Tate High School

MISSION

The mission of the Dean's Office is to support the discipline code at J.M. Tate High School and ensure that our campus is safe. We also desire to help foster a learning community that motivates students to achieve their highest potential. The school's discipline code promotes mutual respect among faculty and students and protects the rights of all individuals to pursue their education.

MEET THE DEANS

ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES

Improving attendance has been mandated by the state and continues to be a school goal. Although we have improved our attendance rate over the past several years, we must continue our efforts to give students the best opportunity to succeed. Therefore, it is imperative that you ensure your children’s attendance every day. Please do not make vacation plans during the school year. Those absences cannot be excused, but more importantly, students who attend regularly are significantly more successful than those who are frequently absent. State law provides for excused absences for the following reasons:

We offer some latitude in requiring a doctor’s note when a child is ill, unless the absences become excessive. If there are extenuating circumstances, please contact the school and share the information with the attendance clerk, Mrs. Seale. If additional information is necessary, she can refer you to the appropriate person. Parents are required to call the attendance office, 937-5469, within three days of their absence to get it excused.  A weekly report is transmitted to the state regarding absences, and students who accrue ten or more unexcused absences in a 90-day period may lose their driver’s license.

ATTENDANCE CLERK

Diana Seale
(850) 937-5469
dseale@ecsdfl.us

DRESS CODE

The following guidelines will be consistent in all middle and high schools in Escambia County:

• Shorts, skirts, slits, or dresses should be no more than two inches above the knee or longer.
• Midriff tops, halter tops, tank tops, and shirts or dresses with spaghetti straps are not permitted.
• Garments made of spandex or spandex-like material are not permitted.
• Any garment with obscene or offensive language or advertising drugs or alcohol is not permitted.
• The waistband of shorts, skirts, slacks, and similar garments should not be worn below the waist.
• All pants and trousers should be worn with belts except sweat pants which are manufactured and designed to be worn without a belt.
• Athletic wear with an elastic waist may be worn without a belt.
• Hats should not be worn in buildings, and no bandanas are allowed.
• Undergarments may not be exposed.

STUDENT RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES

All students will be given a Rights and Responsibility Handbook during the first week of school. It is excellent information regarding district policies and what Escambia County students expect. Please take time to familiarize yourself with the information contained in this handbook because it answers many questions.

Prescription drugs are not to be in possession of any student on campus. Please refer to district policy regarding the appropriate handling of prescription medications which is included in the Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. If a student is to take any medication on campus, the medication is to be provided to the health nurse or aide in the clinic, along with the doctor’s directions regarding the dispensing of the medication. A student who carries a prescription medication even when the prescription is for him/her is in violation of district policy and is in danger of serious disciplinary action, including expulsion.

SAFE HARBOR LAW

If a student who is in possession of an item of contraband (such as a pocket knife, drugs, etc.) voluntarily surrenders the item as soon as he/she realizes that it is in his/her possession to a responsible staff member, then the student may be eligible for mitigation, in whole or in part, of the penalty for possessing the item as appropriate under the circumstances.  To qualify for this provision, such surrender must occur prior to the beginning of any investigation or search that might uncover the item.