MyMSDA General Information, Schedules

View Typical day, early dismissal, & assembly days

A-G Assigned Days

All students must download "MobileServe" on a mobile device and join the organization using the class code. See instructions on PDF:

MobileServe

Service Hour Personal Goals for Each Class Year:
9th Grade: 12-15 hours
10th Grade: 15-20 hours
11th Grade: 20-25 hours
12th Grade: 25+ hours

Grade Posting

• Grades will not be posted during school hours. Teachers will review quizzes and tests during class periods and will enter scores into the gradebook after the close of the day.

• Our hope is that this will cut down on the frequent grade/portal checking during and between classes.

Cell Phones

• Cell phones are not allowed in school buildings at any time during the school day for students in grades 9-11 unless a teacher or administrator has given students explicit permission to do so.

• It is a senior privilege to use cell phones during non-academic periods of the day, but at no time should students be making phone calls or using the camera to take pictures or record videos.

• A violation of the above policies will result in the phone being turned in by the teacher to the main office, and the student will be issued a detention when she picks up her phone at the end of the day. Repeated offenses will result in more serious consequences. 

CAPP (Community All Purpose Period) Space Use (Cell phone rules apply during CAPP)

• Aquinas Hall Third Floor: independent/SILENT study (unless working directly with a teacher)

  • Students must be seated in chairs in the library

  • Only water is allowed in the library

• Aquinas Hall Second Floor: quiet/collaborative study

• Cafeteria/Outside for socializing

• Off Limits: Athletic Center, Angelica Hall, Chapel, PAC, Rosary Hall Lower Level/Labs (unless working directly with a teacher)

Dress Code

• Dress code guidelines are posted in classrooms and are attached.

• Cold/Inclement Weather - Plan Accordingly!

  • SWEATPANTS AND PAJAMA/FLANNEL PANTS ARE NOT ALLOWED AT ANY POINT AFTER THE SCHOOL DAY BEGINS AT 8AM.

    • Students may wear pants or tights if they are cold.

    • Students may not drape sweatpants, blankets, jackets, scarves, etc., over their legs during classes.

  • Outwear (jackets, coats, scarves, sweatshirts, etc.) may be worn between classes & buildings but should be removed at the beginning of class unless the teacher gives permission to wear it in the room.

One Schoolhouse Classes

• All students in One Schoolhouse courses should report to the library for class each day.
• Students who need to record videos or participate in online meetings may ask the supervisor to use the green room.

Morning Drop Off (*New for 2024-25) and Afternoon Pick Up are by the gazebo along the lower loop road.  
Parking Map

Afternoon Pickup - by the gazebo.

MSDA Student Parking Application - All students who drive to school must have a student decal on their cars. Print out an MSDA Student Parking application, have it signed by a parent, and bring it to the Main Office. You will then be issued a car decal. 
Student Parking Form
All cars not registered will be ticketed by Caldwell University security.

Important to Note:

Bloomfield Avenue Campus Path Closed - The walkway/path that leads to Bloomfield Avenue is closed. Walkers should use the main entrance road sidewalk to access stores and businesses on Bloomfield Avenue.

PARKING IN HANDICAP OR FIRE/EMERGENCY VEHICLE SPACES AND DOUBLE PARKING IS PROHIBITED at Mount St. Dominic Academy and Caldwell University. If a space is not available, drivers may not pull over in illegal spaces to wait for students. Park in the designated areas (see map) and wait there for your student to be ready to be picked up. Caldwell University and the Sisters of St. Dominic will be strictly enforcing this guideline and disciplinary action will follow. See the campus map and guidelines on our website for details.

Below is a reminder of Common Academic Period (CAP) guidelines. This break is provided during the day in order for students to get started on homework, see teachers for extra help, work with peers on group activities, etc. 

Students may utilize the following spaces during the CAP period:

• 2nd and 3rd Floors of Aquinas Hall -Moderate talking (partner/group work)

  • ONLY IN CLASSROOMS WHERE AN ADULT IS PRESENT

  • Sit at desks, not on the floor

  • Desks or other furniture should not be rearranged

• Library – Silent Study

  • Sit in chairs at tables, not on the floor

  • Chairs should not be rearranged

• Benches in the Arcade may be used for silent study

• Areas outside the Athletic Center

The following areas may be utilized ONLY with faculty supervision during CAP: 

• Basement/Lower Level - CLASSROOMS ONLY

• Angelica Hall - CLASSROOMS ONLY

• Athletic Center - G1

• Chapel - FOR SILENT REFLECTION ONLY

  • Students must be seated on benches

The Cafeteria and the hallway outside the cafeteria are off limits during CAP.

As is the case during other times of the school day, eating inside is ONLY permitted in the cafeteria during lunch periods. 

Students who do not follow these guidelines will be issued a detention. 

• Daily Homeroom: Students will report to homeroom by 8:00am each day, Monday-Thursday. Attendance will be taken, announcements will be made, and school business will be conducted as necessary.

• Friday Morning All-School Meetings: On Fridays, students will report to the PAC by 8:00am for our school meeting.  Students will sit according to homerooms and attendance will be taken. Backpacks can be left in the Cafeteria prior to entering the PAC. 

• Monthly Mass:  All parents are invited to attend at 8:00am in the PAC.

• Monthly Faculty & Staff Professional Development: Note , on Faculty & Staff Development Days, school for students will begin at 10:00am. Students who must be dropped off at school prior to that time may use G1 to wait for the school day to begin. These dates are marked on the school calendar.

Weekly communication will be emailed each Sunday in "The Week Ahead." This is a useful resource as the school year progresses with calendar information, pertinent details, and procedures.

If you are not receiving, email communications@msdacdemy.org to be included on the list.

As you turn 18 you must renew your license.  You can do this online: 

https://mymvc.state.nj.us/license-renewal/

Link below is frequently asked questions:

https://www.nj.gov/mvc/pdf/about/Online_FAQ.pdf

Need help navigating the MSDA PlusPortal? Here is a helpful video with some useful tips. ParentPortalGuide.mp4

•  Late up to 11 am counts as 1 Tardy (but is shown as an L with the time they signed in)
• Late from 11-1pm counts as 1/2 day absence
• Late after 1pm is a full absence
• Early Dismissal up to 10 am counts as a full absence
• Early Dismissal from 10-12:30 counts as a 1/2 day absence
• Early Dismissal after 12:30 does not count as an absence
• Present 1/2 Leave & Return counts as 1/2 day absence

REMINDER: If your student will be arriving after 1st period begins, and you have not called the Main Office 973-226-0660 x1110 to advise of the late arrival, she will receive a detention slip. Detentions are served on Tuesday afternoon.

Student Absence and Participation in Activities - Keep in mind that if a student is absent for an entire day, they may not participate in extra-curricular activities of any kind after school that day.

View HIB form

View Student Handbook Agreement Form

View Visual PDF

View chart

UNIFORM & DRESS CODE POLICIES. See here for a detailed summary of the school uniform guidelines.

• Skirts

  • Note that skirts should be no shorter than three inches above the knee (which is just a bit more than the long side of your ID card). 

  • For some of you, this may mean that you need to let out a hem, or perhaps buy a new skirt if you’ve outgrown the one purchased earlier during high school. 

  • Skirts should not be rolled up. 

  • See Ms. Hollenbaugh or Mrs. Lowry in the main office if you are unsure if your skirt is the correct length.

• Pants

  • There are several options for pants, which will be permitted year round.

  • Pants would be an OPTION, in addition to the already specified uniform skirts. They are not required.

  • See the Uniform Pants Guidelines Document for guidelines regarding our year-round options for pants. Students should speak directly with Ms. Hollenbaugh if they have questions.

• Sweatpants should not be worn in the school buildings once the school day begins. We realize that some students are wearing sweatpants between buildings during transitions, but once we have our pants options finalized, students must choose between pants or tights or tall socks to stay warm; sweatpants are not permitted between classes. 

• There are several senior privileges related to uniform and dress code. These were shared with seniors at the beginning of the year. One senior privilege that warrants review at this time is wearing leggings on dress down days. Seniors who choose to wear LEGGINGS on dress down days must wear a shirt that is long enough to cover their rear. 

• We’ve reviewed these policies multiple times at this point. Your signatures on the Student Handbook Memorandum of Understanding indicate that you understand and will comply with all guidelines within. Students who violate uniform/dress code policies will receive detentions. 

Flynn & O'Hara

Any members of the MSDA community (students/faculty/staff/coaches/parents/alumnae) interested in learning more about the Office of Mission Integration and the Dominican Community Mission Team and and those who would like to help with formation and other Dominican Mission-inspired work, contact Mr. DeCarlo at rdecarlo@msdacademy.org for more information.