Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

JCPS School Calendar

How will the school communicate with me?
Teachers communicate one-on-one in a variety of ways: newsletters, notes, homework sheets, agenda, conferences, e-mails, and telephone calls. The school and PTA have several ways of communicating important activities and information with parents including:

The Messenger Newsletter
The PTA publishes a newsletter the first and third Fridays of each month to communicate school and PTA happenings. Newsletters are also posted on the school website and emailed to Middletown families. To sign-up for email distribution, send an email to middletownelementarypta.org and ask to be added to the Messenger email distribution list.

Website
The PTA sponsors the Middletown Elementary website which can be found at www.middletownelementary.org. The website is updated on a weekly basis and contains general information about our school, including teacher bios. You’ll also find calendar updates and our weekly newsletter posted here.

Mailbox
If at anytime you have a question that you are unsure of where to find the answer - you can always e-mail us at middletownelementarypta.org

What do I do if I have to contact the school during the day?
You may contact the school through the office by telephone at (502) 485-8300. If you need to speak with a teacher, a message will be taken and the teacher will return your call as soon as possible.

What if my child is absent?
Regular and punctual attendance is required, however, we understand that there are times when absences due to illness are unavoidable. A note explaining the reason for every absence is required from students on the first day they return to school. In addition, because we care about your child, a phone call to the school office is appreciated from parents regarding students’ absences. When necessary, the school office calls the parent or guardian of the children whose names are on the Student Absentee List. Kentucky School Law, KRS 159.150 states: “ Any child who has attained the age of six years but has not reached his or her eighteenth birthday, who has been absent from school without a valid excuse for three of more days, or (who has been) tardy without a valid excuse on three or more days is a truant.”

What about makeup work?
A student returning to school after an excused absence or a suspension may request makeup work when he or she returns. The makeup work includes only written daily work, tests and major projects. Some class work cannot be duplicated and cannot be made up. The makeup work is provided to the students as arranged with the teacher. The student has the number of school days or absences plus one school day to submit his or her makeup work to the teacher. Teacher discretion is used to handle special situations.

How will I know if school is cancelled when it snows?
Local radio and television stations broadcast this information as soon as it is available.

Ice or snow may result in changes to the school day and the transportation of your child to and from school. Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) may need to use an alternate schedule. It is extremely important that you make alternate child care arrangements (especially for young children) in case severe weather strikes before or during the school day. Please make the school aware of those arrangements. JCPS will make announcements regarding the school day through local television and radio stations as early as possible. If school is in session, please listen to the radio for the possibility of early dismissal. Students will not be allowed to call home. Middletown Elementary is part of the Jefferson County Public School System (JCPS) and follows the JCPS schedule.

The following are possible schedule changes that may be announced by JCPS:

School is cancelled - all scheduled activities, including athletic events, will be cancelled; however, athletic and academic tournaments may be held. Check with your local school about special events or competitions with non-JCPS schools.
Schools open on a delayed schedule - all bus pickup times will be delayed accordingly. For example, if elementary school opens on a one-hour delay, the students’ normal bus pickup time also is delayed by one hour.
Schools will be dismissed early - all after-school activities, classes, and programs, including Extended School Services (ESS), Community Schools programs, tutoring programs, and Jefferson County High School and Adult Education classes, will be cancelled for that day and evening. Please check with the local high school about special evening competitions.
School is cancelled or dismissed early on a Friday - Extended School Services (ESS) Saturday school will be cancelled. In the event of bad weather that occurred overnight on Friday or if there is a forecast of severe weather prior to Saturday School activities, listen to local media for cancellation announcements. Athletic practice or games may be conducted on Saturday of that week at the discretion of the local principal.
Childcare Enrichment Program (CEP) - A reminder that only the CEP snow sites will operate on days that school is cancelled for bad weather. In case of a delayed opening at any level, elementary, middle, or high, CEP sites will open at their normal time of 7 a.m. In the event of an early dismissal, CEP students will be transported to their regular CEP site. Parents are encouraged to pick up their child as soon as possible. Sites will remain open until all children have been picked up. The safety and well being of your child is a top priority for us. We appreciate your cooperation and your continued support and involvement in your child’s education.

How is the school governed?
Middletown Elementary has an SBDM Council. The council includes three teachers, two parents, and the school principal. The SBDM Council meets monthly to set school policies on such issues as curriculum, staff and student assignment, the school schedule, school plan, budget, Professional Development and analyzing school data.

What is the lunchroom procedure?
Students eat with their class/team on a schedule set before the start of each school year. Your teacher will let you know what time your child will be eating lunch each day. Your child has 20 minutes for lunch. Those students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals receive breakfast and lunch at not cost or at a reduced price. Menus are sent home monthly. Parents are welcome to join students for lunch, but should not bring fast-food lunches to students. Meal prices are $1.75 for breakfast, $2.25 for lunch and $.35 for milk. Applications for free and reduced price lunches are available by calling (502) 485-7080.

May I prepay for my child?
Yes, you may send in a check to cover as many meals and/or a la carte items as you wish. When your child’s account gets low, you will be notified. Every student is given a four-digit number that he or she must give to the lunchroom cashier at the end of the lunch line.

What if my child needs medication while at school?
Parents must sign and notarize a medical form permitting school personnel to administer medicine. Medication must be sent to the school office with complete instructions and in the original container with the prescription label attached.

May I visit my child’s classroom?
Classroom visits are allowed. To minimize disruptions, teachers prefer that parents call ahead and set up a time to observe. All parents must sign in at the front office and wear the provided badges.

DEAN Alert Instant Notification – Our DEAN Alert system sends out instant emergency notifications, weather-related closing, delay and early dismissal notifications, and information on school activities via text message or voice message and/or email; you can select one or all of these communication vehicles during the online enrollment process. For more information on DEAN Alert and for directions on enrolling, click here. (add link the same as on the home page)

Facebook and Twitter – Follow Middletown Elementary School on Facebook and Twitter to get all the latest news.