ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

At Good Hope Middle School we strive for excellence in education.  Different program and activities will be held through out the school year to recognize students who excel in academics and exhibit good behavior.  Each six weeks, honor roll students (3.0 and above) will be treated to an Honor Roll Breakfast.  Our Character Co8nts Program will be honoring students who exhibit appropriate behavior.  An end of the year awards program will be held in May.

BEHAVIOR

Every student at Good Hope Middle School is expected to be courteous to administrators, teachers, staff, and fellow students, attempting at all times to exhibit behavior that is indicative of respectful ladies and gentlemen.

Every teacher at GHMS is authorized to hold every student to a strict accountability for any disorderly conduct on the school campus or at school sponsored events.

In accordance with the Ouachita parish School Board Policy, corporal punishment may be administered at GHMS by the principal or his designee.

For health and safety reasons, the principal or his designee reserves the right to inspect and search lockers or personal storage areas at any time.

Louisiana Law provides that a student may be recommended for suspension/expulsion at any time for any serious violation of school regulations.  Any student suspended cannot return to school until one or both parents have had a conference with the assistant principal.  On a student's third suspension, the student and/or parent will be required to have a conference with the Supervisor of Child Welfare at the Ouachita Parish School Board Office before the student may return to school.  On the fourth suspension, the student shall be recommended for expulsion from all public schools until the beginning of the next school year.

A suspended student is not allowed on campus during his/her suspension.

Graded assignments missed during suspension cannot be made up.

Students may be suspended or expelled for the following violations:

1. SKIPPING ANY CLASS - Students are assigned a place to be each hour of the school day.  They are expected to be in this assigned area every day.  A student skipping class will be assigned 5 hours detention on the first offense and suspended each time thereafter.

2. SKIPPING SCHOOL - A student found skipping school will be subject to 5 hours of detention or suspension.  On subsequent occasions he/she will be suspended for one day.  ON each occasion a parental conference is necessary before he student will be allowed to return to school.  Students skipping school will not under any circumstances be allowed to make up work that is missed.

3. LEAVING THE CAMPUS WITHOUT PERMISSION - The student is officially at school from the time he steps on the bus or arrives on campus in personal transportation.  Unless the student is properly checked out, he cannot legally leave campus until the school day ends.

4. LEAVING CLASS WITHOUT PERMISSION - Students should never leave class unless it is an emergency.  During class time no student shall be in the hall or on the campus without a pass issued by an administrator, counselor, or the teacher in charge of the student during that time.   This includes trips to the rest room, locker, library, office or water fountain.  Should an emergency occur, the teacher should issue the student a hall pass.  If a student is out of that area by the shortest route possible.  It is the student's responsibility to ask for a pass before leaving a class or special area. Students without passes are subject to detention.  The student should never leave a class without permission.  If a student leaves a class before the bell without the teacher's permission, he/she will be assigned two (2) hours detention on first offense.  Repeat offenses are subject to suspension.

5. HAVING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL WHILE ON CAMPUS OR AT SCHOOL-SPONSORED FUNCTIONS-POSSESSION OF NARCOTIC DRUGS WHILE ON CAMPUS OR AT ANY SCHOOL FUNCTION - See number 5 for penalties.  Distribution of narcotic drugs will mean automatic expulsion from school.
   
   

Ouachita parish School Board Policy

6. POSSESSION OF NARCOTIC DRUGS WHILE ON CAMPUS OR AT ANY SCHOOL FUNCTION - See number 5 for penalties.  Distribution of narcotic drugs will mean automatic expulsion from school.

7. FIGHTING - Fighting on the school campus or at school-sponsored events is strictly forbidden.

• It is each student's responsibility to report to any problem encountered with another student or any problem observed between other students that may need administrative attention.

• Each student is to do whatever is necessary to avoid being in a fight or to stop a possible fight between classmates.  When approached by a student who you re having a problem with, do not get involved.  Turn around and walk to the nearest teacher and report the problem.

• Any student involved in a fight will be subject to suspension on the first offense and expulsion the second time.  Any type of vicious attack or assault (unprovoked physical attack on one student by another), or gang fight could be cause for expulsion on the first offense.

First Offense Fighting - The penalty for fighting is an automatic three-day suspension.  Each participant determined by school authorities to be actively involved in starting the fight will be suspended.

Second Offense Fighting - As required by state law RS: 17-416, any student committing a second offense fighting will be recommended to expulsion.

The following are also acts that may lead to suspension or expulsion:

1. FIREWORKS ON CAMPUS - Possession of fireworks while on campus will result in the loss of the fireworks and a detention penalty.  Exploding fireworks on campus will mean automatic suspension.

2. STEALING

3. CARRYING FIREARMS, KNIVES, AND OTHER WEAPONS - For everyone's safety, it is imperative that no one bring to school or a school sponsored function any item that can be used as a weapon or would endanger the life of a fellow student or teacher.  Such items as knives, firearms, chains, explosives, metal combs, forks, rakes, cake cutters, and jewelry designed as a protective device, leather straps, etc. will not be allowed.  Any student bringing a firearm on campus or to a school-sponsored event will be expelled for a full calendar year.

4. HABITUAL DISTURBANCE OF CLASS - No student will be allowed to interfere with education.

5. WILLFUL DISOBEDIENCE

6. DESTROYING OR VANDALIZING SCHOOL PROPERTY OR THE PROPERTY OF ANOTHER STUDENT WHILE ON THE SCHOOL CAMPUS - The student will be suspended and not allowed to return to school until full restitution is made.

7. BEING DISRESPECTFUL TO ANY SCHOOL BOARD EMPLOYEE

8. USING PROFANE OR OBSCENE LANGUAGE OR MATERIAL, EITHER PHYSICALLY OR ELECTRONICALLY - This behavior is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated at any time at GHMS.  If you are guilty of using any type of profanity or obscenity, you may be assigned to detention or suspended.  Using profanity or obscene gestures toward any school employee will mean automatic suspension or expulsion.

9. GAMBLING.

10. HAVING ANY FORM OF TOBACCO WHILE ON CAMPUS - State law mandates that there be no tobacco products allowed on any school campus.  Violation of this policy would mean a five(5) hour detention penalty on the first offense and suspension from school on the second offense and each violation after that.

11. POSSESSION OF ELECTRONIC TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICES WHILE ON THE SCHOOL CAMPUS - State law provides that no person unless authorized by the school principal or designee shall use, possess, or operate any electronic telecommunication device including any facsimile system, radio paging service, mobile telephone service, intercom or electromechanical paging system in any  school building, on the grounds, or in any school bus.  Any member of the faculty or staff may confiscate devices.  Confiscated equipment must be reclaimed from the assistant principal by the parent.

12. CHEATING/PLAGIARIZING - Any student caught cheating, plagiarizing, falsifying or changing records will be subject to suspension.  A zero(0) will be given if class work or a test is involved.

13. FOOD, DRINK, OR GUM IN THE BUILDING - The student will be warned on first offense.  Disciplinary action will be taken on the second offense.

14. REFUSAL TO ACCEPT DETENTION WHEN ASSIGNED.

15. PRESENTING ANY KIND OF FRAUDULENT EXCUSE, NOTE, OR PASS.

16. REPEATEDLY VIOLATING THE SCHOOL DRESS CODE.

17. POSSESSION OR USE OF RADIO, PORTABLE TELEVISION, "WALKMAN" OR "BOOM BOX" - These serve no educational purpose and students will not be allowed to have them on campus.  Any staff or faculty member can confiscate equipment.  The equipment must be reclaimed from the assistant principal.  On first offense the student will be assigned detention.  Thereafter suspension will be given.

18. CAUSING A FALSE ALARM WITH THE EMERGENCY SYSTEM.

19. BEING HABITUALLY TARDY - Tardies and discipline pertaining thereto are on a semester not a six weeks basis.  Students should be aware that tardiness will result in suspension and/or expulsion.

20. Public displays of affection between boys and girls will not be allowed.

TARDY POLICY

The academic day for Good Hope Middle School begins promptly at 7:53 a.m.  Children who arrive after that time will be considered tardy and must sign in the office.  Tardiness is defined as not being in your seat when the tardy bell rings.  If a teacher detains you and you can not reach your class on time, ask him/her to write you a pass to class.  Do not loiter in the hall.

Each teacher will close their door after the tardy bell rings for class.  Any student that is still in the hall will be escorted to the office by the principal or referred by the teacher on a tardy slip.  The school office will address each tardy situation.  The consequences for tardiness are as follows:

*Once a student has been suspended from school for being tardy to class, the new rotation process will begin.  The process for tardiness will start over with a one hour detention, not a warning.

BUS REGULATIONS

All disciplinary problems which develop on a school bus traveling to and from school will be handled by the Principal or Assistant Principals at GHMS.  The bus is an extension of the school and all problems will be handled as if they were in the classroom at school.  Problems that have definite penalties at school, such as smoking, fighting, cursing, etc., will carry the same penalties on the bus.  The privilege of riding the bus is conditioned on the student's good behavior and observance of rules and regulations.  Bad behavior will have the privilege withdrawn.  In order for a student to ride another bus, he/she should have a written note from the parent giving permission to ride that bus and the Principal's or Assistant Principal's signature is required.

*Any student may be removed from the bus at any time depending on the infraction.

SATURDAY SEMINAR

Any student assigned to Saturday Seminar for school violations who does not attend will face automatic suspension from school.

PROGRESS REPORTS/TAKE HOME PAPERS

Progress reports indicating students' grades are sent home during the third week of each six weeks grading period for all students.  These reports should be reviewed, signed by the parents, and returned the next school day.

Weekly test papers will be sent home each Thursday school wide.  These papers need to be returned on Friday.  If for some reason, you need to keep your child's papers for a longer period of time, please contact his teacher.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

The amount of homework is left to the discretion of the classroom teacher.  Students are expected to complete their homework every day that is assigned.  Students are to bring their books, pencils, and pens with them every day.  After an absence of two days, parents may request homework by calling the office before 8:15 a.m.  A good suggestion would be for the student to call one of his classmates to get his homework when he is out for a shorter period of time.  You can contribute greatly to your son's or daughter's success in school by proving for home study each day.  A minimum of one hour of home study per day is recommended.

MEDICATION

The Louisiana State Legislature in 1993 passed a law, Act 87, about medication and procedures to be taken at school.   We encourage parents to make arrangements to administer medication at home or come to school to give their children medication.  The state law requires that if medication must by taken during school hours, (whether prescription or over-the-counter including Tylenol, cough drops, cough syrup, etc.), the school MUST have both written orders from the doctor and appropriate forms secured from school giving written authorization from the parent.  The medication must be in a properly labeled bottle to include student name, name of medication, dosage, and time to give medication.  Medication CANNOT be transported to or from school on the bus; it must be brought to the school by the parent and picked up by the parent.  If the dosage should change, the office must receive a written order from the doctor or dentist stating what changes have been made and a new pharmacy label issued.  If the medication and dosage should change and a written statement from the doctor is not received, then the child will not be given his/her medication.

The school nurse program continues to expand their services, and strives to fulfill mandated legislation; their primary concern is for the health, safety, and welfare of the students.  The school nurse is available as a resource person for any health related concerns you may have.  The nurse can provide preventative measures, health counseling and education, and can assist with medical problems.  The nurse can help to promote understanding of chronic health problems and assist the student, family and school personnel in the adjustment to those problems.  The school nurse conducts screening programs during the year as follows:

·        Mandated vision and hearing screenings per recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics or by special request by parents, children and school personnel.

·        Scoliosis screenings on 6^th and 8^th grade students or by request.

·        Pediculosis (head lice) checks on elementary students per parish protocol.

·        General overall assessment of students which may include, but not limited to, vital signs, listening to heart and lung sounds, and visual assessments.

·        BSE and cervical cancer classes provided for 7^th-12^th  grades.

If you do not want your child to participate in any of the above then you must let the school nurse know in writing by September 5^th.  Please mail to:

                        Ouachita Parish School Nurse
                        701 St. John Street
                        Monroe, LA  71201

DRUGS

Since an effective drug policy is necessary in school today, a cooperative effort must be made by all as a preventive measure.  Anyone with information concerning drugs should report to school personnel.  Periodic searchers will be made of student lockers and restrooms.  Ouachita Parish schools have established clear policies concerning alcohol and drug use at school.  When students are found using or possessing drugs, the school notifies police, parents and the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance.  The student is recommended for expulsion.  The penalty for selling drugs is expulsion.  GHMS participates in Drug-Testing policy mandated by Ouachita Parish Schools.