Cougar Families,

I truly hope that you all enjoyed the rare South Louisiana Sneaux that we experienced last week! Also, I hope that our scholars were able to work on some of those missing assignments that they may have. I can say that I did see some students turning in work over the past week. With us coming upon the 4th week of the nine-week grading period, I want to make sure that all students are keenly aware of where they stand in their classes.

Being that we are entering the 4th week of the 3rd nine weeks, please have your child to check any missing assignments that they may have. They need to make sure that they are in constant contact with their teachers to ensure that they have completed all assignments and are ready for when testing begins.

We will begin LEAP tutoring on Wednesday, January 29. This will give Ms. Bernard and her team to get materials and class lists together since we were out last week. We are hoping to get transportation. However, if not, parents will have to pick students up no later that 4:15 Monday through Thursday when we begin. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Sincerely,

Regina M. Bennett, Esq.

Principal, Southeast Middle School