call to us is needed. The person picking up must be at least 18 years old with photo ID.

    My student wants to take the bus home with a friend. What do I do?

    • Have both students bring a note, one from you and one from the parent/guardian of the friend, to the appropriate Assistant Principal Level Office. They must go there first thing in the morning. The level office will call both parents to confirm and write passes for students to give the bus driver.

    How do I update my address and/or telephone number with the district?

    • Having accurate phone and emergency contacts are extremely important if something happens to your student while at school. Please call Central Registration (285-8890). The Nurse's office will also need an updated emergency card as soon as possible.

    My student wants to stay after school to participate in a club or sport. How do I know if they will be staying?

    • Your student should tell you in advance they are staying. A calendar is posted in the lobby and announcements are made twice a day in addition to the online calendar. Students are not permitted to stay after school without parent permission.


    Can there possibly be more? What else do I need to know?