Policies and Procedures

Slidell Jr. High School
Parent/Student Handbook
2023-2024

Principal: 
Maria Rhodes

Assistant Principals:
Laura King
Joshua Chausse

Administrative Assistant:
Raoul Landry

Athletic Director:
Shannon Badon

School Counselor:
Michelle Loughnane

School Phone:      985-641-5914
School Website:    http://slidelljunior.stpsb.org

Student Progress Center (grades, teacher webpages):
https://jpams.stpsb.org/progress/
 

Welcome to Slidell Junior High, home of the Tigers!  All of the policies contained in this handbook are in place for the purpose of helping to create a safe and positive learning environment for all of our students.  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the school.

To create a safe, happy and well-rounded learning environment where all students know they are capable of being successful and are given the tools necessary to succeed in multiple environments.

HONORS 
There is limited space for placement in honors classes. The criteria used for 7th and 8th grade honors placement include the following:

• A score of Advanced or Mastery on the LEAP tests or a NPR of 85% or higher
• An “A” or “B” final grade from the previous year in that subject area
• Teacher recommendation

If the student earns less than a B in the class, the school will recommend that your child be transferred to an on-level class. Honors placement is done prior to the start of the school year.

GRADING POLICY
The grading policy for St. Tammany Parish Schools is:
                    A     90-100
                    B     80-89
                    C     70-79
                    D     60-69
                    F     59 and below

HONOR ROLL
Students who achieve a minimum 3.5 GPA or who earn all A’s and B’s on the report card, will be recognized quarterly for honor roll achievement.

REPORT CARDS and ACCESSING GRADES
Report cards are issued to all students following the end of each nine-week period.  Parents can access their student’s grades throughout the year via the Student Progress Center (https://jpams.stpsb.org/progress).  

CARNEGIE CREDIT ELECTIVES
Many of our students are enrolled in a High School Carnegie Unit Credit elective.  All Carnegie credit classes are taught by a high school certified teacher and will transfer to the student’s high school transcript.  For more information, please call the school.  In order to be eligible to receive high school Carnegie credit for courses passed, students may not miss more than five total days of non-exempted absences, unexcused absences, and/or suspensions per semester.

Make up Policy
Students will be given an opportunity to make up missed assignments due to absence.  The number of days allotted for make-up work is equal to the total number of consecutive school days the student was absent. After the student receives the missed assignments, the student has the same number of days to complete the work as the number of days missed. Once the teacher has provided the opportunity and assigned a due date for the student to make the work up, the grade will be entered as a zero if not completed.

We encourage all interested students to try out for athletic teams.  A copy of a recent physical (valid for one year) signed by a physician must be submitted before the student can try out.

Some of the requirements for eligibility are:

• Under the age of 15 years or 15 after September 1st of current school year.
• At least a 1.5 grade point average to play and no more than one “F” on each nine weeks report card.
• At tryouts, students are expected to perform a battery of skills suitable for the sport that they are trying out for. 
• Students are expected to be at all tryouts. Exception: excused absence only.
• Students must have a good recommendation from teachers and administration.

Our athletes publicly represent SJH and are expected to exhibit appropriate behavior both at school and on the field/court.

• Any student suspended from school will not be eligible to participate during the suspension and will serve a minimum one game suspension. Any student who receives two out-of-school suspensions during an athletic season will be dismissed from that team. 
• Any student who has three out-of-school suspensions will not be eligible to participate in athletics for the rest of the school year.

Regular school attendance has a positive effect on students’ success.  Students and parents should refer to the Parish Handbook for all state and parish policies for excessive and excused absences.

• If your child is absent, please have him/her bring a signed written note to student services, within five school days of return with the following information, upon returning to school:
   

  • the date the excuse was written

  • the date(s) of the absence

  • the reason of the absence
     

• It is the student’s responsibility to check with his/her teachers to set up a schedule for completion of all work missed.  The student has an equal number of days in which to make up the work as was missed.

• If a student is to be out for three or more days, assignments should be requested and can be picked up the following day.

• St. Tammany Parish automatically sends home notification letters of excessive absences.  Students absent more than 10 days may be retained.

• Students must remain on campus before school, during the school day or after school while waiting for transportation.

CHECK OUT PROCEDURES

• Any student who needs to leave school due to illness should be checked out through student services.
• Only individuals listed on the student’s emergency card may check the student out. Picture identification is required.
• No students will be checked out after 2:15
   

All students are expected to arrive to school and class on time.  Students tardy to school should report to student services to receive a tardy slip.  Tardiness to school will only be excused for those reasons stated in the St. Tammany Parish Handbook.  After five unexcused tardies to school, the student will be referred to the Child Welfare and Attendance Office as truant. 

Consequences for unexcused tardies to class will follow school disciplinary policies.  Beginning with the 4^th tardy to class student will be issued an administrative detention.

Balloons and flowers should not be delivered or brought to school because of the safety hazard on busses and the distraction they cause in classrooms and hallways.  Candy from non-school sponsored organizations or individuals cannot be sold at school. 

In order to minimize classroom disruptions, parent messages for students will be given between classes. 

If your child requires medication during the school day, please refer to the St. Tammany Parish Guidelines in the Parish Handbook.  If you have any questions concerning medication for long term or short term use, please contact student services.  If your child requires only short-term medication, we recommend (if possible) it be scheduled around school hours. Students are not allowed to bring any prescriptions or over-the-counter medications to school. 

In order to ensure the safety of our students, all visitors are required to register in the office and wear a visitor’s pass. School administration must approve all visitations. 

Our cafeteria provides nutritionally balanced, free breakfast and lunch to our students each school day.  As an alternative, students are allowed to bring a breakfast and/or lunch from home to eat here at school.  Glass containers are not allowed on campus.  

Hallway lockers are available upon request.  Request forms are available at student services and the library. 

In order to secure personal belongings, students are encouraged to bring a combination lock to PE daily. The PE uniform consists of green shorts and a school PE-uniform shirt or plain grey t-shirt.  Refer to the district dress code on length of shorts. 

BULLYING

We encourage all of our students to be respectful of each other.  Bullying is a pattern of behaviors with the intention of hurting another student and that involves a power imbalance between students.  Peer conflict (mutual arguments, disagreements, name-calling, etc.) does not normally constitute bullying. It is important that incidents of bullying are reported to the school counselor or administration. All reports will be fully investigated. The consequences for bullying will be determined by administration and may include:

• Verbal warning; conference with student; counseling for student
• Friday/Saturday detention
• In-school suspension; student/parent/teacher/principal conference required
• Suspension or recommendation for expulsion

Please refer to the District Handbook for Students and Parents for more information.

BUS POLICY
 

• The bus driver is responsible for the safety and well-being of all students while they are on the bus.  It is important that students are respectful and follow bus rules.
• Students who violate bus regulations or who in any way endanger themselves or others by misconduct on the bus will be reported by the bus driver to the principal or assistant principal.  Appropriate discipline consequences will be assigned.
• A student who must ride a bus other than his/her own, must have a signed written request to the principal from his/her parents.  The note should be brought to the front office before school and picked up after lunch.  The approved note is to be given to the bus driver in order to ride the bus. 
• For purposes of eligibility to attend dances, field trips and other extracurricular activities, a bus suspension will be equivalent to an In-School Suspension.

HALLWAYS

Any student in the hall during class periods must have a written pass from a teacher.  Between classes, students should “walk and talk” rather than congregating.  

CELL PHONES/OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Cell phone use disrupts the educational process and can become a safety issue.  Students found with a visible device or in use of a device at school will have it confiscated and will be referred to the office for discipline.  A parent will need to pick up the device in the main office.  At no time should cell phones be used to take pictures of other students or staff members.  School personnel will not investigate stolen or lost cellphones and/or electronic devices.  Wireless/Bluetooth headphones/devices should NOT be brought to school.  

Under this policy, the term "wireless devices" includes, but is not limited to, cellular phones (whether analog or digital), smart watch, camera phones, beepers, pagers, text messaging devices and PDA's that are used as telecommunication devices or to transmit text messages, as well as any other wireless electronic telecommunication devices.
 

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR

Students are expected to maintain high standards of social behavior at all times.  Public displays of affection in any form is prohibited on school grounds or at any school sponsored event.  

SOCIAL MEDIA

Use of social media on campus is not allowed per the parish handbook.  Students posting images or messages on campus are subject to serious disciplinary consequences.  

SCHOOL DRESS/UNIFORM CODE

Please refer to the St. Tammany Parish District Handbook for Students and Parents. Extremes in style will be defined and determined by the school administration.

• Polo Shirts – forest green, heather gray, or white, long or short sleeve, school logo optional. Polo shirts that are excessive in length, as well as t-shirts worn under the polo shirt, are to be tucked in. 
• Sweatshirts and Hoodies – SJH sweatshirts will be accepted as a uniform without wearing a uniform shirt underneath. Any sweatshirt that is not an SJH sweatshirt must be worn with a uniform shirt.
• Pants – Khaki pants, shorts, or skirts of an appropriate length are allowed.  Cut-offs are not allowed.   Pants must be secured at the waist.  Wind pants, sweat pants, leggings/jeggings or pajama pants are not permitted.  Pants that have holes or rips are not allowed.
• Shorts and skirts must be fingertip length when standing or no more than 5” above the knee.
• Hats and hoods: baseball caps, beanies, skull caps and bandanas may not be worn.  Hoods are not to be worn on campus during regular school hours except for outdoors during inclement weather.
• Body-piercing ornaments are limited to the ears and nose, nose piercing is limited to one stud. No septum piercing allowed.  Earrings may not be extreme in size, hoops must be smaller than a quarter.
• Students are required to follow district policy regarding hair.
• Shoes – Slippers are not allowed
• School administration will follow the school disciplinary process in addressing students out of uniform. 
• Uniforms may not be altered or accessorized in an attempt to circumvent the mandatory uniform policy.

SCHOOL IDs

Students are required to wear the school-issued ID badge to school each day. Before school, students must report to the “ID table” at the front of the school to get a temporary ID.  If missing IDs are not handled before school, disciplinary action will be taken. After three temporary IDs have been issued the students will receive a replacement ID. Temporary IDs and replacement IDs will need to be paid for on MyPaymentsPlus. The cost of a replacement ID is $5 and temporary IDs cost $1.  If the ID is defaced in any way, the student will be required to purchase a replacement ID.

DISCIPLINARY CONSEQUENCES

Lunch Detention
Lunch detentions are served during a student’s lunch period.  The student will eat lunch in a designated area.

Administrative Detention
Administrative Detentions are held after school from 2:35 – 3:35 PM on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Long Friday Detention
“Long” Friday Detention is held after school on Fridays from 2:35 – 4:35 PM.  If a student misses any detention assigned by school administration, additional consequences will be issued.

In-School Suspension
In-School Suspension is provided as an alternative to out of school suspension in certain situations.  This gives students the opportunity to complete their regular daily assignments.  Students refusing to complete assignments or who do not meet the other behavioral expectations in ISS will be suspended out of school. Students cannot attend after school events on any day they were in ISS.

Suspensions and Expulsions
Refer to the St. Tammany Parish District Handbook for Students and Parents. Offenses not specifically covered by the handbook will be handled at the discretion of the administration. A recommendation for expulsion will occur after:

• Possession of a controlled dangerous substance
• 3rd incident with a vape
• Any group fight
• 2nd fight
• 3rd Out of School Suspension    

Extra-curricular activities at the school are provided to enrich our regular academic programs.  Attending one of these functions is an important part of the junior high experience.  Students are expected to behave in a manner that positively represents a Slidell Jr. High Tiger.  Students will not be allowed to attend any extra-curricular activity on the evening of a day when the student was suspended from school or in in-school suspension.  Students attending athletic events should stay on the side of the field/court that is designated for our fans. 

For safety reasons, students are expected to be picked up after the completion of an activity.  Any student not picked up within 15 minutes of the ending time, will not be allowed to attend the next scheduled night activity.  Students who have been suspended for physical altercations are not allowed to attend extra-curricular events.

• Only SJHS students will be allowed to attend events.
• Students with more than 14 unexcused absences are not allowed to attend events.
• Students, who have been suspended (OSS) during the eight school weeks leading up to the dance, may not attend the dance.
• Students with more than one out of school suspension or more than a combination of two ISS/OSS or more than ten office referrals during the school year will not be eligible to attend dances.
• Students who have been expelled during the current school year are not eligible to attend.
• Eligible students must have the appropriate form completed and signed by the parent or guardian before he/she will be allowed to purchase a ticket to the dance.
• Students must follow the STPSB dress code.

When field trips are scheduled by a teacher or club sponsor, permission must be given by the parent for the student to attend the field trip.  Although field trips are educational, they are also a privilege and a student must maintain a satisfactory disciplinary record in order to attend.  An appropriate school uniform is required on all field trips. 

Field trips and the 8^th Grade picnic are rewards for those students who have exhibited positive behavior throughout the school year.  In order to be eligible to attend a field trip/picnic, a student cannot have any of the following:

• More than one out-of-school suspension
• More than two in-school suspensions
• More than a combination of two out of school and in-school suspensions.
• Suspension for physical altercation
• More than 10 office referrals
• Less than a 1.5 GPA for first 3 quarters 
• Expulsion during the current school year
• More than 14 unexcused absences

*Note: For purposes of eligibility to attend dances, field trips and other extracurricular activities, a bus suspension will be equivalent to an In-School Suspension.

We encourage all students to learn to use the library for their pleasure and for class assignments. 

• The library will open each school day at 7:10 a.m. and close at 2:45 p.m.   Students must have a pass from a teacher or a note from a parent to be admitted before school. 
• Books on the open shelves are checked out for two (2) weeks. Reference books may not be checked out.
• Books on reserve may be checked out for a 2-day period.
• Overdue library books are charged a fine of $.10 a day.
• Lost books must be paid for by students.
• Students who owe fines or have overdue library books will not be allowed to check-out books.
   

Computers and the internet are available in classrooms and in the library for student use.  Students are required to have a signed technology use agreement on file in order to use school technology equipment. Students are expected to treat all equipment with care. 

All chrome books at SJH are the property of the STPSB. Any loss or damage will result in a replacement. Any misuse of a Chrome Book is subject to disciplinary action.

Student use of textbooks carries with it the basic responsibility of proper use and good care. Parents will assume the responsibility for replacement cost for any lost or damaged textbook. Textbooks are also available online through Clever. 

Valuables such as air pods, phones, expensive jewelry, large amounts of money, and other items of value should not be brought to school.  We cannot accept responsibility for these items. Please talk with your child to help ensure that expensive items are not brought to school. 

Slidell Junior High School is committed to providing a safe and stable climate for all students, free from sexual harassment by other students, teachers, parents, and staff members. 

The purpose of the St. Tammany Parish School Board is to provide public education for the school-aged children of St. Tammany Parish. Sexual harassment is a violation of the law and School Board policy and will not be tolerated, condoned, or overlooked. 

Sexual harassment as defined by the St. Tammany Parish School Board’s policy on sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and / or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. 

• As mandated by the St. Tammany Parish School Board, students in grades K-8 will receive instruction on the topic of child sexual abuse prevention, education, and reporting. 
• All materials that will be used in the instruction may be previewed by contacting the school administration. 
• We would also like to encourage you to talk with your children about this topic as well as other general safety issues. 

• Students who do not ride school buses should not be on campus prior to 6:55. 
• Students are allowed to ride bikes to and from school.  Bikes must be walked not ridden on campus and should be locked at the provided bike racks.
• Parents should not drop off or pick up students in the faculty parking lot unless there is inclement weather. 
• Car riders should be dropped off and picked up on Pennsylvania Avenue outside the cafeteria.  In the mornings, after the buses have left, students can also be dropped off on the bus ramp on 5^th street. Students are not allowed to leave the designated car pick up area and enter a vehicle.  This practice creates a safety hazard. Students not following this procedure are subject to discipline.
• Walkers may leave campus at dismissal North on 4^th St. 
• Students should not be on campus after 2:45 pm unless participating in a school-sponsored club/team event. 
• To request a change in bus assignment, parents should contact the transportation department at 898-3373.

To ensure a safe and secure environment on all campuses, School Board policy permits unannounced searches of students, employees and school visitors both during the school day and at school sponsored events.

Metal detector searches may be conducted by law enforcement, school personnel, or a combination of both. During screenings, individuals may be asked to walk through a metal detector while keeping items such as keys, phones, and wallets on their person. If the metal detector is activated, the individual will be asked to remove items and proceed through the detector a second time. Should the detector activate again, the individual will be directed to a secondary screening with a handheld security wand. If the handheld wand also activates, a law enforcement officer will perform an additional screening.

Following this process, and in the interest of school safety, individuals may be asked to leave School Board property at the discretion of law enforcement or school administrators.