Vidalia Jr. High School Policies and Procedures
SCHOOL DAYS The first bell rings at 7:50 a.m. A student is tardy after the 7:55 a.m. bell. School will be dismissed at 3:14 p.m. All walking students are to leave the campus immediately unless special permission is given. Both walking students and bus students are under school rules and policies from the time they leave home in the morning until they return home in the afternoon.
Parents are to pick up or drop off their children on Gillespie Street. They are not to enter the school parking lot before or after school to pick up or drop off students.
The only time a student may leave the campus is if he/she becomes ill at school or if there is an emergency or urgent necessity requiring him/her to be excused. Students must be signed out in the office by a parent or guardian before leaving campus. Prior arrangement by a parent with the principal or assistant principal must be made for any other person to check out a student. Students may not be checked out after 2:30pm.
TARDINESS Promptness to school and class is very important. Students are to be in their seats and ready to work when the bell sounds. The names of students who are tardy for class will be turned in to the office. After the 3rd tardy, the student will be assigned to morning detention. After detention (3rd tardy), each tardy will result in an additional detention up through five (5) tardies. A student who accumulates six (6) tardies will be suspended from school. Students are expected to follow the same rules for getting to school on time, and the same discipline rules will apply. STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER HOMEROOM AFTER THE TARDY BELL RINGS. A PARENT MUST SIGN THEM IN.
EXCUSES Students must have a written excuse from their doctor for any extended period of absence (3 days or more). Doctors’ excuses are to be given to the school counselor BEFORE the start of school (7:40-7:55 a.m.) They must be brought to school IMMEDIATELY upon returning from an illness. Excuses will not be given for any short term absences (1-2 days), but students will be allowed to make up work missed. Excuses that are identified as extenuating circumstances will only allow the student to make up any work missed in class. The days absent cannot be removed from the student’s official attendance record.
ATTENDANCE POLICY It is necessary for students to be in attendance in order for them to benefit from all the offerings of the school. The guidelines for attendance are state mandated. The following is taken from the legislation ruling student attendance:
PLACEMENT POLICIES Promotion: Grades K-12 Promoting guidelines presented in this section will apply to regular education, exceptional students in specially designed regular instructional programs and non/limited English proficient students.
Bulletin 741 Requirements: Attendance All schools, K-12, must be provided a minimum of 175 instructional days of school, each day of which shall be a minimum of 360 minutes. If a student is guilty of excessive absences and has a passing grade, that student will receive an “F” (68) in that subject.
Any elementary student (K-8) must attend school a minimum of 160 days to be considered for promotion. Consideration shall be given in cases of extended illness. Extended illness is defined as three or more days as verified by a doctor.
EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. Extended personal physical or emotional illness, hospital stay, recuperation from an accident, or contagious disease as verified by a physician 2. Prior school system approved travel for education. 3. Death in the family (not to exceed one week) 4. Natural catastrophe and/or disaster 5. For any other extenuating circumstances parents must make a formal appeal in accordance with the due process procedures established by the local school system.
The days absent for elementary and secondary school students will include temporarily excused absences, unexcused absences, and suspensions. Letters will be periodically sent to parents/guardians. Students who have absences for any reason WILL BE REQUIRED to make up all work missed in each class. It is the responsibility of the students to arrange for make-up work within three (3) days of the absence. Work can be made up following an absense; however, the absence can not be removed from the students’ attendance records.
Information on any student with excessive unexcused absences will be turned over to the judicial system for further action.
MAKE-UP WORK Students who are absent for any reason will be required to make up work missed in each class. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the teacher about this work. A day’s absence does not excuse a student from responsibility for class participation on the day of his/her return. Make up work must be arranged within three (3) days (or as arranged by the individual teacher within the time specified by this teacher). NOTE: 1. A student is required to take a test as scheduled if the teacher announced the test prior to the student’s absence. 2. If a test is announced for the first time the day of the student’s absence, the student will not be required to take the test upon his immediate re- turn. However, it is the student’s responsibility to request make-up work and tests. The student will be expected to complete all work within the time specified by the teacher.
According to Louisiana law and Concordia Parish School Board policy students MAY receive up to half credit for work missed due to an out of school suspension. It is the responsibility of the student to request make-up work and tests.
CLOSED CAMPUS All schools in Concordia Parish have closed campuses. Visitors are not permitted except for parents who have concerns about a student to discuss with the principal or teachers. Visitors may attend scheduled programs and activities provided permission is secured from the principal. While on campus, visitors must abide by school rules and regulations enforced by school personnel.
Students found associating with unauthorized visitors will be suspended.
DRESS CODE Vidalia Junior High School’s Goal of Educational Excellence requires strong parental support in the areas of student dress and discipline. Uniforms are mandatory for all students attending Concordia Parish Schools.
All students are expected to comply with all aspects of the dress code exactly as stated by the school.
The administration will have the final decision as to the appropriateness of school attire. Any student who fails to comply will be sent home until he/she does so. Continual violation of the dress code could warrant detention or suspension from school.
BOYS: 1. Hair—(An acceptable, well-groomed haircut as deemed by the administration will be required of all male students.) A. Maximum Hair Length—Boys’ hair at the back of the head may be styled in such a fashion so as to reach the shoulder but not fall below it. B. Teased hair and Afro hair styles are not to exceed three (3) inches. C. Boys’ hair must be worn OUT OF THE EYES so that vision is not impaired.
2. Clothing-- A. Shirts must be buttoned except for the collar button, and shirt collars must be worn turned down. B. At no time should any part of the abdomen show. No see through Jerseys are allowed. C. Boys may NOT wear earrings or any object in the ear that requires a hole in the ear. GIRLS: 1. Hair—(Must be standard, acceptable style.) A. No hair curlers. B. Hair in the face or arranged in any manner detrimental to the performance of normal educational activities will be prohibited. 2. Clothing—(Uniform policy attached) No oversized purses or backpacks are allowed. BOYS AND GIRLS: 1. No caps or hats are to be worn at school. 2. No nose rings or body piercings of any type are allowed at school. 3. No colored socks may be worn.
CONCORDIA PARISH SCHOOLS’ UNIFORM POLICY 2006-2007
Uniforms are mandatory for all students attending Concordia Parish Schools and must conform to Concordia Parish School Board Standards.
Students must present themselves in the approved uniform daily. The school administrators will make all final decisions on dress code compliance. Questions regarding the appropriateness of school uniforms should be addressed to the appropriate site-based administrator. All clothing must be worn in the manner meant by the manufacturer. The uniform must be in the correct size to avoid sagging and all uniforms must be of the standard uniform type.
Vidalia colors: red, white, and navy Shirts or turtle necks: red, white, or navy with logos Pants: khaki or navy Shorts, skorts, jumpers, or skirts: khaki, navy, or plaid (#55) Sweatshirts: navy, white, or red with logos
1. Hem Length: knee length shorts; knee length skorts; skirts are knee length or longer. Pants should not touch the floor. 2. Pants: no labels. No corduroy, denim/jean cut, or cargo/painter pants, hip- huggers or capri pants. Pants should not have external pockets or “patch pockets.” The pants should not have buckles on the back of them nor pockets down the pants leg. All pants and shorts should have belt loops. Overalls should not be worn. A pair of khaki pants DOES NOT constitute a pair of uniform pants. ABSOLUTELY no sagging of pants or shorts will be acceptable.
3. Shirts: will be tucked in at all times. Any exterior piece of clothing should have a school logo on it. Shirts must be tucked in so that the belt is visible.
4. Belts: All students must wear belts. The belt must fit into all of the belt loops of the pants and/or shorts, and must be buckled at all times. No part of the belt may be hanging at any time.
5. Socks or Stockings: must be worn. (White socks only – no colored socks.)
6. Jackets/Coats: No particular coat is required; however, trench or long coats are not to be worn to school. A jacket/coat is defined as an item that buttons or zips all the way down the front. Long sleeve shirts including oversized plaid, flannel, or pecan shirts are not to be worn as jackets. (NO HOODIES)
7. Shoes: No particular shoes are required; however, beach, pool, or house shoes are not to be worn at school. Sandals must be worn with socks and have a back on them.
8. T-shirts: Only a solid white T-shirt may be worn underneath any uniform shirt. Printed or colored T-shirts are not to be worn to school underneath uniform shirts. A solid uniform colored turtle neck can be worn under any uniform shirt.
9. Sweatshirts: These are to be only worn as the exterior piece of clothing. No sweatshirts with hoods may be worn as a uniform shirt.
10. Jumpers: These are to be of the uniform type and should not be denim.
11. Transfer students: A transfer student has ten (10) days to be in uniform.
12. It is the ultimate responsibility of the parent to adhere to the Concordia Parish Uniform Policy.
13. No other clothing is permissible without the express permission of his or her site- based administrator.
14. The final decision as to the appropriateness of school attire rests with the site- based administrator.
VALUABLE PERSONAL ITEMS AT SCHOOL Vidalia Junior High strongly discourages students from bringing to school any valuable personal items. These include but are not limited to expensive jewelry, money (more than lunch money or small change), and sentimental items such as heirlooms. The school has no provisions to safe guard such items. When attending physical education class, the student must be responsible for personal items. The student should give the teacher any valuable item. Otherwise, the school cannot be responsible. Sports equipment (not related to school activities) is prohibited. NO OVERNIGHT BAGS WILL BE ALLOWED AT SCHOOL. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES Parents must make appointments for conferences with teachers by calling the guidance counselor. The guidance counselor will confer with the teacher before the definite conference is arranged. TWENTY-FOUR (24) HOURS NOTICE IS REQUIRED. Conference hours begin at 8:20 A.M. ending at 3:12 P.M. Special arrangements must be made for hours different from those above. Teachers should not be called at home for any reason other than emergencies.
DISCIPLINE One of the most important lessons education should teach is discipline. While it does not appear as a subject, it underlies the whole educational structure. It is the training that develops self-control, character, orderliness, and efficiency. It is the key to good conduct and proper consideration for other people.
School principals may punish any student who is guilty of: 1. Fighting, pushing, or tripping 2. Bringing inappropriate or injurious articles to school or school activity 3. Smoking or other use of tobacco 4. Leaving class, campus, or other locations without permission 5. Being disrespectful toward a teacher or other staff or other student 6. Defacing or destroying property 7. Throwing objects 8. Refusing to sit in assigned seat 9. Using profane language 10. Willful disobedience 11. Committing an immoral or vicious act 12. Possessing weapons 13. Conduct or habits injurious to his/her associates 14. Disturbing the school and habitually violating the rules 15. Cutting, defacing, or injuring any part of public school buildings, or any property belonging to the school board 16. Writing profane or obscene language or drawing obscene pictures in or on any school material or on any fence, pole, sidewalk, or building on the way to, at, or on the way home from school 17. Instigating or participating in fights while under school supervision 18. Violating traffic and safety regulations 19. Habitual tardiness or absenteeism 20. Committing any other serious offense 21. Dress code violations Suspended students must sign back into school through the principal or assistant principal. A parent must be present. An excuse will be issued from a member of the administrative staff for the student to return to class.
ASSERTIVE DISCIPLINE SYSTEM FOR VIDALIA JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Phase I: Teacher contact with parent (by phone or letter) Phase II: Administrative Parent Contact (by letter or telephone) Phase III: Detention (usually three days) (Neither student nor parent has the option of paddling over detention.) Phase IV: Saturday School (Neither student nor parent has the option to select Saturday School over detention.) Phase V: In-school suspension (SOS) Phase VI: Suspension (In most circumstances, three (3) day suspension)
NOTE: THIS PROCESS DOES NOT TAKE THE PLACE OF MAJOR OFFENSES (fighting, stealing, profanity, etc.).
Please note that classroom uniform violations will be handled in accordance with the steps above. Uniform violations that occur while teachers are on duty at recess, before school, after school, etc. will be handled by a member of the administrative team (generally with detention).
CONDUCT Every teacher is authorized to hold every pupil accountable for any disorderly conduct on the school campus or on the street while going to or from school.
In fulfilling his/her obligations each pupil shall: 1. Comply with all policies of the parish school board 2. Recognize the authority of all teachers and other school personnel 3. Abstain from gambling, immorality, profanity, hazing, fighting, extortion, use of or possession of any instrument capable of inflicting bodily harm 4. Refrain from willfully damaging, defacing, or destroying school property or illegally entering school buildings 5. Be regular in school attendance and on time; strive to do his best in all areas of school life 6. Abide by policies set by the school concerning travel to and from school, on school buses, and use and operation of private vehicles on the school grounds 7. Comply with regular rules and regulations of the school board while attending any activities sponsored by the school 8. Respect the rights of others to get an education.
RUNNING IN THE HALLS—No student will be allowed to run in the halls. THROWING OBJECTS—No student will be allowed to throw foreign objects such as shells, ice, rocks, sticks, etc.
PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION—Students will not be allowed to kiss, em- brace, or hold hands on campus during normal school hours or functions.
PUSHING, SHOVING, HITTING—Students are not allowed to push, shove, or hit other students during school days. This can be considered “Horseplay” and may result in the student being assigned to morning detention.
STUDENT BEHAVIOR FOR SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS—Students reported to the office by a substitute teacher for disruptive behavior or disrespect will automatically be assigned morning detention.
GUM PATROL—GUM IS NOT ALLOWED ON THE VIDALIA JUNIOR HIGH CAMPUS!!! Students caught at school with gum will be assigned Gum Patrol. Gum Patrol will be held on selected Saturday mornings . If a student misses an assigned Gum Patrol without prior permission from the school administration, he/she will be suspended.
STUDENT TRANSPORTATION—All students in the school are entitled to bus transportation. Behavior must conform to the rules and regulations of the Concordia Parish School Board. Riding the bus is a privilege. Improper conduct on the busses will result in that privilege being denied. Any student who habitually misses his/her bus will be subject to disciplinary action.
SCHOOL PROPERTY—Louisiana law states that parents are financially responsible for property damage caused by their children. Students should exercise care in their treatment of school facilities and equipment.
RESTROOMS—Students using restrooms are to cooperate with teachers or others checking or supervising the restrooms. Staff personnel have been directed to prevent student congestion, intimidation, smoking, eating, and loitering in restrooms. These directions are for the welfare of all. Vandalism of the restrooms will result in restitution and/or suspension.
MEDICATION—It is the policy of the Board of Education of the State of Louisiana not to dispense medication of any kind to students. If it is necessary for a student to take personally prescribed medicine at school, the parent should contact the school office for additional information.
LOCKERS—Lockers will not be used at Vidalia Junior High. Students will be issued books at the beginning of the year. Books will be left at home and turned back in at the end of the year. Reference books will be provided in each classroom. Lockers and locks will be provided in the gym for storage of gym clothes only!!
WILLFUL ENDANGERMENT—Student safety is a priority at Vidalia Junior High, and students who intentionally place themselves in dangerous situations will be disciplined. Examples would include such things as climbing on the building or furniture in the building, placing objects into electrical sockets, inappropriate use of school equipment, etc. Students engaged in such activities will be punished.
NONALLOWABLE ITEMS—No student will be allowed to bring items to school that could be harmful to himself/herself or classmates or distract him/her from a healthy learning environment. The items include, but are not limited to: 1. Skateboards 2. Roller skates 3. Metal combs 4. Hard balls 5. Radios, stereos, electronic games, cameras, cell phones**, beepers, etc. 6. Hairbrushes are not to be carried in hands or in pockets 7. Laser pointers 8. Liquid paper 9. Markers 10. BOOK BAGS, Large Purses, and Back Packs
CELL PHONES – Students who are caught with a cell phone: First offense – phone is confiscated until a parent can pick it up. Second offense – and for every offense thereafter – an out of school suspension will be issued.
MORNING DETENTION Morning detention will be held Tuesday through Thursday. There will be no detention on Mondays and Fridays. Students should not be dropped off for detention before 6:50 a.m.
The following regulations will apply to the detention periods: 1. The student must bring the detention form back signed by a parent. An additional day will be given for each day that the form is not returned. 2. A student who is tardy (after 7:00 a.m.) for the detention period will be assigned an additional detention period. 3. If a student does not attend his assigned detention, he will be suspended. 4. Inappropriate behavior or failure to bring materials and complete assigned material during the detention period will result in additional detention time or suspension. 5. After three (3) detention assignments per semester, the student will be given an at-home suspension.
CHEATING/PLAGIARISM When a student is guilty of cheating on any assignment (homework, test, report, project, research paper, etc.), the teacher shall collect the student’s paper, mark a zero for the work, and notify a parent and the office immediately as to the action taken. The parent shall be informed that a second offense will bring automatic suspension from school.
SMOKING The use and/or possession of tobacco or tobacco products is prohibited, and any student who violates this rule will be suspended. The rule applies on the way to and from school, during the school day, and at school activities.
COMPUTER USE 1. Students and parents will sign and return the Technology Use Policy agreement. Students will not be allowed to use computer equipment until this is on file. 2. Students who violate the Technology Use Agreement will be subject to discipli- nary procedures: a. 1st offense---detention + parental contact (phone and/or mail) b. 2nd offense---in-school suspension + loss of computer privilege for the rest of the semester c. 3rd offense---suspension + loss of computer privilege for the rest of the school year. 3. The school has protective devices to guard against pornographic, violent, and other inappropriate sites, such as chat rooms. a. Students trying to change computer settings to be able to access these sites will be punished and may lose their privileges to use computers at school. b. Students viewing such sites will be punished and may lose their privileges to use computers at school. 4. Students using school computers or email addresses to send threatening or inap- propriate messages will be punished and may face suspension or expulsion.
GRADING SYSTEM & REPORT CARDS The evaluation of student achievement is one of the important functions of the teacher. Report cards will be issued four times during the school year. The accepted marking system is as follows: A – Excellent 93-100 B – Good 92-85 C – Average 84-75 D – Poor 74-67 F – Failure 66-0 I – Incomplete
An incomplete is given only in those cases where there is illness, emergency, or by special arrangement, and the student has not been able to complete his/her assignments. An incomplete on the report card becomes an “F” six weeks from the date it is issued if the incomplete work has not been made up. Make-up work is the complete responsibility of the student.
Progress reports are given to each student midway through each grading period. Progress report forms will be given to the student by his/her homeroom teacher. If a student is in academic difficulty in a particular subject, these reports afford the opportunity for corrective measures to be taken.
LEAP PROGRESSION will follow current guidelines as set forth by the BESE board and the Concordia Parish School Board.
Retention will be subject to the Parish Pupil Progression Plan as adopted by the Concordia Parish School Board.
Semester and final exams will be given to all students grades 6 through 8 with the exception of those students who are exempt. No study guides or exams will be given early.
Students receiving an A for all nine (9) weeks will be exempt from the second semester exam. All students will take the first semester exam.
HONOR ROLL An Honor Roll is announced at the end of each nine weeks grading period. To be on the honor roll, a student must maintain a 3.0 grade point average on the 4.0 point scale.
PRINCIPAL’S LIST A Principal’s List is announced at the end of each nine weeks grading period. This is not an average or point system. It will be an all A’s or B’s list. One grade lower than B will eliminate a student from the Principal’s List.
SUPERINTENDENT’S LIST A Superintendent’s List is announced at the end of each nine weeks grading period. To be placed on the Superintendent’s List, the student must have all A’s.
HONORS BANQUET Students who have earned all A’s for the entire school year will be invited to the Vidalia Junior High School Honors Banquet in May.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Physical Education is required by law for all boys and girls in Louisiana schools.
If the family physician advises against taking part in physical education, it is necessary that a written excuse from the physician be presented. All excuses from physical activity or for limited activity must be accompanied by a form which gives the school information as to the type of activity that the student can participate in.
Students excused by a physician from physical activity must report to class for some type of written activity.
The following rules apply to physical education classes: 1. All students must dress out in P.E. uniform (blue shirt with initial and last name on the back in white block letters; blue shorts with both initials on the left leg; shorts must be knee length; white socks and tennis shoes). 2. All students must dress out even with a doctor’s excuse to receive points for that day. 3. Place all materials (books, bags, etc.) on the shelf in the foyer and pick up books upon leaving for the next class. 4. After dressing out, no one is to go in the dressing room or on the stage with- out permission. 5. Stay away from the teacher’s desk. 6. Please leave valuables at home (rings, jewelry, money, etc.). WE WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE for lost or stolen items or items left on the teacher’s desk. 7. NO walking across the gym floor. 8. NO eating anything, chewing gum, plastic, pen tops, paper, fingernails, string, tongue, etc. 9. No horse playing, fighting, or profanity. 10. No whistling or yelling across the gym. 11. No hanging or swinging on the rim or net of the basketball goals. 12. No sagging gym shorts. 13. When the intercom comes on, immediately stop what you are doing and listen. 14. Do not shoot 4-square balls into the basketball nets. 15. No communication between students who are not dressed out and students who are. 16. Two (2) to four (4) short blows of the whistle means to stop what you are doing. 17. One (1) long blow of the whistle means to dress back in and put the equipment up. 18. Discipline: Running laps, isolation on the stage, write-ups, or go to the office. (If you go to the office and then decide to run laps, it will be doubled what you had to begin with.) 19. All injuries must be reported to the instructor at once. 20. Do not go under the bleachers without permission. 21. If a student must wear glasses, adequate protection should be provided by the student. NO INSURANCE FOR BROKEN GLASSES IS AVAILABLE. 22. Physical education uniforms should be washed regularly, as directed by the instructor.
SCHOOL INSURANCE School insurance is available to all students. A brochure will be available to each student at the beginning of school. Purchase of this program is optional. Parents are responsible for all costs related to injuries.
SCHEDULE REQUESTS Parent requests for schedule changes will be considered until Friday, August 20, 2010. After that date, schedule requests will not be considered for the remainder of the school year.
LIBRARY
A maximum of one book can be checked out from the library for a period of two weeks. There is a 5 cent per day fine for overdue books. A student must return his/her book before another book may be checked out.
CONCLUSION Vidalia Junior High is a place for teaching and learning. All students should come to school everyday with a positive and cooperative attitude in preparation for a day filled with learning activities. Students who come to school for other reasons should be prepared to suffer the consequences of their actions. Student achievement is our top priority.
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The mission of Vidalia Jr. High School is to produce responsible, accountable, positive students in a safe environment. |
