Parent Resources

Counseling & Guidance Services

CHARLTON MIDDLE SCHOOL GUIDANCE SERVICES

Erika Dragon ~ (508) 248-1423 x 1107
Guidance Counselor: Gr. 5 & 6
504 Coordinator – Grade 5 & 6

Michael Daley ~ (508) 248-1423 x1106
Guidance Counselor – Gr, 7 & 8
504 Coordinator – Grades 7 & 8

Lynn Wildes ~ (508) 248-1423 x1105
School Psychologist – Gr. 5 - 8

The Charlton Middle School Guidance Department is a safe haven that offers a quiet, private area for students to discuss issues of concern. Our goal is to assist students and their families with managing through the obstacles Middle School students and their families may encounter. Counselors may meet with students individually or within a small group. To speak with a counselor, students are encouraged to sign-up for an appointment by placing a request in a private mailbox. Students may also request an appointment by speaking to a trusted teacher or advisor. We also offer students to contact us via e-mail. Should you have any questions, please refer to the above contact information to contact us at your convenience. It is our pleasure to have an opportunity to work with you and your family!

FAMILY

As Guidance Personnel, our mission is to help build, strengthen and maintain the home and school connection. We are available to offer insights and strategies in the area of child development, focusing on the social and academic aspects of students’ lives. Through counseling services, familial concerns students may have may also be discussed. Additionally, we may offer suggestions to parents and families regarding community referrals, such as specific agencies and/or community counseling services. Informative books, handouts and pamphlets are also readily available through our office.

ACADEMIC

Counselors are available to work with students to discuss requirements, review study tips and organizational strategies. Counselors are available to meet with parents and teachers to review a student’s progress throughout the year as well as agree on plans of action. A student may be seen individually or in a preparation group with other students who are working on similar skills. Specifically for 7^th and 8^th grade students, basic informational sessions focusing on High School preparation are offered in conjunction with an opportunity to explore their personal strengths and interests through career software. Through this software, students can research their potential career interests and discuss higher education options.

SOCIAL

Social issues students encounter typically center around three basic areas of concern: peer relations; self-image and emotional well-being. Campaigns offered throughout the year address concerns regarding bullying, cyber-bullying and internet safety. Discussion sessions are designed to assist students with coping skills, peer-mediation, social networking, and conflict resolution. In part, it is our hope that students and their families enjoy a safe and positive experience throughout a time when so many social and emotional challenges are in bloom.

Instructional Support Websites

Forms

Bullying Information

Please find below our District's Bullying Policies. Also, below is a link to the Massachusetts' General Law regarding Bullying.

District Anti-bullying Policy (PDF - 71 KB)
Parent Information on Cyber Bullying (PDF - 761 KB)
Parent Information on Security in Online Games, Websites (PDF - 100 KB)
Anti-Bullying Parent Information Night Slideshow (PDF - 4.48 MB)
Items from 1/13/2011 Bullying Presentation (PDF - 6.34 MB)
Elementary Level Bullying Plan (PDF - 263 KB)
Middle & High School Bullying Plan (PDF - 263 KB)
MA General Laws - Bullying
Chapter 92 of the Acts of 2010 AN ACT RELATIVE TO BULLYING IN SCHOOLS.
From the MA DESE
Bullying Prevention and Intervention Resources
From the Office of the Attorney General
Cyber-bullying is bullying.
From the Department of Public Health
Information for School Personnel.

Food Services

Click for School Lunch Menus

CHARLTON MIDDLE

As of June 28, 2015, we will no longer be using MyLunchMoney. Screen Names and Passwords as well as balances from MyLunchMoney will be transferred to our new provider, MySchoolBuck.

MySchoolBucks: Update and manage your child's school lunch expenses. Access your online account, deposit funds and conveniently and securely maintain your family's school-time budget and spending. Click Here to go to the website.

Free and Reduced Lunch Application

Download Paper Application: APPLICATION

Children need healthy meals to learn. Dudley-Charlton Regional School District offers healthy meals every school day to our students. Lunch costs $2.75. Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced price meals. Reduced price is $.40 for lunch. Milk price is $.50.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can get free meals? All children in households receiving benefits from [State SNAP], [the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations] or [State TANF], can get free meals regardless of your income. Also, your children can get free meals if your household’s gross income is within the free limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines.
CAN FOSTER CHILDREN GET FREE MEALS? Yes, foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court, are eligible for free meals. Any foster child in the household is eligible for free meals regardless of income.
Can homeless, runaway, and migrant children get free meals? Yes, children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant qualify for free meals. If you haven’t been told your children will get free meals, please call or e-mail Jeff Ferranti, Homeless Liaison, at 508-943-6888, or email jferranti@dcrsd.org to see if they qualify.
WHO CAN GET REDUCED PRICE MEALS? Your children can get low cost meals if your household income is within the reduced price limits on the Federal Eligibility Income Chart, shown on this application.
SHOULD I FILL OUT AN APPLICATION IF I RECEIVED A LETTER THIS SCHOOL YEAR SAYING MY CHILDREN ARE APPROVED FOR FREE MEALS? Please read the letter you got carefully and follow the instructions. Call your child’s school if you have questions.
MY CHILD’S APPLICATION WAS APPROVED LAST YEAR. DO I NEED TO FILL OUT ANOTHER ONE? Yes. Your child’s application is only good for that school year and for the first few days of this school year. You must send in a new application unless the school told you that your child is eligible for the new school year.
I GET WIC. CAN MY CHILD(REN) GET FREE MEALS? Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced price meals. Please fill out an application.
Will the information I give be checked? Yes and we may also ask you to send written proof.
If I don’t qualify now, may I apply later? Yes, you may apply at any time during the school year. For example, children with a parent or guardian who becomes unemployed may become eligible for free and reduced price meals if the household income drops below the income limit.
What if I disagree with the school’s decision about my application? You should talk to school officials. You also may ask for a hearing by calling or writing to: Richard Matthieu, Finance Director, Dudley-Charlton Regional School District, 68 Dudley-Oxford Road, Dudley, MA 01571.
May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen? Yes. You or your child(ren) do not have to be U.S. citizens to qualify for free or reduced price meals.
Who should I include as members of my household? You must include all people living in your household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives, or friends) who share income and expenses. You must include yourself and all children living with you. If you live with other people who are economically independent (for example, people who you do not support, who do not share income with you or your children, and who pay a pro-rated share of expenses), do not include them.
What if my income is not always the same? List the amount that you normally receive. For example, if you normally make $1000 each month, but you missed some work last month and only made $900, put down that you made $1000 per month. If you normally get overtime, include it, but do not include it if you only work overtime sometimes. If you have lost a job or had your hours or wages reduced, use your current income.
We are in the military. do we include our housing allowance as income? If you get an off-base housing allowance, it must be included as income. However, if your housing is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative, do not include your housing allowance as income.
My spouse is deployed to a combat zone. is her combat pay counted as income? No, if the combat pay is received in addition to her basic pay because of her deployment and it wasn’t received before she was deployed, combat pay is not counted as income. Contact your school for more information.
My family needs more help. Are there other programs we might apply for? To find out how to apply for [State SNAP] or other assistance benefits, contact your local assistance office or call (800) 590-4820.