Policies and Procedures

Dear Parents and Guardians:
The faculty and staff welcome you to Little Oak Middle School for the 2024-2025 school year! Students, parents, and teachers all share in the educational development of each and every student. Parental involvement is a key component to providing effective educational opportunities that will allow your child to fully develop his/her potential. We urge you to communicate with the teachers and administration regularly. Your ideas and suggestions can make meaningful contributions toward improving Little Oak Middle School! The Student/Parent Handbook is designed to provide information about specific school policies and procedures that will ensure a safe and caring school environment where all students have the opportunity to learn and grow. Please keep this copy of the handbook for your reference throughout the year. We are looking forward to an outstanding year. We believe that working with you and your child will be very exciting and rewarding! Working together we can achieve much success! If you have questions about this handbook or other school issues during the course of the year, feel free to contact your child’s teacher, our school counselor, or an administrator. We strive to maintain open communication with parents, and we welcome your comments, questions, and involvement!
Sincerely,
Little Oak Middle School Administration Team 

This handbook should not be considered as “all inclusive”. The principal and her designees have the right and responsibility to add, amend, or remove any part in the best interest of Little Oak Middle’s students and staff. Information is subject to change due to COVID-19 protocols. Additional information can be found in the St. Tammany Parish Public School System 2024-2025 District Handbook for Students and Parents.

Yearly Chromebook Device Coverage Form 
State Library of Louisiana
St. Tammany Parish Library

A few days before school begins, a letter will be mailed out to all of our students which will tell you your child’s homeroom teacher and room number. ALL students will report directly to their homeroom on their first day of school, depending on their last name:  Please refer to our District Website for more information about our Smart Start Days. On your child’s first day of school, it is NOT necessary for students to bring ALL their school supplies, as this would be very cumbersome. Instead, they should bring the amount that fits into their book bag without being too heavy to carry. 

We are asking that our students ride the school bus on the first day of school. The traffic is always a bit nerve racking on the first day of school, as it usually backs up to Gause Boulevard. Be sure to view the maps, as they will provide details about the traffic procedures.  Morning Carline Route ALL car riders must adhere to the carline route. 

Carline Route:  Follow the one-way route beginning on Stone Street. Turn RIGHT on Rebel Drive and drive through the Boyet faculty parking lot. Go through the gate and follow the gravel drive. Once in front of Boyet’s gym, proceed to Little Oak’s new parking lot, which leads directly to the carline.  Duty personnel will be at the carline drop-off to receive students beginning at 7:05 PM.  Follow the same procedures for the PM carline. Cars should not begin lining up until 2:00 PM. 

Parents cannot drive or park in the bus lane, and parents may not park in our faculty parking lots. Please keep in mind Boyet’s faculty and staff begin arriving just before 8:00 so we cannot park on their campus. All of our staff and personnel will be on hand to assist the students in locating their classrooms. All of our students will be in very good hands! Remember, parents are not permitted to walk students to class on the first day due to traffic and safety considerations. If your child will attend Little Oak’s aftercare, the registration forms are available on our website. Be sure to read all forms because some changes have been made (Aftercare Information & Aftercare Application.)  Aftercare will be available beginning on Monday, August 8. We are certainly looking forward to seeing all of our students! Thank you for your continued support!

Classes begin promptly at 7:35 AM. Students may begin arriving on campus on 7:05 AM. Students will report straight to homeroom classes on their first day. When students arrive on campus, they will go to three separate locations according to their grade level. All students will be dismissed from these locations to their homerooms beginning at 7:30 AM daily. At 7:05 AM, faculty members are on duty to supervise the students. If parents utilize the car line in the morning, they must follow the morning drop-off for car line, which begins next door in the driveway of Boyet Junior High School (from one-way Stone Street, take right on Rebel Drive in front of Boyet to go around Boyet). Parents may not park in the faculty parking lot to drop off students. If a student needs mobility assistance to enter the building, a parent must proceed through the car line around Boyet Jr. High. Upon reaching the faculty member at gate duty, the parent should request access to our handicap parking. Your cooperation is appreciated! Students who ride the bus will be dismissed beginning at 2:36 PM.  If you utilize the afternoon car line, please remain in the car line and follow the duty teacher’s directions. It is important that you remain in the line. Please refrain from going around other cars in line. No students will be allowed to cross the driveway. Car line is a “Hands-Free Zone” and cell phones should not be used. All students going home by car should be picked up no later than 3:05 PM. Students remaining after 3:05 PM will be instructed to report to aftercare and the parent will be responsible to pay the daily rate. Concerning early dismissal, we encourage you to schedule doctor and dental appointments after school hours. If this is not possible, and you must check your child out, report to the front office to check out your child. The teacher will not release a child to anyone who has not been signed out through the main office. Except for emergencies, students may not be checked out after 2:00 PM. This directive has been put in place due to student safety measures-i.e. buses approaching the bus ramp, etc. 

Students Permitted on Campus: 7:05
Office Hours: 7:05 – 3:05
Instructional Hours: 7:35 – 2:36
Car Line Ends (remaining students sent to aftercare): 3:05
Aftercare: 2:40 - 6:00

Regular attendance is essential to student success. As per Louisiana’s Compulsory Attendance Law, students may not miss more than ten (10) days of school per year. Days of absence include excused absences, non-exempted absences, unexcused absences, and suspensions. Students in danger of failing due to excessive absences will be expected to make up missed time in class sessions (seat time), which will be held outside of the regular school hours.

A student may earn a Perfect Attendance Award at the end of the year if he/she has not missed one day of school, has not been tardy, and has not checked out, on any occasion. A student who has one tardy or one check-out will not be eligible for the award. It is encouraged that parents schedule doctor appointments outside of school hours.

Students who are late to class disrupt the educational process for themselves as well as other students. Please assist us in teaching your child the lifelong skill of promptness. If a student accumulates five (5) tardies, he/she will be subject to disciplinary action. Tardies are cumulative for the year and do not start over each 9 weeks. The bell rings at 7:35 AM and class begins at this time. A student is considered tardy if he/she is not in class seated by 7:41 AM (students are marked absent if they are not in their homeroom classrooms by 7:41 AM). When inclement weather is in the forecast for our area, please plan ahead and allow enough time for school travel. Please keep in mind that students who ride the bus to school are never considered tardy.  A copy of the Tardy Consequence Form is included in this handbook, under “Notification of Tardy Consequence”. The bell rings at 7:35 AM and class begins at this time. A student is considered tardy if he/she is not seated in class by 7:41 AM.  In regards to tardies, a doctor’s note will not be considered an excused tardy unless the note is for a doctor’s appointment that took place on the same day as the tardy and attendance at the doctor’s appointment is the reason why the student is tardy to school. A parent note will not be accepted as an excuse for a tardy.  Students who have been tardy to school on any given day, or are not present for the entirety of all school days, including check-outs, are not eligible to receive a Perfect Attendance Award for the school year.  Please keep in mind that students who ride the bus to school are never considered tardy.  

Please understand that our tardy policy is in place to ensure that all of our students receive the required amount of daily instructional minutes, and chronic tardiness can effect a student’s overall academic performance. 

It is necessary that children learn to develop self-discipline in order to further their learning. We expect students to display acceptable behavior at all times, and we expect parents to work with us to reach this goal. Our school-wide expectations are:
Be Positive, Be Safe, Be Responsible, and Be Respectful, and our rules are linked to these four expectations. Our method of teaching and modeling expected behavior each day is aligned with the Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBiS) System. As per administration’s discretion, if a student has excessive or extreme disciplinary issues, he/she may be excluded from PBiS and extracurricular activities. Students who violate discipline policies will be addressed by the teacher for minor infractions. Student Behavior Reports (SBRs) may be distributed by teachers for minor infractions. Students who repeatedly have minor infractions will be sent to administration for further consequences. Consequences vary based on each given situation. Consequences include, but are not limited to, the following: parent and/or student conference, time-out/exclusions, lunch/recess detention, after school detention, Saturday detention, In-School Support (ISS), Out-of-School Suspension, request for re-assignment, and/or Recommendation for Expulsion.

Detention Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays – 2:36 PM until 3:36 PM
Saturdays – 8:00 AM until 12:00 PM
**Note: The school uniform is to be worn while attending Saturday detentions, and the students should bring work to last four (4) hours. Work will be provided for them if needed. Students should also be sure to eat breakfast prior to Saturday detention. Food will not be provided.

It is the policy of Little Oak Middle School to strongly adhere to the guidelines and policies of the St. Tammany Parish School Board regarding discipline policies. St. Tammany Parish Schools provide many opportunities to meet the needs of individual students. In some cases, students will fill out a document called A Plan for Safety and Success. This document, along with our Little Oak Middle School Conflict Form, are used to provide documentation and establish a successful plan to meet the needs of each and every student.

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR
We believe that instruction best occurs in a safe environment that is conducive to learning, free from distractions, and free from disturbances. As a result, teachers will develop a classroom management plan that they feel will best meet the needs of their students. Classroom management plans will focus on the four school-wide PBiS expectations. Student Behavior Reports (SBRs) are utilized school-wide to notify parents of any minor behavior issues. Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) Behavior Reports are utilized school-wide for major discipline issues. Consequences vary based on each given situation and can be progressive. Students are not allowed to bring toys of any kind to school. This includes electronic devices, stuffed animals, trinkets, fidget spinners, trading cards, etc.

HALLWAY BEHAVIOR
Students are not allowed in the hallways before, during, or after school hours without a pass from a teacher to justify his/her being out of class. The only exception to this would be during inclement weather when the hallways are used for mornings when the students cannot go outside, severe weather procedures, and/or indoor recess if the gym is not available. Students are expected to follow the hallway rules at all times.

WEAPONS POLICY
Students found using, possessing and/or concealing a knife (including a pocket knife), a firearm, a lookalike weapon, and/or a weapon that may discharge a projectile or other dangerous instruments that may cause bodily harm shall be immediately suspended and recommended for expulsion. Police notification shall be made immediately. Please see the District Handbook for additional information regarding discipline policies and procedures.

ACCIDENTS AND ILLNESS
If your child is injured or becomes ill at school, we will make him/her comfortable and then call you immediately. If you cannot be reached, we will attempt to contact the emergency numbers that you have listed on your child’s Emergency Information Card. Please remember we cannot keep seriously ill children at school. Keeping your child’s Emergency Information Card updated is extremely important if additional contact phone numbers are needed in the event of an emergency. Please notify the front office of any changes as soon as they occur, so that we may update your child’s card. Students who have a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher will be placed in a designated area until a parent or guardian picks him/her up. The student must be picked up immediately from school following the notification. Thank you for your cooperation.

STUDENT MEDICATION
Regarding prescription and over the counter medication: In order for students to take prescribed and/or over the counter medication at school, the appropriate medical forms must be signed by the child’s physician and parent. Once the forms are completed with the proper signatures, the parent or guardian must deliver the medication, along with the completed signed forms, to Student Services. The medication must be appropriately labeled by a pharmacist in accordance with the physician order for that particular student. This includes over the counter medication as well (such as aspirin or ibuprofen). At no time are students allowed to deliver medication to Student Services. 

Regarding inhalers:
Students are not allowed to carry an inhaler unless the appropriate medical forms have been completed and returned to the school nurse. Once the completed and signed forms are returned, the inhaler will be issued to the student by the school nurse. The inhaler must be appropriately labeled by a pharmacist in accordance with the physician order for that particular student. The doctor must check “Yes” next to the authorization statement on the medication form in order for the student to carry and self-administer the prescribed inhaler.

Bus Transportation
Bus routes and stops are planned and established by the St. Tammany Parish School Board Transportation Department.  Bus driver contact information, and bus stop locations can be found on the district site.  Students who ride a bus are expected to follow behavior guidelines, which are posted on each bus. The bus driver will also send home a flyer with additional information. The form on the flyer must be completed and signed by a parent or guardian.  Students should be at their designated bus stop 10 minutes prior to pick-up time. Students are not allowed to be dropped off at a different bus stop by their parent/guardian. They must catch the bus at their assigned stop only. Students cannot be dropped off at a stop other than at the stop nearest to their home. Students who are found to be dropped off at a stop that is not their place of residence and are picked up by parent/guardian in a vehicle will be reported to transportation and Child Welfare and Attendance. Safety is always our number one concern.

Bicycle Riders and Walkers
Unfortunately, there are no sidewalks leading to Little Oak’s campus. Students who ride bicycles to school must be responsible and mature enough to navigate extremely heavy traffic on Pearl Street, Stone Street, and Rebel Drive. Bicycle riders must enter campus from Rebel Drive and once arriving to the gravel parking lot, they must walk their bicycles to the bike rack near the gymnasium. In the afternoon at dismissal, students will leave at the same time as walkers. Walkers must live within a close proximity to Little Oak’s campus. Students are not allowed to walk in order to get picked up in a car. Walkers will travel in a group and leave together. Administration will determine if inclement weather prevents the walkers from traveling by foot. In these cases, the parent or guardian will be contacted to pick up the student from school.

Car Riders
We encourage all students to ride the bus. It can be very frustrating to wait in our car line in the morning and in the afternoon, as it tends to be very long. Our car line wraps around Boyet Jr. High’s campus. After turning on to Stone Drive from Pearl Street, parents must turn RIGHT in front of Boyet Jr. High and follow the gravel road through Boyet’s field. While the buses are still on campus, the morning line will drop off at the gate once duty personnel is present. Drop off will begin at 7:05 AM. Once the buses have all dropped off (approximately by 7:30 AM) then the traffic will flow through to the front of Little Oak. The duty teacher will initiate this flow once prompted by an administrator. No students may be picked up or dropped off in the bus loading zone. For safety reasons, no parents should be in the bus loading area to pick up or drop off a student. If your child needs handicap access, please follow the car line route and once you approach the gate duty person, inform them that you will need handicap access for your child and they will direct you through the gate. In the afternoon, the car line will begin forming at the gate on Boyet’s property at the end of the gravel road. This line should not begin any earlier than 2:15 since this is also the walking path for Boyet’s PE students to walk to their field. Once the bell rings and the last bus has picked up (usually about 2:40) the cars will be directed to pull in front of Little Oak. We try to empty/fill at least 8 cars at a time, so please pull up as far as possible before your child exits/enters your car. Unfortunately, there is no covered area to drop students off in the event of rain. We do encourage you to provide your child with a small, fold-up umbrella for rainy days.

Guidance and Counseling services are available to help children become aware of their abilities, aptitudes, interests, and attitudes. The school counselor can assist in the following areas:

• to help children reach their full potential
• to help children set realistic goals consistent with their abilities and interests 
• to help children maximize their self-esteem 
• to provide opportunities for democratic problem solving 
• to provide experiences which will assist children in making wise choices

Little Oak Middle has the services of one full-time guidance counselor. Also, a full-time Mental Health Provider (MHP) is provided to help strengthen your child’s overall school experience. The counseling department phone number is 985-643-2731.

Counselor-
Mrs. Chancy Lafontaine
(985) 641-6510 Press “4” or Email
Please call regarding counseling concerns, 504 plans, and Kids in Transition (KIT).

Mental Health Provider (MHP)- 
Mrs. Heather Galbraith
(985) 641-6510 Press “9” or Email
Please call regarding MHP services.

As Per SENATE BILL NO. 207, ACT No. 313 (2)(a) Effective beginning with the 2024-2025 school year and thereafter, no student shall possess, on his person, an electronic telecommunication device  throughout the instructional day. If a student brings an electronic  telecommunication device in any public elementary or secondary school building or on the grounds thereof during an instructional day, the electronic device shall either be turned off and properly stowed away for the duration of  the instructional day or prohibited from being turned on and used during the instructional day.

As per St. Tammany Parish School Board policy, students shall be allowed to possess a telecommunication device (cell phone) 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 cell phones is defined as being placed in the student’s school bag or purse and shall not be displayed in view using any type of clip or other device. If a student is found using a cell phone, displaying a phone, or in possession of a ringing cell phone or a phone that is powered on 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 telecommunication 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. Electronic communication devices, including smart watches (with the exception of cell phones), recording devices, or devices that can render a photographic image are NOT allowed on school property or on the school bus. These types of items will be confiscated by the teacher/administration and only returned to the parent/guardian. Progressive disciplinary consequences may result from having any of these articles. Little Oak Middle School will not be responsible for investigating or recovering any lost or stolen electronic device.

All unclaimed articles, such as jackets and lunchboxes, are kept in a lost and found bin. The bin is located near the front office. Please write your child’s name on everything that is worn or brought to school. Students are responsible for their own belongings. The school is not responsible for replacing lost, damaged, or stolen items. Unclaimed items will be donated to charity once per nine weeks, and the donation will occur at the end of each nine week grading period. Students will be notified a few days prior to the donation collection so that they may attempt to retrieve any lost items.

For respect to the classroom learning environment, classes will not be interrupted for messages. Forgotten lunches, homework, and/or transportation arrangements are not considered emergencies and students will not be called to the front office for these items. Forgotten items may be dropped off at the front office during the day and will be placed in the teacher’s mailbox. Birthday cupcakes or other birthday bakery items that are easy to divide and distribute are welcomed. However, these items cannot be distributed in a “party” atmosphere. The student should bring the items with him/her in the morning. If the parent is bringing the items to school, they must be dropped off at the front office to be retrieved by the student. No balloons, flowers, decorations, candles, etc. are allowed. Although we realize that birthdays are special occasions, cupcakes and snacks may not be brought to the classroom by parents and/or guardians. Parents must communicate with their child’s teacher if they are sending in items.

During the first week of school, your child’s teacher will be sending home a Student Emergency Card for you to complete and return. Having this information returned promptly and correctly is of the UTMOST importance. A record of this information is kept in the school office in case you need to be contacted. Please make sure all telephone numbers and addresses are accurate and clearly written. Remember to put the name and telephone number of a person who can be contacted in case you cannot be reached. Please notify the school if you change your address or telephone numbers at any time during the school year. It is very important that our records are kept updated. Students may only be checked out of school/picked up by a person listed on the Student Emergency Card.

NOTIFICATION OF TARDY CONSEQUENCE
Dear Parent:
________________________________ has been tardy________ times as of today’s date:____________.

The following disciplinary action is being taken:
_____ Level One-5 tardies: 1 Hour after school detention on ____________________ from 2:36-3:36 PM.
_____ Level Two-10 tardies: 4 Hour Saturday detention has been scheduled on ______________ from 8:00-12:00 PM. Uniform must be worn.
_____ Level Three-15 tardies: In-School Suspension, 3 proofs of residency, referral to truancy* *Students who accumulate more than 15 tardies may receive further discipline, such as Out-of-School Suspension and additional Saturday detention dates.

Tardy Policy
Being on time each day is an important part of being a successful student at Little Oak Middle School. It is the responsibility of each student to be in the classroom when instruction begins. Students who are late to class disrupt the educational process for themselves as well as other students. Parents must discuss the tardy policy with their child/children and support the necessity for the school’s immediate consequences to prevent habitual tardiness. Tardies are cumulative for the entire school year.

Morning Start Times
Classes begin promptly at 7:35 AM. Students may begin arriving on campus at 7:05 AM. Students who are not seated in their classrooms by 7:41 AM will be marked tardy.

Consequences for Being Tardy
When students are not in class by 7:41 AM, the student must check in at the front office and receive an admit slip to report to class. Each tardy will be logged in JPAMS along with absences. Consequences will begin after the 4th tardy. If a student does not serve the consequence on the rescheduled date, the student will receive the next level consequence as noted below.
5th Tardy-Level One- 1 hour after school detention
10th Tardy- Level Two-4 hour Saturday detention, Not eligible for PBiS rewards
15th + Tardy- Level Three- In-School Suspension, 3 proofs of residency, and referral to truancy, Not eligible for PBiS rewards 

PARENTS’ RIGHT TO KNOW
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires school districts to inform parents and families about their right to receive information on the professional qualifications of their children’s teachers. Parents and families have the right to know: 
Whether all employed personnel have met state qualification and licensing criteria for the position they hold within the school 
If any personnel is employed under provisional status where state qualification or licensing criteria have been waived
All college degrees and general areas of certification held by teachers, and qualifications of the paraprofessionals 
Whether their child receives services by paraprofessionals and their qualifications
Teacher Certification/Degree Information can be verified at www.teachlouisiana.net

PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT BEST PRACTICES
St. Tammany Parish Public School System believes that Parent and Family Engagement (PFE) is important for children to achieve success. Parents and families are key partners with the schools. PFE includes programs, services, and activities at the school and district level.

District Responsibilities

• Involve families in developing and reviewing the district's PFE Plan 
• Hold yearly Federal Programs, PFE Stakeholders’, and PFE activity planning meetings 
• Support STPPS Title I schools in planning and carrying out their PFE activities 
• Annually review and monitor PFE activities and school-wide programs outlined in the School Improvement Plans 
• Provide a Title I PFE resource page and presentations for school personnel use 
• Develop Title I PFE survey to evaluate PFE plans and use results to plan future PFE programs and adjust PFE policies and procedures

School Responsibilities 

• Invite parents to a school meeting highlighting their school's educational programs, curriculum, and PFE opportunities 
• Offer PFE activities at various times which support learning goals at home 
• Involve parents in the planning, review, and implementation of PFE programs 
• Provide parents with timely information about the school PFE policy 
• Provide families with opportunities to volunteer, participate, and observe in the school and classroom 
• Maintain 2-way communication with families 
• Provide each student with the Compact for Student Success outlining responsibilities of students, parents, and teachers in the educational process 
• Support all students in their effort to achieve success

Field trips are planned by teachers in each grade level, and are intended to enrich learning.  All field trips will support the standards within our curriculum.  Information and cost of trips will be sent home prior to any trip.  Students are not required to attend a field trip.  Assignments will be given to any child who remains at school.  The work will be done under the guidance of another classroom teacher.  Students attending field trips must ride the school bus to and from the destination, and students are not allowed to ride with parents in cars.  Siblings are not allowed to attend field trips.  School spirit shirts can be worn on field trip days.  Since field trips are off campus and require closer supervision, due to safety concerns, administration reserves the right to require a parent or guardian to attend the field trip with their child.  Administration may also deny a student permission to attend a field trip, depending on the nature of the trip.  

Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, our school will no longer allow metal water bottles, such as the Stanley Cup or Yeti Cup, or water bottles that are not clear on our campus or buses. The administration has decided to implement this change because these metal water bottles are heavy and can potentially be used to harm someone if used improperly during school hours. Additionally, there are concerns that such bottles can be used to conceal prohibited items. The school suggests bottles that are made of plastic, which are safer and lighter as suitable replacements.