2025-2026 Welcome Letter

Dear Junior Dragons and Families,

Welcome back to Clintondale Middle School for the 2025–2026 school year! I hope you had a fun, restful summer and are excited to begin another year of learning, growth, and new opportunities. As your principal, I am so proud to see our school filled with energy, curiosity, and the unique talents that each of you brings to our community.

This year, we are focusing on six important goals that will help us grow together as Junior Dragons:
•    Building a positive community where every student feels safe, respected, and supported.
•    Maintaining academic excellence by challenging ourselves to always do our best and take pride in our learning.
•    Improving attendance because being here every day is the first step to success.
•    Strengthening community involvement by working together with families, friends, and neighbors to make our school stronger.
•    Bolstering curiosity by asking questions, exploring new ideas, and staying eager to learn.
•    Making learning engaging so that our classrooms are exciting places where you can discover your passions and talents.

Middle school is a time of discovery—it’s your chance to try new things, meet new friends, and learn more about yourself. I encourage each of you to get involved, work hard, and remember that every day is a fresh opportunity to grow.

As Junior Dragons, we rise together. I am confident that with your energy, creativity, and commitment, this will be one of our best years yet. Let’s make 2025–2026 a year filled with learning, kindness, and Dragon pride!

To my parents and guardians, we share the responsibility of your child’s success and want you to know that we will do our very best to carry out our responsibilities. We ask that you guide and support your child’s learning by ensuring that he/she: 

1) Attends school daily, arrives on time, and is prepared to learn
2) Completes all assignments
3) Reads daily to develop a love for reading and improve literacy skills 
4) Shares school experiences with you so that you are aware of his/her school life 
5) Informs you if he/she needs additional support in any area or subject 
6) Is aware of your expectations for his/her success in school and life in general

We also appreciate support at home in reinforcing school and classroom expectations for general conduct and standards of behavior. 
Please click on the link to access your student’s recommended school supply list.
School Supply List 6th Grade 
School Supply List 7th Grade 
School Supply List 8th Grade 

Students will have the opportunity to pick up their schedules at Orientation or Dragon Day, if they are unable to attend orientation. On Dragon Day/Orientation, you must update your student packet in order to receive your student’s class schedule. Otherwise, all students will receive their schedules on the first day of school. Please reference upcoming dates and events below:

Upcoming Dates:
New Student & 6th Grade Orientation  (6:00-6:30-Auditorium & 6:30-7:00-Gym)
Wednesday, August 27, 2025    6:00 PM - 7:00 PM    

Dragon Day-7th-8th Grade (Gym)
Thursday, August 28, 2025                6:00 PM - 7:00 PM    
                            
Open House-All Grades 
Thursday, September 4, 2025    6:00 PM - 7:00 PM    

Please note, with respect to the Counseling Office: 

• Schedule changes can only be made to correct improper placement.
• Once school starts, if a student believes they are in the wrong academic course, a student may pick up a “Student Change Request Form” and sign up with their counselor to discuss any schedule changes.
• In order to ensure the safety of our students and staff, the School Board has approved hiring a School Resource Officer. This person will be a member of the Clinton Township Police Force and will be a partner with both the high school and the middle school. As an additional safety precaution, students will only be allowed to carry clear backpacks. 

DRESS CODE
1.    Coats, Jackets and other outerwear will not be worn or taken into the classroom. Students are strongly encouraged to wear sweaters and/or sweatshirts on cool or cold weather days.
2.    Absolutely no sleepwear: pajama pants, blankets and pillows.
3.    Shoes must be worn at all times. No slippers or house shoes.
4.    Head coverings (hats, caps, bandannas, bonnets) are not to be worn in the building.
5.    No hoods are to be worn on the head in the building.
6.    No sagging pants. Pants must be secured at the waist.
7.    Leggings, jeggings, stretch pants, tights or yoga pants MUST NOT be see-through. Must wear a shirt long enough to cover the buttocks. 

ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Students are not permitted to use their personal electronic devices (cell phones) in class. Students who violate this policy will have their electronics confiscated by the teacher for the rest of the hour. If a second offense occurs, the device will be confiscated and taken to the Assistant Principal’s Office. A third offense will result in a parent having to come to the building to pick up the device in the Assistant Principal’s Office.
  
We hope this information helps you in starting to prepare your student for a successful year.  Please feel free to stop in and say hello, as my door is always open.  You can also follow us on Facebook @ClintondaleMS and Facebook and Instagram @ClintondaleSchools for updates throughout the year!  In addition, if there is anything I can assist you with, please do not hesitate to contact me.  I look forward to seeing both students and parents in the coming weeks.
The Clintondale Middle School staff and I feel privileged to assist in educating your child. We thank you for your support and look forward to meeting you. If you have any questions, please contact the main office at (586) 791-6301. 

With great excitement,
 Dr. Daniel E. Berry, Ed.D.
 Principal, Clintondale Middle School