Change of Personal Information

The Registrar or Head of Middle School should be notified immediately of a change in the home or business telephone numbers, address, or e-mail.  Up-to-date information is essential for the school to handle emergencies successfully and to maintain communication with parents.

Financial Matter

It is a policy of the Board of Directors that a student will NOT be allowed to have evaluation reports written at the conclusion of any grading period if all debts (tuition, cafeteria, library fines, loans, etc.) are not paid in full.  Report cards and transcripts will also not be mailed until all payments are received.

Fire and Tornado Drills

Fire and Tornado Drill procedures are posted in each room. Practices are held regularly during the school year.

Flowers

Students in the Middle School may not have flowers or balloons delivered to the school unless sent by a parent.

Food

Parents may eat lunch with their daughter. It is asked that this is done on an infrequent basis as lunch period is a social time for the girls. Parents who do eat lunch with their daughter are asked to eat outside, weather permitting, and only with their child. This keeps other children from feeling excluded. Please only bring lunch for your daughter.

Lockers
Students should keep their lockers in the main building and in the gym locked at all times.  No student is allowed to open another student's locker. The school is not responsible for money, personal articles, or valuables lost or damaged at school.  Valuables and large sums of money should not be brought to school by students.  Locks are provided by the school.

Lost and Found

Lost articles will be placed outside of the Dean of Student's office.

At the end of each trimester or as needed, unclaimed articles are given to the needy.

Parties and Gift Exchange

Exchanging of individual birthday and holiday gifts in Middle School is not allowed.  At times a token gift is given to all members of the class for a holiday or lockers are wrapped for birthdays.  This is acceptable providing there is little expense involved.  Likewise, invitations to parties are not to be distributed at school unless the entire class is invited.  If a child is having a "sleepover" party, sleeping bags and clothes should not be brought to school during the day as this immediately excludes all children not invited.  Likewise it is preferred that children not be picked up from school as a group for such parties.  Limousines are strongly discouraged.  While it is understood that not all children in a class can always be invited to celebrations, please encourage your daughter to make a real effort to not make others feel excluded.

Messages for Students

Any messages for students regarding carpool or other school transportation, after-school tutoring, or doctor appointments must be phoned in no later than 1:30 pm in order to ensure that the student will receive the message.  Messages to students will be posted on the message board by the office.  It is the responsibility of the student to check for messages.  The Middle School office cannot be responsible for messages after 2:00 pm.  Transportation arrangements should be made prior to arrival at school.  Parents are urged to communicate these matters to their daughters before they leave for school.

Telephone Use

Students may not use the pay telephone during school hours. In case of emergency, the Middle School staff will assist the student in making the necessary calls.  Students may not receive phone calls during school hours except in the case of an emergency.  Cell phones are to be kept in lockers and turned off during school hours.

Visitors

In general, having visitors during the school day is discouraged and is usually not allowed.  All visitors must be approved prior to the visit by the Dean of Students.

Weather Emergencies

In case of weather alerts and other emergencies in the early morning, Duchesne Academy will follow the decision of the Houston Independent School District (HISD) regarding closing of the school.  In the event that HISD announces a late opening, Duchesne will be closed for the entire day.  Ordinarily, Duchesne will not dismiss students early if the emergency occurs during the school day, but parents who must pick up their children early in such cases may call the school and do so.  Local radio stations carry this information, and calls should not be directed to the school or to the convent.  Tune to radio KRBE (104 FM), KIKK (96 FM), or KTRH (740 AM) for weather details.