Policies and Procedures

Absenteeism:

• All students are required to attend school regularly. Students in the elementary grades are allowed only 10 "cumulative" absences per school year.
• Absences due to "extenuating circumstances" do not count toward the ten-day absence limit and require a note from a physician, nurse practitioner, or dentist. There are certain other circumstances that qualify, such as a death in the family. Educational field trips, absences due to artistic expression, or a parent's military deployment to a combat zone require prior permission from the principal to be counted as "extenuating."
• A computer-generated letter is automatically sent by the school board when absences are a matter of concern. If parents have contacted the school and documented excused absences as required, no other action is necessary. 
• Cumulative absences are excused for student illness, doctor's appointments, and family emergencies.
• Absences of two or fewer consecutive days incurred due to physical illness may be validated by a parent or caregiver's written excuse note and count toward the ten-day cumulative absence limit.
• Absences of three or more consecutive days due to illness or other types of absences require a note from a physician, nurse practitioner, or dentist to be excused.
• Excuses for absences must be presented in writing to the school office within two (2) days of days missed. Excuses will not be accepted after two (2) days of the student's return to school. (See St. Tammany Parish Student Handbook).
• If a student's absence is excused, they will be allowed to make up the work missed. The student is responsible for making arrangements with the teachers to make up all due assignments upon their return.
• If a student is out two (2) or more days, please get in touch with the school, and assignments can be made available for pick up. Please give the office 24 hours notice so that teachers will have an opportunity to gather the appropriate materials and write out the assignments.

Arrival (morning): School starts at 8:05 AM.

• Teachers are on duty 1/2 hour before the start of school (7:35 AM). All students who arrive by bus or car before 8:05 AM will walk to the playground outside the 300 wing. Students can walk around and talk to friends in their assigned area during this time. Use of playground equipment, ball games, or active games will not be allowed during this time.

Students should be seated in classrooms by 8:05 AM. Students will be marked tardy if they arrive after 8:05 AM. Students who wish to eat breakfast will go directly to the cafeteria and then dismiss to play after eating. Breakfast ends at 8:00 AM.

Tardiness:

State law requires that you have your child in attendance on time. Students who arrive after 8:05 AM will be marked unexcused tardy without proper documentation of the excuse for their tardiness to school. If you bring your child and arrive after 8:05 AM, you must escort them to the office, sign them in and get an admission slip. In the situation of excessive tardies to school (five or more times within nine weeks). In that case, the Child Welfare and Attendance supervisor will be notified, and disciplinary action may be taken if necessary. A student may be assigned to an After School Detention on the sixth unexcused tardy during nine weeks. Per the policy, the administration will complete an ACT 103 Documentation Form for the Supervisor of Child Attendance and Welfare when excessive tardiness and absenteeism have become a concern.

Picking Up/Dropping Off Students:

• The school day at TMS will begin at 8:05 AM and end at 3:11 PM.
• No students may be picked up or dropped off in the bus loading zone. For safety reasons, no parent should be in the bus loading area to pick up a student.
• Students arriving after 8:05 must be accompanied by a parent to the office and signed in (see TARDY). 
• Except for emergencies, students will not be checked out after 2:30 PM. This reduces potential end-of-day confusion in the office and missing vital classroom instruction. Your cooperation and understanding are appreciated.

Bicycle Riders and Walkers:

Due to traffic concerns, the administration does not allow students to walk or ride bicycles to school.

Bus:

Transportation to and from school by bus is available to all students residing in the Tchefuncte Middle School district. Parents are strongly encouraged to discuss with their children the following basic expectations to help ensure the safety of all students:

• Always follow the instructions of the driver.
• Remain seated entirely and face the front.
• Keep hands and feet to one's self.
• Talk in a low tone of voice and always use acceptable language.
• Wait for and get off the bus at your designated bus stop.

Students who fail to follow the bus safety rules will be subject to disciplinary action.  

Bus Request

Students who desire to ride another bus must present a note for approval to the office by lunchtime, dated and signed by a parent or legal guardian. This note must state the driver's name and bus number. Presenting such a note does not guarantee the privilege of riding another bus.

Bus Transportation Changes:

Transportation changes will not be conducted over the telephone due to legal liability and the safety of your children. We must receive a handwritten note from the parent or legal guardian to make a change. Classes will not be interrupted by transportation changes. Your understanding is appreciated.

Carpool Circle in the Morning and Afternoon:

• Students will only be released to cars with a school-provided carline ID number. If the vehicle does not have the ID, you will be asked to pull aside and wait until the end of the carline to receive your student. If you need more than one ID card, please contact the school.
• The first car in line should always drop off/pick up at the brick columns.
• We try to empty/fill eight cars at a time, so please pull up as far as possible in the circle before your child exits/enters your car.
• Parents should drop off/wait for children in their car and refrain from walking up to the building for safety reasons. Students will only be released to parents or guardians waiting in a car in the car circle.
• Please see that your child always exits/enters the vehicle on the right side onto/from the sidewalk area for safety reasons.
• Cars should never pass in the circle area to the left of vehicles letting out/picking up students.
• School begins at 8:05 AM. A parent must come into the office to sign a student in after the 8:05 bell rings.
• A parent/guardian must accompany students through the parking lot, including the grass walkway along the wall.
• Please do not park in the service area between Tchefuncte and Pontchartrain. This area is reserved for employees.

Car Rider:

Parents must send a note with their child if they wish to leave school with anyone other than the parent. Without proper authorization, students will not be allowed to leave school with other people (be sure all persons, brothers/sisters, grandparents, neighbors, etc., are listed on the emergency card for authorization to check your child out of school).   If students belong to specific organizations (such as Scouts) and attend regularly, one note will suffice for the year.

 

At TMS we believe in a behavioral education program centered on positive relationships, rooted in restorative practices, and promoting responsibility to serve the individual needs of the whole child.

Progressive Discipline

This Discipline Plan aims to support the vision of TMS, where children come to learn and play, where parents choose to send their children, and educators invest in their careers. The goal is to provide a safe school and a conducive learning experience for every child.

Discipline Begins with Parents and Students

The first level of discipline begins with parents and students themselves. Appropriate language, dress, attendance, and actions are the first step toward avoiding the discipline process that the school must provide. The school wants to support parents and families in their desire to educate their children.

We Believe Parents:

• Value and support their child's education.
• Ensure their child arrives at school on time and is prepared to learn daily.
• Recognize they are a partner in learning.
• Should engage in respectful and open communication with the school community.

We Believe Students:

• Complete work on time to the best of their ability.
• They will be held accountable for their actions and learn from their mistakes.
• Make safe, responsible, and respectful choices.
• Recognize their role in contributing to their classroom and school community.

Teachers and staff are responsible for discipline in their classrooms, halls, on school property, and during school functions. Teachers and staff have developed classroom rules and procedures that reflect that philosophy.

We Believe Teachers:

• Honor each student's individual needs, provide a safe learning environment, and recognize that fairness is not always equal.
• Are committed to high standards of academic achievement for all students.
• Model and explicitly teach behavioral expectations.
• Treat students with kindness and compassion and establish consistent communication with parents.

Differences between Punishment and Discipline

Punishment is an emotional response that requires judgment and imposes an outside power. It arouses resentment, anger, and invites more conflict.

Discipline is a planned response. It allows the student to recognize their wrongdoings and ownership of the problem. The student learns how to solve the problem and leaves the dignity of the student and the teacher intact. Discipline is not ridicule, sarcasm, or embarrassment. 

 Desired Behaviors

1. Behaviors the classroom teacher would like to see exhibited by their students should be written in the classroom. (Classroom Rules)

2. Behaviors are actions we can see and hear.

3. Classroom management of these behavioral expectations may result in campus-based consequences.

Differences between Rules and Expectations

Rules target undesirable behavior and are hard and fast. Rules are severe and, if broken, must be followed with a consequence. Rules need to be written proactively, when possible.

Expectations are routines, and procedures are followed due to school-wide expectations. Tchefuncte Middle School has developed a set of Gator Expectations. These ensure that our students learn without disruption, and our teachers instruct free from interference.

Restroom Expectations

• Keep Clean, water off the floor, and avoid playing
• Flush when finished and wash hands
• Report any problems
• Be courteous and respectful

Hallway Expectations

• Display your hall pass
• Walk quietly and quickly on the side
• Be aware of others' personal space
• Be courteous and respectful

Cafeteria Expectations

• Keep voices low; Quiet during dismissal
• Use good table manners
• Remain seated and raise your hand for assistance
• Keep your area clean and be courteous and respectful

Playground Expectations

• Be a good sport and use equipment properly without rough playing
• Line up when the bell rings; pick up trash
• Include others in play and use appropriate language
• Be courteous and respectful

Campus-Based Consequences

Consequences will be campus-based and may include the following:

• Classroom Consequences
• Student/Teacher/Parent Conferences
• Loss of Privileges
• Office Referral 

Referral to School Administration

A behavioral referral to the school administration is a part of all classroom management plans. Depending upon the offense, the school administration has several levels of discipline that may be utilized. Please see the District Student Handbook for the policy used at the school level.

Weapons and Explosives

Bringing or possessing weapons, firearms, and explosives is strictly forbidden. All violations will be referred to our Central Office and law enforcement officials.

School administration reserves the right to contact law enforcement regarding safety issues, violence, alcohol, drugs, tobacco, student concerns, sexually based behaviors, thefts, or threats.

Threats of Violence or Self-Injurious Behavior Policy

With the rise in school violence nationwide, all threats of violence or self-injure will be taken seriously, and district policy and state laws will be followed.

Bullying:

Bullying happens when someone hurts or scares another person on purpose and the person being bullied has difficulty defending themselves. Usually, bullying happens over and over. Bullying can also happen online or electronically. Cyberbullying is when children or teens bully each other using the Internet, cell phones, or other cyber technology. Tchefuncte takes all reports of bullying seriously and will investigate all reports. St. Tammany Parish School Board lists, in detail, the types of bullying in their handbook. We ask parents to immediately discuss with their children the importance of reporting any bullying they may see or hear to a teacher or administrator. Often students are hesitant to report an incident because they think they will be "tattling" – therefore, Tchefuncte Middle School works diligently to educate our students on the difference between tattling versus reporting:

Tattling:

Wanting to get someone else in trouble or to get attention (Inappropriate/False Report)

Reporting – Helping yourself or others to stay safe (Appropriate/True Report)

 

School administration reserves the right to contact law enforcement regarding safety issues, violence, alcohol, drugs, tobacco, student concerns, sexually based behaviors, thefts, or threats.

 

Conferences:

Good parent/teacher communication is an essential ingredient to student achievement. Parent-teacher conferences can be beneficial to the student. Teachers and parents see the student from different perspectives, and working together can form a solid partnership to promote the student's success.

Parents are strongly encouraged to meet with the teacher to discuss questions and concerns before contacting an administrator. The principal and assistant principal are available to all parents and are willing to meet with them. Please call the school office at 985-626–7118 to set up a conference.

Classroom Visitations:

We request that parents schedule classroom observations 24 hours in advance through the administration and limit visits to one hour at a time. We welcome volunteers and credit them for making Tchefuncte Middle School an excellent school.

Messages:

Please do not call to give your child a message unless it is an emergency. Messages delivered to the classroom, whether in person or over the intercom, disrupt the education process. Unless there is an emergency, messages will not be delivered. This includes transportation changes.

Cell Phone Policy:

School board policy is that students are allowed to have cell phones or other wireless devices such as watches at school and on the school bus, provided the device is turned off, stowed away, and not in use. Suppose a student is found using or displaying a cell phone or other wireless device or possessing a ringing cell phone during the instructional day or on the school bus. In that case, proper disciplinary procedures will occur. Wireless devices will be placed in the office for parents to pick up at their convenience. The first offense is a warning, the second offense is detention, and the third is an administrative decision. Cell phones may be used in the event of a life-threatening emergency or injury only. The School System is not responsible for lost or stolen cell phones.

Computer Use Policy:

Students must sign the St. Tammany Parish Chromebook User Agreement and follow its rules or face the possibility of being denied the opportunity to use the school's computers and face further disciplinary action should a violation occur. The Parish Policy will be sent home for all parents to sign. Tchefuncte Middle School expects that student use of computers provided in this school will be ethical and reflect academic honesty. Students must use school hardware and software responsibly and demonstrate respect for intellectual property, data ownership, system security mechanisms, and privacy rights.

ChromebookResponsibleUseAgreementPerpetualwithYearlyStudentDeviceDamageCoverageForm.pdf

Electronic communication with teachers should occur between parent and teacher. Students should not contact teachers directly through e-mail, text message, phone, etc.

Sexual Abuse:

Your child will receive a St. Tammany Parish School Board-mandated child sexual abuse prevention, education, and reporting program during the school year. You may call the school counselor to learn more about this program.
 

Sexual Harassment:

The St. Tammany Parish School Board aims to provide public education for the school-aged children of St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. Sexual harassment violates the law and School Board policy and will not be tolerated, condoned, or overlooked. The Board requests and encourages persons associated with the School System who believe there are acts of harassment reported to the school principal or designee.

"The Board, through the school principal, shall promptly, thoroughly, and fairly investigate reports of sexual harassment and take appropriate action that is consistent with the results of the investigation and the legal requirements afforded by law. Inappropriate behavior will be handled according to the school's discipline procedures."

"The School System and Board will not tolerate retaliation by anyone associated with the School System against one who files a complaint of sexual harassment."

"Some acts of sexual harassment are considered criminal and are subject to prosecution. The Board and School System will fully cooperate with law enforcement agencies and the District Attorney in investigating and prosecuting such criminal offenses."

Reporting of incidents needs to be made to the Principal at your child's school. A copy of the policy is available in every school's library.

Emergency and Severe Weather Drills:

Emergency and Severe Weather Drills are routinely conducted to ensure everyone is prepared for an actual situation. Emergency evacuation routes are posted in each classroom. Drills are conducted safely and non-threatening for the students and are usually completed in minutes. During a drill, routine office check-in/check-out procedures are suspended until students return to their classrooms.

 

Medication in School:

In May of 1993, the Louisiana Legislature enacted Act 87 (LA RS 17436.1) relative to school medication administration. This act covers all prescription and non-prescription drugs. Per Act 87, the St. Tammany Parish School Board has formulated the following guidelines to be used when a child has to receive medication during school hours. 

• No medication shall be administered to or self-administered by any student without an order from a Louisiana or adjacent state-licensed physician or dentist and a letter of request and authorization from the student's parent or guardian. 
• No medication shall be administered to or self-administered by any student unless provided to the school in a container appropriately labeled by a registered pharmacist. 
• A registered nurse employed by the St. Tammany Parish School Board will review the physician's order and the parent's request. The registered nurse will then assess the specific child in the education setting to determine if administering the medication by a trained non-licensed health professional is acceptable. 
• To ensure proper identification of students receiving medication, we request the parent to submit a recent photo of the student to attach to the medication folder. 
• Medication must be brought to school and retrieved when completed by a responsible adult. NO MEDICATION will be received at school or sent home via a student. If your child requires medication for an acute illness, we encourage you to work with your physician to schedule doses that can be given at home. Long-term illness and medication may require administration during school hours. 

Student Insurance:

Optional student insurance is available. A brochure will be sent home with each child at the beginning of the school year. The school will collect the form with payment if you wish to utilize this service. Neither the school nor the School Board accepts responsibility for filing or honoring claims.

Education of Children and Youth in Homeless Situations:

The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law passed in 1987 to help people experiencing homelessness. The Act requires states and school districts to ensure students in homeless situations can attend and succeed in school. The McKinney-Vento Act applies to all children and youth who do not have a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including children and youth who are living in the following situations:

• Doubled-up housing with other families or friends because they lost their home or their family is having temporary financial problems;
• Living in a motel/hotel because of economic hardship or loss of housing;
• Living in an emergency or transitional shelter, domestic violence shelter, or in a runaway/homeless youth shelter;
• Living in a vehicle of any kind; trailer park or campground without running water or electricity; abandoned building; substandard housing; bus/train station;
• Awaiting foster care placement; or
• Left in a hospital.

Children and youth in homeless situations have the right to the following:

• Attend and succeed in school no matter where they live or how long they have lived there;
• Enroll in school despite the lack of a permanent address or lack of school  and immunization records, or birth certificates and other documents;
• Receive services comparable to those offered to non-homeless children and youth;
• Get transportation to school;
• Access educationally related support services;
• Make sure that disagreements between students and schools are resolved quickly.

Parties:

To maximize instructional time, we allow only two parties, winter and the end of the year. These parties are held in the classroom. Teachers and the PTA room mothers work together to plan and conduct these parties. On other occasions, snacks or party treats are not allowed to be brought in by parents without proper permission from the administration. The teacher is responsible for all incentives that are associated with behavior plans within the classrooms. No other parties are allowed (Halloween, King Cake, Birthdays, etc.). 

Birthdays:

Birthday parties and invitation distribution by students or parents are not allowed at school. To maximize instruction and minimize disruption to the learning process, please do not send a birthday cake, balloons, or any birthday treat to your child at school on their birthday. 

Book Bags:

We encourage our students to keep unnecessary books at school and to use the online books at https://moodle.stpsb.org so that the weight of their book bag is not excessive. A link for Moodle can be found on the TMS website, and the students will sign in using their school username and password. Please share the responsibility for school-home communication by sitting down with your child and going through their book bag at least once a week and preferably on the day the weekly overview and graded papers are scheduled to be sent home.

Field Trips:

Field trips provide a valuable learning experience for students away from the school grounds. 

• For a student to attend any activity off-campus, the parent must sign and return the permission slip and send payment online using mypaymentsplus.com; by 4:00 PM on the deadline stated in the letter. Handwritten notes are not acceptable.
• If you can't pay the fee due by the deadline, an extension may be granted if you return the permission slip by the deadline and make arrangements with the teacher to send the cost of the trip at a later date. 
• All school rules are enforced regardless of the location or type of activity. 
• Uniforms are to be worn unless stated otherwise in the permission slip. 
• Bag lunches are available from the school cafeteria. 
• Instructional supervision will be provided at school for students not participating in the off-campus activity.

Pets/Animals at School:

Parents may bring pets/animals to school for instructional purposes. First, obtain permission from the teacher. The animal must have a certificate from a veterinarian stating that it is free of disease and current on all required vaccinations. Parents bringing pets/animals to school must always keep the pet/animal in a cage or on a leash. The pet/animal must be brought only for the specific time the pet/animal is to be used for instruction. Students may not transport pets/animals on the school bus.

 

Yearbooks:

Yearbooks can be preordered for the following year starting in the fall @ www.JostensYearbooks.com. Unique options are available through the company. Yearbooks are delivered to students in the fall of the next school year