Sidney Lanier Middle School


 


 

Tardiness to Classes:

       Students are afforded 2 weeks at the beginning of the year to get organized and become successful at arriving to all classes on time . They are given 6 minutes between each class in order to accomplish this.

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Tardiness to School:

       School begins at 8:08 a.m. Beginning the day promptly is important and demonstrates commitment to success. If a student arrives late to school three times, a referral will be made to the grade level administrator for intervention and possible disciplinary action. Problems with tardiness to school may require adjustments in the family's morning schedule.

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Tardy Policy:

       The Lanier Tardy Policy has been developed to emphasize the importance of each student being in the classroom for the entire period, as well as arriving on time to school every day.  Learning the responsibility of getting to class on time is an integral part of Lanier's standard of excellence, which prepares students for success.  During the first two weeks of school, all teachers will be working with their students, focusing on getting organized and arriving to class on time, or early, every day.  The Tardy Policy will be effective August 30, 1999, and will be implemented fairly and consistently throughout the school year.
   
       Understanding the level of cooperation necessary for moving 1500 students throughout the building in an orderly manner.  It is the student's responsibility to be on time to every class.  The student's responsibility is to consistently improve personal efficiency in utilizing passing time, planning the quickest route while still moving safely with the hall traffic.  Teachers will encourage you and parents will support you, but it is still your responsibility to BE ON TIME!

       The teacher's responsibility is to encourage students to discover the best routine for the efficient use of passing time; stand at the classroom door to supervise students during passing time; and to close the classroom door immediately after the tardy bell.  It is also the responsibility of the teacher to make the proper administrative referral of students who are not in compliance with the established passing time restrictions.

       The parent's responsibility is to discuss this policy with your child, reinforcing the student's ability to meet this responsibility of learning promptness, and supporting the necessity for the school's establishing immediate consequences to prevent chronic tardiness.

Consequences for Arriving Late to Classes
First Tardy Administrative detention, after school from 3:35 - 4:05. Notification will be sent home with the student at least 2 days prior to the detention date. If the student does not attend, a 2-day detention will be assigned. A second no-show will result in the student's assignment to an off-campus student referral center.
Second Tardy Administrative conference and second after-school detention. Parent will be called and informed that if there is a third Tardy, the student will be placed in the suspension center for one day.
Third Tardy One day placement in the PUP House (In-school suspension center).
Fourth Tardy Saturday detention for four hours.
Fifth Tardy Two day assignment to an off-campus student referral center.

 

Consequences for Arriving Late to School
       Tardiness to school will only be excused for doctor appointments, a late school bus, a court date, and reasons stated in the ABSENCES section of "FOR YOUR INFORMATION". Oversleeping, car/traffic problems, etc. are all unexcused.


       During Advisory, late arriving students will go to their lockers, then report directly to their Advisory class. On the third unexcused tardy to Advisory, the Advisory teacher will send the student, with a referral including the tardy dates, to the grade level administrator. Parents will be called and a plan made and implemented to help the student get to school on time. If a fourth unexcused tardy to school occurs, the parent will be called and the student may be assigned one day in the PUP House.

       Additional tardiness to school may result in an off-campus assignment, attendance officer referral, or other consequence determined by the administrator.

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Telephone:

       We request that parents and students take care of personal business before they part company for the school day.  The school telephones are for school business, not for the personal use of students.  Students may use the four pay phones (located by room 308, the teachers lounge, room 114, and the hallway between the gym and cafeteria), during the 6-minute passing time between classes.   The phone near the cafeteria may also be used during supervised lunchtime with permission from lunch supervisors.  Additionally, students that choose to use the pay phone must understand that it is their responsibility to have proper change and to arrive on time to the next class. 

       Only emergency messages will be delivered to students during the instructional day.

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Textbooks:

       For each textbook issued, students should write, in ink, their name, their teacher's name, and the semester of the year issued.  All books must be covered as required by state law.  Textbooks are the property of the State of Texas and, if lost, damaged, or stolen, must be paid for by the student to whom they are assigned.

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Truancy:

       Also known as "skipping school", truancy is a crime.  It is a class C misdemeanor for a minor child to be in a public place without the company of a parent or permission of the school during school hours. [Houston City Code 28-172(a)].

       Violation of this ordinance may result in criminal charges against the parent. A student absent from school without parental or school permission is truant. Refer to the Houston ISD Student Code of Conduct for specifics.

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