Cougar Families,

Welcome back! We are excited to see everyone back in the building for the beginning of the second half of the school year! Tomorrow will be a "B" Day. There is a lot going on this semester, from ELPT testing for our EL students, state assessments for all students, our 50th year celebration (more information forthcoming), and 8th grade activities! We want to ensure that ALL students are properly prepared for all of the upcoming tests that begin in February. Because of this, we will have several parent informational sessions to help our students prepare. Not only that, but we are moving from the holiday season straight into Carnival Season with our parades, balls, and of course, KING CAKE!

Although this is one of the most wonderful times here in Louisiana, it can also be one of the most dangerous. As your families are enjoying the Mardi Gras Season, please make sure to take extra precautions when attending parades. In light of the New Orleans attack, I would be remiss if I did not encourage our families to be aware of their surroundings at all times.

With the weather turning extremely cold this week, we want you all to ensure that your Cougar is properly dressed for the bus stop. Please make sure that you child is layered. That way, once they enter the building, they will be able to be comfortably dressed. The district has already sent out information to inform parents and stakeholders that they will be keeping a close eye on the weather this week. We will also alert our families if there are any changes due to inclement weather.

We are hoping that transportation will be a little better this week, however, that is no guarantee. We will continue to work with the Transportation Department in order to figure out a solution to the problems. Until then, please continue to make sure that your child is at his or her stop in the morning just in case there are trail busses running routes. If needed, the number to the Transportation Department is (225) 2263784.

Report cards will be going home this week, as well. Please make sure that if you are unable to check your child's grades through the Parent Portal, please contact one of our counselors who will be able to assist you with this. Your child will receive their Honor Roll Celebration invitation this week, as we will have our 2nd 9 weeks Honor Roll Celebration on Friday, January 17th.

Parents, this is also a reminder that students are not allowed to have their cell phones on them at school. Cell phones are not to be in students' pockets (pants, skirts, shorts, or jackets). They are to be placed in their booksacks according to newly enacted state laws regarding cell phone usage at school. If students are found with phones on their persons, the phones will be confiscated and a parent or guardian will have to come to retrieve the phone from the school.

Again, I want to reiterate the dress code policy as we are inching closer to "cooler" weather. Students are allowed to wear whatever outer wear deemed necessary while they are at the bus stops. However, once they enter the building, only Southeast Middle outer wear is acceptable per the dress code policy. Not only this, but blankets are not allowed on the bus or in the classrooms. So, please ensure that your student leaves his/her blanket at home. Furthermore, during Casual Dress days, please ensure that your child is adhering to the school's dress code, which can be found in their planners.

Additionally, I ask that parents waiting in the carpool line do not block the handicap ramp in front of the building. We have several students who are wheelchair-bound and need the ramp to enter into the building. So, until the line begins to move, please do not block the ramp.

Also, please note that students are considered tardy after 7:10 AM. If students are on a late bus, it will be documented in JCAMPUS by the front office. After 7:30 AM, students being dropped off by a parent MUST BE SIGNED IN BY AN ADULT! If the adult does not come in and sign the student in, the student will be placed in TOR until a parent/guardian can do so. This is for the safety and security of not just your child, but for the school.

Lastly, parents, please understand that we can not allow someone who is not on your child's demographic or emergency card to check him/her out. Our office staff checks this to ensure that your child is safe AT ALL TIMES. Please know that this is not to make life difficult, but to ensure the safety of our students. Also, please be reminded that we do not do check outs after 2:00 PM.

Again, we are excited to see everyone back and look forward to finishing this school year strong!

Sincerely,

Regina M. Bennett, Esq.

Principal, Southeast Middle School