Policies and Procedures
Student Handbook
- Who We Are/Expectations
- Beginning of Year Information
- Academics
- Attendance
- Cafeteria Information
- Counselor, TRT, Etc.
- Descriptions of Administrative Disciplinary Consequences
- Discipline Guidelines (General)
- Electronic Device Policy
- Extra-Curricular Activities and Events
- Field Trips
- Health Services Regulations
- MLA Style Bibliography
- Office Information
- Personal Property Responsibilities
- Positive Behavior Intervention and Support
- Sexual Abuse Prevention
- STPSB Bullying Policy
- Student Responsibilities
- Transportation
- Uniform Policy
Who We Are/Expectations
DETERMINATION
Determination is a mindset that envisions a goal, maintains focus on the prize, and finds ways to obtain the desired outcome. The Creekside administration, faculty and staff are determined to work as a team and provide a safe environment conducive to learning. We are passionate about the lives, well-being, and success of each student. For this reason, we strive to recruit and build strong, dedicated personnel. Creekside molds strong teachers with meaningful professional development, enhancing each classroom experience. Our teachers work together to implement lessons with high rigor as mandated by the state adopted curriculum.
Our teachers also create grade level PBIS management plans which reinforce academics and behavior. Creekside classrooms are fitted with up-to-date technology. With the use of many secondary interventions, this team of educators is dedicated to implementing individualized instruction to ensure that all students have a path to meet high expectations. With great determination, we pave the path to accomplishing great expectations.
EXPECTATION
The Creekside team expects each student to achieve a high level of success in all areas including academics, social skills, extracurricular activities, etc. With the determination and cooperation of teachers, parents and students, our expectation is for every student to leave Creekside with the necessary personal tools and academic capabilities to succeed in high school and beyond.
Our ALI expectations, school-wide behavior plan, are a PBIS tool used to prepare students for the challenges that will await them in high school and life. We will challenge each student with the following expectations:
Act Responsibly
Lead Respectfully
Initiate Problem-Solving Skills
The Creekside team expects to ready each student for the path to being productive citizens of modern and future societies. Our students will not be limited by socioeconomics or any other life situations. We fully expect them to make positive impacts in the lives of others. We expect our students to dream big and become world changers.
GATOR NATION
A nation is a community comprised of unique individuals, united as one. Inherent in each individual is the quest for purpose and a sense of belonging. The Gator Nation draws students into being a part of something that is bigger than the individual. As part of the Gator Nation, students may safely explore interests and begin to investigate their purpose/goals for a bright future. Through academics, arts, and athletics, students can build individual talents and skills, receiving recognition in the Gator Nation. The leaders of the Gator Nation actively seek and encourage the involvement of all of its members, including students, parents and guardians, teachers, local businesses, and community leaders. The Gator Nation survives and thrives through the daily cooperation of these citizens. With a team effort, the Gator Nation provides a safe environment, strong education, and the social skills needed to reach the destined success of each student.
Beginning of Year Information
Emergency Cards - Emergency cards must be completed by each child during the 1st week of school. This card will be filed in the office. All cards must include a current local phone number to call in case of an emergency. Please notify the front office of any changes on the emergency card. No one will be allowed to check out the student unless (s)he is named on the card.
Technology Agreement - The purpose of student computers is to provide instruction in curriculum and technology. Students and parents must sign a technology agreement for use of the school’s internet, computers, and Chromebooks. The use of the internet is a privilege and must be used only for educational purposes guided by a teacher. Any other use will result in the disciplinary action and potential denial of internet privileges. The student/parent will be held financially responsible for a student destroying any computer equipment: Chromebook, computer, monitor, hard drive, printer, servers, etc.
Chromebooks - Chromebook use is a privilege and, as a component of school technology, also falls under the aforementioned school technology agreement.
Chromebooks are also solely-intended to further curriculum instruction and any misuse will result in disciplinary action. Parents and students must complete a specific Chromebook use form. An insurance policy that covers damage to the Chromebook will be offered to all families. Students will be responsible for all non-covered damage or replacement of Chromebooks.
Media Release - A Media Release is required for a student to be in the yearbook, newsletter, newspaper, or any other media form.
Lunch Form - Free/Reduced lunch informational cards are given to students on the first day of school, which contains the website to complete the form electronically. Guidelines for free and reduced lunch are very generous. Should you need a paper copy, these forms are also available from the school secretary throughout the year. (See below for more information on the school breakfast/lunch program.)
Lockers - Lockers are available to be issued upon request from a parent. Once requested, a locker will be issued after ALL beginning of the year papers are completed, signed, and turned in. Students are responsible for their locker combination. Trading or unauthorized sharing of lockers is prohibited. To report locker problems, please let the issuing teacher know.
Lockers are the property of the St. Tammany Public Schools. At no time does the school system relinquish its control of lockers provided for the convenience of students.
Periodic inspections of lockers may be conducted by school authorities.
Rolling suitcases are not allowed on campus.
School Insurance - A school insurance policy is available at a small cost. Student athletes must show proof of insurance before participating.
Electronic Communication - Electronic Communication is defined as a message/interaction through System-provided and personal devices which provide direct communication, including, but not limited to, voice or text-based telecommunication devices and computers, and other venues that facilitate indirect contact/cyber-interaction using an intermediate method, including, but not limited to, internet-based social networks.
All electronic communication by an employee with a student enrolled in that school should: be relative to the educational services and be delivered by means provided the STPSB including School System email, school sponsored teacher websites, school websites, school provided phones and other electronic communication that is approved by the Superintendent, such as Twitter or text message sent from a computer with a copy sent to the principal and the parent, if possible.
Other Forms - A residency questionnaire must be completed each year by all students attending a St Tammany Parish Public School.
Academics
GRADING SCALE
A 100-90 (4 quality pts)
B 89-80 (3 quality pts)
C 79-70 (2 quality pts)
D 69-60 (1 quality pt)
F 59-0 (0 quality pts)
Grades
7th/8th grade are given numeric grades. 6th grade receives letter grades. Grades are recorded by the teacher in JPAMS. These grades are averaged using weighted grade categories.
At any point throughout the year, grades can be viewed through our online Student Progress Center. This website will not run in Internet Explorer. It runs best in Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Parents and students can view student schedules, attendance, report cards, current averages, and individual activity grades here. Student ID numbers and PSN’s are mailed. Once you have received this information, parents should go online to the Student Progress Center, and register as a new user; this prompts you to create a user name and password. STPSB has a FREE app for smart phones through Apple App Store or Google Play.
Pupil Progression (Pass/Fail)- Refer to stpsb.org for the latest information.
Honor roll
Honor Roll is based on quality points. The student’s overall grade point average (GPA) for the quarter must be a 3.0 or higher. Additionally, the student must not have any D’s or F’s. Students who achieve honor roll will be invited to a reward event during the school day. (i.e. Honor Roll Sock Hop)
Interims
Parents need to login to the online Student Progress Center to access interims and to remain updated with their child’s academics.
Report Cards
Report Cards are sent home on the Thursday following the end of the quarter. Fourth nine weeks report cards are mailed home. All numerical grades are rounded to the nearest whole number.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parent/Teacher Conferences are opportunities to discuss your child’s progress. If you feel a conference is needed, please contact the teacher and set up a mutually agreed time.
Please make sure that you have had a conference with your child’s teacher before bringing your concerns to an administrator.
Scheduling- Scheduling is handled by the administrative team. Elective requests are accepted in the spring of the previous school year. Students are not guaranteed a requested elective. Elective changes will not be made for students that did not turn in their completed elective form. Schedules are assigned in a manner that balances out class sizes. Personality conflicts WILL NOT be considered as a reason for a schedule change. Parents MUST meet with teachers to attempt to resolve conflicts. New students may require a schedule change upon receipt of information from their previous school.
Academic Assistance
Students may be required to serve either a lunch or afterschool academic assistance if he or she misses an excessive amount of homework or classwork. Teachers administering academic assistance will require students to study and work on assignments. Refusal to attend academic assistance will result in an administrative consequence.
Standardized Testing
State testing occurs in the spring. Scores are used to determine if a 6th, 7th or 8th grade student needs intervention in the form of Fast ForWord, Math Skills or Study Skills.
Attendance
First bell rings at 7:25 am. The school day ends at 2:30 pm. If students miss 3 or more hours of instruction, they are considered absent. Students who have 11 or more unexcused absences per year will not be promoted to the next grade. Half day absences accumulate toward days missed.
To excuse an absence, a medical excuse needs to be turned in to the front office within 2 days of the student returning to school. Excused absences are recorded as an absence, but allow for make-up work to be given and graded. Medical excuses need to include: student’s full name, date the excuse was written, date(s) the student was absent, reason of the absence, health care professional’s signature.
Parents and students should refer to the Parish Handbook for all state and parish policies regarding absenteeism.
Perfect attendance will only be earned if a child has no late check-ins or early check-outs. Perfect attendance will only be awarded to students with no absences. Doctor notes excuse the absence but do not allow for Perfect Attendance.
To attend extracurricular activities, students must be in attendance for the full academic day. This also applies to students with medical excuses.
Based on excessive absences, students may be denied permission to attend field trips and dances.
Tardiness
Tardiness contributes to the disruption of classroom instruction; therefore it is imperative that students arrive to school and classes on time. Accumulated tardies will result in administrative consequences.
Late Check-In
Students are considered tardy if they check in after 7:30A.M. Only medical notes will be accepted to excuse a tardy. Parent notes do not excuse a tardy. If a child checks into school after 8:00A.M., a parent must check the student in through the front office.
Excessive unexcused tardiness will be reported to the Office of Child Welfare and Attendance. Every fourth unexcused tardy will result in an administrative afterschool support.
Check-Out procedure
A check out card is maintained in the Office of Student Services. Parent/guardian must show driver's license or valid ID upon checking students out. This is for safety purposes. The parent/guardian/authorized person on the card must give a reason for dismissing or admitting the student each time it is used. If no reason is given, that information is recorded and the student is unexcused.
Students must obtain a sick pass from their teacher before initiating the check-out process. Students will not be allowed to go to the Student Services Desk to check out between class periods. Only students with passes will be processed for dismissal. A student will not be allowed to check out unless the parent/guardian or other adult designated on the student’s emergency card comes to the office to sign him/her out with a driver's license or valid ID.
To decrease loss of instructional time, students will not be checked out after 2:00 P.M.
Students who leave school without properly checking out are considered “skipping” and will be referred to the administration.
Class Tardy
Class tardiness is disruptive and interrupts instruction. Excessive class tardiness will result in an Administrative Afterschool Support.
Make-up Policy
If a student is absent, he/she is responsible for all work missed. Upon returning to school or to the class, it is the responsibility of the student to bring a note within two days of the day(s) missed to their homeroom teacher. Excuses will be stamped with the date and time turned in.
According to parish policy, excuses will not be accepted after two days of the student’s return to school. Work missed during an absence must be made up immediately upon returning.
Responsibility for making up work lies entirely with the student. The student should make appointments with the teachers, ascertain what work has to be made up, and set up a schedule for its completion. Long-term assignments are required to be turned in on the day due regardless of the reason for absence. A long-term assignment is defined as an assignment given by a teacher at least two weeks prior to the due date.
Cafeteria Information
Breakfast/Lunch numbers are assigned to all students. Students are responsible for maintaining the privacy of the number.
Breakfast is available daily from 7:00 to 7:25 am.
Students without IDs will be required to retrieve a new ID before receiving their lunch/breakfast.
A parent/guardian may not bring fast food to their child for lunch nor may students bring food packaged from outside restaurants. Food brought onto campus for lunch must be in a student’s lunch box or lunch bag.
Students are restricted from hallways and classrooms during morning recess and lunch time. Students must stay in designated areas.
NO FOOD or DRINKS are to be brought into the halls or classrooms at any time.
Students are prohibited from bringing sodas, energy drinks, coffee, etc. to campus.
Students must use clear containers to bring water on campus.
Counselor, TRT, Etc.
Counselor - The Counselor, Jennifer Larmann, is available to help with school, home, or peer problems. To speak with a counselor, a student must request a counseling form and then drop the form off in Student Services. The counselor will contact the student to avoid the loss of instructional time.
MHP - The Mental Health Provider, Donna Hill, is available to help students on a one-time basis. Any other sessions with Ms. Hill must be through signed consent.
TRT - Technology Resource Teacher (TRT), Andrea Jeansonne, is also available for student support.
Mrs. Jeansonne also schedules SBLC (School Building Level Committee) and talented screening.
SWEDL - Students with Exceptionalities Department Leader. All Students with Exceptionalities questions need to be directed Mrs. Long, our SWEDL.
Textbooks - Textbooks are the property of the State of Louisiana. Any lost or damaged textbooks will result in a monetary fine. Students must pay the original price for lost books before he/she will be issued a new textbook. Most textbooks cost in excess of $50.
Students should check the textbook for damage when received and make the teacher aware of any damage found. In order to keep textbooks as safe as possible, students should cover them and not leave them unattended. Many texts are available online also. Check the internet reference section of this handbook for the addresses.
Descriptions of Administrative Disciplinary Consequences
Lunch Detentions— Students that are assigned a lunch detention will have a designated area in which to eat lunch. These students are not permitted to go to recess or get concessions. If a student does not serve a lunch detention, (s)he may receive after-school support.
After-School (PM) Support— PM Support may be issued Mon.-Fri. In order to stay for PM Support, students MUST have a parent/guardian signature on the appropriate form. If PM Support is not served properly, the student will be issued a Saturday Support (SS).
Saturday Support (SS)— When a student receives SS, his/her parent/guardian will be notified in writing of the date and a phone call will follow. SS is to be served from 8am until 12pm. Students must be in full uniform and have supplies with them.
If the child is not picked up within fifteen minutes following SS, the child may receive an additional school discipline consequence. A SS may also result in a loss of extracurricular activities which include athletic events, field trips, and/or dances. If SS is not served properly, the student will be issued an Out-of-School Suspension (OSS).
In-School Support (ISS)— All work that is normally assigned, graded, or completed in class will be done in the ISS classroom. An ISS may also result in a loss of extracurricular activities which include athletic events, field trips, and/or dances. If ISS is not served properly, the student may be issued an Out-of-School (OSS) Suspension.
Out-of-School Suspension (OSS)— Students missing school as a result of any OSS shall be counted absent (unexcused) during his/her suspension. A suspension may also result in a loss of extracurricular activities which include athletic events, field trips, and/or dances. Upon returning from suspension, the student must arrange to have make-up work completed within a time frame corresponding with the number of days suspended.
Students are allowed to make up work when suspended from school. The student shall receive the same credit originally available for such work if it is completed satisfactorily and timely as determined by the principal or the principal's designee, upon recommendation of the student's teacher. It is the student’s responsibility to hand in the work completed. Work not completed will be given a zero.
Expulsion*— A student who is recommended for expulsion may lose the privilege of attending school and/or performing in any athletic event, field trip, or dance for the remainder of the school year.
*For more details please refer to the STPSB Handbook on Attendance, Discipline, and Student Records which is given to each student upon entering CSJH.
Discipline Guidelines (General)
The following may result in Afterschool Support:
Disrespect, Tardiness, Uniform Violation, ID Violation, Academic Dishonesty, Willful Disobedience, Refusal to Follow Classroom Rules, Refusal to Serve Teacher Consequences, Multiple Lunch Detentions, Possession or Use of Electronic Devices, Disruptive to the school environment, etc.
The following may result SS, ISS, or OSS or possible expulsion:
Use or Possession of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, cigarettes, vapes, etc., Disrespect, Habitual Violation of Any Procedure or Rule, Failure to Serve Administrative Consequences, Obscene language/gestures, PDA, Skipping, Misbehaving for a Substitute, Leaving Class Without Permission, Possession or Use of Electronic Device, Willful Disobedience, Vandalism, Fighting, etc.
Electronic Device Policy
The student is governed by the Student Use of Instructional Technology Policy which can be found on www.stpsb.org under Policies.
Any student found using a cell phone, displaying a cell phone, or in possession of a ringing cell phone during the instructional day, may have the cell phone confiscated by the principal/designee and have disciplinary consequences. The parent/guardian will be required to retrieve the cell phone 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 a cell phone when directed by a school system employee may result in more severe disciplinary action such as suspension and/ or expulsion.
Retrieval of cell phones/electronic devices will be allowed by the student’s guardian after 2:45pm. Phones will not be returned before 2:45 on the same day as the incident.
Extra-Curricular Activities and Events
Athletics/Student Organizations - Coaches/sponsors will provide participation guidelines before tryouts/membership.
Students are chosen to participate based on athletic ability, academic eligibility, and leadership qualities. Coaches/sponsors will determine which students meet these requirements. There may be fees or other specific requirements to any team/club.
Students are expected to be picked up within 15 minutes of the conclusion of all school sponsored events.
Dances - Visitors from outside CSJH are not allowed at the dances. Students with major discipline referrals and excessive absences will not be invited to the dance at that time interval. Students must have their school ID to attend a dance. Students must abide by STPSB dress guidelines to attend dances. Students not picked up within 30 minutes at the conclusion of a dance may be denied attendance at the next school activity.
To attend after-school extracurricular activities, students must be in attendance for the full academic day.
Doctor excuses will not permit the student to attend the event.
Field Trips
Field trips are exciting learning privileges. A student may be excluded from a field trip for discipline or attendance reasons.
Please see grade level guidelines given to your child at the beginning of the year.
If a student has paid for a field trip or dance and is suspended (either ISS, OSS, or bus) or absent on the day of the trip, or does not have his/her ID, he/she cannot attend the field trip/dance and there will be no refund.
Excessive absences will prevent students from being invited to participate.
Chaperones for dances and field trips are limited to parents/guardians and grandparents. Younger siblings may not attend. Chaperones are expected to monitor all students in their group or area.
Health Services Regulations
Parents must fill out emergency forms which are kept on file in the office. Please keep all emergency phone numbers current.
Parents will be notified when their student is injured.
The office cannot give out any medication without proper medical authorization. Students with prescription medicine or over the counter (OTC) medication must have a medication form filled out by the parent and a doctor. This form is available in the front office.
Students are not allowed to have any form of medication including OTC, on his/her person or property.
School Nurse- The School Nurse, Susan Swann will assist and see students as needed.
MLA Style Bibliography
The bibliography must always be placed at the end of your work on a separate piece of paper. It must list, in alphabetical order, all the sources you used in researching your paper. Do not number the entries. Punctuation is important and must be consistent. Always indent the second and subsequent lines. Single space each entry, but leave a space between entries.
Book
McCullough, David. Truman. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1992.
Article in Encyclopedia
Moore, John R. “El Paso.” World Book Encyclopedia. 1986 ed.
Magazine Article
Schwarz, Benjamin. “What Jefferson Helps to Explain.” The Atlantic Monthly. March 1997: pp. 60-72.
Article in Newspapers
Bramham, Daohne. “War.” Times Picayune. Sept. 1996: A1.
Internet
Brown, Robert D. “Edison Mini-Biography.” Tom Edison’s Home Page. Online. http://www.kaiwan.com/~webpro/edison.html. November 5, 1997.
Plagiarism may result in a ZERO (0) on the assignment &/or additional consequences.
Types of plagiarism:
1. Turning in a paper a peer has written for the student.
2. Copying a paper from a source text without proper acknowledgement.
3. Copying materials from source text, supplying proper documentation, but leaving out quotation marks.
4. Paraphrasing materials from a source text without appropriate documentation.
5. Turning in a paper from a “free term paper” website.
Office Information
Visitor- Visitors are not allowed on the school campus unless they have secured permission from administration and been issued a pass from the office. A valid ID or driver’s license will be required for any visitors to secure a pass. All visitors must place the sticker printed by the front office on the upper chest area for easy view by employees and administration.
Office Phone - Telephones are for emergency use only. If a student is ill, he/she must obtain a sick pass.
Messages will not be given to students, except in the case of a true emergency. Please communicate with your child before school about extracurricular activities and transportation arrangements. Phone calls home for forgotten assignments, permission slips, lunches, or money will NOT be allowed, especially during class time. Students may come to the office before school, during lunch, or after school if parent contact is needed.
Bookkeeping - Parents may pay fees online at MyPaymentsPlus.
NSF checks will result in a charge of $15. After a NSF check is received, only cash or money orders will be accepted.
Library - Students may go to the library during lunch (as long as it is not occupied) to check out/return books, read, work on the computers, or quietly work on homework. Students need their IDs to check out books or use the computers. Books are checked out for two weeks at a time. Fines are assessed for lost and damaged books.
Personal Property Responsibilities
Students should not possess large amounts of money or expensive jewelry on campus. Personal property, such as book bags and purses, textbooks, library books, or other property should not be left unattended in the halls, playground, classroom, gym, or in the locker rooms. We HIGHLY recommend that ALL personal property be monogrammed or labeled so that it can be returned to its owner if lost and later found.
Found items should be placed in the lost and found container in the administrative building’s corridor. If a student is missing item(s), the student should check the lost and found, the playground, and teachers’ classrooms. It should be noted that every few weeks the lost and found container will be emptied and unclaimed items will be donated to a local charity.
CSJH is NOT responsible for any electronic equipment—INCLUDING cell phones, MP3 players, cameras, other personal property, or large sums of money brought to school.
Positive Behavior Intervention and Support
Our PBIS committee of administrators, teachers, staff, parents, and students has developed a plan for improving student behavior by using proactive strategies to reinforce positive behavior while building a more productive environment for students and teachers.
Signs have been posted around campus with expectations specific to those areas. These signs are to remind students what is expected in those specific settings. Additionally, in honor of CSJH’s mascot, Ali Gator, we have ALI Expectations:
Act Responsibly
Lead Respectfully
Initiate Problem Solving Skills
Students may receive ALI Aces for demonstrating appropriate expectations in the classroom, gym, cafeteria, computer lab, student services, on the playground, or anyplace a staff member observes a student displaying appropriate positive behavior.
These ALI Aces are valuable as students can use them for a variety of reasons: school supplies, temporary IDs, concessions, dances, (home) athletic events, “Fast Passes” for lunchtime, field trips, etc.
Student of the Month, Gator Dads Club, Ice Cream Fridays, dances and field trips are also part of our PBIS program.
School rules have been developed to encourage respect for self, others, and property. Students and staff must be guaranteed an environment that is safe. Mutual respect is the underlying principle in the classroom, in the hallways, and on school grounds. All rules will be publicized, explained, and equitably enforced.
In the classroom, teachers will post classroom expectations and consequences. Students creating a classroom disturbance or violating school or parish guidelines may be addressed by an administration.
Sexual Abuse Prevention
As mandated by the St Tammany Parish School Board, students in grades K-8 will receive instruction on the topic of Child Sexual Abuse Prevention and Education Program. All materials that will be used in the instruction may be previewed by contacting school administration or counselor. We would also like to encourage you to talk with your child about this topic as well as other general safety issues.
Sexual Harassment is a violation of the law and STPSB policy. Sexual harassment will not be tolerated, condoned, or overlooked. Students who believe they are being or have been harassed need to see an administrator, teacher, the counselor, or TRT. ALL incidents of sexual harassment will be documented.
Refer to the St. Tammany Parish Handbook for all state and parish policies. This is not meant to replace that handbook, simply to outline/explain it in further detail as it applies to Creekside Jr. High School.
STPSB Bullying Policy
Bullying is a form of aggression, and it occurs when a person(s) willfully subjects another person (victim), to an intentional, unwanted and unprovoked, hurtful verbal and/or physical action(s) at any school site or school-sponsored activity or event.
Bullying may also occur as various forms of hazing, including initiation rites perpetrated against a student or a member of a team. Examples of types of bullying may include, but are not limited to, the following examples.
- Physical bullying includes, but is not limited to, punching, shoving, poking, strangling, hair pulling, beating, teasing, kicking, punching, or excessive tickling.
- Verbal bullying includes, but is not limited to, such acts as malicious name calling, teasing, or gossip.
- Emotional (psychological) bullying includes, but is not limited to, rejecting, wronging, extorting, defaming, humiliating, black-mailing, diminishing personal characteristics (such as race, disability, ethnicity or perceived sexual orientation), manipulating friendships, isolating, or ostracizing.
- Sexual bullying includes, but is not limited to, many of the actions preceding as well as exhibitionism, voyeurism, sexual propositioning, abuse involving actual physical contact, or sexual assault.
- Cyberbullying includes web-based bullying or bullying using any form of electronic media.
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, and intimidated).
Student Responsibilities
In an effort to facilitate growth into a productive member of society, we, at Creekside Jr High, hold our students responsible for their actions, belongings, supplies, and assignments. The following is a short list of student responsibilities:
- Attending school all day, every day
- Completing all homework and classwork assignments
- Scheduling and completing makeup tests/work with teachers when absent
- Bringing class/home assignments, materials, and textbooks to class on time
- Communicating with parents/guardians about transportation, school activities, academic and behavioral consequences
- Treating all people and property with respect
- Cleaning up after themselves on the playground or in the cafeteria, gym, hall, restrooms, or classes
- Maintaining the privacy of their JPAMs login info and/or locker combinations
- Following all parish, school, and class rules and procedures—including, but not limited to: dress and uniform code, tardiness, school IDs, and planner usage
Transportation
Car Riders - Students are not allowed on campus before 7:00 am or after 2:45 pm.
If a student is not available at the time of pick up, the driver will be instructed to circle the parking lot. Students are not permitted to cross the parking lot to get into a parked vehicle. Furthermore, students must be dropped off in the designated drop off area.
Bus - Parents may go to www.stpsb.org/transportation/ or may call the Transportation Office (898-3373) to find out when and where the bus will pick up their student.
Students need to follow all bus safety rules and regulations. Students who endanger themselves or others by misconduct will be referred to an administrator for behavior consequences.
Students must remember that the bus driver is responsible for their safety and well being while they are on the bus. For this reason, balloons, flowers, other similar bouquets, pets, large boxes, etc. are not allowed.
Damaging school bus property may result in administrative consequences and full restitution.
Students wanting to ride a different bus other than his/her own must have a written request addressed to the principal from his/her parents. The note, with a contact phone number, must be brought to the front office before school and picked up at lunch or after school. If the principal approves the request by signing it, the bus driver may permit the “visitor” to board the bus if space permits. A student must have a valid reason for a bus change. Students will not be able to ride a different bus on the last day of each grading period.
Uniform Policy
Parents will be contacted in the event of a uniform violation.
Students will be placed in In-School Support until the violation is corrected.
The Principal will determine if an extreme style of dress or grooming is appropriate and suitable for school.
STPSB Dress Code*
Please refer to the STPSB handbook. (Students may be sent home for failure to comply with dress code)
Uniform Tops - (forest green collared top) Uniform tops must not be unnecessarily tight or baggy and should not show the stomach or back or cover pants pockets in any position.
Creekside pullovers are accepted as part of the school uniform and may be purchased through the school. Students are allowed to wear a Creekside pullover or any solid green, solid yellow, solid white, solid grey, or solid black colored sweatshirt with or without school approved Creekside logo. Other logos, wordings, or designs (including those of other schools) are prohibited. Accepted pullovers may be worn as outerwear OVER the mandatory uniform polo.
Outerwear other than the approved school logos or solid colors of green, yellow, white, grey, or black must be removed when entering a building. Hoods are not to be worn on campus during regular school hours except for outdoors in inclement weather.
Uniform Pants/Skirts - (khaki colored) Uniform Pants/Skirts must be fingertip length. If skirts, skorts, or shorts have a slit, the top of the slit must be at or below the finger tips. Pants/Skirts must be secured at the waist with no undergarments revealed.
Pants, shorts, skorts, skirts, or capris are to be plain cotton blend tan/khaki.
Students may not wear khaki colored jeggings, spandex, or other fashions that use different clothing materials. Leggings or sweatpants are not allowed to be worn under shorts or skirts.
Hair/Accessories - An acceptable, well-groomed haircut will be required of all male students. Sculptured hair styles that include pictures, symbols, letters, numbers, or hair in curlers, rollers, or excessively teased, etc., will not be permitted.
Faces must be cleanly shaved.
Piercing (body ornaments) is limited to the ear; however ear gauges are not permitted.
Shoes must be worn. Slippers, beach sandals, heelies, crocs and backless thongs (flip-flops) are not permitted. Swapping shoes is also not permitted.
Caps, hats, and bandanas are not allowed on campus during school hours, on field trips, or at dances unless designated “cap day” or other similar activities.
PE Uniforms - Students are required to dress out for physical education. Shirts and shorts must be green, gray, gold or black. Students will have the opportunity to purchase PE uniforms during the first weeks of school.
School IDs - One school ID will be provided to students at no cost. They MUST wear their ID daily and have it visible around the neck. Students must have these IDs to access/enter all buildings, check out books in the library, go on field trips, purchase lunch/breakfast, enter dances, etc. Students that report to school without an ID or lose their ID must purchase a replacement ID immediately in student services. The cost for the first replacement will be $5. Subsequent replacement IDs will be $10. Unpaid ID fees will result in disciplinary consequences.
* This is a summary of parish guidelines that can be found at www.stpsb.org.