Frequently Asked Questions

In Dudley, our middle school consists of grades 5 through 8. Throughout a student’s 4 years here you can expect a lot of changes to take place in your child. As students move through the grades, you can expect students to become more responsible and more independent. One of our goals over their 4 years here is to provide them a safe, secure environment that prepares them for life as a high school student.

Many areas of the building are designated by grade level. Each grade also runs on its own schedule, so most of the time when students change classes, there is only one grade changing. So while there are times when they cross paths (i.e. coming from or going to lunch or on the bus) interaction between the grades is purposely limited. 

The high school kids usually keep to themselves on the bus. The bus drivers all have clear rules for student conduct and have participated in anti-bullying training. Some bus drivers even go so far as to assign high school students to sit in the back of the bus and middle school students in the front.

There are always three options served at lunch. Everyday there is pizza with salad and chicken patty sandwiches with french fries. The third option (“hot lunch”) changes from day to day, based on a menu available each month. https://schools.mealviewer.com/school/DudleyMiddleSchool The offerings vary greatly from chicken caesar wraps to turkey dinner. Believe it or not, 20 minutes is plenty of time. Students quickly learn to use the time to eat and socialize. Students who need more time are typically allowed the time they need to finish their lunch. Students who are ready, may leave the cafeteria for a recess period, as well. Dudley Middle School will offer healthy meals every school day at NO COST to the students due to the implementation of the Community Eligibility Provision for school year 2022-2023. Students will be able to participate in these meal programs without submitting an application.

Each student gets a locker assignment with its own combination. It can be tricky to open at first, but throughout the first couple of days of school, students will be given time to practice opening their locker. In terms of being late for class, there is really no need to worry. Because each grade functions on a different schedule, there are no bells. So your child will not be running down the hall trying to beat a bell to avoid being in trouble for being late. As much as we can all remember that being tremendously fun, it will have to wait for high school.

With the individual “mods” and the six day rotation, the schedule does look confusing, but teachers spend time during the first few days of school reviewing and organizing (i.e. color coding) the schedules with their students. Also, students in the lower grades (5 and 6) tend to travel together, by class much of the time. Plus, there are so many adults around to help your child if she is having trouble finding her way. As mentioned earlier, there are no bells so there is no race against time to get from place to place. Within a week or so, your child will know her way around without even thinking about it. 

Part 4 of this guide, “Homework Tips and Guidelines” answers most questions you will have about homework. As a general rule, if you have questions regarding homework, you should contact your child’s teacher directly.

Absolutely. There are really too many to name in this space (see page 18 for a list of some that are offered), but rest assured there is something for everyone. Some, such as the sports teams and show choir, require trying out. Others are available for kids in certain grades. However, there are even more that are open to anyone and everyone. To help accommodate afterschool activities, there are late buses that leave Dudley Middle at 3:45. 

Students at Dudley Middle are placed on teams. In grades 5 and 6, students are typically on two teacher teams. So, for example, a student will have two teachers who each teach two core subjects. Often one teacher will teach math and science, the other teacher, social studies and English language arts. In grades 5 and 6, students change classes together, so mostly the same kids will be in all four of your child’s core classes. In grades 7 and 8, it is a little different. Students are on teams of three or four teachers. Your child will likely have a different teacher for each core subject. Your child may also have some different students in each class. However, they will all be students from your child’s team. The concept behind having students divided into teams with their teachers really centers on the idea of the teachers getting to know your child very well. The teacher teams have designated meeting times to discuss team affairs. Students will participate in a lot of activities as a team.

 Students on each team are equally divided by academic and behavior profiles. Your child’s previous year’s teachers will make recommendations based on their knowledge of your child and the different teams for the next year. Placement of each child is closely considered to help create a “good fit” for your child. The reality is that most grade level teams are more similar than they are different. Our goal is to make each child’s experience, regardless of team placement, similar to that of a child on a different team within that grade level.

Input about your child’s learning style and needs is always welcome. A form is sent home at the end of every school year that you and your child can fill-out. However, because of the many factors that impact a student’s team placement, specific team requests can not be honored.

Throughout this “Survival Guide” there are many suggestions depending on the specific situation. If there is ever a question or concern, please do not hesitate to contact us here at school. You can call the school and the school’s secretaries, Mrs. Rodrigues and Mrs. Brunelle, will know how to best direct your call. We also have guidance counselors (Mr. Aucoin, Mrs.Galloni, Mr. Strazzullo, and Ms. Incutto), who are valuable resources. Additionally, the principal, Mr. Starczewski, and the assistant principal, Mr. Tucker, are available to help in any way they can. As a staff we are committed to making the middle school experience for your child a positive one. There are bound to be bumps in the road, but if we all work together, those bumps will be small ones that can be easily navigated. 

The agenda is probably one of the most important tools a middle school child has because it serves a variety of purposes. First, it is a place for students to write homework assignments. This helps students remember what they have for homework on a nightly basis, but also allows parents to see what their child should be working on at home. The agenda also serves as a way for teachers and parents to communicate. Often a teacher will write a note to a child’s parent in the agenda to communicate minor issues that may arise. For example, if a child has not been completing assignments in a timely fashion, if your child seems distracted, or has been having a difficult time in class, a teacher will often inform the parent through the agenda. Positive messages can also appear in the agenda. Something simple such as, “Tyler did a great job on his math homework last night.” or “Don’t forget to congratulate Michelle, she won Student of the Month..” The agenda also serves as a student’s pass in school. When a child goes to the bathroom, nurse, guidance, or the main office, there will be a time and a teacher’s signature in the agenda. In the end, because of the agenda’s multiple uses, it can serve as a parent’s lifeline to school.