According to guidelines established by the Louisiana State Department of Education, to receive credit for a class, a student must be present a minimum of 80 days per semester.  Students participating in school approved activities away from school shall be considered present and shall be given the opportunity to make up work.
    Any student who does not meet these state mandated attendance requirements is not eligible to receive high school credit unless the parent can show extenuating circumstances.  The following constitute extenuating circumstances:

1. Extended personal physical or emotional illness as verified by a physician or dentist.
2. Extended hospital stay as verified by a physician or dentist.
3. Extended recuperation from an accident as verified by a physician or dentist.
4. Extended contagious disease within a family as verified by a physician or dentist.
5. Prior school system approved travel for education.
6. Death in the family (not to exceed one week).
7. Natural catastrophe and/or disaster.
8. Approved religious holidays.

First hour tardy bell will ring at 8:30 a.m.

The tardy policy is as follows:
Tardy #1          Verbal warning by the teacher
Tardy #2          Letter/Phone call to parents
Tardy #3          Refer to administration for a warning and parental contact.
Tardy #4          One hour of P.M. detention.
Tardy #5          Two hours of P.M. detention.
Tardy #6          Suspension with a parent return.
Tardy #7          One day suspension.
Tardy #8          One day suspension.
Tardy #9          One day suspension.
Tardy #10        Suspension pending a hearing with a CPSB representative.
Note:  The accumulation of tardies will start over at the beginning of each term (every 18 weeks).

Students who are tardy three minutes or more at any time without an excused admit will be referred to the office.

Detention is an alternative to suspension.  However, failure to report to detention may result in suspension for failure to comply with a reasonable request.  Detentions will not be rescheduled.  It is the responsibility of the student to arrange his/her schedule to accommodate the detention assignment.
 
 

    After 8:40 a.m., when a student is late to school, the student must report to the front office and sign in upon arrival to school before going to class.  Only check-ins due to a doctor's appointment, a court date or a funeral will be excused.  Appropriate paperwork verification must accompany the student.  Parents may be required to personally check in students (each check-in) after the third unexcused check-in of the year.  Three unexcused check-ins on a student's attendance card is equivalent to three unexcused tardies.  Students will not be checked in without parental/office contact after 2:00 p.m. unless prior approval from the administration has been granted.
    A student shall be present for more than 50% of a period to be counted as being in attendance for that period.
 
 

Students who plan to check out during school hours for scheduled appointments (doctor, dentist, funeral, etc.) must complete a checkout form during homeroom between 8:35 and 8:40 a.m. (during roll call).  A student must have a dated note from his/her parent or guardian stating the time and reason for the requested checkout.  The note must include phone numbers (preferably two, in case the first parent/guardian cannot be contacted by office personnel).

Students will be called to the office at the time of checkout.  Students must sign out in the front office before leaving campus.

Students who become ill during the day may complete a checkout request form during class and deliver it to the office between classes.  In an emergency, the teacher may allow a student to deliver the checkout form immediately.

Students will be checked out only to the parent/guardian listed on the student's locator card and/or emergency data cards.  Parents must come to the office and give a list of additional names (such as friends and relatives) to be added to the locator card with permission to check out a student.

All students are checked out unexcused.  When the student returns, he/she should bring a parent or doctor's note to excuse the absence.
 
 

Students should lock books and personal items in their lockers when they are not in use.  Students should never reveal locker combinations to anyone nor allow others to watch combinations as lockers are opened.  Lockers are rented as a convenience only.  The school retains control over the issue and use of lockers.  The school retains the right to search a locker if it is suspected that illegal items are concealed in the locker.

Student lockers and gym lockers are NOT theft proof.   Southwood assumes no responsibility for the theft of anything left in lockers (including textbooks).

Students are not to permit other students ot put books in their lockers.  Students are not permitted to change lockers without the approval of the Assistant Principal.
 
 

Each automobile parked on the school grounds must have a current Southwood parking sticker.  Stickers can be purchased for $2.00 before Labor Day and $5.00 after Labor Day from the Student Council.  Students are to park in either of the two large parking lots, except in the two rows nearest the building which are the spaces reserved for teachers.

The maximum speed is 5 mph at all times on the campus.

Automobiles are to be vacated immediately upon arrival to school and should be reentered only at the time of authorized departure.

The parking of privately owned vehicles on school campuses by students constitutes consent by the students to search of such vehicles by the school principal or his/her designee(s).

NOTE:  Any student leaving campus without properly checking out, and/or entering the parking lot without administrative approval, may have his/her parking sticker revoked and driving privileges suspended up to one school year.  Students are also subject to suspension.
 
 

The safe operation of school buses is highly dependent upon the orderly conduct of its passengers.  Students must conduct themselves in a manner that promotes safety, and they must follow the rules of the transportation department whether riding the bus to and from their homes or for school sponsored activities.
 
 

1. Possession and/or use of tobacco (including smokeless) is not permitted anywhere on the school grounds or on school buses, at any time.  Violators are subject ot suspension and fines.  This includes the parking lot.  This also includes before, during, and after school.
2. Knives, tobacco, matches, lighters, radios, tape players, water pistols, metal rakes, and any item that could be used as a weapon are not permitted on the school grounds or on school buses.  These items will be confiscated, and students are subject to suspension.
3. Students are to remain in the Cafeteria, Student Center, or Courtyard only during lunch and before school.  Do not enter other parts of the building.  Do not go upstairs, to temporary buildings, or to the hardcourt until the bell rings for you to report to class.
4. Students ae not ot be on any other school's campus during school hours without permission from the principal or assistant principal.
5. Loitering is not permitted in the restrooms.  Students who warn offenders (vandals, smokers, skippers, etc.) are interfering with staff enforcement of Caddo Parish School Board and Southwood policies and are considered accessories to the violation.
6. Lunches are to be consumed in the Cafeteria during lunch periods only.  No food is to be delivered to students during the school day.  Lunches from fast food restaurants are prohibited.
7. Students who are early outs are not to return to campus during school hours unless they have permission from the principal or assistant principal.  Early outs who pick up other students should enter the circle and pick up students in the bus loading zone (not the north or south end parking lots).
8. Students are not to loiter in the building or on the grounds before 8:00 a.m. or after 3:40 p.m. on school days and never on weekends.
9. Students who are in the Student Center, gym, halls, or Courtyard without faculty supervision after 3:40 p.m. are subject ot discretionary discipline.  Students who are involved in after school activities must go their their lockers prior to 3:40 p.m.
10. Students who are in possession, use of , accessory, and/or under the influence of alcohol, drugs and/or drug paraphernalia (other than prescribed by a physician) will face a mandatory suspension.

Any student enrolled in the public schools of Caddo Parish shall be immediately suspended and shall also be recommended for immediate expulsion by the principal for carrying or possessing a firearm or knife, the blade of which equals or exceeds two inches in length or who is in possession of, distributes, sells, gives or loans any controlled dangerous substance governed by the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substance Law, on any campus or during any school sponsored activity.

Due process procedures for expulsion provided in R.S. 17:416 and the Discipline Policy for Caddo Parish schools shall be followed in all classes.
 
 

In fulfilling his/her obligations, each student should:

1. Comply with all regulations of the Caddo Parish School Board.
2. Provide the homeroom teacher with accurate personal data, including address and phone numbers, both home and emergency.
3. Recognize and respect the authority of all teachers and other school personnel.
4. submit to searches by metal detectors or to the principal or designees when reasonable belief exists that the student is inn possession of stolen goods, materials, or objects that violate school board policy.
5. Be in class and seated promptly (before the tardy bell rings).  You are subject to suspension on the first unexcused absence or tardy.
6. Exclude all public display of affection (i.e. holding hands, hugging, kissing).

Any student who is harassed or intimidated emotionally, physically, or sexually should report the behavior immediately to a teacher, counselor and/or administrator.
 
 

     It is the responsibility of the Caddo Parish School Board to provide an educational atmosphere conducive to learning.  With this responsibility in mind, the board dress code meets the following criteria:
 

1. Assures the basic rights of individuals granted under the constitution of the United States.
2. Is applicable from early childhood education through the completion of high school.
3. Meets the requirements and guidelines provided by Title IX.
4. Promotes an educational atmosphere conducive to wholesome learning.

Student Dress Code

    The basic responsibility for the appearance of the students of Caddo Parish Schools rests with the parents and the students themselves.
    Parents have the obligation, and within certain prescribed bounds, the right to determine their student's dress.  Students are to dress in apparel that is modest, tasteful, and that does not interfere with or distract from the educational process or rights of others.  Students and their clothing should be neat, clean and well groomed and must meet the following guidelines:
 

1. Attire must not be destructive to school property.
2. For health reasons, shoes must be worn.  Hosiery is required with closed shoes.
3. Only tops designed to be worn outside of pants, shorts or skirts shall be worn in that manner.
4. Pants, shorts and skirts must be worn at the waist.  No "sagging" is permitted.  Belts should be buckled at all times.
5. Body piercing jewelry cannot be worn except in the ears.
6. Shirts, sweaters, jackets, and other tops worn over leggings must be no shorter than four inches above the knee.
7. Sunglasses are prohibited in the building unless they are prescribed.
8. Bare midriffs, see-through garments, white undergarment type Tee shirts, bare backs, halter tops, tank tops, tube tops, and cutoffs cannot be worn.  There are to be no holes or tears in clothing on the school campus.
9. Loose-fitting shorts may be worn by students during the first and fourth nine weeks that are no more than four inches above the knee.  All shorts must be hemmed.  Cutoff shorts, rolled-up jeans, sweats, athletic or spandex shorts cannot be worn.  No other article of clothing can be worn beneath the shorts for viewing.
10. Obscene, profane language or provocative pictures on clothing or jewelry are prohibited.
11. Satanic, cults or gang related symbolism in any form is prohibited on school campuses.
12. Drug related symbols in any form including advertisements or promotion of alcohol or tobacco, are prohibited on school campuses.
13. Principals, after consultation with their School Improvement Committee, have the discretion to adjust the dress code to fit unique situations as long as the decision does not interfere with the requirements of Title IX.

A teacher will also be allowed to restrict manner of dress or length of hair when it pertains to the health and/or safety of a student in that teacher's specific area.