The Vicksburg Warren School District has released its 2026-2027 Student Handbook, and district officials are asking all students, parents and guardians to review it leading up to the start of school and throughout the year as needed.
The handbook, approved by the VWSD Board of Trustees outlines student responsibilities, rights and the district's Code of Conduct. It also includes several updated and expanded policies for the coming school year.
5 Updated and Expanded Policies
Personal electronic devices. The district has strengthened its expectations around cell phones and other personal devices. Because every VWSD student has access to a district-issued Chromebook for instruction, personal devices (including cell phones, smartwatches, smartglasses, earbuds, headphones, tablets and gaming devices) must remain off and out of sight throughout the instructional day, stored in a backpack, purse, locker or other bag. The handbook lays out a five-step consequence ladder that begins with confiscation and a parent conference and escalates to In-School Detention, out-of-school suspension and referral to the school discipline review committee. (pg.17) For an overview of the policy, click HERE.
Zero Day Conference. This disciplinary intervention requires a parent or legal guardian to meet with school administration before a student returns to class. It does not assign a set number of suspension days, and in many cases the conference can happen the same day without the student missing instructional time. (pg.14)
Attendance clarifications. Mississippi Compulsory School Attendance law has changed and families and schools have new requirements. Students must be present for at least 66% of their instructional day to be counted in full-day attendance, and the handbook now publishes specific late-arrival and early-checkout cutoff times for each school level. Attendance cutoffs are based on each studentâs assigned instructional schedule for that day, not necessarily the schoolâs bell-to-bell day. (pg.1-3)
Chronic absenteeism. Students who miss 10% or more of the school year may be excluded from co-curricular and extracurricular activities, awards and honors, honor societies, clubs and offices of leadership. Seniors considered chronically absent will not be permitted to participate in graduation exercises. (pg.3)
River City Early College. Admissions and continued-enrollment requirements for the early college program are spelled out in greater detail, including cohort size, minimum GPA and attendance thresholds, assessment benchmarks, dual credit funding limits and academic probation procedures. (p.28)
Where to find it
The full handbook is available under the website's STUDENT tab and through each school office. It also includes the 2026-2027 district calendar, school start and end times, immunization requirements, the Technology Acceptable Use Policy, dress code guidelines and building-level Title IX contacts.
District officials note that the handbook is a general guide and that individual schools, departments and programs may have additional rules, such as the Athletic Department handbook, that are not covered in it. Families with questions are encouraged to contact their child's school directly or call the district office at (601) 638-5122.