Summer’s almost over: Madison students return to classes next week on Wednesday, Aug. 26. Madison Public Schools and Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice have provided the following information useful to students, parents, and residents.

• The first day of school for students is Wednesday, Aug. 26. The start times for all of the Madison Public Schools and the 2015-2016 School Year Calendar can be found at the schools’ website www.madison.k12.ct.us.

• School bus stop information including transportation to/from a daycare address is posted on the website under “Back to School Information.”

• Labor Day: There is no school for students on Monday, Sept. 7.

Back to School Night

Madison schools will hold the following Back to School Night open houses for parents and guardians:

Elementary schools, grades K to 2 at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10

Elementary schools, grades 3 to 4 at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10

Brown Middle School, grade 5 at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9

Brown Middle School, grade 6 at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 16

Polson Middle School, grades 7 and 8 at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24

Daniel Hand High School, all grades at 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17

Roadwork Notes

Several town road projects were started this summer; all will be complete by the start of school. Projects included Island Avenue School (completed), Green Hill Road from Nortontown Road to Wildwood Avenue (will be completed by Friday, Aug. 21), Green Hill Road from Route 79 to Horsepond Road (will be completed prior to the first day of school, Aug. 26), and Green Hill Road from Nortontown Road to Ridge Road (will be completed prior to the first day of school).

In addition, new signage and speed limit regulations will be instituted on Green Hill Road beginning the first day of the school year. A request has been made for police presence on Green Hill Road for the first week of school.

Free and Reduced Lunch Policy

Madison Public Schools participates in the National School Lunch Program. Meals are served every school day. Students may buy lunch for $3 at the elementary level, $3.25 at the Brown Middle School, and $3.50 at Polson Middle School and Daniel Hand High School. Students at Daniel

Hand High School students may also purchase breakfast for $2.50. Meals are available free or at a reduced price ($.40). Breakfast at Daniel Hand High School is also available for free or at a reduced price ($.30).

Local school officials have adopted the following family size and income criteria for determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016.

Children from families whose income is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free or reduced price meals. Application forms are being sent to all homes with a letter to parents. To apply for free or reduced price meals, households should fill out the application and return it to the school. Additional copies are available at the principal’s office at each school. The information provided on the application is confidential and will be used only for the purposes of determining eligibility, and may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program officials. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year. Application forms for all households require a statement of total household income, household size and names of all household members. Only the last four digits of the social security number of the adult household member signing the application is required. If the applicant does not have a social security number, the applicant must check the appropriate box on the application form. The adult household member must also sign the application certifying that the information provided is correct. Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court, are eligible for free meals. Any foster child in the household is eligible for free meals regardless of income.

Under the provisions of the policy for determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals, the Director of Administrative Services will review applications and determine eligibility. If a parent is dissatisfied with the ruling of the determining official, he or she may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis.

If the parent wishes to make a formal appeal, a request either orally or in writing may be made to Thomas R. Scarice, Superintendent, for a hearing to appeal the decision.

The policy contains an outline of the hearing procedure. Each school and the central office of the school district have a copy of the policy which may be reviewed by an interested party.

If a household member becomes unemployed or if household size changes at any time, the family should contact the school to file a new application. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for reduced price meals or free meals, if the family income falls at or below the levels shown above.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington D.C. 20250-9410 or call 800-795-3272 or 202-720-6382 (TTY).

Madison Public Schools

Preschool - TCLC

2 Campus Drive

203-245-1078

Island Avenue Elementary

20 Island Avenue

203-245-6450

Jeffrey Elementary

331 Copse Road

203-245-6460

Ryerson Elementary

982 Durham Road

203-245-6440

Brown Middle School

980 Durham Road

203-245-6400

Polson Middle School

302 Green Hill Road

203-245-6480

Daniel Hand High School

286 Green Hill Road

203-245-6350