Cougar Families,

We are in our final two days of state testing! We are extremely proud of how many students have been at school for every day of testing! We will give students the opportunity to win prizes on Tuesday, May 6. Students who have been at school everyday, who have exhibited great behavior during testing, and who have put forth exceptional effort, will be entered for treats a the end of the day. Students who have missed sessions of testing will have make-ups as soon as possible in order for the school to turn materials in on time. Remember, this test is important for several reasons. For our 8th graders, it will determine whether or not they will be considered for T-9 in high school. Not only this, but for our Magnet students, we will look at test scores for possible placement into higher Math classes, which may include Algebra I. But for all students, this will assist us in preparing for interventions for the coming school year. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that students not only take the test, but take it seriously and do their absolute best in order to help them in the upcoming school year. We are only 3.7 points from being a "C" school, and we want our students to show exactly what they are capable of.

This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week! We will be doing things for our teachers this week and next week due to state testing. If you are able to donate items in order to assist in celebrating our teachers, please contact Mrs. Smith in the front office.

Although we are on the countdown to summer, we are still seeing some behaviors that are unCougar like. We will continue to use progressive discipline policies and enforce state, local, and district policies when it comes to behavior. The amount of students making threatening remarks to each other and to other people is on an increase, and will not be tolerated. As a school, we are asking that parents have conversations with their child(ren) regarding this. This also includes the bus and bus stops. Students will be held accountable and may lose bus privileges due to behavior.

As we are winding down the school year, again, it is important that students turn work in when it is due in order to avoid the pitfalls of failing. When grades are due, teachers will not rush to grade work that was due weeks prior. At this point, all parents should have access to Parent Access Portal on JCampus, if not, please contact the counseling department for assistance.

8th grade parents, we have sent home 8th grade end of the year activity contracts and packets. These packets outline expectations and dates of all end of the year activities. Please know that in order for your child to participate in the 8th grade dance, he/she must turn in their IGPs, as well. This was handed out by the 8th grade counselor and must be signed and returned as soon as possible. Also, we will be sending home information regarding the Promotion Ceremony this week so that everyone is on the same page.

Parents, this is also a reminder that students are not allowed to have their cell phones on them at school. Cell phones are not to be in students' pockets (pants, skirts, shorts, or jackets). They are to be placed in their booksacks according to newly enacted state laws regarding cell phone usage at school. If students are found with phones on their persons, the phones will be confiscated and a parent or guardian will have to come to retrieve the phone from the school. Students will be disciplined if it becomes a pattern of behavior. With LEAP in progress, please remind students that tests could be voided if they are found with a phone or smart watch on them during testing. Not only will they jeopardize their score, but the scores of other students in the room!

We will continue with our daily security checks in order to promote safety on our school campus. Please know that all bags, purses, and lunch bags will be checked as students enter the building. With that parents, please note that a lunch bag full of large quantities of chips, candy, etc... is not considered lunch. We have found that students are masking shareable snacks in their lunch bags with the hopes that those things will not be confiscated. Make sure that if your child is bringing lunch, that they are bringing "lunch!" All large quantities of "snacks" will be confiscated. Please refer to the student handbook that is located in your child's planner for all school rules and expectations.

As a reminder, on Monday, April 28, 2025, we began our NO BOOKSACK policy through the end of the year. Not only this, but chromebooks will stay at the school beginning on the same day. As a school, we have experienced a high incidents of students purposely damaging their chromebooks. Because of this, we have had to take measures to ensure that chromebooks are in good working condition for LEAP testing. Not only this, but students who have intentionally damaged their chromebooks will be assessed the $200 replacement fee, in addition to being disciplined for vandalism.

Please note that students are considered tardy after 7:10 AM. If students are on a late bus, it will be documented in JCAMPUS by the front office. After 7:30 AM, students being dropped off by a parent MUST BE SIGNED IN BY AN ADULT! If the adult does not come in and sign the student in, the student will be placed in TOR until a parent/guardian can do so. This is for the safety and security of not just your child, but for the school.

Additionally, students who are not in proper dress code will be sent to TOR until a parent/guardian can bring them proper attire. Please remind your scholar that the dress code is located in their student planner on pages 19-20.

Lastly, parents, please understand that we can not allow someone who is not on your child's demographic or emergency card to check him/her out. Our office staff checks this to ensure that your child is safe AT ALL TIMES. Please know that this is not to make life difficult, but to ensure the safety of our students. Also, please be reminded that we do not do check outs after 2:00 PM.

Sincerely,

Regina M. Bennett, Esq.

Principal, Southeast Middle School