Derby Middle School Newsletter

Derby Middle School will host our Back to School/Meet the Teacher Night on Wednesday, September 16th from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. This evening will provide families with the opportunity to visit classrooms and and have a brief meet and greet with the teachers.

Additionally, throughout the evening please take a moment to stop by the Cafetorium to meet with Administration, Community Partners, Student Support Services.

As the current school year comes to a close, we want to ensure all families are informed about the Derby Public School uniform program guidelines and ordering process for the upcoming academic year. The first day of school is September 1, and we strongly encourage families to place orders early to avoid processing delays or backlogs in mid-August.

How to Order

• Website: Place your orders directly through the Derby Public Schools Uniform Portal.
• Process: You do not need to create an account. Simply select "Create Order" to begin. You can order all your required sizes, quantities, and colors in a single transaction.
• Payment: Orders must be placed online and paid by credit card to be processed.

Order Processing & Timing

Orders are submitted to our vendor on a weekly basis, typically on Fridays.

• Lead Time: Please allow approximately two weeks for delivery, as the vendor must order the apparel and apply the logos. For example, orders submitted to us on a Monday will be placed with the vendor that Friday, with pick-up available two weeks later.
• Notification: Families will receive an email notification as soon as their uniform order is ready for pick-up.

Sizing & Exchanges

Because we will no longer accept uniform exchanges after pick-up, we highly recommend verifying your size prior to ordering.

• Try-On Sessions: Visit our offices at 35 Fifth Street with your child to try on sample sizes.
• Note on Sizing: Based on parent feedback from last year, Youth Small polos run small, and Adult Large polos run large/long.
• Fitting Hours: Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Later evening pick-ups or fittings can be arranged by appointment by emailing Uniforms@derbyps.org.

Pick-Up Location

Uniforms can be picked up throughout the summer at 35 Fifth Street – Monday thru Friday – 8:30 AM till 4 PM.

Policy Reminders

We are pleased to announce that our vendor will maintain the same high-quality brands and hold current pricing steady for the upcoming year. A full copy of the Derby Public School Uniform Policy is linked here for your reference. Policy 5132 - Dress and Grooming effective Sept 2025_Page_1.jpg

• Tops: Solid-colored polos or crewneck shirts ordered through the Derby Public Schools Uniform Portal.
• Bottoms: Khaki style in either khaki (beige) or black.
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Please be certain that the material is khaki. Jeans or jean material is not in compliance with the policy. Cargo pants are not in compliance. Some suggestions for finding uniform khaki items locally would be Target, Walmart, Kohls, Old Navy, GAP and Children’s Place.

There is a document linked here with “Frequently Asked Questions” where you may find helpful information.

Frequently Asked Questions about School Uniforms June 2026.docx

NOTE: Students who will be entering Derby Public Schools for the first time in September will need to place their uniform order at the time their registration is complete.

Please contact Uniforms@derbyps.org with any questions or to schedule an evening fitting appointment

The Congressional App Challenge is the official student STEM competition of the U.S. House of Representatives. It’s an annual nationwide competition designed to inspire middle and high school students to explore STEM fields by designing and coding an app. The deadline for students to submit their application is on October 26th, 2026. Here is a link to the registration page: https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/students/student-registration/. Here is also a link to the general website: https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/students/.

• Eligibility Criteria:

1. A student can compete in Congresswoman DeLauro’s Congressional App Challenge if they live or attend school in the Congressional District.

1. Students can compete in a team of up to four students, as long as ½ of the team lives or goes to school in a competing Congressional District.

1. Students can submit any coded project—on any topic, built for any platform, using any programming language. This includes mobile apps, websites, games, robots, wearable tech, and more.

1. Students can submit an app they completed between October 30th, 2025 - October 26th, 2026.

1. Students can submit work they completed in the classroom last year, in an afterschool program, summer program, or other extracurricular activity.

NASA TechRise Student Challenge – a FREE NASA challenge for middle and high schools.

The 2026-27 NASA TechRise Student Challenge is expected to open this September and invites student teams in sixth-12th grade to submit experiment ideas to fly on a commercial space industry suborbital flight. This year’s flight vehicle is the high-altitude balloon. Similar to previous years, the challenge includes information sessions for your department or organization upon request, free educational resources to foster classroom learning and an exciting student virtual field trip in the fall. Sixty winning teams will also receive $1500 to build their experiment, a spot to test it on a NASA-sponsored flight, and technical support from our awesome NASA TechRise advisors. The challenge is a great way to get hands-on with a NASA project this school year, and we encourage teams of all skill levels to apply. Updated challenge resources (including videos, slide decks, and educator pacing guides) can all be found on the challenge website HERE when the challenge opens.

Dear Parents/Guardians and Athletes,

I hope you are all having a wonderful, relaxing, and enjoyable summer! As we begin the month of August, the start of the Fall athletic season is quickly approaching. I wanted to take a moment to share a few important reminders and updates to help everyone prepare for the early September start.

Fall Sports Season Begins September 3rd
Practice will begin for DMS Fall sports on Thursday, September 3rd.

First Games/Meet Scheduled for the Fall season are:

Boys Soccer & Girls Soccer: Tuesday, September 15th

Boys & Girls Cross Country: Tuesday, September 22nd

Mark your calendars!

Athletic Commitment
Middle school athletics are a four-day-a-week commitment with Wednesdays, the weekends and holidays off (post-season events may happen on the weekend). We ask that athletes and families plan accordingly to ensure full participation and team success.

Final Forms & Physicals
All student-athletes must be registered in Final Forms at derby-ct.finalforms.com and have a valid physical on file in order to participate in practices and games. All Final Forms must be completed by both the student athlete and the parent/guardian before they are allowed to participate in practice/games.

Academic Eligibility

All Student athletes must be academically eligible to participate. It is important to remind all athletes that they are a student first and an athlete second. Attendance, academics and behavior could impact playing time and the privilege of participating in Middle School Athletics. This knowledge will prepare them for the transition to High School Athletics.

Contact Coaches
Below is a list of the Head Coaches for each Fall sport. Please reach out to them with any questions or to express your interest in joining a team.

Boys Soccer - Coach Dryer - jdryer@derbyps.org

Girls Soccer - Coach Frager - nfrager@derbyps.org

Boys Cross Country - Coach Andrews - jandrews@derbyps.org

Girls Cross Country - Coach Gozzo - mgozzo@derbyps.org

We’re excited for another great Fall season and look forward to seeing all of our athletes back on the field and course. We can't wait to welcome everyone and cheer on our teams as they work hard, grow together, and represent our school with pride! Let’s Go Big Red!

Coaching opportunities are currently available at Derby High School & Derby Middle School. A valid coaching certification or Teaching certification is needed to apply. Any questions please contact our Athletic Director - Ms. Moffat at jmoffat@derbyps.org https://applitrack.com/derbyps/onlineapp/jobpostings/view.asp?internaltransferform.Url=&category=Athletics%2FActivities

As we prepare to welcome students back for the 2026–2027 school year, we wanted to send a friendly reminder regarding Derby Middle School’s uniform expectations.

Overall, our students did an excellent job meeting the uniform expectations last year, and we greatly appreciate the cooperation and support of our students and families!

We did, however, have a small number of students who required repeated follow-up regarding the uniform policy throughout the school year. We recognize that last year was the first year of our uniform requirement, and we provided additional grace and flexibility as students and families adjusted to the new expectations.

As we enter our second year of implementation, the uniform is now an established part of the DPS's culture. Our goal is to ensure that expectations are clear and consistently applied, to ensure fairness to all students, particularly those who make the effort to follow the expectations every day.

All students are expected to arrive in a fully compliant uniform beginning on Day 1 of school, Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

Please review the uniform expectations above to ensure you start the school year successfully.

UNIFORM SHIRTS

Our school uniform logo’d shirts are available in four colors (red, black, white and gray), and three different styles (short-sleeve polo, long sleeve t-shirt, and crew neck sweat shirts). Shirts can be purchased through the district uniform shop online.

UNIFORM BOTTOMS

Students may wear khaki-style trousers, skirts, or shorts in the following colors only:

• Khaki/beige

• Black

The following are not permitted as uniform bottoms:

• Jeans -any color (including jean shorts)

• Leggings (including spandex bike shorts)

• Cargo pants

• Yoga pants

• Sweatpants

Uniform bottoms are widely available at retailers such as Walmart, Target, Kohl’s, Old Navy, and Amazon, among others.

OUTERWEAR

We also offer red or black logo’d fleece jackets as part of the school uniform. Please remember that solid colored hoodies, non-logo’d sweatshirts, or coats may not be worn in the classroom, even if it is over the school uniform shirt. Lockers will be issued to all students to safely store jackets and non-uniform items during the school day.

NEW FOR 2026–2027: School & Athletic Spirit Wear & Spirit Days

• Friday Spirit Wear: Students may wear Derby spirit wear every Friday. This includes clothing representing Derby Middle School, DMS athletic teams, approved student organizations, band, and other school-sponsored activities. (We will also host a fundraiser early this year to purchase gear) Students who are not wearing DMS spirit wear on Friday are expected to be in their full school uniform. **Please note: Spirit wear is only permitted on Fridays. Student are expected to have on their uniforms bottoms on these days as well.

• Game-Day Athletic Wear: Student-athletes may wear their team uniform top to school on the day of a scheduled game or competition with their approved school uniform bottoms.

• Spirit Days: Throughout the school year, we will continue to have fun, school-spirited dress-down days that are an important part of our school culture and student life. Spirit days will always be announced in advance so students and families know when they are taking place. Students who choose to participate may dress according to the theme and do not need to wear their regular uniform that day. Students who choose not to participate in the spirit day are expected to wear their regular school uniform.

We appreciate your partnership in helping your student start the school year successfully. Full uniform compliance is expected beginning on the first day of school. Non-compliance with the uniform policy will result in a referral in accordance with the district’s behavior matrix.

Our goal is to make expectations clear and consistent while supporting all students in having a positive start to the school year. We are excited about the year ahead and look forward to a great 2026–2027 school year!

• If you need to place an order, please visit the online uniform shop: https://www.derbypride.org/school-uniforms
• If you have questions about the uniform policy or need assistance, please contact Uniforms@derbyps.org.

Thank you for your partnership and support!

Students are required to ride their assigned bus each day for safety and accountability. In the event of an emergency, a bus pass to ride another bus may be granted; however, 24 hours’ notice via a phone call or written note is required to be turned into the Main Office or Administration to process the request.

Please note that riding the bus is a privilege, and students are expected to demonstrate appropriate behavior and conduct at all times in order to maintain this privilege

The 2026-2027 bus lists are now available and can be accessed here: https://www.derbypride.org/district/bus-information-routes All Star Transportation provides the daily bus service for our students. If your child is eligible for bus transportation but does not plan to use it, please call the school so we can adjust the bus roster and remove the stop if no one else is using it. This will ensure our bus routes are accurate and efficient.

• The time for each bus route is the approximate time the bus will make its first pickup in the morning. Adjustments will be made as necessary and as soon as possible. Students should be at their stops 5-10 minutes before the time listed on the bus route. The stop times can vary 5-10 minutes either way, depending on traffic, weather and the number of students riding the bus.
  

• It is important that students remember to stand at least 10 feet from the road and not move toward the bus until the bus driver nods his or her head signaling that it is safe to board the bus.

• Please do not worry if a bus is late, especially at the start of a school year when it typically takes a few days for students and drivers to become accustomed to the bus routes and schedules. If, however, you have concerns about your bus being consistently late over a period of several days, please use the button below to report a concern/issue.

• PLEASE NOTE: Bus schedules are subject to revisions that result from enrollment changes, transfers and address changes. Changes and / or additions will be posted to the school district’s website and residents are encouraged to frequently check the website.

• If you are transporting your child to school, drop-off is between 8:00 - 8:20 a.m.

• DMS dismisses at 2:55 p.m., so most students should arrive home on the bus between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m. However, due to traffic and other factors, we are unable to predict exact times.

• For questions or additional information contact, All-Star Transportation’s Seymour office at 203-888-8816

At DMS we are focused on ensuring all students are supported academically, socially, and emotionally. Being in school consistently supports that growth and development. We understand that there are times when this may not be possible (i.e., illness, death in the family, etc.) but the CT State Department of Education does allow for up to NINE unexcused absences per school year.

Any student with four or more absences in a month OR ten or more absences for the year is considered truant. Any students who misses 10% or more of their schools days at any point in the school year is considered chronically absent.

DMS starts promptly at 8:30 am daily. Any student arriving to DMS after 8:30 am must be signed in to school in the Main Office. Parents please ensure you are walking students into the building if they arrive after 8:25 am.

One of the most helpful steps students and families can take is to download the PowerSchool app. The Parent-Student Portal offers real-time access to class schedules, assignments, grades, attendance, teacher feedback, and report cards.

A personalized letter with login information will be included in each student’s first day forms folder. This letter also contains instructions for parents/guardians to set up their own accounts—please use it to set up your account. If you need help, contact Ms. Carloni in the Guidance Office at 203-736-1426. We’re happy to assist!

Now more than ever, signing up for your student's PowerSchool Parent Portal is important. Once you sign up for the Parent Portal, it will allow access to student information throughout the time you are in Derby. We have several families that have not accessed their account. The Parent Portal will be the primary means of sharing student grades. You may also use the portal to update your contact information, ensuring the school has the most up-to-date emergency contact information.

Setting up your account for the first time?

If you are setting up the account for the first time, please visit

http://derby.powerschool.com

and select the "Create Account" tab first. You will be asked to enter some parent information and then add student(s) to your account using the credentials from the webID information on the letter sent home in September. If you need the webID letter, please email our School Counselor Mrs. Segal at asegal@derbyps.org and she will send you the letter. Please note: If you already have a Parent Portal account for another Derby student, you can add your other students using their credentials. There is no need to set up separate accounts if you have more than one child in the district.

Do you need to update your contact information?

You should be able to access your account to view your student's schedule, their teacher assignment, attendance, and grades. Another important feature is that families can update RETURNING STUDENT REGISTRATION 26-27 on the bottom of the left panel. Checking and making necessary updates here is crucial to our contact ability.

At Derby Public Schools, the well-being and success of our students are top priorities. All students at DMS are eligible to receive a free breakfast and lunch every day. Our goal is to ensure every student has the energy and nutrition they need to be successful both in and out of the classroom.

There is always a fresh-made hot lunch option, fresh deli bar with sandwiches made to order, or a great salad bar. There is also a great variety of fruits, vegetables, homemade pasta or potato salads, and other side dishes that students can take with their meal. Snacks (chips, cookies, etc) can be purchased using cash or "on account" using My Payments Plus.

• Menus: The monthly Breakfast and Lunch Menu is posted online and can be accessed here https://www.derbypride.org/district/food-service/school-menus#h.gd6ysa9vgup3.
• My Payments Plus: Parents can make payments/check balances using https://www.mypaymentsplus.com/welcome or by calling: 1-866-332-9636. Student ID numbers are required to setup an account. Student IDs can be found on the PowerSchool Parent Portal.

If you have any questions or suggestions for the foodservice program, please reach out to our Food Service Director, Mr. Giannotti at sgiannotti@derbyps.org.

The State of Connecticut (CGS Sections 10-204 and 10-206) mandates that all incoming 7th graders have the following:

- 6th or 7th grade physical exam dated between June 2025 and August 2026 on the CT Health Assessment Record (Blue Form)

- 1 Tdap (Tetanus Diphtheria Acellular Pertussis) Vaccine

- 1 Meningococcal (Meningitis) Vaccine

This is required of ALL 7th grade students in the State of Connecticut.

If you have any questions concerning these requirements, please feel free to contact the school nurse (Nurse Vitola) at 203-736-1426, kvitola@derbyps.org .

Did you know you may be eligible for CASH assistance under the State of Connecticut’s Temporary Family Assistance Program (TFA) managed by the Department of Social Services?

This CASH assistance is in addition to SNAP or HUSKY. Those who qualify for TFA may receive benefits for 36 months or more.

Please see the attachment below and see how you can quickly determine if you are Eligible for Cash under TFA.

At Derby Middle School, the safety and well-being of our staff and students are our top priorities. To best ensure this we have a comprehensive safety plan and protocols designed to maintain a safe learning environment.

Recent incidents in schools and universities across the region, particularly those involving threats posted on social media will be reviewed with students in an open a dialogue to create an understanding about the gravity and consequences of such behavior. DMS administration, along with School Safety Officers (SSOs) and members of the Derby Police Department, will hold grade-level meetings to address the seriousness of school safety and the impact of threats. We will emphasized that threats, regardless of intent, have far-reaching consequences for the individual making the threat, and for the entire school and community.

Threats, which are never a joke, create fear and anxiety, disrupt learning, and impact the emotional well-being of students, staff, and families. Our broader message to students will be the importance of creating a safe and respectful school environment. We encourage everyone to pause and consider the consequences before making comments or posting online, especially in moments of frustration or anger. Additionally, we will stress the importance of reporting any concerning behavior to a trusted adult. We encourage families to also have this conversation and to talk about school safety.

How to Talk to Your Children About School Safety:

• Open and Honest Communication: Begin by asking your child if they have any concerns or questions about school safety. Reassure them that it's okay to share their feelings and emphasize the importance of reporting any concerns.

• Reinforce Positive Messages: Emphasize the positive aspects of school, such as caring teachers, supportive environment, and friends that help create a sense of belonging and security.

• Address Misconceptions: Be prepared to address any misconceptions your child may have about school safety. Provide accurate information and correct any misunderstandings.

The following resource from the National Association of School Psychologists provides additional recommendations for families and educators about talking to children and teens about violence, particularly in schools: https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-safety-and-crisis/school-violence-resources/talking-to-children-about-violence-tips-for-families-and-educators

All Derby students and staff receive school safety training including procedures for response to emergencies such as those requiring evacuation, shelter in place, or lock-down. Planned emergency drills are conducted regularly following the school/district safety plan.

By working together, we can ensure a safe and supportive environment. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your ongoing partnership.

Derby Public Schools is excited to introduce to you a new resource that will be offered to our students, parents, and guardians. BHcare’s Parent Child Resource Center (PCRC) will be partnering with Derby Public Schools to provide on-site support through a fully credentialed and licensed clinician. BHcare and its Child Guidance Clinic, the Parent Child Resource Center, have been providing comprehensive behavioral and mental health services for children, adults, and families for more than 40 years. BHcare is a certified community behavioral health clinic that strives to passionately care for children, families and the community.

Through our partnership with the Parent Child Resource Center, an abundance of services will be available to eligible students and their families.

Please check out the attached letter for more information and how to access these wonderful and necessary services here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FDkDGR_PE4Fg8gWkGsx7N9V_PGgdYSHZ967EHEwCA2U/edit?usp=sharing.

If you would like to sign your child up for services, please complete and return the following form:

• DPS Consent for Mutual Exchange of Information - Consent for Mutual Exchange of Information.pdf

The Derby Public Schools calendar is your go-to resource for all scheduled school closings, early dismissals, vacations, and other important dates.

• Tuesday, September 1 - Frist Day of School
• Monday, September 7 - No School Labor Day
• Friday, September 11 - First Day of School Forms Due to the Main Office
• Wednesday, September 16 - DMS Open House
• Friday, September 18- - Early Dismissal Day - Students dismissed at 12:25 pm.

Here are the scheduled early dismissal days (Dismissal begins at 12:25 p.m.) Please make sure to plan for these days, thank you!

• Friday, September 18 - District-wide
• Wednesday, October 7 - District-wide

The 2026-27 Derby Public School calendar was approved at the January 6, 2026 Board of Education meeting. If you like to plan ahead, I have attached the calendar.

Derby Public Schools Job Openings in the District. Please click here to view what is available right now.

Kelly Education Staffing is currently seeking dependable, caring, and flexible individuals to join our team as substitute teachers and support staff. This is a wonderful opportunity to make a positive impact in our schools while enjoying a schedule that works for you. Whether you are a certified educator, a recent graduate, or someone looking to give back to the community, Kelly provides training and ongoing support to help you succeed. If you are interested in working with students and supporting our school community, we encourage you to check out the attached flyer.

Valley Regional Adult Education is holding Registration in August.

New students visit VRAE.ORG to register online.

Returning students call 203-924-6651.