THIS STUDENT PLANNER BELONGS TO:
Name ______
Address ______
Phone ______E-Mail ______
Stallion Round-Up Teacher ______
Student Identification Number ______Grade ______

WELCOME

This handbook serves as a guide in assisting parents and students with a general understanding of the operation of the school and the expectations of students. It is in no way intended to be a complete legal description of all CPSB or Caddo Middle Magnet rules and regulations. Each student is urged to seek the aid of the principal, counselors, teachers, and other staff members if the need arises. Read this book carefully, as it will answer many questions about your needs and what will be expected of you as a Caddo Middle Magnet Stallion.

For a complete listing of all Caddo Parish School Board Policies, please visit the CPSB web site at

The CMM Philosophy

Caddo Middle Magnet, building upon a foundation of excellence, believes in a strong partnership between teachers, staff, parents, and students that provides a challenging academic experience focused on meeting the needs of a developing middle school student. In keeping with this philosophy, our school’s success focuses on:

  • academic excellence as our chief priority;
  • a shared vision that drives our decision making;
  • teachers that are motivated, innovative, and providing model instruction in all areas;
  • students being prepared to be engaged in active, purposeful learning;
  • teachers using multiple learning and teaching approaches;
  • promoting staff development that reflects best practices;
  • providing a school environment that is inviting, safe, and supportive for all;
  • actively involving families in the education of their children;
  • supporting students in transitioning from adolescence to adulthood by providing for their social, emotional, and physiological needs.

Mission Statement

The faculty, students, parents and community of Caddo Middle Magnet strive to provide a diverse curriculum emphasizing higher-order thinking skills. Making respect a priority, we will work as a team to meet the unique needs of middle school students.

Stay Informed!

Being informed is essential to achieving success in middle school. For this reason, students are expected to listen to the daily announcements. Announcements are broadcast over our in-school television station, KCMM, and posted on the Caddo Middle Magnet website: In addition, students at CMM watch an informative and educational news service called Channel One. This service is provided to keep students abreast of current events throughout the world.

Staff Directory

Principal:Robin DeBusk

Assistant Principal of Discipline:Beverly Hudson

Assistant Principal of Instruction:Frank Hendrick

Attendance Secretary:Jackie Waffer

Bookkeeper:Lisa Rogers Cafeteria Manager: Shonada O’Neal

Counselors:Ta Townsend (8th)

Brooke Strickland (7th)

Kelly Guerrero (6th)

Librarian:Jessica Carscadden

Library Clerk:Mary Dezendorf

Maintenance:Anthony Taylor (Head Custodian)

Ophelia Morris (Assistant Custodian)

Principal’s Secretary:Sissy Berry

Registrar:Ruth Cole

Security Coordinator:Andre Ester

Horace Roberson

School Resource Officer:Cpl. Marcus Hines

Main Office Hours 7:10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Phone Directory

Main Office:868-6588

Counselors’ Office:868-0955

Cafeteria:364-1307 or 364-1328

Fax:865-6125

Library:364-1306

Website

ATTENDANCE

The compulsory school attendance law is designed to protect and guarantee the rights of children to take advantage of educational opportunities provided by the State of Louisiana. Moreover, state law requires that secondary students must be in attendance 94% of the total instructional minutes to receive credit for courses taken. An absence will not count against the total number of required days when the absence is due to: 1) substantiated personal illness of student or family member by a practicing physician; 2) verified death in the immediate family; 3) confirmed natural catastrophe and/or disaster; 4) recognized holidays of a student’s own religion or faith that require absence for observance; 5) approved school-sponsored activities; or 6) other extenuating circumstances approved by the parish supervisor of child welfare and attendance in consultation with the principal. All other absences are classified as UNEXCUSED. Unexcused absences and tardies can result in disciplinary action. Excessive absences are legal grounds for retention. Students who are in attendance less than 94% of the total instructional minutes without an excuse recognized by the state will automatically fail courses in which they are enrolled. For more information about the Caddo Parish Attendance Policy, please refer to the Caddo Parish School Board Student Handbook.

Excused Absences: These absences are excused by a practicing physician, authorizing agency, or the CPSB. Due to HIPAA Law, we can no longer accept faxed medical excuses because of student confidentiality. These absences will not count against the total number of days students must be present at school. Students are allowed to make up class work within three days or the number of days students were absent.

Unexcused Absences/Make-up Allowed: These absences are confirmed with a note from home indicating illness or family death and will count against the total number of days students must be present at school. However, students are allowed to make up class work within three days or the number of days students were absent.

Missed Work due to Suspension/Unexcused Absence: Whenever a student is suspended, removed from a class due to disorderly conduct, or when the student’sabsence is unexcused, the teacher shall assign school work missed, and the student shall receive either full or partial credit as recommended by the teacher as follows:

  1. Teacher shall assign school work missed and designate the time for completion of the assignment;
  2. Once the assignment is completed, the teacher shall 1) determine if the assignment is completed and turned in on time; 2) determine if other students (those not suspended, removed from the class, or with an excused absence) received credit for the same or similar work; 3) if other students received points for the work missed in paragraph B2 above, then the teacher shall grade the assignment and provide the student with an appropriate raw score of not less than 50% of the total points earned for the assignment.
  3. If the student believes the teacher improperly assigned the grade for the assignment missed, the student may appeal to the school principal. The principal or his/her designee may only review to determine (a) if other students received credit for the same or similar assignment missed; (b) if the student turned in the assignment timely in accordance with the teachers directive; (c) whether the teacher assigned the total points in accordance with policy; (d) and whether an obvious error was made in the calculation of grade or the assignment of points, to which the principal shall refer to teacher for correction and/or revision of grade.

Procedure for Reporting Absences: When a student is absent from school, parents should contact the attendance secretary in the main office (868-6588) on the day the student will be absent. JCampus will automatically call home to report anytardies or absences.When a student is absent from school for the entire day, the student should bring an excuse to the Stallion Round-up teacher or the office on the day in which he/she returns. If the student checksin or out during the day, the excuse should be delivered to the office. The student returning to school must bring a written excuse containing the student’s name, the date(s) of absence, and reason for absence with a doctor’s signature. If a doctor’s note is unavailable, a written note signed by the parent should be sent. Forged excuses will result in disciplinary action. If siblings see the doctor at the same time, parents must bring an individual doctor’s note for each student.

Advanced Absences: If a student knows that he must be absent from school for a non-school related reason, a note must come from the parent or guardian stating the reason and length of the absence. This information will be submitted to the principal who will notify the teachers if the absence is excused.

Make-Up Work due to School Sponsored Trips: If no new material was covered during the absence, the student’s work is due in advance of the trip or on the day the student returns. If the student misses a test, the student will take the test on the day that he/she returns.

Checking In and Out of School:After arriving at school, students mustnot leave the school grounds for any reason during the school day without first reporting to the office and securing permission.If a student becomes ill and wishes to go home, he must obtain a note from the teacher to bring to the office for parent contact. The office staff will supervise the checkout process. The parent will come to the office to pick up the student and to sign him/her out. Parents will be required to identify themselves by showing a picture I.D. for the student’s safety. Only parents or guardians can give authorization for others to checkout students. A doctor’s note for a checkout for illness that is initiated by the office staff is not required for the day of the checkout, but is required for any additional days. Parents should inform the office staff through the counselor whenever legal custody conditions warrant such notice. Documentation must be on file in the cumulative record. No check outs after 2:15.

Tardies: The following tardy policy is in effect. The tardies are cumulative and progressive in nature, meaning tardies from all classes continue to accumulate from class to class each day. Tardies start over at the end of each semester. When the tardy bell rings, teachers will record the names of students who were tardy on JCampus.Based on the number of tardies, a consequence will be administered and the parent will be notified.

  • 1st – 3rd Tardies:Tardies are recorded.
  • 4th Tardy: Student receives an official warning from the Attendance &

Discipline office. Parent is notified of infraction.

  • 5th Tardy:Tardy is recorded.
  • 6th Tardy:Tardy is recorded. Student is assigned to one day of after school

detention. Parent is notified of infraction.

  • 7th Tardy:Tardy is recorded.
  • 8th Tardy:Tardy is recorded and student is assigned to one day of in-school

suspension. Parent is notified of infraction.

  • 9th Tardy:Tardy is recorded.
  • 10th Tardy:Tardy is recorded. Student is suspended one (1) day out of

school. Parent is notified of infraction.

  • 11th Tardy:Tardy is recorded.
  • 12th Tardy:Tardy is recorded. Student is suspended one (1) day out of

school. Parent is notified of infraction.

  • 13th Tardy:Tardy is recorded.
  • 14th Tardy:Tardy is recorded. Student is suspended one (1) day out of

school. Parent is notified of infraction.

  • 15th Tardy:Tardy is recorded. Student is suspended pending an Expulsion

Hearing. Parent is notified of infraction.

  • On the fourth out-of-school suspension for any reason, the student will be suspended pending a CPSB hearing with a recommendation that the student attend an alternative school.

Cafeteria: The cafeteria is operated to provide a wholesome breakfast and lunch at a minimum charge. The lunch schedule is arranged so that there is sufficient time and room for all students to eat in pleasant surroundings. Breakfast costs $1.00 and lunch is $1.75. A parent lunch costs $4.00. Extra milk or juice may be purchased. Prices subject to change pending school board approval of a price increase.

Sign up to pre-pay for lunch at

Cafeteria Rules:

  1. NO carbonated beverages/fast food/commercial food items may be brought by parents or students for consumption (NO EXCEPTIONS). Students may eat the cafeteria lunch or bring their lunch from home.
  2. Wait your turn in line quietly. Be respectful of others in line around you.
  3. Students eating a school lunch should enter at the end of the lunch line.
  4. Chairs should not be moved from one table to another.
  5. Books should be left in your fifth period class before you come to the cafeteria.
  6. Sit only one person to a seat.
  7. Students should take the first available seat and remain seated until your lunchhas been finished.
  8. All food must be eaten at the table.
  9. Plastic bottles only, not glass, are allowed in the cafeteria.

10. Eat your own food.

11. Use good manners at all times.

12. Clean tables of all trash, crumbs, and spills. Pick up any trash on floor before leaving the table.

13. Place all trash from lunches in trash cans.

14. Exit the cafeteria in a quiet, orderly manner.

15. Follow directions of the duty personnel. Duty personnel will direct the students where to sit. When the lunch shift ends, the students will be told which exit to use. On inclement weather days, students will be directed by duty personnel to report to the gym, remain in the cafeteria, or to move to the south patio after eating. When the lunch shift ends, the students will be told which exit to use.

Dances: Attending a CMM dance is a PRIVILEGE. Dances are scheduled from 2:50 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Students are expected to remain at the dance until 4:00 p.m. Parents who arrive before the end of the dance must come into the gymnasium to pick up their student. Parents are expected to pick their child up by 4:15 p.m. Students who are not picked up promptly (within 15 minutes of the conclusion of the dance) will not be allowed to attend future dances. Students will not be allowed to call home on the day of the dance to get permission to remain at school for the dance. Plans should be made ahead of time.

Dance Rules:

Students may not:

  • Run in or around the gym area.
  • Pick up students in any fashion.
  • Push, grab, or bump into each other.
  • Climb on another student’s shoulders.
  • Get too close to the speakers or the DJ’s table. A ten-foot (10) distance should be maintained.
  • Stand or dance on the bleachers.
  • Participate in immodest or indecent dancing.

Violation of the rules may result in forfeiture of all dance privileges.

School Lockers: Each student is assigned a locker the first week of school. Lockers should be kept locked at all times. Only the person who uses the locker should know the combination. Students should report lockers that are jammed or not working properly to the front office.Lockers should be kept neat and free of excess paper. All items should be arranged so that the locker closes. Behavior Management Minor forms may be given for lockers that are not closed.

Traffic Safety: The traffic plan at Caddo Middle Magnet has been recommended by the Caddo Director of Transportation to provide a safe situation for CMM students.

  • NO STUDENTS MAY BE DROPPED OFF ON CORNELIOUS DURING CARPOOL HOURS AND EXPECTED TO CROSS THE STREET.
  • Buses will pickup and dropoff students using the south driveway. No car traffic is permitted on this driveway. The buses will be parked in the same spot each day. Students will be given the location of their bus at the beginning of the school year.
  • Car traffic may use the traffic circle in the front of the school on Cornelious. Cars must exit to the left.
  • Car traffic will enter the north parking lot in a double line in the morning and drop students off at the flagpole. Cars will merge into one line as they leave the parking lot. Cars MUST turn right on Cornelious. No left turns allowed.
  • Car traffic in the afternoon will enter the north parking lot in a double line and pull all the way around the lot. Cars will merge into a single line as they leave the parking lot. Cars must turn right on to Cornelious. No left turns allowed.
  • Please be aware that Cornelious must be a free access street. The city has placed No Parking signs along the street. Cars parking along Cornelious, Hoover, Turner, and Terrell block traffic, block residential driveways, create a traffic hazard, and place students at risk as theycross the street to reach their car or the school.
  • The south parking lot will not be used for picking up or dropping off students.
  • ALL STUDENTS MUST BE PICKED UP BY 3:10 P.M.

Rules for Bus Riders:

The following rules must be obeyed:

  1. Students must remain in their assigned seat.
  2. Keep arms, head, or objects inside bus windows or doors.
  3. Never throw any objects in or out of the bus.
  4. Use the emergency exit door only in emergencies.
  5. Do not eat or drink on the bus.
  6. Do not damage or deface the bus in any way.
  7. Do notchange seats without permission from the bus driver.
  8. Do not stand or sit in the aisles without permission from the bus driver.
  9. Do not shout, yell, or make loud noises.
  10. All students are expected to be in their assigned seat and ready for departure before the bus leaves.

The bus driver will contact parents to report misconduct. If the misconduct continues, the Assistant Principal of Discipline will be notified. Bus passes will not be issued because many buses are at capacity. If you have questions regarding bus routes or pick-up locations, please call CPSB and ask for Transportation at 603-6300, or log on to Click on “Bus Stops” and follow directions.

Use of the Telephone: If a student needs to call home, they should use the telephone in the office. Student use of the telephone will be restricted to cases of illness.Parents calling with messages for students will be accommodated when possible, realizing that classes may not be interrupted. Cooperation is appreciated. The office staff cannot guarantee that a message calledin during 7th period class will reach a student.