Weekly Memo #2
August 10, 2025
Cougar Families,
We have successfully completed the first full week of school! We are moving into the 2nd full week, and have lots going on. This week, students will begin taking their pre-tests in all core classes. This means that we will disseminate chromebooks through 1st block classes. For right now, students will not bring them home. We want to ensure that all students have paid their technology fee (mandatory) and turned in all technology agreements before computers are allowed to go home. Once we do release them for take home, students will be held fully responsible for any and all damage to computers in their care. 7th and 8th grade students will receive the chromebooks that they were assigned last year.
We will continue with the security measures that have been put in place in order to ensure that our students are in a safe environment. Therefore, students must have clear or mesh booksacks. As a Title I school, we have used funding to ensure that all students have an equal footing. With this, we provide ALL of our students with a booksack and school supplies. Last week, students were given their school-issued booksacks. If your child did not receive theirs, they need to come to the front office in order to receive it. Every student will need a booksack! Students will also continue to be called to pay fees and pick up any supplies that may have been ordered online.
This is also a gentle reminder that students are not allowed to have cellphones in their pockets. We want to ensure that we are in line with the new law regarding cellphones on campus that was passed last school year. Cellphones and other electronic equipment (headphones, earbuds, etc...) should be placed in their booksacks or purses. Any student caught with a phone on their person will have that phone or electronic equipment confiscated and a parent will need to come to pick it up before 3:00 PM Monday through Friday. If it becomes habitual, the student will be disciplined according to the school's discipline matrix.
As a reminder, parents are not allowed on the hallways. If you need assistance, please enter through the front of the building and enter the front office. We begin registrations at 7:30 A.M. and will conclude at 2:00 P.M. in order for office staff to complete morning and afternoon duty routines. We are a large school and need all persons on duty. Our goal is to assist everyone in as much of a timely manner as possible. However, with this being the start of the school year, we ask that you are patient as there are a lot of moving parts to ensure our students are obtaining the attention that they need.
Moving forward, 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 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. We are already having issues with young men with sagging pants and no belts. This will not be tolerated. Please remind your scholar that the dress code is located in their student planner on pages 19-20. Students received their planners last week and we will begin going over policies in each class this week.
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. Not only this, but we can not give out student information over the phone. Anyone can call and state that they are the child's parent. Also, please be reminded that we do not do check outs after 1:30 PM. This is to ensure that there are no issues/disruptions with our carpool line as parents begin to line up early.
Remember, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school at (225) 753-5930.
Sincerely,
Regina M. Bennett, Esq.
Principal, Southeast Middle School
No aerosol sprays or spray deodorants
Students may only have roll-on or stick deodorant for use in school.
No cellphone usage during school time
Students are to enter the building with their cellphones off and placed in their booksack or purse. This is done in response to Act 313 that was signed into law by Governor Jeff Landry during the 2024 legislative session. This also means that students can not carry their cellphones in their pockets!
No perfumes or sprays
Students are not allowed to bring perfumes or sprays to school. We ensure that students who have health conditions such as asthma and other nasal allergies are in the best environment possible.
No weapons allowed
Please check your child's bag daily to ensure that he/she does not have anything other than their school supplies in them. Students who are caught with weapons or anything that can be used as a weapon (metal combs, rat tail combs, etc...) may be disciplined pursuant to the district's discipline policy.
No vapes, e-cigarettes, cigarettes, cigars, etc...
Students caught with these items will be disciplined pursuant to the school and district discipline policies.
Un-opened water bottles only
Clear, un-opened water bottles are allowed. No Stanley, Yeti, or Owala water bottles allowed.
Belts required
If the students' pants has belt loops, he/she is required to wear a belt! NO EXCEPTIONS!
Shoes
Laced up tennis shoes only!
No head covering
Unless it is a medical necessity (documented) or a religious reason, no head coverings are allowed in the building! This includes hooded jackets, sweatshirts, and baseball caps.
Associate Superintendent Adam Smith and Executive Director Mandy LaCerte
It's always great when we have visitors! Mr. Smith came to check out how our Cougars do it! Dr. LaCerte is a mainstay here in Cougarland who enjoys interacting with our students!
Welcome Back Lieutenant LeBlanc
Lieutenant Glen LeBlanc made his return to Southeast Middle as SRO. With that, he held informational sessions with our students during their P.E. classes last Thursday and Friday.
Some of our Future Tigers!
Southeast Middle is one of several schools in the district who partner with LSU for the Future Scholars program! This program follows 7th graders who participate throughout their 8th grade and high school careers. If they complete the program, they are guaranteed acceptance into LSU!