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Poland Junior High School

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School Policies

The following information supplements the Rapides Parish School Board Policies Handbook for additional guidelines and regulations.

ATTENDANCE

Good attendance is essential to success in school. Attendance is taken at the beginning of each school day. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) requires students to be in attendance for 171 days @ 380 minutes per day. The mandate states that student unexcused absences may not exceed 12 instructional days per year. If a student misses more than the number of specified days, he or she may be retained.

Please note the policy below per the 2023-24 RPSB Policies Handbook and Student Code of Conduct:

According to the RPSB policy, students may not exceed twelve days per year or six instructional days per semester of absences.   The parent or legal guardian are advised that if they intentionally or through criminal negligence permit a minor child to be habitually absent or tardy to school, they are subject to criminal prosecution and imposition of fines and jail sentences under R.S. 17:233 and R.S. 14:92.2 (pg. 23). By law, the school shall contact The Child Welfare and Attendance Office or Families in Needs of Services (FINS) if the child has excessive unexcused absences.

Excused Absences

An excused absence is allowed for doctor/dental visits, school-related activities or a religious holiday. Documentation for doctor/dental visits must be turned in to the office when the student returns to school. Included in excused absences are those for extenuating circumstances, such as extended illness or death of a family member, as defined in the Rapides Parish School Board Policy Handbook. All documentation for extenuating circumstances must be turned in to the office within five days of the student returning to school. If a student has a chronic medical condition, then documentation from a doctor must be submitted to the school office at the beginning of the school year or at the beginning of the medical condition in order for this information to be included in the student's record.

Perfect Attendance

Students who have perfect attendance receive special recognition. An excused absence does not count as perfect attendance. If a student is tardy or checks out, they will not have perfect attendance.

CHECK-OUT POLICY

Please Note: Per 2021-22 RPSB Policies Handbook and Student Code of Conduct, except in cases of extreme personal emergencies, during the last 30 minutes of the school day, no student will be allowed to check out of school.  All parents picking up students after 2:00 p.m. MUST wait in the car rider line. No walk-ups will be allowed. If an emergency situation makes it necessary for a student to leave school within the last 30 minutes of the school day, he/she must have administrative approval.

When checking out during the school day:

  • The student must have his/her parents or guardians come to the school and sign them out in the office. If someone other than the parent/guardian is to check out a student, the parent/guardian needs to send a signed note to school giving the person permission to sign the student out.
  • Doctor and dental appointments should be scheduled during the holidays or late afternoon so as not to interrupt academic class work.
  • An excuse from the doctor or dentist's office confirming the student’s medical appointment is to be returned to the school office within 5 days of the appointment.
  • If a student is tardy or checks out, he/she will be marked absent for those periods missed. Any check-out or tardy will hinder students from being awarded for perfect attendance.

STUDENT TRANSPORTATION

The student’s parent/guardian must call prior to 2:00 p.m. if there are any changes in the method of transportation (bus rider, car rider, etc.). Students who need to ride home on a different bus must have a note from a parent which has to be approved by the office. 

Bus Regulations

Proper student conduct is essential if the buses are to be operated safely. Students who willfully or through negligence cause damage to the bus, inflict injury or cause embarrassment to the driver or other students, or in any way, interfere with the safety or well-being of anyone riding a school bus will be denied transportation privileges. Students who come to school on the bus should return home on the bus unless they have a note from the parents approved by the principal. 

Cell Phones/Electronics

Cell Phones:

Per RPSB Policies Handbook and Student Code of Conduct, “no student, unless specifically authorized, shall use or operate any electronic telecommunication device, including …Bluetooth devices, airpods, earbuds, mobile phone service, etc.in any school building or on the grounds thereof during regular school hours…” (pg 41). Such devices, including smartwatches, are to remain off and stored away during school hours. If powered on or seen or heard, the device will be retrieved by school personnel. Operation of such a device by the student for recording, taking pictures, creating videos during regular school hours and/or violating testing procedures shall be a serious disciplinary infraction punishable by expulsion or out-of-school suspension. The parent must come to the school and pay a $15.00 administrative fee for each offense to retrieve the device. In addition, electronic devices (toys, games, recorders, Ipods) are not allowed at school during school hours. Any unclaimed devices will be forfeited and disposed of one week following the close of school. In addition, disciplinary consequences may be implemented for repeated offences.

PLEASE NOTE: In an emergency, a student may call home from the office with permission from office personnel.

Airpods/Wireless Earbuds:

Students may not use Airpods nor wireless earbuds during school hours unless permitted by school personnel.