- Schuyler Colfax
- School Overview
Schuyler Colfax Middle School General Information
Mission Statement
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The Schuyler-Colfax Middle School Mission Statement is the heart of our curriculum and our programs. Our mission is to help early adolescents prepare for a lifetime of learning in a changing world by developing each student's creative, intellectual, and physical potential, as well as a sense of responsibility, self-worth, and respect for others.
The students participate in a rigorous academic program based firmly in the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards and delivered with teaching strategies that address varied learning styles. Critical thinking skills development is paramount. Science classes emphasize hands-on activities. Interdisciplinary studies regularly take place in grades six and seven. Because these grades are organized into teams, the teachers work collaboratively to develop thematic units that offer students the opportunities to make intellectual connections across the curriculum.
The foundation for future, more advanced studies is firmly established in an array of grade eight courses designed to challenge the students' ever-increasing intellectual maturity. World Language, Algebra, Language Arts, Social Studies, Earth Science, and high school Biology are some of the available offerings. Writing takes place across the curriculum. Academic excellence is very apparent in the Schuyler-Colfax Middle School classroom! Our classrooms are equipped with the latest technology to provide the students with the tools of the twenty-first century. Two internet-connected computer laboratories and Media Center, internet-equipped laptops that interface with the school's wireless network, classroom computers, "Interactive White Boards", science laboratory computers with probe capabilities, and on-line textbooks all serve to enhance the students' skills with respect to technology and enhance the curriculum. For every student at Schuyler-Colfax, opportunities abound for enrichment.
Elective cycle courses are available in the Spanish Cycle, Visual Arts, Computer Applications and Technology - Woods and Inventions & Innovations I & II. Health and Physical Education courses provide practical knowledge leading to a lifetime of fitness. Co-curricular activities enable all students to pursue their special interests. Several examples of current student clubs are the school newspaper - Panther Press, School Yearbook, Student Council, All School Production, Computer Club, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Chorus, Select Choir, Volunteers in Public Education (VIPS) and Service Club.
Our students are taught the importance of good character, community volunteerism, and treating others as they would like to be treated. Cooperative Discipline is a nationally known program that is woven into the daily fabric of Schuyler-Colfax life. Our students learn to see their role as valuable, responsible members of society.
Schuyler-Colfax Middle School has been nationally recognized for its academic and co-curricular programs, positive parent involvement, and teaching excellence. In 2000, Schuyler-Colfax was awarded the National Blue Ribbon Award of Excellence from the United States Department of Education. Additionally, the elective course Inventions and Innovations earned a Best Practices Award for Technology Education from the New Jersey Department of Education in 2000.
Attendance Reporting
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Student Attendance Reporting
Absences from school should be held to a minimum in the best educational interest of the student. The only reasons permitted for an excused absence are religious holidays, illness of the student, court appearance, or a death in the immediate family. All absences from school need to be reported. To report absences please follow the directions below.
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- Call the school at 973-633-3130 prior to 8:00am to let us know your child will be absent.
- At the prompt, Press (4).
- Please leave your child’s name, (including the spelling of his/her last name),grade, and reason for their absence
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- For medically excused absences, please secure a physician's note while at the doctor's office. Provide this note to the nurse upon returning to school so that the absence can be recorded as excused.
- There may be times when parents choose to keep children out of school for other reasons, such as for traveling and family vacation trips. We, of course, discourage this practice, asking that you plan your vacation during scheduled school vacations.
- In cases of all pupil absences, students are held responsible for assignments. Teachers are expected to provide pupils with missed assignments and a suitable amount of time is provided for that purpose upon the student’s return.
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FAQs
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Where is Schuyler Colfax located?
1500 Hamburg Turnpike
Wayne, NJ 0747 -
How many hours does my child need to be present in school to receive credit for the day?
Your child must be in school for four (4) and a half (1/2) instructional hours to receive credit for that school day.
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What do I do when I want to visit the school?
Visitors must report directly to the main office.All visitors must sign in and wear a visitors badge when authorized to be present in the building. Visitors will only be invited into the building if a parent/guardian is picking up their child early or if there is an appointment scheduled with guidance, CST or administration.
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How do I drop off something for my child?
Although we strongly encourage our students to be responsible for their own belongings, we do understand that there are special circumstances that may arise. All visitors must report directly to the Security Office at Door 13. Items to be delivered to students during school hours are to be left in the foyer at Door 13 with the student's name on it and will be delivered to the student. The office staff will check the cart throughout the day and ensure that your child gets the delivery ASAP.
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What are the drop off and pick-up procedures?
When school begins, students may enter the building at 7:35 a.m. through their grade level entrances (6th & 7th through the doors located past the flagpole and SCMS sign towards the side of the building and 8th grade by the security entrance door 13 to the left of the school). 6th and 7th grade students will report to the auditorium and 8th grade students to the cafeteria on inclimate days. At 7:50am, students will report to homeroom. Please see this video for our Drop Off Procedure.
**For students who are driven to school, parents/guardians must observe the established traffic pattern and drop their child off in front of the building. Parents may not cut through the parking lot and allow their children to walk through traffic. Our priority is always our students’ safety.
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2022-2023 Back to School Night
Our Back to School Night is planned for the evening of 9/14 at 6:30 pm. More information will be forthcoming. It is important to note that parents attending Back To School Night will park at Wayne Hills High School parking lot and then be provided a shuttle bus over to Schuyler. Our parking lot is not equipped with enough parking for both teachers and parents.
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PE Shirts and locks
Our PE department will have an orientation with our students to go through procedures for the locker room during the first week of school. If your student has PE in the 1st quarter they should come to school wearing sneakers and something comfortable to participate in PE activities within the first few days before the locker room process begins. Locks and t-shirts must be purchased for PE on Community Pass which will be opened on 8/25.
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Spirit Days/Week - Grade Level Colors
We are looking forward to many exciting things this school year with our students including our many Spirit Days/Weeks. We will notify in advance when we will do a Spirit Week, however I thought it would be helpful to know our grade level colors as our students wear their colors often during the year.
6th grade- White
7th grade- Burgundy
8th grade- Black
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How are report cards distributed?
Progress report data is posted to the parent portal of OnCourse and progress report emails are sent by the technology department to notify parents.
Report card data is posted to the parent portal of OnCourse and report card emails are sent by the technology department to notify parents.
**No paper report cards are issued. Parents should check OnCourse often to stay informed of their child's academic progress.
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What do I do when my child needs to leave school early?
All students are expected to remain in school for the entire school day. If a student must leave the building, he/she must sign out from the main office with a parent or adult authorized by the parent via a note or listed on the emergency card. Advanced notification is expected (except for emergencies). ID’s are required.
Note: Students are discouraged from leaving during the school day for office visits, i.e. doctor, dentist, orthodontist. Appointments should be scheduled before or after school.
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Are laptops, cell phones or cameras players permitted in school?
Laptops:
- Starting in September of 2019, all middle school students will be issued a Chromebook (Laptop) assuming all parents agree to the guidelines on Community Pass
- Chromebooks are to be used ONLY for schoolwork both in school and at home
- The Wayne Township School District will monitor all Chromebook use 24 hours a day regardless of location
- Disciplinary action will take place as appropriate based on inappropriate Chromebook use
Cell phones:
Board policy does allow for students to have cell phones in their possession during the school day with the following expectations:
- Cell phones are to be stored in lockers throughout the day – NOT ON THE STUDENT’S PERSON.
- Cell phones are turned off at all times during school hours.
Violation of policy results in the confiscation of the phone only to be returned to a parent at the end of the school day.
Cameras:
At no time should students bring cameras to school. Violation of this rule will result in confiscation of the camera being returned only to a parent at the end of the school day.
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May I call school to directly talk to my child?
Our secretaries are available to take important messages that they will communicate to students. Only in an emergency situation can your child be called down to the main office to speak to you on the phone or in person.
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What is the procedure for the make-up of school work due to absences?
Students who are absent, for any reason, will be required to make up work missed in each class. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain all make-up work from his/her teachers immediately upon return to school.
The teacher will arrange make-up opportunities for students who have missed tests or important assignments because of excused absences. Students are responsible for class assignments as follows:
Days Absent Make-Up Deadline
1-3 days 5 days
4-6 days 10 days
7 days By arrangement with teacher -
Extended Absence
Homework assignments missed due to an absence of 3 or more days can be requested through the guidance office. Please allow 24 hours to process these requests
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May my child wear jewelry during Physical Education classes?
Due to safety considerations, students may not wear jewelry during gym classes. Students should plan to schedule ear piercing in July or during the marking period in which they are scheduled for health.