Freeport Public Schools

Welcome to J.W. Dodd Middle School

25 Pine Street
Freeport, NY 11520
Tel: (516) 867-5280
(Grades 7 and 8)
7:45 AM - 2:35 PM

Dodd Welcome Message from the Principal!

(English) (Spanish)

Relaunch of Dodd's Mentoring Program 

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of John W. Dodd Middle School is to provide a challenging academic curriculum for our diverse student population in a caring and moral atmosphere.  We are committed to building the skills necessary for high academic achievement with all of our students in order to foster a community of lifelong learners.  This will be accomplished in a safe environment that addresses the intellectual, social, emotional and physical needs of our students.  Parents and community members are encouraged to partner in the educational process and assist in the development of productive and responsible citizens who will contribute to our changing global society.

Principal's Message:

Welcome to J. W. Dodd Middle School, which houses all of the 7th and 8th grade students from the Freeport community.   Our diverse school family celebrates a variety of cultures, nationalities, and languages from throughout the world.  Our students’ talents are exhibited through artistic, literary, musical, and sports performances that demonstrate students’ educational prowess and aspirations.   

Our comprehensive curriculum is aligned to the Common Core Learning Standards.  Our students have the ability to challenge themselves with an advanced course of study that will enable them to enter the high school with high school credits after passing at least two Regents examinations.  Instructional areas are supplemented by an extensive list of clubs and service organizations, including the Art Club, the A.M. Announcement Club, the Jazz Ensemble, the Dodd Respect Club, the Environmental Club, Mathletes, Select Chorale, Select Orchestra, and the Science Club.  Additional clubs and service organizations offered include Odyssey of the Mind, Future Problem Solvers, Service Corps/Future Corps, the Dodd Yearbook, Peer Mediation, Student Council, the Ladies of Dodd, and the National Junior High School Honor Society.

Learning is a shared responsibility amongst teachers, parents, students of the J. W. Dodd Middle School community.   Communication between school and home is of utmost importance to the monitoring of student progress towards planned objectives.  Both scheduled and “as needed” Parent/Teacher conferences allow for up-to-date discussions of student progress.  The home and school partnership along with our comprehensive curriculum ensure that all scholars reach their summit of excellence.

Attendance
Presence in school and in class is the first step to achieving academic success. At J. W. Dodd Middle School, we create a welcoming, safe, and academically-driven school environment in which students’ intellectual, social, emotional, and physical needs are met. We require all of our students to attend classes daily and on time. All students are expected to be in their seats at the sound of the bell. Our school day begins at 7:45 a.m. and ends at 2:45 p.m. Students participating in the Breakfast Program may enter the building at 7:05 a.m. Enrichment and intervention takes place between 2:27 p.m. and 2:35 p.m. A bagged breakfast is available to each student as they enter the building. The Academic Enrichment Program takes place from 2:35 p.m. - 3:35 p.m.

Early Dismissal Policy/Procedure
We would like to gently remind parents that all health-related appointments for students should be scheduled before or after school hours.  We understand that, at times, there is a need for appointments to be made during instruction time; during these emergencies, the following procedures are important for both the safety of our students and staff and for minimal disruption of instruction time:

• Please write a note requesting your child to be dismissed at a particular time. The note should include the date, time, and reason for early dismissal.

• Have your child bring the note to the Main Office prior to the beginning of school.  Your child must be picked up by you or a person designated by you on the white emergency card that was completed at the start of school.  Students may only be released to a parent or designated individual with proper ID. We will call your student down at the end of the period for minimal disruption of instructional time.

• If your child is not feeling well during school hours, they must see the school nurse who will make the determination as to whether they need to be sent home.  A call will be made to the parent/guardian on file from the nurse’s office, at which point the student may be dismissed only to an individual listed on the white emergency card with proper identification.

Thank you for your assistance in this matter. These easy steps will help to make early dismissal run smoothly for both you and the school. Any questions, please contact the Main Office