Policies and Procedures

Arrival & Dismissal Procedures

Students may arrive on campus no earlier than 7:00 AM. The school day begins at 7:30 AM, and the tardy bell rings at 7:35 AM. Any student arriving after 7:35 AM is considered tardy and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to the office for check-in. Chronic tardiness disrupts learning, creates poor attendance habits, and may violate state attendance laws. Excessive tardiness may result in a parent conference with administration, disciplinary consequences such as after-school or Saturday detention, and possible referral to truancy authorities. Parents are reminded that traffic is often heavier on rainy days and should plan accordingly to ensure students arrive on time.

At dismissal, the first bell is for bus riders only, while the second bell is for walkers and car riders. Parents picking up car riders may enter the gate only after all buses and walkers have cleared the area. Students are expected to know their daily transportation plans, as phone calls requesting transportation changes will not be accepted. All transportation changes must be submitted in writing and signed by a parent or guardian. Bus transportation changes require prior approval from the principal. In emergency situations, a signed transportation change request may be faxed to (985) 893-2304. Emails to teachers or administrators will not be accepted for transportation changes.

For the safety and supervision of all students, no student checkouts will be permitted after 2:15 PM. Additionally, all students must be picked up no later than 2:45 PM.

Attendance

Please review very carefully the changes to the attendance policy in the St. Tammany Parish School Board District Handbook for Students and Parents. This can be accessed by clicking on the following link:

http://www.stpsb.org/DisciplineHandbook/DisciplineHandbook.htm

The State of Louisiana requires that all children from their fifth to their eighteenth birthdays must attend a public school, nonpublic day school, or must participate in an approved home study program. Any student above the compulsory attendance age who has excessive absences may be dropped from school with principal recommendation.

School attendance is imperative, not only to satisfy requirements of the law but to help ensure student achievement and success. Every missed day of school is a missed opportunity to learn. As per State policy, St. Tammany Parish Public schools are responsible for enforcing the following requirements:

• Students are expected to be in attendance every student activity day scheduled by the St. Tammany Parish School Board.
• Schools must administer attendance regulations in accordance with State and locally adopted policies.
• Elementary students may not have more than ten (10) days of unexcused absences, and/or suspensions/expulsions per year. Students in grades K-8 who miss more than three (3) hours of instructional time during the school day will be considered absent for the entire day.
• Students participating in school sponsored activities/field trips that necessitate their being away from school shall be considered to be present and shall be given the opportunity to make up work.

Types of Absences and Attendance: There are three types of absences a student may obtain: Type One: Excused; Type Two: Unexcused; and Type Three: Suspensions/Expulsions. A student who is absent (excused or unexcused), including a suspended student, shall be allowed to submit missed assignments and tests, and shall be eligible to receive the same academic credit and grades originally available when work is completed satisfactorily. However, the final grade/course credit can be withheld if the minimum seat time requirements have not been met. 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.

Type One Absence: Excused: Excused absences are not considered for purposes of truancy, including absences incurred due to extenuating circumstances and will not be counted against students in determining whether a student meets attendance requirements. The excused absences are defined in the attendance policy as the following: 

• Extended personal physical or emotional illness as verified by a physician or nurse practitioner licensed in the state.
• Extended hospital stay as verified by a physician or nurse practitioner licensed in the state. 
• Extended recuperation from an accident as verified by a physician or nurse practitioner licensed in the state. 
• Extended contagious disease within a family in which a student is absent as verified by a dentist or physician licensed in the state. 
• Quarantine due to prolonged exposure to or direct contact with a person diagnosed with a contagious, deadly disease, as ordered by state or local health officials.
• Observance of special and recognized holidays of the student’s own faith with documentation provided. 
• Visitation with an immediate family member who is a member of the United States Armed Forces or the National Guard of a state and such immediate family member has been called to duty for or is on leave from overseas deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting with proper documentation. These absences shall not exceed five days per school year. 
• Travel for educational purposes. These absences must be approved prior to the travel with the supporting documentation submitted to the principal. Verification of the educational experience must be submitted upon return to school. 
• Death in the immediate family with documentation. These absences shall not exceed five days. 
• National catastrophe and/or disaster. 
• A student may be absent related to the student’s mental health for up to three days in any school year, and such absences shall be excused when documentation/verification is submitted in accordance with the student handbook. The student shall be given the opportunity to make up missed work. Upon the return to school following the second day of mental health absence in any school year, the student shall be referred to the appropriate school support personnel for guidance in addressing the underlying issue, which may include referral to medical services outside of the school setting.
• Student personal illness or serious illness in the family.
• Pregnant and parenting students at a minimum of 10 days after the birth of a child as verified by a physician or nurse practitioner licensed in the state

Type Two: Unexcused Absences: Unexcused absences are any absence not meeting the requirements set forth in the excused absence definition, including but not limited to absences due to any job (including agriculture and domestic services, even in their own homes or for their own parents or tutors) unless it is part of an approved instructional program.  These absences count against the student when determining whether the student meets attendance requirements.

Type Three: Suspensions/Expulsions: Suspensions/Expulsions are absences in which a student is not in attendance in the regular instructional setting due to disciplinary actions imposed by the school. The absence is not considered for purposes of truancy unless the student was assigned to an alternative site and is not in attendance at the assigned alternative site.   These absences count against the student when determining whether the student meets attendance requirements and truancy; if the student was assigned to an alternative school, but was not in attendance.

Absences Procedures: Excuses for all absences must be presented in writing to the school principal or designee within five (5) school days of the absence. The note must include the student’s full name, days of absence, reason for absence and/or doctor’s verification, parent/guardian signature and date of signature. Failure to send the note within five (5) school days of the absence will result in an unexcused absence. 

In elementary through junior high school, when a student accumulates their third (3), fifth (5), and tenth (10) unexcused absence, notification will be made to the parents/guardians that their child may have to make up seat time based on the number of unexcused absences accumulated. Students who have 10 or more unexcused absences will be required to make up seat time and their missing assignments in order to retain their course grade/credit.   

Seat Time Recovery Requirement: Students in danger of failing due to excessive unexcused absences may be allowed to make up missed seat time held outside of the regular school day. The makeup sessions must be completed before the end of the year for elementary/junior high students.

Truancy:Parents will receive notification of the State truancy policy at the beginning of the school year. Any juvenile student who is habitually absent or tardy from school will be reported as a truant child to the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, the family and/or juvenile court according to the provisions of Louisiana Children’s Code regarding families in need of services.  Louisiana law requires the parent or legal guardian of a truant student shall ensure that the student makes up missed school work by attending after-school tutoring sessions, weekend make-up classes, or other remediation opportunities, as determined by the school board until the student has caught up with his/her school work.  The parent shall also attend meetings at the school on at least a monthly basis relative to the student’s progress until the student has caught up on his/her missed work.

Tardiness: Students who frequently arrive late for school lose valuable instructional time, learn unproductive work habits for the future, and create needless disruption to the school and classroom setting. The district has a policy for tardiness that is enforced to help ensure the maximum, high-quality instructional time for all students at the school. Parents are urged to support the academic success of students by requiring and assisting students to be on time for school every day.

Breakfast and Lunch

If a student pays for breakfast, lunch, or a snack, payments should be made online through MyPaymentsPlus, which is linked on our school’s webpage. 

Breakfast Times

All grade levels: 7:00am- 7:30am

Lunch Times

Fourth Grade: 11:00am

Fifth Grade: 12:10pm

Sixth Grade: 11:25am

Students are not allowed to trade/share food/snacks with other students (from the cafeteria or home).  This is very important due to other students’ possible allergies and for hygiene reasons.

Bullying Policy

Bullying is not acceptable behavior at Abita Springs Middle.  As defined by Act 861 of 2012, bullying is a pattern of one or more of the following:

• Gestures, including but not limited to obscene gestures and making faces;
• Written, electronic, or verbal communications, including, but not limited to calling names, threatening harm, taunting, malicious teasing, or spreading untrue rumors;
• Electronic communication including but is not limited to a communication or image transmitted by email, instant message, text message, blog, or social networking website through the use of a telephone, mobile phone, pager, computer, or other electronic device;
• Physical acts including but not limited to hitting, kicking, pushing, tripping, choking, damaging personal property, or unauthorized use of personal property;
• Repeatedly and purposefully shunning or excluding from activities; where the pattern of behavior is exhibited toward a student, more than once, by another student or group of students and occurs, or is received by a student while on school property, at a school-sponsored or school related function or activity, in any school bus or van, at any designated school bus stop, in any other school or private vehicle used to transport students to and from schools, or any school sponsored activity or event.

The pattern of behavior must have the effect of physically harming a student, placing the student in reasonable fear of physical harm, damaging a student’s property, placing the student in reasonable fear of damage to the student’s property, or must be sufficiently severe, persistent, and pervasive enough to either create an intimidating or threatening educational environment, have the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s performance in school, or have the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.
 

Personnel at all levels are responsible for taking corrective action to prevent bullying at any school sites or activities. 

Allegations of bullying will be promptly investigated, giving due regard to the need for confidentiality and the safety of the alleged victim and/or any individual(s) who report incident(s) of bullying. An individual has the right to report an incident(s) of bullying without fear of reprisal or retaliation at any time. Retaliation is defined as meaning "to pay back (an injury) in kind". When a person is accused of having behaved in an inappropriate fashion, especially bullying, the common reaction of that person is to be angry and want to pay the "alleged victim" back (retaliate). Retaliation must not occur and will not be tolerated. 

Proven allegations of bullying can have serious consequences for the person deemed guilty, including verbal or written reprimand, in-school or out-of-school suspension, disciplinary reassignment, and/or expulsion. 

Victims of bullying have responsibilities. Victims should clearly tell the bullies to stop. If bullying persists, victims should not ignore the incident(s) but should report immediately the incident to someone at school. Students should tell their parent(s). If the bullying continues after having clearly told the bullies to stop, students should make a written record of the incident including dates, times, witness or witnesses, and parties involved in the incident. The incident should be reported immediately to an adult who has authority over the bullies, for example, a teacher, guidance counselor, assistant principal, or principal. Victims should avoid being alone with the person(s) who attempted to bully them in the past. Victims of bullying who feel uncomfortable reporting this fact to adult personnel at school should contact another appropriate adult or friend who will report on their behalf. 

To minimize the risk of being accused of bullying, students should keep their hands to themselves, remember that no one has the right to harm another person in any way, think before speaking, immediately apologize for accidentally saying or doing anything that has made another person feel oppressed, and report all incidents of bullying behavior they have witnessed to appropriate school personnel. Students should not touch anyone without his or her permission. Students should not interact with a person after that person has perceived their behavior toward them as "inappropriate" and has clearly told them to "stop". Nor should they make remarks that may cause another person to feel "oppressed" (stressful, scared, intimidated). Parents who want to file a bullying report on behalf of their student should speak with administration to file the report and receive the necessary paperwork. 

Abita Springs Middle School follows the calendar that is set forth by St. Tammany Parish School Board. 

Please visit http://www.stpsb.org to access the calendar.

The first step in addressing a concern about your child would be to call or e-mail your child’s teacher.  That teacher is with your child for most of the day and is a wealth of information for any concerns you may have. Conferences may be set through the teacher or front office. We are unable to accommodate parents who drop in to see a teacher, as we work very hard to protect instructional time for all students. As always, please feel free to e-mail Mrs. Petrovich or Mrs. Hickman with questions or concerns.  Mrs. Petrovich can be reached at chantelle.petrovich@stpsb.org  and Mrs. Hickman at melanie.hickman@stpsb.org.

Chromebook Policies

The Implementation of the Chromebook program is to provide tools and resources for our students. Chromebooks are issued to every student like a textbook. Students are to use their Chromebooks for academic uses only. Students are responsible for their own behavior at all times in accordance with the STPSB District Handbook for Students and Parents, STPSB Instructional Technology Use Policy and the STPSB Chromebook Responsible Use Agreement. Please refer to the discipline provisions found in the above policies with respect to violations.  Copies of these agreements can be found on the STPSB website using the following link: Technology Resources - St. Tammany Parish Public Schools (stpsb.org)

Students are responsible for the general care of their Chromebook. It is STRONGLY recommended that all students purchase Chromebook insurance. Chromebooks that are broken or fail to work properly are to be reported to a teacher. The student is expected to charge the Chromebook NIGHTLY and bring it to school fully charged. The Chromebooks are managed by STPSB. Any strategy used to circumvent security settings including removing the device from the domain is a violation of policy and may result in disciplinary action and loss of use. Students are not to use external removable devices such as USB drives and flash drives.  

General Precautions and Care: 

• Insert and remove cords and cables carefully 
• Do not remove the case or cover issued by STPSB 
• Keep the Chromebook free of stickers, writings, or drawings that are not the property of STPSB. 
• Close the Chromebook on a flat surface after checking that nothing is on the keyboard to prevent closure. 
• No food or drinks near the Chromebook. 
• Do not place heavy objects on the Chromebook or drop objects on it. 
• Do not expose the Chromebook to extreme heat or cold and keep out of direct sunlight or in an area that can harm them. 
• Do not remove or interfere with identification placed on the Chromebook by STPSB. 
• Do not leave the Chromebook unattended 
• Carry the Chromebook with the lid closed. 
• Use only your fingers to touch the keyboard or screen. 
• Do not spray or wipe the Chromebook with any household cleaner or wipes. Use only a soft, dry microfiber cloth or anti-static cloth. 
• The hinge of the screen will only open to a slight angle. Do not attempt to open the screen beyond this stopping point as the screen will break if forced. 

Consequences: 

The privilege of having a Chromebook comes with new responsibilities and new consequences. Violations can have the following possible consequences: 

• Parent notification; 
• Suspension of network, technology, or Chromebook privileges; 
• Complete loss of Chromebook; 
• Detention or suspension from school and school-related activities; and/or 
• Legal action and /or prosecution 

Accidental Damage vs. Negligence/Intentional Damage 

Accidents do happen. There is a difference, however, between an accident and negligence or intentional damage. The price that the District paid for the Chromebook includes the Chromebook and charger. After the investigation by the school administration. If the Chromebook is deemed to be intentionally or neglectfully damaged by the student or someone else, the student may be subject to discipline and/or the cost of repair or replacement. 

Student Device Damage Coverage Program 

STPSB offers a Student Device Damage Coverage Program for all participants in the Chromebook program. 

Parents or guardians who do not purchase the Student Device Damage Coverage will be responsible for the cost of all repairs and/replacement of the device. It is strongly recommended that all students participate in the Student Device Damage Coverage Program. A device cost breakdown can be obtained from a school administrator. 

**** Lost or stolen devices are not covered under the Student Device Damage Coverage Program. A police report must be filed for the student to be issued another device in the event of theft.

Damage to Textbooks/Instructional Materials 

The School Board may require parents and/or legal guardians to compensate the school district for lost, destroyed, or unnecessarily damaged books and materials, and for any books which are not returned to the proper schools at the end of each school year or upon withdrawal of their dependent child. Under no circumstances may a student of school age be held financially responsible for fees associated with textbook replacement.

Damage to Textbooks/Instructional Materials 

The School Board may require parents and/or legal guardians to compensate the school district for lost, destroyed, or unnecessarily damaged books and materials, and for any books which are not returned to the proper schools at the end of each school year or upon withdrawal of their dependent child. Under no circumstances may a student of school age be held financially responsible for fees associated with textbook replacement.

Discipline

The Discipline Code established for all students in the St. Tammany Parish Public School System Handbook will be followed and enforced at Abita Springs Middle School. Abita Springs Middle School maintains a school-wide discipline plan to help students reach their maximum potential.  http://www.stpsb.org/DisciplineHandbook/DisciplineHandbook.htm.

Minor Infractions

For minor infractions, the student’s behavior will be documented on a minor infraction form.  All classroom teachers will communicate minor student misconduct via email or phone call home when an infraction is issued.

Major Infractions

When behavior is continual or severe in nature, the student’s behavior will be documented on a state referral discipline form which is submitted to the school administration.  For all office referred behaviors parents will receive a phone call and a copy of any discipline form, minor or major.

Additional Behavior Support

If the student demonstrates a need for additional support, the administration along with the school counselor, parents, teachers, and student will work together to develop an individual behavior plan to assist the student in reaching behavior and academic expectations.

Emergency Information

Important Student Information & Emergency Procedures

To help ensure the safety and well-being of all students, parents and guardians are asked to keep all phone numbers, addresses, and emergency contact information current and up to date on their child’s emergency card at all times. Accurate information allows the school to quickly contact families in the event of an emergency or other important situation. For student safety, students may only be checked out from school by individuals who are listed on the emergency card. It is the responsibility of parents and guardians to notify the school promptly of any changes to contact information or authorized pickup persons.

The St. Tammany Parish School Board may impose certain student fees or charges to help offset special costs incurred in the operation of specific classrooms or subjects. Generally, students should not be denied or delayed admission nor denied access to any instructional activity due to failure or inability of their parent or guardian to pay a fee. Report cards and other academic records cannot be withheld for failure to pay a fee, pursuant to La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:112(C).
 

Grading Scale

As required by the Louisiana Department of Education, the grading scales for all public schools in the state will be a ten-point system.

The grading scale will be as follows:

A: 100-90 points
B: 89-80 points
C: 79-70 points
D: 69-60 points
F: 59-0 points

Please keep in touch with your child’s teacher throughout the year, and please call or e-mail the teacher for a conference at first sign of a concern. You may keep up to date on grades by logging onto https://jpams.stpsb.org/jpweb/. A user code and password will be sent to you from the School Board.  Please keep these codes private and in a safe place.  Should you lose the codes, please call or email Mrs. Petrovich.

If you wish to review the Pupil Progression Plan for your child, please visit www.stpsb.org and use the link for the Pupil Progression Plan.

Health Requirements

Medicine cannot be administered by the school without proper forms completed by a doctor. These forms are available in the office. To ensure children’s safety, medicine MAY NOT be transported on a school bus. Children are never allowed to bring medicine of ANY kind to school. Students intentionally bringing medicine to school shall be subject to discipline. If you have questions, please call the office. 

Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring that all required immunization records and medication forms are current and on file with the school.

Student Support Services

At Abita Springs Middle School, we recognize that students may experience challenges related to family circumstances, personal concerns, grief, or other life events that can affect their academic and emotional well-being. Our goal is to provide a caring and supportive environment where every student feels valued, encouraged, and equipped to succeed.

Our student support team includes School Counselor Erin Majnerick and Mental Health Provider (MHP) Katelyn Robillard, who are available to assist students and families with a variety of social, emotional, and academic needs.

In addition, our counseling staff can connect families with community-based resources and outside agencies when additional support is needed. We are committed to partnering with parents and guardians to promote the overall well-being and success of every student.

Possession and Use of Electronic Communication Devices

The student is governed by the Student Use of Instructional Technology Policy which can be found on www.stpsb.org under Policies.
   
The St. Tammany Parish School Board desires to promote an environment that is conducive to instruction and learning. Wireless devices used by students to communicate with others inhibit the creation of such an environment and is disruptive to the learning process. The Board also desires to protect students' personal privacy, while on school property and at school events. The emergence of camera wireless device technology has created a new set of privacy and data protection challenges for school officials. Thus, the use of any type of photographic equipment to tape images or sound recordings that are in violation of law or otherwise invade the privacy of other individuals is prohibited and will result in discipline according to policy. Any exception to the prohibition of wireless devices requires the advance permission of the school principal. This prohibition shall be strictly construed in favor of protecting the privacy of all individuals.

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, electronic eyeglass frames and PDA's that are used as telecommunication devices or to transmit text messages, as well as any other wireless electronic telecommunication devices.

Students shall be allowed to possess an electronic communication device on a school campus during the instructional day or on the bus to and from school provided the device is turned to the off position, completely stowed away, and not in use. Stowing of electronic communication devices is defined as being placed in the student’s locker, school bag or purse and shall not be displayed in view using any type of clip or other device. Electronic communication devices cannot be stowed in a pocket.  If a student is found using an electronic communication device, displaying an electronic telecommunication device, or in possession of an electronic communication device on their person during the instructional day or on the school bus, the disciplinary procedures as outlined in the District Handbook for Students and Parents shall be utilized as a consequence. The Superintendent or his/her designee may authorize exceptions to this policy on an individual, case by case basis. Nothing in this policy shall prohibit the emergency use of electronic telecommunication devices by any student or person. Emergency shall mean an actual or imminent threat to public health or safety which may result in loss of life or injury. Use or operation of an electronic communication device shall mean the device is either visible or turned to the on position for receiving or transmitting signals. Possession and/or use of other electronic devices by students shall be prohibited unless authorized by the Superintendent or his/her designee. The School System will not be responsible for lost or stolen electronic devices.

Any student found using an electronic communication device, displaying an electronic telecommunication device, or in possession of a ringing electronic communication device during the instructional day, may have the electronic communication device confiscated by the principal/designee and have disciplinary consequences. The parent/guardian will be required to retrieve the electronic communication device from the school principal/designee.

Progressive consequences will be followed as outlined below:
Use or Related Disruption

• Warning or Administrative Detention
• Administrative Detention or Saturday Detention or In School Suspension
• Saturday Detention or In School Suspension or Suspension
• Suspension and/or Expulsion

Related disruption and/or refusal to hand over an electronic communication device when directed by a school system employee may result in more severe disciplinary action such as suspension and/ or expulsion.
 

Smoking

Abita Springs Middle School is a smoke-free facility, as are all STPSB facilities.  This includes during after school events/activities. Please adhere to these rules before, during, and after school hours.

The Student Building Level Committee (SBLC) is comprised of your child’s teacher(s), the SBLC chair, Melanie Adcox, an educational diagnostician, and other school personnel to brainstorm ideas to help your child should they be struggling in any area (academically, emotionally, behaviorally, or socially).  If a teacher contacts you about an SBLC meeting, please know that we will all be working together to determine what we can do to help your child have success. As a parent, please bring any information that you have that may give us a better picture of your child from prior teachers, information from any doctors, tutors, counselors or other individuals who may be working with your child outside of the school.  As a parent, you may also request an SBLC meeting for your child if you are concerned that there is an issue getting in the way of your child’s progress.  Please note that there is a process to this, and may require more than one meeting.  Our commitment and goal is to work with you to find ways to help your child succeed here at Abita Springs Middle School.

Campus Safety & Visitor Procedures

To help ensure the safety and security of all students and staff, all visitors are required to follow established campus procedures. All visitors must enter through the main office, check in upon arrival, and obtain a visitor’s pass before proceeding anywhere on campus. A valid driver’s license is required for all visitors when visiting the school or checking out a student.

Students will only be released to individuals who are listed on the student’s emergency contact card. Parents and guardians are responsible for keeping all emergency contact information current and up to date to ensure the safety and well-being of their children.

Items or messages brought to school for students will be held in the office until there is a break in classroom instruction. Students will be called to the office to pick up their items at an appropriate time to minimize disruptions to teaching and learning.

For campus security, the main driveway gates are closed and locked daily from 7:35 a.m. until 2:10 p.m. During these hours, visitors must use the Highway 36 entrance, which provides direct access to the main office. Additionally, all other campus doors and gates remain locked throughout the school day to help maintain a secure learning environment.

Weapons and Firearms

At no time should any child on campus have a weapon, or an object that can be used as a weapon, or a look-alike weapon in their possession.  Any reports of this are taken seriously and will be promptly investigated.  Please refer to the STPSB Handbook on Attendance and Discipline for more information.