Handbook

Denham Springs Freshman High School welcomes you! Students leaving DSFH and graduating from Denham Springs High School are equipped to continue their education in institutions of higher learning or to pursue their chosen careers.

The following information may help to acquaint you with the policies, rules and expectations of students attending Denham Springs Freshman High School.

Mascot: Fighting Yellow Jackets

School Colors: Purple and Gold

Alma Mater:
On old Denham’s northern border
Reared against the sky
Proudly stands our Alma Mater
as the years go by.

        Forward ever be our watchword.
        Conquer and prevail,
        Hail to thee, our Alma Mater,
        Denham High, all hail.

VISITORS:
All visitors must report immediately to the office upon arriving on campus. Students are not allowed to bring guests on campus. Visitors are to park in the front by the office.

MEDICINE:
The Livingston Parish School Board states that students can not have in their possession, take, or be given any prescription or, non-prescription medication such as Tylenol, aspirin, cold medication, ointments, etc. except by school officials during school hours. Designated forms are to be completed and on file in the office. A parent must bring medicine to school. Any violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action by the school.

STUDENT TRANSPORTATION:
No students will be allowed to drive to school. School buses, car pooling, and walking are the only options. Students must be dropped off only in the designated area on Jackson Street because other areas are unsupervised by duty teachers. Students are not to trespass anywhere on the high school campus, including the parking lot. Disciplinary actions will result for violations of these policies. The only pick up area after school is in the circle drive in front of school, not the back teachers’ parking lot. If a student chooses transportation other than the school bus, extenuating circumstances for tardies will not be excused.

DRUG POLICY:
State law and parish policy will be followed. A copy of parish policy will be sent home for parents to review and sign.

BUSES:
The bus is an extension of the school. The bus driver is an authorized school personnel. All school rules apply on the bus, while students are waiting for the bus in the morning, or immediately upon exiting the bus in the afternoons.

PHONES:
There is no phone for student use in the office or anywhere else on campus. Students will not be called from class to use the phone, nor will phone messages be relayed to students, except in class of extreme emergencies. Students will not be allowed to use the phone to call home for books or materials.

INTERNET USE:
Students will not be allowed to use the Internet unless the designated form is signed by a parent and returned to the librarian. Abuse of these policies and classroom guidelines will result in privileges being revoked and/or disciplinary action.
1. Acceptable Use/Unacceptable use: use must be in support of education and research consistent with district policy; use must be consistent with the rules appropriate to any network being used/accessed; unauthorized use of copyrighted material is prohibited; threatening or obscene material is prohibited; distribution of material protected by trade secret is prohibited; use of commercial activities is not acceptable; product advertisement or political lobbying is prohibited

2. Privileges: Access to the Internet is not a right, but a privilege; unacceptable usage will result in cancellation of privilege

3. Netiquette: Be polite, don use vulgar or obscene language; never reveal your personal (home) address or phone number (or those of others)

4. Security: If you identify a security problem, notify a system administrator immediately. Do not show or identify a security problem to others; attempts to log on as another user will result in cancellation of privileges; any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems, may be denied access.

5. Vandalism/Harassment: Vandalism and/or harassment will result in the cancellation of the offending user’s privilege. **Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, the Internet, or other networks. This includes, but is not limited to, creating and/or uploading computer viruses. **Harassment is defined as the persistent annoyance of another user of the interference in another user’s work. This includes, but is not limited to, the sending of unwanted mail.

6. Penalties: *Any user violating these provisions, applicable state and federal laws, or posted classroom and district rules is subject of loss of network privileges and any other system disciplinary options, including criminal prosecution. The Livingston Parish School Board makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied for the service it is providing. The Livingston Parish School Board, will not be responsible for any damages a user may suffer, including loss of data. The Livingston Parish School Board will not be responsible for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through this Internet connection.

All terms and conditions as stated on this document are applicable to all users of the network. These provisions reflect an agreement of the parties and shall be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Louisiana ant eh United States of American.

The School Board may suspend or terminate any students’ privilege to use the Internet at any time solely at the School Board’s discretion. This policy of the School Board defining use of the Internet serves as a guideline, but does not warrant or guarantee access to or use of the Internet. Consequently, the School Board may, at any time and in its sole discretion, end the privilege of any individual student or of all students to use the Internet without notice, cause or reason.

Bridges.com contains a vast collection of career information and is available to students through any computer with internet access. Address: http://usa.cx.bridges.com User name: 0039773 Password: fresh

ABSENCES:
1. The Livingston Parish School Board lists personal illness, death in the immediate family, and extreme emergencies as legitimate excuses for absences.
2. Students have 5 days to bring a written note from home signed by a parent or guardian upon returning to school after an absence. The note should contain the student’s full name, the date(s) of the student’s absence, and the reason for the absence. These will be given to the first hour teacher. Excessive absences will be reported to the child welfare and attendance officer. Doctor excuses are to be put in the designated box outside the office. These days are subtractable.
3. Students who miss the last few days of a semester because of vacation, jobs, etc., will be given unexcused absences for days missed. No midterm or final exams will be given early. No incomplete grades will be given.
4. A student must attend 80 days each semester in order to receive credit in classes. If a student is absent for more than 8 days a semester, he must go through the appeal process at the school board to receive credit.
5. Students have one day for every day they are absent to make up work if they have an excused absence.
6. Absences are kept by each hour. A student may go over the limit of absences and receive no credit in one class while still receiving credit in others (due to excessive checking in or out). Missing half or more of a class counts as a full absence.

TARDIES:
1. If a student enters a class after the tardy bell has begun to ring, he is considered tardy unless he has a note from another teacher stating a legitimate reason. The teacher will then give him a tardy slip to bring to the office along with his ID card. Once the tardy is programmed into the computer, the student will return to class with a note stamped with the time. Students have 4 minutes to get from one class to another. There is no reason for students to be tardy. The following actions will be taken for students with any combination of excessive tardies: 3rd tardy–detention, 4th tardy–detention, 5th tardy–Saturday Clinic, 6th tardy–Saturday Clinic, 7th tardy and thereafter–suspension. Tardies, not the overall disciplinary record, start over at midterm only.
2. If a student is tardy to class and misses class work, he is unexcused.

CHECK-INS:
All students who check into school must be signed in by a parent or guardian in the office.

CHECK-OUTS:
If it is necessary for a student to leave school during school hours because of illness or some other emergency, he should follow these rules:
1. Get a checkout slip from his classroom teacher.
2. Bring the checkout slip to the office, fill out the checkout board completely, and return to class.
3. The office will call your parents or guardians and let you know when they are in the office to pick you up. *Only those adults on the approved form will be allowed to check out a student. Students are not allowed to walk home.
4. If a student checks out of school and returns that day, he must have a doctor’s excuse.

DRESS CODE:
1. Livingston Parish Uniform Dress Code:
Shirt: solid color: navy blue or white polo (golf-boxed, hemmed) two, three, or four bottoms at top front and collar oxford/dress shirt style–must be tucked in and properly buttoned (short or long sleeves)

Jumpers: solid color-khaki; uniform shirts must be worn under jumpers; styles must be cotton twill or cotton blend (no jean material) length–top of knee or longer
Skirt: solid color: khaki; styles must be cotton twill or cotton blend (no jean material); must be worn at waistline, pleated, flat, or A-line; length–top of knee or longer; front/back pockets acceptable
Skorts/Shorts: solid color: khaki; styles must be cotton twill or cotton blend (no jean material); must be worn at waistline, pleated, flat, or A-line, no pockets on pant legs; belt loops and belt require; length can be cuffed or not cuffed; length–top of knee to 4 inches above the knee (cannot be below the knees)
Slacks: solid color: khaki; styles must be cotton twill or cotton bend (no jean material); straight legs, no elastic or gathered at the ankles; must be hemmed and length not to exceed top of shoe; no pockets on lower leg; can be pleated or flat front; length can be cuffed or not cuffed; must have belt loops and a belt is required
all pants must be worn at the waistline; cropped, stirrup, parachute, wind, stretch/warm-up, and jean style pants not allowed. No slits in pants legs.
Belts: solid color: black, navy blue, brown, khaki; mandatory when wearing slacks or shorts; belt buckles must be plain; standard buckle. Emblems, insignias, or initials prohibited. Appropriate length for waist size.
Socks: solid color: white, navy blue, khaki, matching pairs; mandatory wear
Hose/Tights: solid color: white, navy, blue, skin tone; socks, hose, tights must be worn with shoes
Pullovers of Any Kind: (sweaters/sweatshirts, vest; any garment which is pulled over the head which does not snap , button or zip from top to bottom) solid color: navy blue or white; pullover v-neck, pullover crew, (no hood); must be worn over uniform shirt; no turtlenecks
NO EMBLEMS, INSIGNIAS, OR MONOGRAMS ON ANY UNIFORM ABOVE ITEMS Shoes: Shoe that tie, buckle or Velcro; close toe and close heel; (tennis shoes, dress shoes, casual shoes, slip-on shoes); shoes should be properly tied if applicable. Boots may be worn with pants only.
Coats: Coats/jackets/sweaters may be worn as long as the uniform shirt collar is revealed under the coat/jacket/sweater. No trench coats allowed. Vest/jackets/sweaters/coats that zip/button/snap from top to bottom may be any color and with hood.

2. Clothing ripped or torn are unacceptable.

3. Pants and shorts must not be worn beneath the hips. If you have exposed undergarments, you will be disciplined. Clothing must be hemmed and must not drag the floor.

4. Caps, chains, hats, unprescribed glasses are not permitted on campus. They will be confiscated and not returned until the closing day of school. (This includes cameras, phones, beepers, CD players, etc.)

5. Earrings are not allowed by males as wearing apparel (ear, shirt, pants, etc.). The only acceptable pierced body part are the ears of females.

6. Male hair length must be of even distribution. The hair may not extend below the plane of the shoulder or down upon the eyebrow in front, nor down below the earlobes. Hair must be clean, well-groomed, and neat at all times. (Lines cut in the hair, shaven hair, “mohawk” cuts, coloring of hair, “tails”, or any other hairstyles which is distracting or interferes with a student’s performance or his classmates performance is prohibited. Male hair may not be worn in pony tails or plaits.

7. Female hair must be clean, neat, and well-groomed. Extreme coloring and extreme hairstyles are not acceptable. Hair in rollers is not acceptable.

8. Foundation garments must be worn.

9. Sideburns can extend to the lobe of the ear. Beards are unacceptable. Mustaches neatly trimmed are acceptable.

10. Any item which interferes with a student’s performance or his classmate’s performance is prohibited.

RECESS:
Students will have a 10 minute recess after lunch each day. At this time they will be allowed to purchase concessions. Cokes, candy, chips, etc. will not be allowed to be brought inside the buildings or consumed in the classrooms. Any concessions not finished during recess must be stored and kept in the student’s book sack until leaving campus.

DISCIPLINARY CODE:
IT SHOULD BE UNDERSTOOD BY ALL STUDENTS THAT ALL TEACHERS ARE OBLIGED TO CARRY OUT ANY AND ALL POLICES OF THIS SCHOOL AND THAT THE STUDENTS ARE OBLIGED TO TAKE INSTRUCTIONS FROM ANY TEACHER.

Students may be subject to the following disciplinary actions for various offenses:
1. Detention (recess/after school)
2. Work detail
3. Friday clinic
4. Suspension
5. Recommendation for expulsion
Offenses:
* Leaving campus without permission
* Profanity or obscenity (verbal/written)
* Leaving class without permission
* Forging/altering school documents
* Dress code violations
* Consistent failure to bring materials to class
* Sleeping in class
* Physical contact/physical display of affection (hugging, kissing, etc.)
* Gum
* Possession of beepers, pagers, phones, tape players, radios, cards, laser pointers, etc. (will be confiscated until the last day of school)
* Running
* Skipping school
* Gambling
* Failure to complete punish work
* Use of another student’s ID card. Student’s failure to have ID card
* Any behavior that endangers others
* Any behavior that is unbecoming of a Denham Springs Freshmen High School student
* Any violation of the state and parish guidelines on students discipline
* Any violation of medication policy
* Being under the influence of/using/possession/distribution/intent to distribute alcoholic beverages, prescription medicine, or “LOOK ALIKE” drugs
* Blatant disrespect or willful disobedience towards a school employee
* Failure to report to Friday Clinic (alternative to suspension)
* Fighting
* Possession/use of tobacco
* Indecent behavior
* Attending a school function during a suspension
* Disobedience, disrespect, disruptive behavior
* Upon receiving a 4th suspension
* Possession/use of a weapon (12 calendar month expulsion)
* Threatening or assault on school personnel/students–all threats will be taken seriously
* Theft/Extortion
* Vandalism
* Possession and/or distribution of an illegal narcotic, drug, or other controlled substance (16 years of age and older – 24 calendar month expulsion; under 16–12 calendar month expulsion)
* Inciting or participating in a major disruption
* Breaking and entering school property
* Any behavior that could seriously endanger another person or property
* Harassment (sexual or otherwise)
* Committing other serious offenses as determined by the administration
The administration reserves the right to change the Discipline Policy according to the requirements of the Central Office and recognizable need for the smooth operation of the school. Offenses involving illegal activities may result in police action in addition to school disciplinary measures. Students failing to cooperate in investigations involving school personnel are subject to disciplinary action. Student conferences are subject to being recorded by school personnel. Any evidence confiscated by school personnel may be subject to being turned over to the authorities. Any student and their belongings are subject to being searched if school personnel have reasonable suspicions of any material that may violate school policy.

FRIDAY CLINIC:
Friday clinic will be assigned primarily for minor offenses and will be used as an alternative to suspension at the discretion of the administration. A student may be placed in Friday Clinic a maximum of 2 times. Any violation of rules governing the clinic will result in an automatic suspension from school.

SUSPENSIONS/EXPULSIONS:
1.   May not return to DSFHS campus.
2.   May not attend or participate in any school activity on or off campus.
3.   May not make up any grades missed during the period of suspension.
4.   The suspension begins at 2:45 the day the student receives the suspension form.
Denham Springs Freshman High School will attempt to notify by telephone as well as by written notice parents of suspended students. For infraction that do not involve suspensions, written notification is sent home with the student for Saturday Clinic and after school detention. Parent/guardian signature is required on written notification for students to attend Saturday Clinic and after school detention.