General Information

 

GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

 

Students may enter the building at 8:15 a.m. to go to their lockers and enter classrooms.

 

Students will be tardy after 8:30 a.m.

 

Students will not be allowed out of the classroom without a signed, dated,

      and timed permit specifying destination.

 

Backpacks are prohibited for safety reasons.  Backpacks may be brought to school, but they cannot be taken into the classroom.  All backpacks must be made up of see-through mesh or plastic and kept in lockers during the school day.

 

Courtesy and respect will be expressed by both teachers and students at all times.

 

Students are permitted to go to their lockers before school, after second period, after sixth period, and after school.

 

Students are to remain in the cafeteria or the patio between Bldg. A and Bldg. C during the lunch period.  At no time are students allowed to take food or drinks outside the cafeteria.  While in the cafeteria, students must be standing in line to get food or seated at the tables.  Students may bring a lunch to school, but they are not permitted to have food brought to them from outside of the campus.

 

Students are not allowed to leave campus without permission and notification from an administrator.

 

Disruption of any classes or any school activities by students or others is prohibited and is subject to disciplinary action and/or referral to legal authorities.

 

Students are not permitted to bring IPODS, MP3 Players or other electronic devices, markers, radios, cameras, cards, or dominoes to school.  If they are brought to school, they will be confiscated.  If these items are confiscated they will not be returned until the end of the school year.

 

 Cell phones are allowed but they are not to be SEEN, USED, OR HEARD, during the school day (8:15 – 3:42).  If cell phones are confiscated, a 15.00 cash payment, made by the parent, is required.  Payments are made ONLY to the Business Manager in the main office. Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.   Parents are given 32 days to retrieve a confiscated phone after which it will be sent to Property Management for disposal. 

     NEW DISTRICT POLICY:  If a cell phone is lost while in the possession of an

     Administrator, the student will only be reimbursed a maximum of $50.

 

Students are not to wear caps in the building.  Sunglasses are not to be worn on top of the head at any time while on campus.

 

Students will refrain from hugging, kissing, and/or embracing at school.

 

 Any student loitering on campus after 4:00 p.m. and not supervised by a teacher is in violation of school policy and is subject to disciplinary action.

 

  As a safety precaution, students who participate in extracurricular activities are to be off campus no later than 6:00 p.m.

 

Madison has a Zero Tolerance policy for fighting.  If students fight, they will be subject to arrest, fined (Issuance of a citation) or referred to a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP).

 

Posting unauthorized Web pages, downloading music, sending or forwarding inappropriate e-mail, graphic images, or offensive language or comments on a school/district server, Web page, or guest book will be subject to disciplinary actions.

 

Students are to dress according to the uniform dress code everyday.

 

  Students will be released only to the person(s) listed on school records

 

STUDENT IDENTIFICATION CARDS

 

All students at Madison High School must wear a Madison ID badge at all times while at school.

These ID badges are used for the following:

entrance to class

checking out books from the library

admission to certain school dances

admission to certain athletic events

admission to certain assembly programs

identification for those students who leave school early

bus identification

proof that you are a Madison student

buying parking permits

buying junior-senior prom tickets

any reason deemed necessary by the principal.

If a student’s ID is lost or stolen, he should immediately see the librarian in charge of making ID’s.  The cost for getting a new ID is $5.00.

Temporary ID cards will be issued in the cafeteria before school and  during the first class period of the day. No student will be allowed more than 3 temporary ID badges per semester.

Make up days for ID cards will be announced periodically by the librarian.

Failure to have your ID card in your possession could result in your being assigned to FNA, after-school detention or SAC.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS

 

Student responsibilities for achieving a positive learning environment at school or school-related activities shall include:

 

Attending all classes, daily and on time, except when ill or otherwise lawfully excused.

Being prepared for each class with appropriate materials and assignments.

Exhibiting respect toward individuals and property.

Dressing and appearing in accordance with the campus student uniform.

Observing all school rules, including safety rules.

Seeking changes in school policies and regulations in an orderly and responsible manner through

appropriate channels.

Pursuing and attempting to master the essential elements of the curriculum of study prescribed by the

district and the state.

Cooperating with staff in investigation of disciplinary cases and volunteering information when the

student has knowledge relating to a serious offense.

Being aware of all rules and regulations for student behavior and conduct himself/herself in accordance

with the Code of Student Conduct.

 

UNIFORM DRESS CODE

 

The Houston Independent School District recognizes the importance of encouraging high standards in dress and personal grooming.  Additionally, James Madison High School acknowledges that a uniform dress supports the safety and security of the campus.  For these reasons, a uniform dress code has been implemented at Madison High School.  All students enrolled must comply with the dress code daily.  Specifics of the dress code are listed below. 

NOTE:   A committee of parents, students, teachers, and administrators has formulated this Dress Code for students.

Pants

· Uniform pants (Dockers or Dickies style) in khaki color only.

· Pants must be worn at the natural waist.

· Pant legs may not be worn tight on the legs.  Pant legs must be loose enough so that they can be              pulled away from the leg at least 3 inches.

· No jeans, Cargo pants, warm-ups or Capri pants.

Ninth grade students are not to wear navy pants.

 

Khaki Skirts and Dresses

· May be worn 2 inches above the knee.  

 

Shirts (3 buttons only) NO LOGOS 

· Polo style in white, red and Columbia blue for 10^th, 11^th and 12^th grades. (last 2 buttons buttoned)

· Ninth grade students will wear navy blue Polo style shirts only.

· In winter, students may wear a long sleeve Polo style shirt.

· Only a white or black T-shirt is to be worn as an undergarment

             Spirit and organizational shirts must be approved by the Principal

Belts

· Must be either black or brown with no designs or adornments on the belt or buckle.

· Must be worn with all pants around the natural waistline.

· Must be visible at all times.

             Buckles must be no larger than the school ID card.

Shoes

· Must be closed-in/back strap (examples: tennis, flats or heels up to 2”)

             No flip flops, mules, sandals or stiletto heels.

Outer wear

· Jackets and/or sweaters in white, red, navy, and Columbia blue solid colors only.  If the jacket              has a logo, it cannot be larger than the size of the student ID badge.  Logos can only be on              the left front side of the jacket or sweater.

· No hoodies, oversized jackets/coats, or trench-coats are to be worn.

· Madison Letter jackets are permitted.

             Designs on logos or on any part of your person depicting gangs drugs, sex violence or any              other inappropriate/illegal act are strictly prohibited.

Back Packs

All backpacks must be made of see-through mesh or plastic and must be left in lockers during the school day.

Tattoos

No visible, derogatory tattoos on the body or clothes are allowed.

 

No shorts are to be worn.

 

HAIR

Hair must be neatly combed and clean in appearance.

Length of hair is not important as long as it meets health & safety requirements in labs and work

areas.

Hair nets and wave caps are not acceptable.

Metal rakes, combs and wave brushes are prohibited during school hours.

Hats, caps, scarves, hair rollers, bandannas, or sweatbands must not be worn in the building by

males or females.  These items must be left in lockers during the school day.

Hair styles (cuts, designs, names, and colors, i.e. blue, green, burgundy, red, multi-colored) which adversely affect the educational atmosphere of the school will not be permitted.

Braids will be allowed for young men provided the hair remains braided for the entire school day.

 

SKIRTS AND PANTS

Mini-skirts and mini-skirts worn with leggings WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.

Mini-styled clothing and tight fitting clothing will not be permitted

Pants with holes cut into the fabric are not to be worn on campus.

Pants must be worn with modesty and should not be vulgar or lewd as determined by the school

administration.

ALL PANTS MUST BE WORN AT WAIST LEVEL.

Belts must be worn.  IF THE PANTS HAVE BELT LOOPS, A BELT MUST BE WORN).

Pajamas are not to be worn as pants.

 

SHIRTS

While on campus, all shirts (including any type of jersey) must be tucked in pants and skirts at all

times.

Shirts must meet pants whether the individual is sitting, standing, or walking.

Shirt logos MAY NOT signify an affiliation with territorial or neighborhood groups.

Shirts that depict violence, weapons, drugs, alcohol or sexual innuendos are unacceptable.  If confiscated these items will not be returned.

 

SHOES

House shoes or thongs are not permitted.  (Medical approval is necessary for special

circumstances.) 

Swim shoes are not to be worn.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

Bras must be worn by female students.

Appropriate undergarments must be worn at all times.

Male students will not be permitted to wear earrings on campus.

Students will not be permitted to wear earrings in their noses, tongues, lips, face, etc.

(BODY PIERCING OF ANY KIND IS NOT PERMITTED.)

Walking canes, sticks and chains (also those worn from belt loops) are not permitted.

Logos on jackets must not reflect or suggest in any manner drugs, alcohol, tobacco, sex, vulgar language, gang affiliation, violence, death or satanic ideology.

Birthday and other celebrations are not allowed (such as balloons, cakes, flowers, pinned money and deliveries, etc.)

Students’ attire and grooming shall not distract, disrupt, create a safety hazard, or take away from the learning process. 

Appropriate dress and grooming by each student for all school activities shall reflect the high standards of the school and the community. 

The administration has the responsibility of determining what is appropriate. 

Students who do not adhere to the dress code will be given an explanation of the dress code policy and will be required to call home to get a change of clothing.  If no one is available at home, the student will spend the day in SAC (In-School Suspension).

Students assigned to SAC will not be allowed to attend their classes until they are in compliance with the dress code policy, and may be subject to additional disciplinary action.