Cougar Families,

We are now in week 6 of the 3rd 9 week grading period. We are inching closer and closer to the end of the 3rd quarter. With that, testing is right around the corner. It is imperative that students are at school and participating in class. There have been several instances in the past week where administrators have had to remove disruptive students. When students disrupt the classroom environment, they not only hurt themselves, but they hinder others from learner. We are asking that you remind your scholar of the importance of learning and respecting the learning environment.

We are in the thick of ELPT. All students that are testing should make sure that they are at school for the duration of the testing cycle. We are doing make-ups as fast as possible. However, in order to cut down on the amount of class time missed, it would be more helpful if students are in attendance everyday.

We are still awaiting the arrival of one more teacher that has been hired! That means that we will, once again, have teachers in all classes, which will assist in ensuring that our students perform well on LEAP. We want to welcome Ms. Kornbacher (7th grade ELA), Dr. Ejigiri (8th grade Math), Mr. Mouswaswa (6th grade Social Studies), and Mr. Gray (8th grade Math)! We are only awaiting the start of Mr. Williams, who will take over Magnet Creative Writing, Speech, and Desktop Publishing.

We still have spots available for LEAP tutoring! If you are interested in your child staying for tutoring, please contact Ms. Bernard in order to fill out the necessary paperwork. There is transportation, but it will not be available until we get your child routed through transportation. However, if not interested in school-provided transportation, parents will have to pick students up no later that 4:15 Monday through Thursday.. This program will hit on core subjects and will enable those teachers who will be tutoring an opportunity to close gaps that students have before we begin state testing in April. We are only 3.7 points from being a "C" school, and we want our students to show exactly what they are capable of.

On Saturday, March 29, we will have our 50th anniversary celebration from 8:00 AM until 1:00 PM at the school. We are reaching out to former students, administrators, and teachers to come and celebrate with us. So, let's get the word out! If you would like to volunteer, perform, or would like to be a vendor, please reach out to us as soon as possible. We would like for this to be a great event for the school, alumni, former teachers, and administrators.

Transportation continues to be a sore spot in the morning and afternoon. We have several bus drivers that are running two and three routes in order to get students to and from school. 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.

Again, 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. It is important that you stay on top of your scholar's grades so that if there are any discrepancies or questions, you will be able to provide evidence to your questions. With that, we will make sure that teachers are updating weekly to cut down on any questions that you may have.

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. Students will be disciplined if it becomes a pattern of behavior.

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.

Sincerely,

Regina M. Bennett, Esq.

Principal, Southeast Middle School