The Caddo Parish School Board is committed to maintaining a safe, orderly, civil and positive learning environment so that no student feels bullied, threatened, or harassed while in school or participating in school-related activities. Students and their parents/guardians shall be notified that the school, school bus, and all other school environments are to be safe and secure for all. Therefore, all statements or actions of bullying, hazing, or similar behavior such as threatening or harassment, made on campus, at school-sponsored activities or events, on school buses, at school bus stops, and on the way to and from school shall not be tolerated. Even if made in a joking manner, these statements or actions of bullying, hazing, or similar behavior towards other students, school personnel, or school property shall be unacceptable.  

All students, teachers, and other school employees shall take responsible measures within the scope of their individual authority to prevent violations of this policy.  

Bullying shall mean:

1. A pattern of any one or more of the following:
   
   a) Gestures, including but not limited to obscene gestures and making faces.  
   b) Written, electronic, or verbal communications, including but not limited to calling names, threatening harm, taunting, malicious teasing, or spreading untrue rumors. Electronic communication includes 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.  
   c) Physical acts, including but not limited to hitting, kicking, pushing, tripping, choking, damaging personal property, or unauthorized use of personal property.  
   d) Repeatedly and purposefully shunning or excluding from activities.

   
   

2. Where the pattern of behavior as enumerated above 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. 

   
    

3. The pattern of behavior as provided above 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.  

Hazing shall mean any knowing behavior, whether by commission or omission, of any student to encourage, direct, order, or participate in any activity which subjects another student to potential physical, mental, or psychological harm for the purpose of initiation or admission into, affiliation with, continued membership in, or acceptance by existing members of any organization or extracurricular activity at a public elementary or secondary school, whether such behavior is planned or occurs on or off school property, including any school bus and school bus stop. Hazing does not mean any adult-directed and school-sanctioned athletic program practice or event or military training program.  

Any solicitation to engage in hazing, and the aiding and abetting another person who engages in hazing shall be prohibited. The consent, stated or implied, of the hazing victim shall not be a defense in determining disciplinary action.  

NOTICE TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS  

 The School Board shall inform each student, orally and in writing, at the required orientation conducted at the beginning of each school year and upon entry into a Caddo Parish School, of the prohibition against bullying, hazing, or similar behavior of a student by another student; the nature and consequences of such actions; including the potential criminal consequences and loss of driver's license, and the proper process and procedure for reporting any incidents involving such prohibited actions. A copy of the written notice shall also be delivered to each student's parent or legal guardian. 

Grading Systems (Policy IKA)   (Partial Credit for Missed Work – Suspension/Unexcused Absence)  
 
Whenever a student is suspended, removed from a classroom due to disorderly conduct, or when the student’s absence is unexcused, the teacher shall assign school work missed and the student shall receive either full or partial credit as recommended by the teacher as follows:  
 
1. Teacher shall assign school work missed and designate the time for completion of the assignment;  2. Once the assignment is completed, the teacher shall: a)   Determine if the assignment is completed and turned in on time;  b)   Determine if other students (those not suspended, removed from the class, or with an excused absence) received credit for the same or similar work;  c)  Determine if other students received points for the work missed in statement 2b above, then the teacher shall grade the assignment and provide the student with an appropriate raw score of not less than 50% of the total points earned for the assignment.  3. If the student believes the teacher improperly assigned the grade for the assignment missed, the student may appeal to the school principal. The principal or his/ her designee may only review to determine  a) If other students received credit for the same or similar assignment missed;  b) If the student turned in the assignment timely in accordance with the teacher’s directive;  c) Whether the teacher assigned the total points in accordance with policy; and  d) Whether an obvious error was made in the calculation of grade or the assignment of points, to which the principal shall refer to teacher for correction and/or revision of grade. Adopted: January 6, 2010 
 
Grading Policy 
 All Caddo Schools shall use the Regular Courses Grading Scale for students enrolled in regular coursework.  Schools shall use the Advanced Courses Grading Scale for students enrolled in honors, gifted, dual enrollment, advanced placement, international baccalaureate, enriched, or other coursework for which special grading exists. 

​Grading Scale:
A 100-93
B 92-85  
C 84-75  
D 74-67  
F 66-0   

Kindergarten:  At the kindergarten level, students are not assigned grades.  Reporting to parents is provided with the following:  Satisfactory, Needs Improvement, or Unsatisfactory.

Caddo Parish School Board has a well-defined policy on absences – excused, unexcused, and tardies.  When a child returns to school following an absence, a note should be sent to the teacher stating the reason for the absence.  A physician’s statement must be sent if a child is under the care of a doctor.  If a student has been ill but has no doctor’s excuse, a parental note will allow make-up work.  All excuses should be submitted no more than five days after the absence.
 
A student in elementary school must attend a minimum of 167 days per year in order to receive credit for the school year.  Children with excessive tardies or absences will be reported to the attendance supervisor for Caddo Parish Schools.
 
Students may not check out after 2:00 p.m.  If there is an extenuating circumstance, students should be checked out by 2:00 p.m. from the office.  We cannot arrange check out times so parents can get to work by 3:00 p.m. or 3:15 p.m.  This puts the child at a real disadvantage with their school work.
 
The Louisiana State Department of Education states students may be excused from school for these reasons only:

1. Illness of self with a doctor’s excuse

2. Death in family

3. Established religious holidays

4. School business (Example – Science Fair)

The basic responsibility for the appearance of the students of Caddo Parish Schools rests with the parents and the students themselves. Parents have the obligation, and within certain prescribed bounds, the right to determine their student’s dress. Students are to dress in apparel that is modest, tasteful, and that does not interfere with or distract from the educational process or rights of others. Students and their clothing should be neat, clean and well-groomed and must meet the following guidelines: 
 
1. Attire must not be destructive to school property.  2. For health reasons, shoes must be worn.  3. Only tops designed to be worn outside of pants, shorts or skirts shall be worn in that manner.  4. Pants, shorts and skirts must be worn at the waist. No “sagging” is permitted.  5. Headwear or hair rollers are prohibited in the building. 6. Body piercing jewelry cannot be worn except in the ears.  7. Shirts, sweaters, jackets, and other tops worn over leggings must be no shorter than four inches above the knee. Skirt length should be no more than four inches above the knee.  8. Sunglasses are prohibited in the building unless they are prescribed.  9. Bare midriffs, see-through garments, white undergarment type Tee shirts, bare backs, halter tops, tank tops, tube tops and cutoffs cannot be worn. There are to be no holes or tears in clothing on school campus.  10. Loose-fitting shorts may be worn by students that are no more than four inches above the knee when standing. All shorts must be hemmed. Cutoff shorts, rolled-up jeans, sweats, athletic or spandex shorts cannot be worn. No other article of clothing can be worn beneath the shorts for viewing.  11. Obscene, profane language or provocative pictures on clothing or jewelry are prohibited.  12. Satanic, cult or gang related symbolism in any form is prohibited on school campuses.  13. Drug related symbols in any form including advertisements or promotion of alcohol or tobacco are prohibited on school campuses. 

The school day ends at 2:40 p.m. for Pre-K through 1st grade students and 2:50 p.m. for 2nd through 5th grade students.  Parents of students who go home by car should pick their child up no later than 3:05 p.m. in the Carpool Circle as teachers will not be on duty after this time.  For the protection of the students, they are not permitted to remain outside unsupervised.  It is imperative that ALL parents display the carpool tag while picking up your child.  Due to safety concerns, parents without a tag will be asked to show proper identification in the office and another carpool tag will be issued.
 
Please do not park your car in the Carpool Circle to walk and/or pick up your child.  Please wait and your child will be released at the appropriate time for dismissal.
 
Please do not drop your child off in any of the parking lots of the school, as creates a significant safety concern.
 
A student who is to go home in a manner different from his/her normal routine must bring a note.  Otherwise, he/she will be required to go home as usual.  In the event of an emergency change in afternoon transportation, please call the school office before 2:00 p.m. 
 
Children who want to go home with friends must make those arrangements in advance.  We cannot allow them to call home for permission.
 
We understand that occasionally something may cause you to be late in picking up your child, but continued late pickup is an imposition to the staff and is interpreted as failure to follow school rules and guidelines.

Children should report to school between 7:10 a.m. and
7:25 a.m.  No students should arrive before this time as supervision is not provided.  The bell rings at 7:25 to start our day.  The tardy bell rings at 7:25 a.m.  If you arrive past 7:25 a.m., the parent must check the student in the office.  Please help us avoid unnecessary classroom disruptions by having your child at school on time.  An unexcused tardy occurs when any student enters the classroom after the 7:25 a.m. bell rings.  Tardies are excused when a child has been ill, has had a medical or dental appointment, or is on a late bus.

Students will not be allowed to check out after 2:00 p.m. The following procedures will be strictly adhered to.
Person checking student out shall show a picture I.D.

1. Person checking student out shall be listed on student information sheet that has been completed and signed by parent/guardian.

2. If official paperwork is received that changes custody or does not allow a parent access to the child, that information shall be listed on student information card and JCAMPUS.  Official court papers must be signed by a judge.

3. If school receives a phone call to allow student to be checked out, a verification call must be made to parent/guardian from phone numbers listed on student information form.

4. If there is any doubt as to whether the person checking the student out has the appropriate authorization please contact the security office for assistance.   

Caddo Parish School Board policy regarding the giving of medicine during the school day states that any child who has to take medicine during school hours must have on file in the school office a “Medical Request” form signed by both parent and doctor.  This form is available in the school office and must be used. (A simple doctor’s note is not sufficient.)  Please do not ask us to give medicine of any kind without following this policy.
 
Children cannot bring supplies of medicine to school to carry around with them.  This includes over-the-counter medicine as well as that dispensed by a doctor.  The same procedure applies for eye or ear drops.

We encourage close communication between our teachers and parents.  If you would like to schedule a conference with your child’s teacher, you may do so in the following manner: parents may either email the teacher directly or call the school’s office and leave a message for the teacher.  Conference times are usually held before or after school or during the teacher’s planning period.  Parents have continual access to their child’s grades, attendance, discipline history, and transcripts through the Caddo Parish Student Progress Portal.  Parents may visit the following web address to acquire this information: 
https://jgrade.caddoschools.org/progress/​

The school must know how your child is to go home if children should go home during the school day.  Please ensure that the office ALWAYS has accurate contact information.  If your contact information changes throughout the school year, please call our Attendance Clerk or send a note so that your child’s information can be updated immediately.

Students are encouraged to eat school lunches as they are economical, well-balanced and nourishing.  Breakfast is served from 7:05 a.m. – 7:25 a.m.  Lunch is served according to individual class schedules.
 
The A.C. Steere cafeteria serves breakfast and lunch daily.  Caddo Parish has secured a federal grant that affords all Caddo students free lunch and breakfast.  If students would like additional items, such as extra milk, juice or food items, the cafeteria may offer to sell them, based on availability.  Students are asked to pay cash for these items should they choose to purchase them.
 
Friendly Reminder:  Food from fast food restaurants is not allowed in the cafeteria for breakfast or lunch for a student or a parent.​

Homework is a way of improving study habits and reinforcing skills.  The amount and type of homework is planned according to the student’s grade level.  Please check with your child’s teacher for individual homework policies.
 
Approximate Homework Time Schedule:
Grades 1 and 2………..15-30 minutes
Grades 3, 4, and 5….…30-45 minutes

​Typically, there are three factors that determine whether students are able to go outside each day.  These include the following: 

1. Inclement weather conditions - In the event of rain/drizzle, students will remain inside for recess. 

2. Temperature - The temperature must be within the range of 40 degrees to 97 degrees (this takes into account the wind chill and heat index).  If the temperatures are cooler or warmer than this range, students will remain inside for recess.  Typically, the temperature only affects one of the scheduled recesses.  In extreme weather conditions, the temperature will adversely affect both recesses, but this is somewhat unusual.

3. Playground conditions - Sometimes it is necessary for students to remain inside due to rain events that leave the playground areas too wet to play.  We strongly believe that it is imperative for students’ well-being and development to be allowed this time of exercise and fresh air.  However, we will promote a safe environment when the temperature is too hot or too cold to go outside.