Back to School Guide 2022

Posted August 1, 2022

Welcome back McAuliffe families! 

We are so excited for the 22-23 school year, and we are looking forward to seeing students back in the building! Below are a few important details about the first day of school and what your student can expect:

• Important dates
  • August 2nd and 3rd: Registration. Registration can be done online, but feel free to stop by to talk with one of our staff members to ensure you are all set for the year. The hours for registration are from 8:00-3:00pm. 
  • New Student and 6th grade orientation: August 18th-19th (8:05-3:05pm)
• School hours are 8:05-3:05. We do not have supervision for students beyond those hours, so please plan accordingly. 
• Returning Students will meet in the courtyard at 8:05am on August 22nd. Students will receive their schedules and have an alternative schedule to follow for that day.
• Materials McAuliffe students MUST bring their DPS laptop and charger to school each day. We will not utilize lockers, so students will need a backpack to hold the following items:
  • Laptop and charger
  • A book or novel of your choice (This is for an ongoing reading competition. Students are expected to read if they finish work early and during designated reading times.)
  • Pencils and a highlighter

• Dress & General Appearance 

All-Weather Clothing

All students should come to school prepared for rain or shine. At times, outdoor activities can be a major part of the daily schedule. Rain gear and cold weather gear (boots, gloves, and hats) should be brought to school when conditions necessitate. 

Dress Code

McAuliffe Manual respects students’ rights to express themselves in the way they dress.  All students who attend McAuliffe Manual are also expected to respect the school community by dressing appropriately for a middle school educational environment.  Student attire should facilitate participation in learning as well as the health and safety of students and the adults that supervise them.  This policy is intended to provide guidance for students, staff, and parents.

Apparel:

• At no point should undergarments be visible
• Tops:
  • Tops must cover areas from one armpit across to the other armpit
  • Tops must reach below belly button
  • Tops must have shoulder straps or sleeves
• Bottoms:
  • Bottoms (shorts and skirts) must go down at least 3 inches in length on the upper thighs
  • Rips or tears in bottoms must be lower than 3 inches in length from top of thigh
• Shoes
  • Shoes must be worn at all times and should be safe for the school environment 
  • Slides and bedroom shoes or slippers are not permitted
  • Sandals with a backstrap are permitted
• Headgear
  • Headgear including hats, durags, and caps are permitted in the building and classroom as long as they do not display offensive language, images, or signify gang affiliation.
  • Hoods are only permitted in the hallways, lunchroom, recess, and other areas where instruction is not taking place. Hoods may not be up in the classroom or during school wide meetings.
  • Sunglasses may not be worn inside the building

Specialized Courses:

• Specialized courses may require specialized attire, such as athletic or safety gear.
• PE Dress Code:
  • To better prepare students for high school Physical Education and to build a healthy state of mind for fitness and daily physical activity, students will be required to dress out for Physical Education.
  • Requirements: athletic bottoms that fit dress code, any McAuliffe Manual-distributed top (as students may be going outside and must be identifiable as MMMS students), athletic shoes (no open-toe shoes)

Other Requirements:

• Clothing may not depict, imply, advertise, or advocate illegal, violent, or lewd conduct, weapons, or the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, or other controlled substances.
• Clothing may not depict or imply pornography, nudity, or sexual acts.
• Clothing may not display or imply vulgar, discriminatory, or obscene language or images.
• Clothing may not state, imply, or depict hate speech/imagery targeting groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or any other protected classification.
• Clothing and accessories that endanger student or staff safety may not be worn.
• Costumes (including animal tails) are reserved for school approved spirit days only
• Apparel, jewelry, accessories, tattoos, or manner of grooming that, by virtue of its color, arrangement, trademark or any other attribute, denotes membership in a gang that advocates illegal or disruptive behavior is prohibited.

The administration at McAuliffe Manual Middle School reserves the right to determine what constitutes appropriate dress. Students who do not adhere to these guidelines will be required to correct the dress code violation before being permitted to attend classes for the day. Students will be provided with school-issued loaner clothing or can have a parent/guardian bring replacement clothing. Multiple dress code violations will result in a Dean Referral, parent/guardian meeting, and possibly further disciplinary action. 

Students will be required to wear a McAuliffe Manual-distributed t-shirt (logo or school name visible) on all off-campus outings including field trips, career trips, high school visits, etc.

Common Q&A for the beginning of the year: