Jenkins County Elementary School
“Where EAGLES learn to fly.” Student Handbook 2016– 2017 Randy Dailey, Principal Shelby Williams, Asst. Principal Jill Wadley, Asst. Principal 220 Landrum Drive, Millen, GA 30442 478-982-5503 (phone)/478-982-6027(fax)
Table of Contents 2016– 2017 School Calendar
4
Faculty, Staff and Departments
5
Effect of Student Handbook
6
Admission/Registration Requirements
6
Attendance
6
Book Bags
9
Bus Discipline Policy
9
Cell Phones, Pagers, & Other Electronic Devices
10
Concerns and/or Questions
11
Character Education
11
Conduct and Discipline
12
Drop-off and Pick-up Procedures
25
Early Student Dismissal Procedures
26
Emergency Contact Information
26
Emergency Drills and Inclement Weather
26
Extra-Curricular Activities/Clubs/Programs
27
Fundraising
27
Grading Policy, Homework & Report Cards
27
Guidance and Counseling
28
Harassment of Students
28
Health Issues
29
Honors and Awards
31
Lost and Found
31
Media Center
31
Medical Care (School Clinic & Nurse)
31
Promotion and Retention Policy
32
Responsibility for Property
34
School Activities
34
School Council
34
School Food Services
35
School Insurance for Students
35
State and Standardized Testing
35
Student Acceptable Use Regulations (Internet)
36
Student Dress Code
37 2
Student Support Team (SST) & Response to Intervention (RTI)
38
Student Reporting of Acts of Sexual Abuse or Sexual Misconduct
38
Transportation (Bus)
39
Visitors /Volunteers
40
Acknowledgement Form
41
Goals, Mission, Motto, & Philosophy
42
Parents Right to Know Notification
43
Complaint Form for Federal Programs
44
Title I Parental Involvement Policy/Plan
46
Annual Notification Concerning Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)
54
Annual Notification of Rights Under the Federal Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) 55 Homeless Policy
56
3
JENKINS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION 2016-2017 School Calendar (180 student days/190 staff days) Pre-planning………………………………………………...……………...………………..July 26-28 First Day of School………………………………………………………………….………… July 29 Holiday…………………………………………………………………………………….September 2 Labor Day………………………………………………………………………...……….September 5 Early Release/Parent Conferences……….…………………………...……………....Oct. 7th /1 pm Fall Break………………………………………………………………………….…...……Oct. 10-14 Teacher Workday/Prof. Learning……………………………………………………………...Oct. 17 Thanksgiving Holidays………………………………………………………….………….Nov. 21-25 Christmas Holidays (early release Dec. 16th /1 pm)………………………… …..…..Dec. 19-Jan. 2 Teacher Workday/Prof. Learning…………………………………..……………………….Jan. 2 MLK Holiday……………………………………………………………………………..……...Jan. 16 Winter Break………………………………………………………………………….……..Feb. 13-17 Teacher Workday/Prof. Learning………………………………………………….………….Feb. 20 Early Release/Parent Conferences…………………………………………….………..…..Mar. 17 Spring Break…………………………………………………………………………....………Apr. 3-7 Last Day of School (Early Release/1 pm)……………………………………………...….....May 26 Memorial Day Holiday………………………………………………………………...………..May 29 Post-planning………………………………………………………………………………...May 30-31 Mid Grading Period Progress Reports: Aug. 31, Nov. 9, Feb. 8, Apr. 27 Report Cards: Oct. 6, Jan. 5, Mar. 23, May 26 Nine Weeks Ends: Sept. 30 (44 days), Dec. 16 (44 days), March 16 (46 days), May 26 (46 days) Teacher Workdays/Professional Learning: July 26-28, Oct. 17, Jan. 2, Feb. 20, May 30-31 Parent Conferences: Oct. 7, Mar. 17
4
Jenkins County Elementary School Faculty and Staff Administrators: Randy Dailey, Principal; Shelby Williams, Assistant Principal, Jill Wadley, Assistant Principal RTI/SST Coordinator: Jill Wadley & Shelby Williams Office Personnel: Jessica Goodman, Faye White Counselors: Lisa Kirkland School Nurse: Donna Saxon, RN Media Center: Sylvia Gay, Media Specialist; Mildred Cobb, Media Assistant Gifted Education: Bonnie Allen, Alisa Burke Academic Intervention: Deidra Brinson, Melinda Bragg ESOL: Brenda Burke, Melinda Bragg Preschool Special Needs Coordinator: Linda Jenkins Early Intervention Program: Brenda Burke, Renee Hearn Behavior Control Room (BC Room): Patricia Milton Exploratory/Rotation: Jeannine Curl, Jason Boynton, Theresa Ford, Bobby James, Louise Wadley Special Education: Sarah Brown, Joydine Burke, Julie Gainey, Sheryl Dudley, Jill Harvey, Linda Jenkins, Tim Parker, Ernestine Sanders, Kristy Wallace, Tabatha Bennett, Linda Baggett Pre-K: Haley Conway, DeAnna Burke, Sarah Woodrum, Paige Lee, Angie Trent, Sarah Thomas
Kindergarten: Sabrina Allen, Michelle Brannen , Michelle Brown, Ann Hamilton, Kim Landing, Mary Suggs Brenda Gay, Sandy Daughtry, Cortnei Earls, Candace Jordan, Lynn Lane, Diane Pye First Grade: Carrie Jackson, Jeana Jenkins, Teresa Newton, Ashley Powell, Jamese Oliver Second Grade: Laurie Felix, Patricia Herrington, Melissa Hill, Jennifer Johnson, Lisa Richardson Third Grade: Jimmy Brannen, Monica Brinson, Melissa Cobb, Cindy Rich, Michelle Orvin Fourth Grade: Elizabeth Fordham, Anita Gay, Racheal Johnson, Jordan Nease, Katrina Sherrod Fifth Grade: Bonnie Allen, Angie Brantley, Jancey Brinson, Matasha Ellison, Janice Reese Custodians: Shirral Lewis, Willie Simpkins
5
EFFECT OF STUDENT HANDBOOK The policies, rules, and regulations shown in the Jenkins County Elementary School Handbook are regulatory in nature and are not to be construed to give rise to any substantive or vested rights. The Board of Education, the Superintendent, and the Principal reserve the right to amend, suspend, repeal, modify, or revoke the policies, rules, and regulations at any time as to any students or related persons without incurring any obligation with respect to the old or existing policy, rule, regulation, or administrative procedure. The ultimate administrative responsibility for the school is vested in the Principal who must treat each situation, whether disciplinary or administrative, from the perspective of what is in the best interest of the individual student concerned, the other students in the school, and the ongoing education mission of the school and of the Jenkins County School System.
ADMISSION/REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Certified Birth Certificate---A child must be age five (5) on or before September 1 to enroll in kindergarten or age four (4) on or before September 1 to enroll in pre-kindergarten. Student’s Social Security Number or Copy of student’s Social Security Card (optional) Current Georgia Immunization Certificate---GA Form 3231 Certificate of Eye, Ear, and Dental Examination Documentation of withdrawal from previous school (if applicable) Legal Custody Papers/Proof of Guardianship (if appropriate) Proof of Residency (Utility Bill)
ATTENDANCE Regular, punctual attendance is extremely important for success in school. Early sign-outs should be limited to doctor or dental appointments or other unavoidable obligations. Students checking out before 11:30 a.m. or arriving after 11:30 a.m. will be considered absent. A combination of 12 unexcused tardies and/or early signouts will result in a student unexcused absence. Board policy requires that a student be present a minimum of 160 days each year for promotion. A student’s yearly attendance is recorded as part of his/her permanent school record. Absence from school may be excused for the following reasons: student illness; serious illness or death in family; court appointment; and religious holidays. School attendance is not permitted when any condition described as contagious by the Health Department or by medical doctor is present. Examples: head lice, ringworm, impetigo, measles, chicken pox, etc. Parent notes will be limited to 8 per year. Parent notes must be a lawful excuse or it will be unexcused. All written excuses must be received within 3 days after the date of return. After 3 days, the absence will automatically become unexcused. A doctor’s excuse is required for (three) 3 or more consecutive days of absence. Students will be allowed only five (5) unexcused absences per year. Students will be referred for truancy prevention at (five) 5 unexcused absences. At 6 unexcused absences, students and parents may be referred for court action. Suspension days DO NOT count as unexcused absences. Tardies: Students who arrive to HOMEROOM after 8:00 a.m. will be counted as tardy. Tardy students must report to the office to check in and receive a Tardy Slip in order to be admitted to class. A combination of 12 unexcused tardies and/or early sign-outs will result in a student unexcused absence.
Early Dismissals: Any student leaving school before the official dismissal time must be signed out by a parent, guardian or designated person. Students will only be released to the persons indicated on the information sheet. School absence due to early dismissal is treated as all other absences when considering credit for schoolwork and awards. A note from a parent/guardian explaining the reason for absence is required for each absence. This note, signed by the parent, should be submitted to the homeroom teacher upon the student’s return to school. 6
The student is responsible for all make-up assignments within five (5) days if credit is desired. In cases of unexcused absences, the student may not be given credit for make-up work. The Principal shall have exclusive jurisdiction in classifying excuses. A combination of 12 unexcused tardies and/or early sign-outs will result in a student unexcused absence. Jenkins County Schools Attendance Protocol The mission of the Jenkins County School System is to provide a safe and caring environment where individuals can develop knowledge and social skills necessary to live productively in a democratic society. Studies have consistently shown that students who attend school regularly perform better academically and are less likely to become involved in alcohol, drugs, and crime. The Jenkins County Board of Education recognizes the importance of regular school attendance and has developed a Student Attendance Protocol Committee. The Student Attendance Protocol Committee goals are as follows: To ensure coordination and cooperation among officials, agencies, and programs involved in compulsory attendance issues, to reduce the number of unexcused absences from school. To increase the percentage of students present during administration of tests required by laws of this state. Definitions for Student Attendance Protocol Elementary School – A student is "tardy to school" when he/she arrives to homeroom after the 8:00 a.m. bell. A combination of 12 unexcused tardies and/or early sign-outs will result in a student unexcused absence.
Tardy students must report to the office to check in. A tardy slip will be issued from the office to admit the student to class. School absences due to early dismissal are treated as all other absences in considering credit for schoolwork and reward. Early dismissals should be limited to doctor or dental appointments or other unavoidable obligations. For unexcused absences, the student may not be given credit for make-up work. Students must be present a minimum of 160 days each year in order to be eligible for promotion. The principal shall have exclusive jurisdiction in classifying excuses. Absences (Lawful) Serious illness within the immediate family-father, mother, brother, sister, husband, wife, child, or relative residing permanently and continuously in the student's home which necessitates the student's absence from school. A doctor's statement is required for verification. Personal illness and when attendance in school would endanger a student's health or the health of others. Death within the immediate family is the same as in (1), and to include grandparents. The Principal or school can verify by personal knowledge or other verification. Special and recognized religious holidays observed by the student's faith, which requires an absence. Medical or dental appointments that are verified by an official appointment card or memo from the doctor. Absences mandated by order of governmental agencies, including pre-induction physical examinations for services in the armed force, or mandated by court order. Conditions rendering attendance impossible or hazardous to student health or safety. Absence for the purpose of registering to vote or voting, for a period not to exceed one day. Serving as pages in the Georgia General Assembly. Away from school while participating in an approved school sponsored activity. Any student who gets sick at school and has to go home (the principal is authorized to make the final determination to the validity of the illness). The Principal shall have the authority to declare as legal those absences due to recurring, periodic illnesses, which are supported by a doctor's statement as to the nature and fact of the recurring illness. Court subpoena as a witness. 7
Absences (Unlawful) Car trouble Running errands Lack of electricity
Taking care of family business Cutting/skipping Lack of transportation
Oversleeping Missing bus Ninth or more written parent note
Interventions for Unexcused Absences School personnel will document any contact and attempted contact with the parent/ guardian regarding a student's attendance, i.e. calls made, letters/notes sent home, conferences, etc. When a student reaches two (2) accumulated days unexcused absences the teacher or school designee will contact the parent/ guardian to inform them of the child's attendance, the possible referral to the Truancy Panel and the possibility that they can be charged in Juvenile and or State court for violation of the state compulsory attendance law (GA Code 20-2-690.2). The teacher/designee shall attempt to reach the parent at least three (3) times for two (2) days and document these attempts before sending a note of explanation of the offenses to the home. Medically excused days are not counted towards this step. When the student reaches five (5) unexcused days or has accumulated five (5) days absence without a doctor's note, the school will send a letter home to the parent/guardian explaining the student's particular situation. In the case of five unexcused absences, the parent/guardian will also receive a letter stating the Compulsory Attendance Law and explaining the possible consequences/penalties if they reach six (6) unexcused absences. The letter will be signed by the parent/guardian and returned to the school. This letter will remain on file at the school for the remainder of the year. A student of 10 years of age and older will also sign a letter stating the Compulsory Attendance Law and explaining the possible consequences and penalties to him/her. This letter will remain on file at the school for the remainder of the academic year. For students 14 years of age and older, this letter will include the possible denial or suspension of his/her drivers license or learners permit in accordance with GA Law 40-5-22. After two reasonable attempts to notify the parent, guardian or other person who has charge of the student, the Jenkins County School System will send written notice via first class mail or certified mail with return receipt requested. The school will notify the truancy officer when a student has reached the sixth unexcused absence and after receiving the signed letter from the parent in order to file charges in the appropriate court. In the case of five (5) accumulated absences, the school will send a letter home explaining to the parent/ guardian that they are in violation of Jenkins County School System Attendance Procedure. This letter shall explain the possibility of a referral to the State and/or Juvenile Court. If school personnel see a need for further intervention, a referral may be made to the school truancy officer and school social worker for further assistance. The school social worker and/or truancy intervention specialist will work with the parent/guardian and student in an attempt to reduce absenteeism. Parents will be informed of the state compulsory attendance law. The school social worker and/or truancy prevention specialist will communicate with the school regarding intervention efforts by follow-ups in writing and verbally. ***Many incentives will be in place for good attendance such as extra recess time, attendance parties, perfect attendance certificates, public recognition, prizes, etc. Georgia Compulsory Attendance Law Any parent, guardian, or other person residing in Georgia who has control or charge of a child or children between the ages of 6 and 16 years of age and any child residing in Georgia and in Jenkins County between the ages of 6 and 16 years of age is required under Georgia law to enroll and attend school. Under the provisions of Georgia’s Compulsory Attendance Act, each day’s absence from school after a student has accumulated five (5) days of unexcused absence, whether consecutive or not, can constitute a violation of the law and can subject the parent and student to penalties which may include a fine of not less than Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00) and not greater than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), imprisonment not to exceed thirty (30) days, community service, court supervisor as a juvenile offender, or any combination of these penalties.
8
BOOK BAGS Rolling book bags are NOT allowed unless a medical statement from a physician is provided to the Principal. This policy is for the safety and protection of all students and will be strictly enforced. Book Bags may be inspected or searched by school officials at any time for any reason. For the safety of others at the school, students should not have an expectation of privacy in book bags.
BUS DISCIPLINE POLICY Riding the bus is a privilege, and students can be removed at any time for disruptive and unsatisfactory conduct. If bus rules are broken, the student will be subject to the same disciplinary action that would be taken if the behavior had happened on school grounds. All pupils being transported are under the authority of the bus driver and must obey his/her requests. Local school board policy shall require a meeting between appropriate school district officials and the parent/guardian of any student found to have engaged in bullying, physical assault or battery on a school bus for the purpose of forming a school bus behavior contract for the student All school rules, as described in the school handbook, apply to students riding the bus. The following is a list of general expectations for our students: 1. Students are to be seated at all times while the bus is in motion. At no time should students have heads, hands, arms or feet outside the bus. 2. Students will maintain a low noise level. The bus driver needs to be able to hear while driving. 3. Abusive or obscene language will not be tolerated. Bus drivers will report any student who uses curse words. 4. Students shall not cause or attempt to cause physical injury, threaten bodily harm, or behave in such a way as could reasonably cause physical injury to a school employee or other students. 5. Students shall not cause or attempt to cause damage to buses. Costs for the damages will be payable by the student and parent. 6. Use or possession of alcoholic beverages, drugs, weapons, or other objects (including toys) which can endanger other passengers is prohibited. 7. Eating, drinking and chewing gum on buses are prohibited. 8. Students should show respect for bus drivers and other students on the bus. 9. Students should be at bus stop on time, load quickly and quietly in an orderly manner, and move away from the bus stop after exiting/unloading the bus. 10. Students are expected to obey the bus rules while waiting for and riding the bus and at the bus stops in the afternoon. Students who do not meet expectations will be referred to the appropriate school administrators. 11. The bus driver is in charge and may assign seats. 12. Students are videotaped while riding the bus in order to promote safety and to enforce good behavior. MINOR BUS OFFENSES
MAJOR BUS OFFENSES
Spitting on others Not at bus stop on time Loud/making loud noises Eating, drinking, chewing gum Pushing others Writing on bus or seats Littering on bus Possession or use of electronic devices Yelling out the window Hanging out the window Out of seat Standing in aisle
Opening emergency exits Fighting on bus Use of profanity or obscene gestures Fighting/Bullying/Harassing other students Rude/disrespectful to driver Destruction of property/vandalism Use and/or possession of drugs, alcohol, tobacco Throwing objects on bus or out bus window Weapons
9
Discipline for bus incidents include, but are not limited to: warning, parent conference, bus suspension from 1-10 days, bus suspension for remainder of school year, etc.
Referral
Consequence
1st bus referral
Warning
2nd bus referral
Suspended from riding bus 1-3 days
3rd bus referral
Suspended from riding bus 3-5 days
4th bus referral
Suspended from ring bus 5-15 days
5th bus referral
Suspended from riding bus 10-20 days
Over 5 bus referrals
Suspended from riding bus for the year
CELL PHONES & OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES A student may be subject to disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, in-school suspension, out-ofschool suspension, or expulsion, if the student utilizes a pager, cell phone or other electronic device to engage in bullying, threats or intimidation, or harassment of any form, to create and/or send and/or receive and/or possess and/or transmit to others pornographic or obscene pictures or messages, to create and/or send and/or receive and/or possess and/or transmit to others offensive or humiliating or inappropriate pictures of one’s self or others, to engage in academic cheating in any form, to invade anyone’s privacy in a locker room, restroom or other place on a school campus or at a school activity or to engage in academic cheating in any form. If a student uses a cell phone or other device of this nature at school, it will be taken from him/her, and turned in to the office with a note containing the student’s name, date, and time along with the teacher’s name. All electronic devices brought to the school will be confiscated and held in the office until the end of the semester. Items taken up after December 1 will be kept until the end of the second semester. Students and parents may retrieve cell phones and other electronic devices early provided a $25.00 fee is paid to the office. (Per JCSS Board Policy) Notwithstanding the foregoing, a student may be subject to disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, or expulsion, if the student utilizes a pager, cell phone or other electronic device to engage in bullying, threats or intimidation, or harassment of any form, to create and/or send and/or receive and/or possess and/or transmit to others pornographic or obscene pictures or messages, to create and/or send and/or receive and/or possess and/or transmit to others offensive or humiliating or inappropriate pictures of one's self or others, to invade anyone's privacy in a locker room, restroom or other place on a school campus or at a school activity or to engage in academic cheating in any form. NOTICE and WARNING REGARDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS (a) The taking, disseminating, transferring, or sharing of obscene, pornographic, lewd, or otherwise illegal images or photographs, whether by electronic data transfer or otherwise illegal images or photographs (commonly called texting, sexting, e-mailing, etc.) is strictly prohibited, and it may constitute a CRIME under state and federal law. Any person taking, disseminating, transferring, or sharing obscene, pornographic, lewd or otherwise illegal images or photographs will be subject to the disciplinary procedures of the school district, and reported to law enforcement which may result in arrest, criminal prosecution and LIFETIME inclusion on sexual offender registries. (b) The receipt or possession of obscene, pornographic or otherwise illegal images or photographs are strictly prohibited and may constitute a CRIME under state and federal law. Any person receiving or possessing obscene, pornographic, lewd or otherwise illegal images or photographs will be subject to the disciplinary procedures of the school district, and reported to law enforcement which may result in arrest, criminal prosecution, 10
and LIFETIME inclusion on sexual offender registries. This rule will not be enforced if the possessing or receiving student herself/himself reports the receipt or possession to a school official. (c) School officials have the authority to search confiscated electronic devices if there is reasonable suspicion that electronic devices were used to violate school policies or laws.
CONCERNS AND/OR QUESTIONS Students/parents who are concerned about a specific classroom situation should first confer with the teacher. If the issue is not resolved, the student/parent should make arrangements to see an administrator of the school. If the problem is not solved at this time, contacting the appropriate Central Office personnel, such as the Superintendent, would be the next appropriate step. Parents are encouraged to maintain contact with teachers to ensure maximum progress for their child. Appointments to discuss a student’s schoolwork or conduct should be requested in advance through the school secretary so that records can be assembled and reviewed adequately. The office number is 478-982-5503. Two Early Release days are designated for Parent-Teacher Conferences. Dates for these conferences are listed on another page of this handbook. Reminder notices will be sent home.
CHARACTER EDUCATION The Character Education Calendar will allow schools to focus on a single quality and provide opportunities to include related traits as a unit of study. The items in parentheses are related characteristics that will be studied during each given month. Each school will determine how best to emphasize, study, and practice the character quality for each month. AUGUST --- SELF-CONTROL (Bullying, Sportsmanship, Self-Control, Helpfulness)
JANUARY --- COURTESY (Courtesy, Cheerfulness, Citizenship, Virtue)
SEPTEMBER --- POSITIVE ATTITUDE (School Pride, Punctuality)
FEBRUARY --- TOLERANCE (Fairness, Patience, Tolerance, Consideration)
OCTOBER --- RESPECT (Respect for Self, Teachers & Others; Cleanliness; Honor)
MARCH --- KINDNESS (Courage, Kindness, Honesty, Creativity)
NOVEMBER --- THANKFULNESS (Patriotism, Cooperation, Thankfulness)
APRIL --- DILIGENCE (Diligence, Perseverance, Respect for the Environment)
DECEMBER --- COMPASSION (Compassion, Joyfulness, Generosity)
MAY --- RESPONSIBILITY (Politeness, Dependability, Loyalty, Respect for the Creator, Accountability)
11
CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE One of the most important lessons education should teach is discipline. At Jenkins County Elementary, we believe it is the shared responsibility of the home and the school to accomplish this goal. It is the training that develops self-control, character, orderliness and efficiency. Discipline is the key to good conduct and proper consideration for other people. Good discipline is maintained by recognizing and praising good behavior and taking corrective action when necessary. Jenkins County Elementary School students are expected to put forth their best effort and to act appropriately at all times in a manner that will promote a safe, orderly learning environment. Any behavior which causes the learning atmosphere to be disrupted or which infringes upon the rights of others in the school will not be tolerated and may subject the student to corrective measures. Conduct Rules Good student conduct sets the tone for other positive things to happen in school. As a result, a positive school climate plan has been developed and will be implemented. Parents will be an integral part of the plan and will be directly involved with its implementation. The students themselves play an important role in their own educational programming. In such an atmosphere, the class is neither teacher-dominated nor student-controlled; rather, it is a joint effort to learn, relate, and experience. Our method of discipline shows the student three things that include: 1) What they have done wrong; 2) How to solve the problems they created; and 3) How to assume responsibility for their own actions. This method uses logical and realistic consequences and leaves the student’s dignity intact. Self-discipline by students is the ultimate goal of the discipline program at JCES. The following are general rules of conduct for all students at Jenkins County Elementary School during school hours, on a school campus whether or not during school hours, at school activities, whether at home or away, on a school bus, or at school bus stops: 1. Disturbances that disrupt the learning opportunities for others in class are prohibited. 2. Students are expected to obey reasonable commands of all school personnel. 3. Rude, discourteous, disobedient, or defiant behavior is prohibited. 4. Profanity, obscenities, and/or insulting remarks will not be tolerated in school or on school grounds. 5. Threatening and/or intimidating another student or adult is prohibited including such statements as “I’m going to kill you.” 6. Hitting, roughing, fighting, and physical abuse with intent to hurt another student or adult is prohibited. 7. Assault and/or battery on school employee or another student is prohibited. 8. No student shall leave campus without permission from the office. 9. Failure to tell the truth, forging or knowingly using a forged signature, stealing and cheating (giving or receiving information) is prohibited. 10. Falsifying, misrepresenting, omitting, or erroneously reporting information regarding instances of alleged inappropriate behavior by a teacher, administrator, or other school employee toward a student. 11. The willful damage or destruction of property is prohibited. 12. Tampering with fire safety equipment and/or setting off a false alarm is prohibited. 13. Igniting flammable substances in school or on campus is prohibited. 14. Fireworks, sand poppers, sparklers, matches, lighters, firecrackers, etc. are prohibited. 15. Possession, sale, or distribution of drugs, alcoholic beverages, or tobacco products on school property is prohibited. 16. Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol while attending school or any school activity is prohibited. 17. Possession or use of any instrument designed for and/or capable of inflicting bodily injury on another person is prohibited. 18. Sexual offenses are prohibited, including but not limited to sex acts or sexual touching, whether or not the other participant consents. 19. Bullying in any form is prohibited.
12
Jenkins County Schools Code of Conduct It is the purpose of the Jenkins County School District to operate in a manner that will provide for the welfare and safety of all students who attend the schools within the district. In accordance with that purpose, the Board of Education has adopted a policy which requires all schools to adopt codes of conduct that require students to conduct themselves at all times in order to facilitate a learning environment for themselves and other students. These standards for behavior require students to respect each other and school district employees, to obey student behavior policies adopted by the Board and to obey student behavior rules established at each school within the district. The school’s primary goal is to educate, not punish; however, when the behavior of an individual student comes in conflict with the rights of others, corrective actions may be necessary for the benefit of that individual and the school as a whole. Accordingly, students shall be governed by the policies, regulations and rules set forth in this Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct is effective during the following times and in the following places: during school hours; at school or on school property at any time whether or not school is in session; off school grounds at any school activity, function or event and while traveling to and from such events; on vehicles provided for student transportation by the school system; on system school buses and at school bus stops. Also, students may be disciplined for conduct off campus which could result in the student being criminally charged with a felony and which makes the student’s continued presence at school a potential danger to persons or property at the school or which disrupts the educational process. Parents are encouraged to become familiar with the Code of Conduct and to be supportive of it in their daily communication with their children and others in the community. Consistent with Georgia law and the mandate of the Georgia General Assembly, all parents/guardians are encouraged to inform their children of the consequences, including potential criminal penalties, of underage sexual conduct and crimes for which a minor can be charged as an adult. Student Code of Conduct at Athletic Events The Jenkins County Board of Education has made a commitment to promote good sportsmanship by students, athletes, coaches, and spectators at all athletic events. Fighting, verbal confrontations, profanity, degrading remarks, and intimidating actions directed at officials, referees, and competitors will not be tolerated and are grounds for removal from the event, suspension from all athletic events for the remainder of the school year or any other consequence the principal feels appropriate. All school rules and consequences apply to students who attend athletic events. Spectators are not allowed to enter the competition area during warm-ups or while the contest is being conducted. No child under the age of six will be allowed to attend athletic events without being escorted by his/her parent. Thank you for your cooperation in the promotion of good sportsmanship at all Jenkins County athletic events. Bullying As a matter of policy and practice, the Jenkins County Board of Education strictly prohibits bullying, as the term is defined in Georgia law, of a student by another student. O.C.G.A. § 20-2-751.4 defines bullying as follows: An act which occurs on school property, on school vehicles, at designated school bus stops, or at school related functions or activities, or by use of data or software that is accessed through a computer, computer system, computer network, or other electronic technology of a local school system, that is: 1. Any willful attempt or threat to inflict injury on another person, when accompanied by an apparent present ability to do so; 2. Any intentional display of force such as would give the victim reason to fear or expect immediate bodily harm; or 3. Any intentional written, verbal, or physical act, which a reasonable person would perceive as being intended to threaten, harass, or intimidate, that a. Causes another person substantial physical harm within the meaning of Code Section 16-523.1 or visible bodily harm as such term is defined in Code Section 16-5-23.1; b. Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student's education; c. Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or 4. The term “bullying” also applies to acts of cyberbullying which occur through the use of electronic communication, whether or not such electronic act originated on school property or with school 13
equipment, if the electronic communication (1) is directed specifically at students or school personnel, (2) is maliciously intended for the purpose of threatening the safety of those specified or substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school, and (3) creates a reasonable fear of harm to the students’ or school personnel’s person or property or has a high likelihood of succeeding in that purpose. For purposes of this Student Code of Conduct rule, electronic communication includes but is not limited to any transfer of signs, signals, writings, images, sounds, data or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photo electronic or photo optical system.
Consequences for Bullying Consequences shall include at a minimum and without limitation, disciplinary action and/or counseling, as appropriate under the circumstances. Discipline for the first and second act of bullying during a school year shall be within the discretion of the principal, which may range from a reprimand to out-of-school suspension. Upon finding that a student has committed the offense of bullying for the third time or more in a school year, the student may be suspended for up to ten days. A student in grades six through twelve who has committed the offense of bullying for the third time in a school year shall be “suspended for ten (10) days and referred to the System Disciplinary Tribunal with recommendation for assignment to the Alternative School for the balance of the school year or such longer period of time as shall be recommended by the principal and deemed appropriate by the members of the Tribunal.”) No person shall willfully attempt to or threaten to inflict injury on another person or give any display of force that would give the victim reason to fear or expect bodily harm. A student shall not use any form of harassment to make a student feel threatened. Violation of this policy shall be dealt with immediately and will be considered a serious infraction of the discipline code. Students, parents, guardians, or other persons who have control or charge of a student, either anonymously or in the person’s name, at the person’s option, should report or otherwise provide information on bullying activity at the school or within the school either immediately or as soon after an incident of bullying occurs. Any verbal or physical, direct or indirect, retaliation against a student or other person who has reported a bullying incident is absolutely prohibited, punishment for which shall be determined by the principal but may include out-of-school suspension or expulsion. Physical Violence Against a Teacher or Employee In accordance with Georgia law, students are prohibited from engaging in physical violence on a school campus or at a school activity. For purposes of this policy, physical violence shall be defined as Type One Physical Violence and Type Two Physical Violence, each of which shall mean the following: (a) Intentionally making physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with the person of another (which is referred to in this Handbook as “Type One Physical Violence”); or (b) Intentionally making physical contact which causes physical harm to another unless such physical contacts or physical harms were in defense of himself or herself, as provided under Georgia law at O.C.G.A. Section 16-3-21 (which is referred to in this Handbook as “Type Two Physical Violence”). (c) If a student commits any act of Type One Physical Violence or Type Two Physical Violence against a teacher, school bus driver, or other school official or employee, the following disciplinary procedures and consequences shall apply: 1. A student who is alleged to have committed an act of physical violence may be referred to the System Student Disciplinary Tribunal for a hearing regarding the charges; 2. The student shall be suspended out-of-school pending the hearing by the Tribunal; 3. If a student has engaged in Type One Physical Violence, the Tribunal’s decision may include a recommendation as to whether the student may return to his or her school, and if return is recommended, a recommended time for the student’s return to the school. A student who is found by the Tribunal to have committed an act of Type One Physical Violence that involves physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature but does not result in physical harm, may be disciplined by expulsion, long-term suspension, or short-term suspension. 4. If, after the hearing, the Tribunal finds that a student is guilty of Type Two Physical Violence that caused physical harm to a teacher, school bus driver, school official, or school employee, the student shall be expelled from the Jenkins County School System permanently. Subject to any appeal to the Jenkins County Board of Education and its exercise of its discretion otherwise, the Tribunal may permit the student to attend the Crossroads Alternative School for the balance of his/her school career. 5. Subject to any appeal to the Board of Education and the board’s exercise of its discretion otherwise, if a student who is in Kindergarten through Grade 8 commits Type Two Physical Violence that results 14
in physical harm to a teacher, school bus driver, school official, or school employee, the Tribunal may permit the student to enroll in the regular school program for Grades 9-12. 6. If, at the time a student in Grades K-6 has committed Type Two Physical Violence against a school employee the school system does not operate an Alternative School for Grades K-6, subject to the any appeal the Board of Education and the exercise of its discretion otherwise, the student who committed such an act may be permitted to re-enroll in the school system. Any student who is found by the Tribunal to have committed any act of physical violence, whether Type One or Type Two, against a teacher, school bus driver, school official, or school employee shall be referred to Juvenile Court Services with a request for a Petition alleging delinquent behavior and/or shall be reported to the District Attorney’s Office and to appropriate law enforcement officials in accordance with the reporting requirements imposed upon school officials by Georgia law. State and Federal Law provides that this policy shall not be applied in a manner that will infringe upon any right provided to students with Individualized Education Programs pursuant to the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Educational Act, Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Notice of Weapons and Hazardous Objects Prohibited. “A student shall not possess, handle, transmit, conceal, discharge, display or use in a threatening manner on a school campus, on property or in a building owned or leased by the school system, at a school activity or function, or on a bus or transportation provided by the school system, weapons or hazardous objects, to include, but not limited to, the following: (i)
Any handgun, firearm, rifle, shotgun or similar weapon; any explosive compound or incendiary device; or any other dangerous weapon as defined in O.C.G.A. § 16-11-121, including a rocket launcher, bazooka, recoilless rifle, mortar, or hand grenade. (ii) Any hazardous object, including any dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife, ballistic knife, any other knife whether or not the knife has a blade with a length of two inches or more, straight-edge razor, razor blade, spring stick, knuckles, whether made from metal, thermoplastic, wood, or other similar material, blackjack, any bat, club, or other bludgeon-type weapon, or any flailing instrument consisting of two or more rigid parts connected in such manner as to allow them to swing freely, which may be known as a nunchahka, nun chuck, nunchaku, shuriken, or fighting chain, or any disc, of whatever configuration, having at least two points or pointed blades which is designed to be thrown or propelled and which may be known as a throwing star or oriental dart, or any instrument of like kind, any nonlethal air gun, and any stun gun or taser. Such term shall not include any of these instruments used for classroom work authorized by the teacher.
Possession of, displaying, transferring or selling or threatening others with any object or item alleged to be, represented as, virtually identical to, or thought to be a firearm or any weapon is prohibited. “Possession” shall be strictly defined as having a weapon on one’s person including, but not limited to, holding a weapon in one’s hand for any length of time, including even a few seconds. Students are also forbidden to have any type of ammunition at school. “Possession” shall also mean having a weapon under one’s control, for example, in one’s pocket, book bag, purse, auto, locker, etc. “Weapon” shall be defined as any firearm or any object listed in O.C.G.A. § 16-11-127.1 that is used in a threatening or aggressive manner on a school campus, at a school activity or on a school bus. “Hazardous or dangerous object” shall mean any object listed in O.C.G.A. § 16-11-127.1 that is not used in a threatening or aggressive manner on a school campus, at a school activity or on a school bus. Violation of the weapons policy shall result in the following consequences: A. Possession, handling transferring or passing to another student or to another person any hazardous or dangerous object or anything which could reasonably be considered a hazardous object other than a firearm, to include any and all of the items identified as “hazardous objects” listed in Subparagraph (ii) above of this section and the items or objects listed in O.C.G.A. § 16-11-127.1 which includes a knife or bladed instrument with a blade in excess of two inches length and all other items so listed shall result in the following consequences: 1. Automatic ten (10) days out-of-school suspension with recommendation for expulsion for one semester or more; and 2. Notification of the superintendent, law enforcement, and the district attorney; and
15
3. Investigation by the principal or his designee of the circumstances surrounding the possession, handling, or transferring of the weapon on a school campus or at a school activity by the student; and 4. After the principal has concluded his/her investigation, the principal shall confer with the superintendent to determine if the student should be allowed to return to school following the suspension or whether the tribunal process should continue with regard to the recommendation for the expulsion. (If the investigation indicates that the student has a good disciplinary record with no previous incidents of violent behavior, was not in intentional possession of the hazardous or dangerous object, did not show the hazardous or dangerous object to any other student on a school campus or at a school activity, and surrendered or submitted the hazardous or dangerous object to a teacher or administrator at the earliest possible moment after he or she discovered that he or she was in possession of the hazardous or dangerous object on a school campus or at a school activity, the likelihood is great that the student will not be subject to a recommendation for expulsion.
B. Possession, handling or transferring of any firearm or weapon as defined under Georgia or federal law, including, but not limited to, any weapon designed or intended to propel a missile of any kind or described in Subparagraph (i) above will result in the following consequences: 1. Automatic ten (10) days out-of-school suspension; and 2. Notification of the superintendent, and referral to law enforcement and the district attorney; and 3. “Automatic referral to a Student Disciplinary Tribunal with a recommendation for expulsion for a period of not less than one (1) calendar year, except that the Superintendent may modify such expulsion where the one year expulsion appears excessive to the Superintendent, the Tribunal may modify the one year expulsion on a case-by-case basis, and the Board of Education on appeal may modify the one year expulsion. (Students and parents should understand that the circumstances in which the Superintendent, Tribunal or the Board would modify the expulsion requirement for the possession, handling, or transferring of a firearm on a school campus or at a school activity will be extremely rare.) C. Use of a weapon or hazardous/dangerous object as defined in this policy and under Georgia and federal law or use of any item or object on a school campus or at a school activity (for example, a chair, a stapler, a pencil, etc.) in a threatening or aggressive manner or to harm another student or any other person or possession of any object or weapon with such an apparent violent intent or purpose during a fight shall result in the following consequences 1. Automatic ten (10) days out-of-school suspension; and 2. Notification of the superintendent, and referral to law enforcement and the district attorney; and 3. Automatic referral to a Student Disciplinary Tribunal with a recommendation for expulsion for a period of not less than one (1) calendar year. D. As indicated in this policy, because of its potential for causing harm to others, ammunition is deemed to be a weapon for purposes of this policy. E. Any weapons offense outlined above, under circumstances indicating potential violence or bodily harm to others or in connection with other violations of the student Disciplinary Code can result in a recommendation by the principal for permanent expulsion from the Jenkins County School System. F. A second weapons offense of any kind, including, but not limited to, the second possession of a hazardous/dangerous object, on a school campus, at a school activity or on a school bus, shall result in the same consequences as outlined in subsection B. above.
Students should understand that the criminal law in Georgia is such that the possession of a weapon or hazardous object and the use of that weapon or hazardous object in a threatening or aggressive manner, the possession of a firearm or other dangerous weapon as defined under Georgia law, and a second weapons’ offense on a school campus, at a school activity or on a school bus at any time during a school career shall subject the student to criminal prosecution.
16
POSTED NOTICE LOCATED AT THE FRONT OF THE SCHOOL: WEAPONS NOTICE It shall be unlawful for any person to carry or to possess or have under control any weapon within a school safety zone or at a school building, school function, or on school property or on a bus or other transportation furnished by the school. The term “weapon” means and includes any pistol, revolver, or any weapon designed or intended to propel a missile of any kind, or any dirk, bowie knife, ballistic knife, any other knife having a blade of two or more inches, straight-edge razor, razor blade, spring stick, metal knucks, blackjack, any bat, club, any bludgeon type weapon or any flailing instrument consisting of two or more rigid parts connected in such a manner as to allow them to swing freely, which may be known as a nun chuck, shuriken, or fighting chain, or any disc, of whatever configuration, having two points or pointed blades which is designed to be thrown or propelled and which may be known as a throwing star or oriental dart, or any weapon of like kind, and any stun gun or taser as defined in O.C.G.A S 16-11-106. Punishment: A fine of not more than $10,000; imprisonment for not less than two or more than ten years, or both. A juvenile who violates this shall be subject to the provision of O.C.G.A. S15-11-37.
Reporting of Students Committing Prohibited or Criminal Acts Any teacher or other person employed at Jenkins County Elementary School who has a reasonable cause to believe that a student has committed any act upon school property or at a school function which is deemed a criminal act under Georgia law related to aggravated battery, sexual offenses, carrying deadly weapons at a public gathering or on school campuses, or possession in other activities regarding marijuana and/or controlled substances, must make a written report of that act and name of the student who has committed the act to the Principal. The Principal is obligated under Georgia law to immediately make a report of the student’s actions to the Superintendent, to law enforcement officials, and the district attorney. The failure to make the report as required by law can subject the teacher or other school employee, and the principal to criminal liability. Search and Seizure To maintain the order and discipline in the schools and to protect the safety and welfare of the students and school personnel, school authorities may search a student, student book bags, back packs, and student desks under the circumstances outlined below and may seize any illegal, unauthorized, or contraband materials discovered in the search. As used in this policy, the term “unauthorized” means any item dangerous to the health or safety of students or school personnel or disruptive or any lawful function, mission or process of the school or any item described as unauthorized in school rules available beforehand to the student. A student’s person and/or personal effects (e.g., purse, book bag, etc.) may be searched whenever a school authority has reasonable suspicion to believe that the student is in possession of illegal or unauthorized materials. For example, a student may be searched under the following circumstances: 1. With a duly issued warrant 2. If a contraband item is in plain view 3. If evidence of contraband is discovered while responding to an emergency 4. If the official has reasonable suspicion that the individual is armed and dangerous 5. Where the student is obviously under the influence of drugs 6. Where school officials have reliable reports or reasonable suspicion that the student is in possession of drugs, weapons or other contraband 7. In all other circumstances where the school official acts to protect the life, property or health of students, teachers, or other individuals If a pat down search of a student’s person is conducted, it will be conducted in private by a school official of the same sex and an adult witness present, when feasible. If the school official has reasonable suspicion to believe that the student has on his or her person an item imminently dangerous to the student or to others, a more intrusive search of the student’s person may be conducted. Such a search may only be conducted in private by a school official of the same sex, with an adult witness of the same sex present, and only upon the prior approval of the superintendent or one of his/her designees, unless the health or safety of students will be endangered by the delay which might be caused by following procedures.
17
PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES When it is necessary to impose discipline, school administrators and teachers will follow a progressive discipline process. The degree of discipline to be imposed by each school official will be in proportion to the severity of the behavior of a particular student and will take into account the student’s discipline history, the age of the student and other relevant factors. The Code of Conduct provides a systematic process of behavioral correction in which inappropriate behaviors are followed by consequences. Disciplinary actions are designed to teach students self-discipline and to help them substitute inappropriate behaviors.
Behavioral /Intervention Strategies and Disciplinary Options A number of behavioral/intervention strategies and disciplinary options are available when teachers, principals, and school administrators must impose consequences for student misbehavior. The range of options begins with classroom intervention strategies and progresses to the most severe disciplinary option, expulsion from school, which is reserved for major offenses. Behavioral/intervention strategies and disciplinary options may also be used together when needed. Behavioral/Intervention Strategies include: Classroom Intervention Strategies School-Wide Intervention Strategies District-Wide Intervention Strategies Warning and/or counseling with a School Administrator or Counselor Alternative School Placement
Disciplinary Options include: Confiscation of Items Loss of Privileges Detention In-School Suspension Corporal Punishment Suspension from the Bus Expulsion
BEHAVIORAL/INTERVENTION STRATEGIES When circumstances allow, school personnel will use intervention measures that help prevent or reduce negative behaviors. An intervention strategy is an action designed to help a student with academic and behavioral problems find positive ways to address and improve his or her learning. In addition to using prevention and intervention strategies, school personnel support positive behaviors in students by teaching, modeling, encouraging, and rewarding students who behave appropriately at school. Classroom Intervention Strategies Behavioral intervention strategies at the classroom level may be implemented by classroom teachers or school principals for minor offenses or for first-time offenses. • Classroom Intervention Strategies are appropriate for Classes I and II offenses. • Examples of Classroom Intervention Strategies are: parent outreach, verbal or written warning, in class seating change, timeout, assign detention, and/or referral to a guidance counselor or school administrator.
School-Wide Intervention Strategies School-wide interventions are responses for more serious offenses in or outside the classroom that have an impact beyond one classroom. The choice of a strategy by the principal will depend on the severity of the offense. • School-wide Intervention Strategies are appropriate for Classes I-V offenses • Examples of strategies for minor school-wide offenses include: parent outreach, requiring that the student sign a behavioral contract • Examples of strategies for more severe school-wide offenses are in-school suspension, out of school suspension, assignment to a school-level or district-level alternative program or class District-Wide Intervention Strategies District-wide strategies may be imposed by the appropriate executive level administrators or their designees when school-wide intervention strategies have been ineffective or an offense calls for district-level services that support appropriate behavior. • District-wide intervention strategies are appropriate for Classes IV, V offenses 18
EXAMPLES OF BEHAVIOR INFRACTIONS AND RELATED INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
CLASS I Behavior Standards Intervention Strategies and Disciplinary Measures for Class I Behaviors *Violation if Classroom Rules * Teacher gives warning * Teacher-student conference *Violation of School wide Rules * Teacher issues behavior tracking mark * Teacher contacts parents/ Teacher-parent *Excessive Tardies conference * Afterschool Detention (45 minutes, at least one *Violation of School Dress Code day’s notice must be given * Teacher recommends counseling from the school *Excessive Absences counselor * Administrative, student, parent, and teacher(s) *Possession of electronic/banned equipment conference * In-school suspension *Cheating * Corporal Punishment * Confiscation of equipment * Classroom and school-wide intervention strategies * Other appropriate action deemed necessary by the principal Behavior Infraction
CLASS II Behavior Standards Intervention Strategies and Disciplinary Measures for Class II Behaviors * Habitual Violation of Class I Behaviors (three or * Contact parents. Parents are financially liable for a more violations) child’s destructive acts toward school property or persons * Computer Trespass/Inappropriate Use of Internet * Afterschool Detention (45 minutes, at least one day’s notice must be given, Failure to report will * Disrespectful conduct toward teachers, result in a In-school suspension ( BC Room) of one administrators, school bus drivers, other school day) personnel * Loss of privileges to all school activities (Ex: field trips, assemblies, class parties, etc.) * Marking, defacing, or destroying school property * A 20-day probation period violation will result in or the property of another student movement to Class III, IV, V * Total restitution for any injury to others requiring * Name calling, profanity, vulgar and abusive medical attention, items stolen or damaged language * In-school suspension * Corporal Punishment * Disorderly Conduct * Out of School suspension * Classroom and school-wide intervention strategies * Improper Display of Affection * Other appropriate action deemed necessary by the principal * Pushing/Shoving Behavior Infraction
* Possession of Pornography * Skipping Class * Stealing * Dishonesty
19
CLASS III Behavior Standards Behavior Infraction Intervention Strategies and Disciplinary Measures *Habitual Violation of Class II Behaviors(three or for Class III Behaviors more violations) * In-School Suspension (BC ROOM) * Gambling * Three (3) to five (5) day suspension * Loss of privileges to school activities * Harassing/Threatening other students * Corporal Punishment * Suspension/habitual violators of Class III * Instigating Behaviors may receive up to 10 days suspension. * School-wide and district-wide intervention * Insubordination Strategies * Other appropriate action deemed necessary by the * False Reporting principal * Bullying (1st Offense) * Refusing to surrender any item not allowed at school *Conspiring to or creating a disturbance in the classroom, on the bus, on school property, or at any school function CLASS IV Behavior Standards Intervention Strategies and Disciplinary Measures for Class IV Behaviors * Habitual Violation of Class III Behaviors(three or more violations) * Five (5) or more days suspension, followed by 20 days probation upon returning to school * Bullying (2nd Offense) * Total restitution for any injury to others requiring medical attention, items stolen or damaged * Fighting * Expulsion * Police and or DA report * Possession, consumption, sale, transfer or * School-wide and district-wide intervention distribution of beverage alcohol, illegal/controlled strategies substances, or substances represented to be * Other appropriate action deemed necessary by the beverage alcohol or illegal/controlled substances principal Behavior Infraction
* Verbal Assault * Activating Fire Alarm * Possession of Fireworks/Mace/Fire Starting Device
Behavior Infraction
CLASS V Behavior Standards Intervention Strategies and Disciplinary Measures for Class V Behaviors
*Habitual Violation of Class IV Behaviors(three or more violations) * Sexual Offenses
* Long-term suspension with recommendation of placement at the alternative school program, followed by semester-equivalent probation 20
* Police and or DA report * Expulsion * District-wide intervention strategies
* Physical Assault * Possession of illegal/controlled substance * Possession or Possession and Use of Weapon or Hazardous/Dangerous Object or Powerful Explosive * Bomb Threat * Verbal or Physical Assault on staff, or members of school district personnel * Any off campus behavior of a student which could result in the student being criminally charged with a felony * Participating in or causing a disturbance at school or school-related activities – riot, group/gang-fights, fights or similar disturbances
Consistent with Georgia law and the mandate of the Georgia General Assembly, all parents/guardians are encouraged to inform their children of the consequences, including potential criminal penalties, of underage sexual conduct and crimes for which a minor can be charged as an adult.
FIGHTING Fighting is strictly forbidden. If a fight is considered to be a major disruption of the school process (Ga. Law 20-2-1181), law enforcement officials may be notified. Parties involved in a confrontation or altercations that are disruptive of the educational process will be dealt with according to guidelines of the student code of conduct. The following consequences will be given for students who fight: K-2nd 1st Fight 2nd Fight 3rd Fight 3rd-5th 1st Fight 2nd Fight 3rd Fight
Out of School Suspension (OSS) for one day and In School Suspension (ISS) for two days or at the discretion of the principal Out of School Suspension (OSS) for three days and In School Suspension (ISS) for two days or at the discretion of the principal. Out of School Suspension (OSS) for five days
Out of School Suspension (OSS) for two days and In School Suspension (ISS) for three days or at the discretion of the principal Out of School Suspension (OSS) for three days and In School Suspension (ISS) for two days or at the discretion of the principal. Out of School Suspension (OSS) for five days and referral to the disciplinary tribunal with a recommendation for expulsion or at the discretion of the principal.
Fights which are extremely disruptive, which causes an injury to any person such as students, faculty and staff members shall subject the student to the possibility of a recommendation for expulsion and a referral to appropriate law enforcement officials.
21
Prohibited Conduct Requiring Disciplinary Consequences The degree of discipline imposed will be in accordance with the progressive discipline process unless otherwise stated. Possession, distribution, attempted sale or sales, distribution, transfer, or being under the influence of controlled substances, drugs or alcohol or substances represented to be controlled substances, drugs, or alcohol. Possession, sales, attempted sale, distribution, or being under the influence of a prescription or overthe-counter drug. (Every student must strictly adhere to the rules regarding prescription and over-thecounter drugs that are shown in another section of the handbook.) Possession and/or possession and use of a weapon or hazaroud/dangerous instrument: A student shall not possess, use, handle or transmit any object that reasonably can be considered a weapon. Students who possess firearms or dangerous weapons or who use weapons or hazardous/dangerous objects in a threatening or intimidating manner or to harm another will be subject to a minimum of one calendar year expulsion and will be referred to law enforcement officials. Verbal assault or physical assault, including threats of bodily harm or violence or sexual harassment as defined pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, of teachers, administrators, other school personnel, other students, or persons attending school related functions: Immediate suspension and possible referral to a disciplinary tribunal if a student is alleged to have committed an assault upon a teacher or other school personnel; possible referral to the disciplinary tribunal if a student is alleged to have committed battery upon another student or a person attending a school-related function. Battery, including sexual battery, of teachers, administrators, other school personnel, other students, or persons attending school-related functions: immediate suspension, and possible referral to a disciplinary tribunal if a student is alleged to have committed battery upon a teacher or other school personnel; possible referral to the disciplinary tribunal if a student is alleged to have committed battery upon another student or a person attending a school-related function. Disrespectful conduct toward teachers, administrators, school personnel, other students, or persons attending school-related functions, including the use of vulgar or profane language. Any behavior based on a student’s race, national origin, sex, or disability that is unwelcome, unwanted, and/or uninvited by the recipient is prohibited, including verbal or non-verbal taunting, physical contact, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical contact of a sexual nature. Possession or use of tobacco in any form. Marking, defacing, destroying, or willfully or maliciously damaging real or personal property of the school or personal property of any person legitimately at the school, including, but not limited to, property of another student (vandalism). Theft. Extortion or attempted extortion. Possession and/or use of fireworks or any explosive, including ammunition of any kind. Activating a fire alarm under false pretenses or making a bomb threat. Insubordination, disorderly conduct, disobeying school rules, regulations, or directives; Disobeying directives given by teachers, administrators, or other school staff. Classroom and school disturbances. Violation of school dress code. Use of profane, vulgar, or obscene words or indecent exposure. Possession of pocket pager, cell phone or electronic communication device during the regular school day or regular school day bus transportation, except for health or other unusual reasons approved by the board of education. Inappropriate public displays of affection including but not limited to, sex acts or sexual touching whether or not the other participant consents. Gambling or possession of gambling devices. Moving and non-moving driving violations. Giving false information to school officials. Falsifying, misrepresenting, omitting, or erroneously reporting information regarding instances of alleged inappropriate behavior by a teacher, administrator, or other school employee toward a student. Cheating on school assignments. Possession, distribution or sharing of pornographic materials. Sexual offenses. 22
Acts of physical violence. Bullying in any form. Failure to comply with the Compulsory Attendance Law in Georgia shown at O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690.1. Violation of the school rule that involves conduct for which a student could be criminally charged with a felony or other violation of Georgia’s criminal law. Any off-campus behavior of a student which could result in the student being criminally charged with a felony and which makes the student’s continued presence at school a potential danger to persons or property of the school or which disrupts the educational process. Inciting, advising, or counseling of others to engage in acts prohibited by school system policy, State Board regulations, or Georgia law. Willful and persistent violation of the Student Code of Conduct and school rules.
Consequences for Violations When a student misbehaves and/or violates school rules, the following may occur: clean-up detail assigned; confiscation of unauthorized items; corporal punishment; detention/Saturday School; expulsion; isolation; long-term suspension or expulsion for a specified period of time or permanently with a related referral to the system Student Disciplinary Tribunal. loss of credit for an assignment/test (cheating); loss of field trip privileges in lieu of other punishment; loss of school privileges; notification of parents; parent conference; referral to BC/ISS Room; silent lunch; suspension from bus; suspension from school; recess restriction; restitution for property; temporary removal from class or activity; warning and/or counseling with a School Administrator or Counselor; referral to proper authority including but not limited to Law Enforcement or Juvenile Court Officials: Georgia law requires that certain acts of misconduct be referred to the appropriate law enforcement officials when school officials determine such referral to be necessary or appropriate. (See also, consequences for acts of physical violence upon teachers and others). Special consideration may be given to students with special needs. The principal may recommend long-term suspension, expulsion or permanent expulsion if a student violates the following school rules among others: disruption or interference with school, damage or destruction of property, assault or acts of physical violence upon a school employee, physical abuse by a student, fighting, weapons and dangerous instruments, drugs and alcohol, general conduct and reasonable efforts toward achievement, sexual acts or offenses of any nature, and/or if a student engages in a series of disciplinary violations during the school year which indicate the student’s willful refusal to work cooperatively with his or her teachers, principal, and/or other school personnel or the student’s willful and persistent violation of the student code of conduct. Re-admission to school after a suspension should be approved by the principal. Students may not be readmitted to school without parent conference. A written note from the office should be furnished to the student to admit him/her to class.
23
Authority of the Principal The principal is the designated leader of the school and, in concert with the staff, is responsible for the orderly operation of the school. In cases of disruptive, disorderly or dangerous conduct not covered in this Code, the principal may undertake corrective or disciplinary measures which he or she believes to be in the best interest of the student and the school provided any such action does not violate school board policy or procedures.
Student Support Team The Jenkins County Board of Education provides a variety of resources that are available at every school within the district to help address student behavior problems. The school discipline process will include appropriate consideration of support processes to help students resolve such problems. These resources will include Student Support Teams, school counselors, and chronic disciplinary problem student plans. Parental Involvement This Code of Conduct is based on the expectation that parents, guardians, teachers and school administrators will work together to improve and enhance student behavior and academic performance and will communicate freely their concerns about, and actions in response to, student behavior that detracts from the learning environment. School administrators recognize that two-way communication through personal contacts is extremely valuable; therefore, they provide information to parents as well as on-going opportunities for school personnel to hear parents’ concerns and comments. Parents and students should contact the principal of the school if specific questions arise related to the Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct specifies within its standards of behavior various violations of the Code, which may result in a school staff member’s request that, a parent or guardian come to the school for a conference. Parents are encouraged to visit the schools regularly and are expected to be actively involved in the behavior support processes designed to promote positive choices and behavior. Georgia law mandates that any time a teacher or principal identifies a student as a chronic disciplinary problem student, the principal shall notify by telephone call and by mail the student’s parent or guardian of the disciplinary problem, invite the parent or guardian to observe the student in a classroom situation, and request at least one parent or guardian to attend a conference to devise a disciplinary and behavioral correction plan. Georgia law also states that before any chronic disciplinary problem student is permitted to return to school from a suspension or expulsion, the school shall request by telephone call and by mail at least one parent or guardian to schedule and attend a conference to devise a disciplinary and behavioral correction plan. The law allows a local board of education to petition the juvenile court to require a parent to attend a school conference. If the court finds that the parent or guardian has willfully and unreasonably failed to attend a conference requested by the principal pursuant to the laws cited above, the court may order the parent or guardian to attend such a conference, order the parent or guardian to participate in such programs or such treatment as the court deems appropriate to improve the behavior, or both. After notice and opportunity for hearing, the court may impose a fine, not to exceed $500.00, on a parent or guardian who willfully disobeys an order of the court under this law. Georgia law also provides that, under certain circumstances, a teacher has the authority to remove a student whose behavior is in violation of the student code of conduct from his or her classroom if the student repeatedly or substantially interferes with the teacher’s ability to communicate effectively with the students in the class or with the ability of the student’s classmates to learn or if the student poses an immediate threat to the student’s classmates or the teacher. The procedure is detailed in local policy and state law. Gang-related Activities Gangs that initiate, advocate, or promote activities which threaten the safety or well-being of persons or property on school grounds or which disrupt the school environment are harmful to the education process. The use of hand signals, graffiti, or the presence of any apparel, jewelry, accessory or manner of grooming which, by virtue of its color, arrangement, trademark, symbol, or any other attribute that indicates or implies membership or affiliation with such a group, presents a clear and present danger. This is contrary to the school environment and educational objectives and creates an atmosphere where unlawful acts or violations of school regulations may occur. Incidents involving initiations, hazings, intimidations, and/or related activities of such group affiliation which are likely to cause bodily danger, physical harm, or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to students are prohibited. The Superintendent is directed to establish procedures and regulations to ensure that any student wearing, carrying, or displaying gang paraphernalia, or exhibiting behavior or gestures which symbolize gang membership or
24
causing and/or participating in activities which intimidate or affect the attendance of another student will be subject to disciplinary action. Jenkins County Schools Board Policy JDA on Corporal Punishment In matters of discipline, corporal punishment may be used. When corporal punishment is deemed necessary, the following procedures must be followed: 1. Corporal punishment must not be unduly severe. 2. Corporal punishment should not be the first line of punishment. 3. Corporal punishment must be administered in the presence of a staff member who has been informed beforehand in the student’s presence of the reason(s) for punishment. 4. Corporal punishment must not be administered to students whose parents have filed a written statement each year with the principal (conference with parent and principal), personal or medical, against the use of corporal punishment with their child. 5. Written record of the incident will be maintained by the principal containing reason(s) for the punishment and the name(s) of those present. 6. Written explanation will be provided to the parents containing reason(s) and name(s) of those present upon request. Any parent or guardian who does not wish for his/her child to receive corporal punishment must notify the principal in writing of the personal or medical reason at the beginning of each school year. (*Refer to School Board Policy – JDA) If a parent chooses not to have corporal punishment administered, the parent may be required to come to the school to pick up his/her child. ***For additional information on School Board Policies regarding student conduct and discipline, please visit the Jenkins County School website at http://www.jchs.com.
DROP OFF AND PICK-UP PROCEDURES Morning Drop-off: School drop-off time for students is 7:30 a.m. to 7:55 a.m. The Drop-Off line will open at 7:30. Parents must park in designated parking spots in the first row of parking spaces in the main parking lot if arriving early for drop-off. Students are TARDY after 8:00 a.m. Student must be in HOMEROOM by 8:00 or they will be counted as tardy. School provided breakfast stops serving at 7:50 for drop-off students. Parents who are entering the building (volunteering, assisting child with carrying of projects, needing to visit the office, etc.) may park in the first row of parking spaces in the main parking lot. All parents and/or guests must enter the front office and sign in with the office staff. Morning announcements are at 7:55 a.m. and signal the official start of the school day. All parents/visitors must exit the building by 7:55 a.m. We encourage you to allow your children the independence of walking to their classrooms by themselves. We have numerous staff on duty in the hallways to assist the children in traveling to class. You must obtain a visitor’s pass from the office if it is necessary for you to walk with your child. Parents/guardians will not be allowed to walk students after 7:50 a.m. Please enter the drop-off line (lane that is closest to the building) in front of the school. A JCES staff member will assist your child(ren) in getting out of the car and into the school safely. DO NOT drop your child off in any area other than the drop-off line. Doing so puts your child in danger of traffic. 25
Students are not allowed to cross lanes of traffic or parked cars. If you plan to come into the school with your child, please park in one of the designated parking spots in front of the school and escort your child(ren) into the building. Afternoon Pick-up: Parents/guardians are not allowed in the school lobby, hallways, or front porch area during or before dismissal. Parents must remain with their vehicles. Large numbers of parents coming into the school and waiting for dismissal creates excessive noise, distractions, and safety concerns. School pick-up time for students is 2:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. All car riders will be dismissed at 2:45 p.m. The Pick-up Line will open at 2:45. Parents must park in designated parking spots if arriving early for dismissal. Students will not be called from class after 2:30. The Pick-Up Line closes at 3:00. Students will be held in the school office for parent pick-up after 3:00.
Parent Drive-Through Parents should use the drive-through lane (lane that is closest to the building) if their child is a pick-up every single day or if their child is a pick-up on partial set days of the week and the parent has been issued an approved card number. Parents will receive a color-coded number card to be placed on the front, right-side dash board so the card may be easily visible by school staff. The children will receive a matching color-coded number card (can be placed in their backpack) that can be readily matched with the parent’s. The children will be released by a staff member, without the parent having to come into the building. Students will not be sent to you if your card is not displayed on your dash. If you forget your card, you will need to park and enter the building for check-out in the office. (MUST FILL OUT FORM AND TURN IN)
EARLY STUDENT DISMISSAL PROCEDURES On the rare occasion when a child needs to be signed out before the regularly scheduled dismissal time, parents/guardians must come into the Office, sign-the Student Check-out Book, and an office worker will call the child to the office for dismissal. Students will not be called to the office ahead of time so they can “be ready” when the parent/guardian arrives. Students will not be sent out to vehicles.
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION It is critical for the school to know where parents work, how to reach them or who to call in the case of an emergency. Any change in the status of the above-mentioned should be reported to the child’s teacher or the school office as soon as change occurs. ** At least one (1) emergency telephone number is REQUIRED for every student.
EMERGENCY DRILLS AND INCLEMENT WEATHER Fire drills will be held throughout the year. When the fire alarm is activated, students should quickly walk to the exit as directed by their teacher. Once outside the building, students should assemble in the area as directed by their teacher. Once the drill has been completed, teachers will be given a signal indicating when to return to the building. 26
Tornado drills will also be conducted. The administrative staff will provide instructions for this emergency procedure. In the event that school is canceled due to other inclement weather, school closure announcements will be broadcast or announced on the following radio and television stations: Television: WRDW, Channel 12 News (Augusta) Television: WJBF, Channel 6 News (Augusta) Radio: WBBQ, 104.3 4 FM (Augusta) Radio: WHKN, 94.9 FM (Augusta) Parents are encouraged to subscribe to the JCES REMIND service. This service will be used to text important information to parents. To subscribe text the following code to this number 81010:
@20152016jc If the school implements evacuation procedures, all students will report to the West Millen Baptist Church, located on Highway 25 North, and remain there until clearance is give for them to return to JCES. During evacuations, students will be required to be signed out and will only be released to a parent/guardian or an individual who has been listed on the student’s information sheet.
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, CLUBS & PROGRAMS JCES offers the following extra-curricular activities/clubs/programs for students: BETA CLUB: Grades 4th and 5th 4-H CLUB: To assist youth in acquiring knowledge, developing life skills, and forming attitudes that will help them become self-directing, productive, and contributing citizens. 4-H provides events, classes, activities, and forums at local, state, and national levels. 4-H and Georgia schools have been partners for more than 100 years. All events are planned to enhance positive youth development and education. A full listing of state events can be found at: www.georgia4h.org
FUNDRAISING During the course of the school year, students will have opportunities to participate in fundraising activities. These activities are sponsored by the school. Participation is optional. We do not encourage students to sell items door-to-door.
GRADING POLICY Students in Grades K-5 are required to perform academically as well as on grade level in all content area classes. There will be four nine weeks grading periods each year. Work that is being made up must be made up within (five) 5 days after the absence unless prior arrangements have been made with the School Office or the child’s teacher.
27
Grading System for Kindergarten Assessment (GKIDS): NA = Not Assessed PR ND = Not Demonstrated ME EM = Emerging EX Grading System for Grades K – 5 A+ = 96-100 B+ = 86-89 A = 90-95 B = 80-85 S = Satisfactory N = Needs Improvement U = Unsatisfactory
= = =
Progressing Meets the Standard Exceeds the Standard
C+ = 76-79 C = 71-75
D = 70 F = Below 70
Report Cards and Grade Reports Report cards will be issued at nine-week intervals throughout the school year. A parent/guardian’s signature is required before report cards are returned to the child’s homeroom teacher. Lost report cards will be replaced for a fee of $2.00. All graded class work and tests will be sent home on Monday of each week. Parents/guardians are asked to examine these materials, sign them and return these papers to the child’s teacher(s) the following day. Parents should contact the child’s teacher or the School Office immediately if questions or concerns should arise. Homework Teachers assign homework as practice for the skills being taught at school. These assignments reinforce what the students are learning each day in the classroom. Thus, it is very important for parents to work with students to complete the assigned homework. Homework is assigned almost every night and can usually be completed within one hour.
GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING DEPARTMENT Jenkins County Elementary School has a comprehensive developmental guidance and counseling program with many components. Our school counselors, Kim Alsup and Lisa Kirkland, are available as a support system to help students experience educational success. Individual counseling, small group counseling, and classroom guidance opportunities are services provided to improve student performance, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills. In addition, the school counselors provide information on careers, study skills, decision-making skills, and other life skills. Through collaboration with educators, parents and community resources, our counselors assist with guiding students through their educational experience to ensure positive results.
HARASSMENT OF STUDENTS Gender Equity Nondiscrimination Notice: Federal and state law prohibits discrimination based on gender in athletic programs of local school systems under the provisions of the Equity and Sports Act, O.C.G.A. § 20-2-315. Neither the Jenkins County School District nor any of the schools which comprise the Jenkins County School District discriminate on the basis of gender in athletic programs. The name, address, and telephone number of the sports equity coordinator for the Jenkins County School System to whom any questions, concerns, or complaints relating to the school system policy prohibiting discrimination based on gender in athletic programs may be addressed is as follows: Charles Sanders,Sports Equity Coordinator, 1152 E. Winthrope Avenue P.O. Box 660, Millen, GA 30442, 478-982-4305, 478-982-6002 (fax) Inquiries or complaints concerning sports equity in the Jenkins County School System may be submitted to the Sports Equity Coordinator. Nondiscrimination Statement: Federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin (Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964); sex (Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act of 1990); age (Age Discrimination Act of 28
1975); or disability (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) in educational programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. The Jenkins County School District does not discriminate on the base of race, color, national origin, disability, religion, sex or age in its educational programs and activities, athletic programs, or employment practices and provides equal access to Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Sexual harassment and disability harassment are acts of discrimination and are not tolerated. The Jenkins County Board of Education is an equal opportunity employer.” The following individuals have been designated as the employees responsible for coordinating the board’s effort to implement this nondiscrimination policy: Title VI and Title VII Coordinator Superintendent Tara Cooper Title IX Coordinator Superintendent Tara Cooper (includes, but is not limited to, Sexual Harassment) Age Discrimination Coordinator Superintendent Tara Cooper Title I, II, IV Coordinator Superintendent Tara Cooper Section 504 and ADA Coordinator Jodie Waters (includes, but is not limited to, Disability Harassment) Questions, concerns, and complaints relating to the application of the nondiscrimination policies and practices of the Jenkins County School System should be addressed to the persons listed above at the Jenkins County Board of Education, 1152 E. Winthrope Avenue, P.O. Box 660, Millen, Georgia 30442. Telephone (478) 982-4305; FAX (478) 982-6002. Harassment of Students: It is the policy of the Jenkins County Board of Education to maintain a learning environment that is free from harassment because of an individual’s race, color, sex, or disability. The Board of Education prohibits all such forms of harassment. Therefore, it shall be a violation of school rules and school system policy for any student, teacher, administrator, or other school system employee, through conduct or any form of communication of a sexual nature, or regarding race, color, or disability, to harass school system students. It shall also be a violation of a school system policy for any teacher, administrator, or other school personnel of this school system to tolerate sexual harassment, racial harassment, or disability harassment, by a student, teacher, administrator, or school personnel, or by third parties who are participating, observing, or otherwise engaging in activities, including sporting events and other extra curricular activities, under the auspices of the school system. The Jenkins County School System will act to promptly investigate all complaints, either formal or informal, verbal or written of harassment because of race, color, sex, or disability; to promptly take appropriate action to protect individuals from further harassment; and if it determines that unlawful harassment occurred, to promptly and appropriately discipline any student, teacher, administrator, or other school personnel who is found to have violated this policy, and/or to take other appropriate action reasonably calculated to end the harassment. A student who believes that he/she has been the victim of sexual harassment, racial harassment, or disability harassment by another student or by any school employee should immediately report the incident to a teacher, counselor, assistant principal, principal, the Superintendent, or to another adult or school official in the school system. School personnel who become aware of harassment complaints by students should report these complaints to the appropriate official named and at the address and telephone number shown in the Nondiscrimination Notice found in another section: Title VI and Title VII Coordinator (Race, Color, National Origin) -- Superintendent Tara Cooper Age Discrimination Coordinator -- Superintendent Tara Cooper Section 504 Coordinator (Disability) – Jodie Waters
HEALTH ISSUES Early in the morning it is often difficult to make a decision about whether or not your child is sick enough to stay home from school. With minor symptoms, you often cannot tell whether he/she is going to get better or worse during the course of the day. The main reasons for keeping your child home are: If he/she is too sick to be comfortable at school; and/or If he/she might spread a contagious disease to other children. As a rule of thumb, a child should stay home if there is: 29
A fever over 100.4° F; Vomiting more than once; Diarrhea; A very frequent cough; Persistent pain (ear, stomach, etc.); and/or A widespread rash.
If any of these symptoms occur during the school day, you will be notified and required to take your child home. If the parent cannot be contacted, the emergency number provided will be called. If no contact can be made, the student will be kept in class or in the nurse’s station until contact is made or until dismissal time. Home, work, and emergency telephone numbers should be kept up to date with the school office and the homeroom teacher. This is for the safety of your child! Most of the above listed problems need to be discussed with your child’s pediatrician to determine if an office visit is needed. On the other hand, children who don’t have a fever and only have a mild cough, runny nose, or other cold symptoms can usually be sent to school without harm to themselves or others. The following guidelines apply: Minor cold or allergy symptoms should not be a reason to miss school. If your child’s cough is worse than you might expect with a common cold, you may need to consult your child’s doctor. A single episode of vomiting, without any other symptoms, may not be reason enough for the child to miss school, but be sure the school can reach you if symptoms occur again during the day. A single episode of watery diarrhea probably warrants not going to school. Children with fever (generally considered to be over 100.4°) should stay home until there is no fever for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications such as Tylenol or Motrin. Children diagnosed with strep throat or scarlet fever should remain out of school until they are without fever and have been on antibiotics for 24 hours. Children with pinkeye should see their doctor. If diagnosed, children should remain home until they have been on antibiotic eye drops at least 24 hours or until their doctor recommends their return. Middle ear infections are not contagious to others. Children should stay home if they have fever or pain. Children who have been diagnosed with the flu should stay home until symptoms improve (usually 5 to 7 days) or until the doctor recommends returning. Impetigo is contagious and is passed by direct contact. The child’s physician will recommend the length of time to be out of school. Chickenpox is highly contagious. Children with chickenpox must stay home until all bumps are scabbed and no new bumps have appeared for 2 days. Your child is contagious at least 2 days before the rash started, so you need to notify the school and classmates. Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection. It may be treated with anti-fungal creams and should be covered during school hours. Scabies should be treated immediately. Head Lice: It is the policy of this administration that no child should have to endure or cause another child to endure public school nuisances such as pediculus capitis (head lice). Because this human parasitic insect can cause great annoyance to its host (children and adults), school medical personnel will routinely check students for infestation. If the school health professional determines that a student is infected, the student’s parents or guardians will be contacted and requested to come to the school for a conference, and to remove the child from school for treatment and remediation of the condition. A student will be checked upon returning to school. The child will not be allowed to return to school until he/she is nit and/or bug free. Whenever there is doubt about sending your child to school, consult your child’s doctor before doing so. A phone conversation may be all that is necessary. You may also call the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta 24-hour nurse advice line at 1-404-250-5437 for advice when your child’s doctor’s office is not open. Remember to send a written excuse when your child is absent due to illness per the absentee policy. This general healthcare information should not be used as a substitute or in place of contacting your child’s healthcare provider. © Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
30
HONORS AND AWARDS Student recognition is a valuable part of the school program at JCES. Honors and awards presented to students are as follows: Accelerated Reader Awards – to recognize students’ reading accomplishments. Student of the Month – to promote good school citizenship. Principal’s List (each Nine Weeks) – to recognize students working on grade level who earn all “A’s” in all academic subjects on their report cards. Honor Roll (each Nine Weeks) – to recognize students working on grade level who earn a 90.0 overall average for a grading period (ANY academic grade of “C” or lower disqualifies a student.) Special Recognitions – awards for miscellaneous outstanding accomplishments. Eagle Character Award (Yearly) – to promote good conduct and citizenship. Attendance Awards (Yearly) – to encourage students to be at school every day. [ Excessive Tardies and/or Early Releases will disqualify a student from receiving the Perfect Attendance Award.] Citizenship Award (Yearly) Spelling Bee Award
LOST AND FOUND Articles that have been found at school should be placed in the Lost & Found boxes located in the main hallway. Lost articles can be claimed by properly identifying the lost item. We recommend that parents mark all personal items with the student’s name so they can be quickly identified and returned to the owner without delay. All unclaimed items will be donated to a charitable organization or discarded.
MEDIA CENTER Books and magazines are available for checkout daily from 7:50 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Students may go to the Media Center during school, at recess (with a pass from the teacher), and at other times as the individual teachers allow. Lost or damaged books or magazines are the responsibility of the student who checks them out. ALL lost or damaged books/magazines must be paid for by the student/parent who checked the items out of the Media Center. Books and magazines are always due on the following Friday (except on some holidays). Elementary school students who fail to or refuse to pay for lost or damaged textbooks, library books, or media materials at the replacement cost shall be denied the issuing of additional textbooks, library books, or media materials, as well as report cards, diplomas, or certificates until full restitution is made. Students may purchase school supplies before school daily in the Media Center.
MEDICAL CARE (SCHOOL CLINIC & NURSE) There will be a school nurse on duty from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. each day. All prescription medications should be sent to school in the original prescription bottle that has the doctor’s name and pharmacy, the name of the student, the name of the medication, and dosage directions on it. Over-the-counter medications such as Tums or Tylenol need to be sent in the original container as well. The school nurse needs a note from the parent giving permission and instructions for all medications to be administered at school. An Authorization of Medication Administration form must be completed for those children receiving daily medications. Students should report to the clinic at the proper time to receive their medication. The first dose of any new medication should be given to the child by the parent/guardian at home before sending it to the school. We want to make sure the child has no adverse or allergic reaction(s) to any new medication(s). 31
The school nurse will maintain first aid supplies at the school. Tylenol WILL NOT be administered to any student unless the student has a Permission Form on file with the nurse. If your child is not able to swallow a caplet or tablet, you will need to send either a liquid or chewable form of the medication for the nurse to administer. If your child suffers from asthma and requires an inhaler or special medication, parents are required to provide the Principal or his designee a statement or copy of the prescription from the student’s physician specifying the name of the medication and its purpose in order for the student to have this medication on his/her person at school while participating in school-sponsored activities, while under the supervision of school faculty/staff members, or while participating in before or after-school activities and to administer the medication to him/herself. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian of a student to inform the school of any changes in dosage, time of dispensing, etc. If a question arises about the medication, the parent and/or physician whose name appears on the prescription will be called for clarification. Health Concerns and Issues: Parents should inform their child’s teacher of any health problems that the student has. These health problems include, but are not limited to, asthma, blood disorders, seizures, food allergies, substance allergies, medication allergies, reaction to bee stings, etc. If a child is on any daily medication for a certain medical condition or has special medication for an emergency-type situation, the school, especially the child’s teacher(s), needs to be aware of these conditions and provided with the appropriate medication(s). Chicken Pox, Mumps, Measles, Head Lice, Scabies and Ringworm are just some of the extremely contagious diseases that appear at school from time to time. If your child contracts one of these contagious diseases, we would ask that the child remain out of school until he/she is free of the disease and fever before returning to school. If your child is found to have one of these diseases while at school or the child returns to school before the disease runs its course, you will be contacted and asked to pick up your child from school. Health and Immunization Records: State law requires that each student have proof of proper immunization of childhood and/or other diseases. All students must present a statement from the Health Department or a doctor, which indicates that all immunizations are up-to-date. Students whose immunization records are not current will be unable to enter school until this situation is rectified. All children entering the 6 th Grade will be required to have the chicken pox vaccination or proof of immunity. For more information or to get Form 3189, contact the local Health Department or your doctor. Using Prescription Auto-Injectible Epinephrine: Like asthma medication, a student may carry or possess and self-administer a prescription auto-injectible epinephrine while in school, at a school-sponsored activity, while under the supervision of school personnel, or while in before school or after school care on school operated property. Under Georgia law, however, a student is only permitted to do so if the student’s parents or guardians fulfill the following: (a) Provide the school with a written statement from a physician appropriately licensed under Georgia law detailing the name of the medication, method, amount, and time schedule by which the medication needs to be taken, and confirming that the student is able to self-administer the auto-injectible epinephrine; and (b) Provide the school with a written statement by the parent or guardian consenting to the selfadministration, and (c) Providing a release for the school nurse or other designated school personnel to consult with the physician regarding any questions that may arise with regard to the medication, and releasing the school system and its employees and agents from civil liability if the self-administering student suffers an adverse reaction as a result of self-administering auto-injectible epinephrine. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a student may be subject to disciplinary action if he or she uses autoinjectible epinephrine other than as prescribed or violates any of the other provisions in this handbook which apply to the possession, use, transfer, or sale of prescription drugs with the auto-injectible epinephrine.
PROMOTION AND RETENTION POLICY The Jenkins County Board of Education has adopted the following basic promotion and retention requirements as local board policy to ensure appropriate student achievement and to specify the process that shall be followed to ensure that students are not retained for athletic (non-academic) purposes. The Jenkins County Board of Education shall implement the Georgia Academic Placement and Promotion Policy (O.C.G.A. 20-2-282 through 2032
2-285) that bases the placement or promotion of a student into a grade, class, or program, which allows the student to succeed academically. The Jenkins County Board of Education shall implement policy in accordance with O.C.G.A. 20-2-281 to determine: The overall academic achievement of students. An appropriate plan of accelerated, differentiated, or additional instruction for students who do not achieve grade level; and Placement (with specific recommendations), promotion, or retention of a student. Students shall be tested in accordance with requirements specified in Rule 160-3-1.07 Testing ProgramStudent Assessment. The Jenkins County Board of Education shall annually notify parents or guardians that placement or promotion of a student into a grade, class, or program will be based on the academic achievement of the student on criterion-referenced assessments and criteria established by the Jenkins County Board of Education. Definitions: Accelerated Instruction--challenging instructional activities that are intensely focused on student academic deficiencies in reading and/or mathematics. This accelerated instruction is designed to enable a student who has not achieved grade level, as defined by the Office of Education Accountability, to meet grade-level standards in the shortest possible time. Additional Instruction--academic instruction, beyond regularly scheduled academic classes, that is designed to bring students not performing on grade level, as defined by the Office of Education Accountability, to grade level performance. It may include more instructional time allocated during the school day, instruction before and after the school day, Saturday instruction, and/or summer/inter-session instruction. Differentiated Instruction--instructional strategies designed to meet individual student learning needs. Grade level--standard of performance, as defined by the Office of Education Accountability, on a Criterion-Referenced Competency Test. Placement--the assignment of a student to a specific grade level based on the determination that such placement will most likely provide the student with instruction and other services needed to succeed and progress to the next higher level of academic achievement. Placement Committee--the committee established by the local school principal or designee to make placement decisions concerning a student who does not meet expectations on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test. This committee shall be comprised of the principal or designee, the student’s parent or guardian, and the teacher(s) in the content area(s) in which the student did not achieve grade level on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test. Promotion--the assignment of a student to a higher-grade level based on the student’s achievement of established criteria in the current grade. Retention--the re-assignment of a student to the current grade level during the next school year.
Retention Appeals Process If a parent or guardian or teacher appeals the decision to retain the student, then the school principal or designee shall establish a placement committee to consider the appeal. The placement committee shall be comprised of the principal or designee, the student’s parent or guardian, and the teacher(s) of the subject(s) ot the Georgia Milestone or the alternative assessment instrument on which the student failed to perform at grade level. The principal or designee shall notify in writing by first-class mail the parent or guardian and teacher(s) of the time and place for convening the placement committee. The placement committee shall review the overall academic achievement of the student in light of the performance on the Georgia Milestone or the alternative assessment instrument and promotion standards and criteria established by the Jenkins County Board of Education for the school that the student attends, and make determination to promote or retain. The decision to promote must be the unanimous decision of the placement committee and must determine that if promoted and given accelerated, differentiated, or additional instruction during the next year, the student is likely to perform at grade level by the conclusion of the school year. The placement committee shall prescribe such additional assessments as may be appropriate to assessments administered to other students at the grade level during the year. The placement committee shall provide for a plan of continuous assessment during the subsequent school year in order to monitor the progress of the student.
33
RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROPERTY Students are personally responsible for textbooks, library books, instructional materials, and desks assigned to them. Students must pay for any damages. Assessment of damage will be determined by the school administration. However, elementary school students who fail or refuse to pay for lost or damaged textbooks, library books, or media materials at the replacement cost shall be refused additional textbooks, library books, or media materials and will have their report cards, diplomas, certificates, etc. held until the restitution has been paid in full.
SCHOOL ACTIVITIES Emergency Drills: Regular monthly emergency drills will be held throughout the school year so students will be trained and prepared to respond properly in the case of an emergency. Field Day: The P.E. teachers may organize and conduct a school-wide field day, by grades, during the month of May involving students and teachers in outdoor physical activities. Field Trips: Field trips for all classes are encouraged and scheduled in order to enrich the curriculum and to provide first-hand experiences for the students. Students must bring permission slips, signed by the parent/guardian, in order to participate in these activities. Parents may be asked to serve as chaperones for these trips. School Parties: PreK through Second Grade will be allowed to have parties to celebrate Christmas, Valentines, Easter, and the end-of-the-year. Grades Three, Four and Five will be allowed to have parties at Christmas and the end-of-the-year. Valentines may be exchanged in Grades 3-5. Teachers will schedule parties for their classes. If parents plan to provide refreshments for their child’s birthday, this should be discussed and arranged with the child’s teacher ahead of time.
SCHOOL COUNCIL School councils are designed to provide advice, recommendations and assistance, and represent the community of parents and businesses. The following is a list of school council members elected to serve on the Jenkins County Elementary School Council for the 2016-2017 school year: Mr. Randy Dailey, Principal Mrs. Shelby Williams, Assistant Principal Ms. Jill Wadley, Assistant Principal
34
SCHOOL FOOD SERVICES
All students will eat breakfast and lunch FREE at JCES. Breakfast will be served from 7:40 - 8:00 a.m. each morning for students in Grades K-5. Pre-K students are served breakfast from 8:15 - 8:45 a.m. Lunch is served daily from 10:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Classes are scheduled individually. Parents are welcome to eat with their child in the cafeteria as their schedule(s) allow. Commercially prepared foods should not be brought to the school by parents for a student’s meal. Beverages brought into the lunchroom must be in a plastic container or can. Students will not be served tea from the cafeteria. Students are expected to use good table manners at all times and to assist with keeping the lunchroom clean. Lunches will be prepared for ALL field trips. Adult Prices: Breakfast - $2.00 Lunch - $3.00.
SCHOOL INSURANCE FOR STUDENTS Student Accident Insurance is available for parents to purchase for all students at a small annual premium. Brochures are available via the school website www.jchs.com. They may be accessed at any time. Please remember that the Jenkins County Board of Education does not provide insurance coverage for students during normal classroom, gym, playground, or sport activities.
STATE AND STANDARDIZED TESTING State mandates require student participation in a wide array of assessments. The purpose of the testing program includes monitoring student progress, assessing program effectiveness, planning for instructional improvement, and making placement decisions for special programming. Several of the assessments are utilized as part of the system’s promotion/retention policy. The following specific tests will be administered at JCES during the 2016-2017 school year: Kindergarten: GKIDS Grades 3 – 5: Milestones The state assessment program requires that students in kindergarten take the GKIDS and students in Grades 3-5 will take the Milestone. Individual test results will be provided to parents as soon as possible after the results are returned to the school. Milestone results will be used to guide and direct us in our instructional planning and a part of the Jenkins County School System’s Promotion/Retention policy. The school Principal or Assistant Principal(s) shall annually notify parents or guardians that placement or promotion of a student into a grade, class, or program will be based on the academic achievement of the student on criterion-referenced assessments and other criteria established by the school. Promotion and retention of students in Grades 3 and 5 are based on meeting standards on the required portions of the Milestone.
35
36
STUDENT DRESS CODE Students are expected to dress and groom themselves in a neat, clean, and tasteful manner. All students shall maintain their appearance so as not to unreasonably distract, disrupt or interfere with the instructional process or the orderly operation of the school. Children should come to school in clothing that is comfortable and suitable for all school activities. In the selection of clothes, parents are urged to use good judgment and select clothes that are appropriate for school. The following are acceptable and expected: Appropriate shoes must be worn at all times; Tennis shoes should be worn when participating in the school’s physical education (PE) program. Shoelaces should be tied at all times. Tights and leggings only when worn under skirts or dresses at the appropriate length. All pants, jeans, shorts, etc. must be fastened at the waist at all times and are to be worn at the appropriate waist level. The following are NOT acceptable: Clothing or accessories advertising alcoholic beverages, drugs, tobacco, or weapons; Clothing, hats, hairstyles or accessories containing inappropriate language, messages or designs; Sun dresses, tank tops, tube tops, halter tops, see-through shirts, fishnet or mesh material shirts, crop-tops, and blouses with open backs; Shirts, tops, blouses, or sweaters which show cleavage; Bare midriffs – all shirts, blouses, etc. must cover the top of pants, slacks, shorts, etc., whether standing or sitting; Pants, shorts, skirts, etc. with writing on the buttock area, as well as lace-up legs; Any clothing item that is too tight or loose; Any clothing item that is too short (shorts, skirts, and dresses should be no more than 3 inches above the top of the knee when standing); Any clothing item that shows a student’s undergarments; Baggy or sagging pants; Heeled and/or high platform shoes (unsafe and inappropriate on normal school days or events); Combs, picks, hairnets, scarves, bandanas, headbands, hair rollers, etc.; Bandanas (colored or white) at any time or on any part of the body; Hats, caps, stocking caps, dew rags, etc., except on special designated “Hat Days”; Extreme colored or dyed hair that causes a disruption to the instructional process in the classroom. The school administration reserves the right to delete or add to the specific guidelines concerning the Student Dress Code as the need arises to address the ever-changing issues related to changing fashions. Should a question arise concerning the appropriateness of a student’s dress, the school administration reserves the right to determine what they deem as appropriate and what is NOT in regards to the disruptive nature of the clothing, dress, adornment, etc. to the educational process. School Board Policy (JCDB) states that a student shall not dress, groom, or wear emblems, insignias, badges, or other symbols where the effect thereof is to distract unreasonably the attention of other students or otherwise to cause disruption or interference with the operation of the school. These regulations are effective from the time of arrival at school until departure from the school campus. Students violating the student dress code will be removed from the classroom, parent(s) will be notified, and the student will not be allowed to attend class until the problem is corrected. ***Continuous violations of these regulations will result in more severe disciplinary action.
37
STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM (SST) and RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION (RTI) The Student Support Team (SST) is a regular education, problem-solving process at Jenkins County Elementary School. Student Support Team committees are established to review referrals of students who are experiencing academic and/or behavioral difficulties. The purpose is to provide support to students, parents, and teachers with the outcome being improved student performance. SST committees may include an administrator, counselor, regular education teacher, special education teacher, school social worker, parent, school psychologist, and others, as appropriate for the case under review. The Student Support Team seeks to identify specific needs of individual students and plan alternative instructional strategies for children prior to or in lieu of referral for special services. Response to Intervention (RTI) is the process of aligning appropriate assessment with purposeful instruction for all students. It is a tiered approach that provides layers of intervention for students needing support requires a school wide common understanding of the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS), assessment practices, and instructional pedagogy. JCES’s RTI process includes several key components: A 4-Tier delivery model designed to provide support matched to student need through the implementation of standards-based classrooms. Evidence-based instruction as the core of classroom pedagogy. Evidence-based interventions utilized with increasing levels of intensity based on progress monitoring. The use of a variety of on-going assessment data to determine which students are not meeting success academically and/or behaviorally. Students requiring interventions to meet individual learning expectations will receive support through a systematic and purposeful process.
STUDENT REPORTING OF ACTS OF SEXUAL ABUSE OR SEXUAL MISCONDUCT (a) Any student (or parent or friend of a student) who has been the victim of an act of sexual abuse or sexual misconduct by a teacher, administrator or other school system employee is urged to make an oral report of the act to any teacher, counselor or administrator at his/her school. (b) Any teacher, counselor or administrator receiving a report of suspected sexual abuse or sexual misconduct of a student by a teacher, administrator or other employee shall make an oral report of the incident immediately by telephone or otherwise to the school principal or principal’s designee, and shall submit a written report of the incident to the school principal or principal’s designee within 24 hours. If the principal is the person accused of the suspected sexual abuse or sexual misconduct, the oral and written reports should be made to the superintendent or the superintendent’s designee. (c) Any school principal or principal’s designee receiving a report of suspected sexual abuse as defined in O.C.G.A. 19-7-5 shall make a report immediately, but in no case later than 24 hours from the time there is reasonable cause to believe that suspected child abuse has occurred. The report should be oral by telephone or other oral communication or a written report by electronic submission or facsimile and followed by a report in writing, if requested, to a child welfare agency providing protective services, as designated by the Department of Human Resources, or, in the absence of such agency, to an appropriate police authority or district attorney. Reports of suspected acts of sexual misconduct against a student by a teacher, administrator or other employee not covered by O.C.G.A. 19-7-5 or 20-2-1184 should be investigated immediately by school or system personnel. If the investigation of the allegation of sexual misconduct indicates a reasonable cause to believe that the report of sexual misconduct is valid, the school principal or principal’s designee should make an immediate written report to the superintendent and by the superintendent in due course to the Professional Standards Commission Ethics Division.
38
TRANSPORTATION POLICY It is our goal to safely transport your child to and from school. In order to eliminate undo risk from students riding multiple buses each student will be allowed to ride only two different school buses for the entire school year. One bus will be the (primary) bus that the student will ride to and from home. The second bus (alternate) will allow the student to ride to a different location other than home, such as grandparents, daycare, or another family member’s home. For the student to ride the alternate bus, the student must bring a note signed by the parent/guardian stating the route number, address and the days he/she will be riding the alternate bus. Students will not be removed from buses after they are loaded or have left the school. If a student needs to go to another location other than the primary or alternate bus, it will be the parent’s responsibility to make arrangements such as picking the student up from school or picking the student up from the primary or alternate bus stop. (Remember, students that normally ride the bus, must have a written note to go to afternoon pick up.) Parents may contact the principal in instances of emergency circumstances. If the alternate location is not a designated bus stop, a parent must go to the school office or the transportation office and complete a bus stop request form. This cannot be done the day the child needs to ride that bus. The transportation department will physically check the requested location for safety and will approve or deny request within three-days. Once approved, the student can ride the alternate bus as long as he/she brings a written note stating the name of the student, route number, and the address. The parent must sign the note. No phone calls or faxes will be accepted. Please call the transportation department (982-6009) or the school if you have any questions. Thank you for helping us get your child home safely.
39
VISITORS/VOLUNTEERS All visitors must report to the Office upon arrival on campus and entering the building. Visitors will be allowed to conduct business or visit classrooms as authorized by the Principal. Visitors must sign the Visitor’s Log and obtain a Visitor’s Pass before going to any area other than the Office. Volunteers are invaluable in helping to meet the needs of students and staff. They offer positive influences to promote character and well-being. They assist our school in many ways, such as reading to students, working with student classroom activities, coordinating school-wide student activities, and assisting with media center materials. Parents/guardians are encouraged to be active participants at JCES. During your visit to the school or your child’s classroom, the regular school program must continue, so please do not expect the teacher to hold a conference with you at this time. As a courtesy to the teacher, please make a prior appointment for visitation. In addition, we request that younger siblings are not taken to the classrooms when volunteering because of the interference on teaching and learning. By action of the 2012 Georgia General Assembly, all school volunteers in Georgia are now "mandated reporters" of suspected child abuse. [O.C.G.A. Section 19-7-5]. Therefore, if by direct observation, a verbal/written communication, or by some other means you become aware of or form a reasonable suspicion that a child has been abused either at school or at home, you must report this information to the principal. Once you have reported your knowledge, it then becomes the responsibility of the administrator to report the suspected child abuse to the appropriate state or local investigative agency. To reiterate, if you become aware or have a reasonable suspicion that a case of child abuse exists within the school and you fail to report your suspicions, your observations or any written or oral communication you receive, etc., directly to the principal or her designee immediately, then you can be exposed to criminal liability.
40
ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM
Student Name__________________________________ Homeroom Teacher Name__________________________________
I acknowledge that I have received a copy of the Jenkins County Elementary School StudentParent Handbook which includes the Student Code of Conduct. If you have any questions, please contact the school office. Please sign and return.
Parent's Signature____________________________________Date________________
Student Signature____________________________________Date________________
41
Jenkins County Elementary School Vision: Joining Communities and Schools for Success Mission: Educating students for college and careers. System Strategic Goals: 1. Provide a quality education whereby students are prepared for postsecondary education and careers
Standards-based classrooms including remediation, differentiation, and acceleration based on student needs Balanced and robust assessment program Informational and instructional technology to meet system and student needs
2. Maintain a safe and student-centered learning environment
New Pre K - 12 School School climate and culture
3. Develop and maintain highly-effective and diverse employees
TKES / LKES implementation New teacher recruitment, mentoring, and retention Professional Learning Communities
4. Optimize stakeholder involvement including parents, institutions, community agencies, and local businesses and industry
Broadening meaningful parental involvement and communication Collaborating with post-secondary institutions to expand offerings Working with area business and industry to develop workforce
5. Be good stewards of system resources
Financial solvency and efficiency
Tara Cooper, Superintendent Danny Bennett, Chairman Freddie Brinson, Vice Chairman
Roy Cook Mike Reese Mary Young
Jenkins County Schools, P.O. Box 660, Millen, GA 30442 478-982-6000 (phone)/478-982-6002 (fax) “Joining Communities and Schools for Success”
42
JENKINS COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION PARENT RIGHT TO KNOW NOTIFICATION 2016 - 2017 Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s): The Jenkins County School System is very proud of our teachers. We feel they are ready for the coming school year and are prepared to help your child do their best in school. As a Title I school, we are required by federal law, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), to let you know about your child’s teachers’ qualifications. It is your right to request the following information about your child’s teachers’ training and credentials: • Whether the teacher met the state requirements from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission for certification for the grade level and subject area which they teach; • Whether the teacher is teaching under an emergency or other temporary status through which Georgia qualifications or certification criteria have been waived; • What undergraduate or graduate degree(s) the teacher holds, including graduate certificates and additional degrees, and major(s) or area(s) of concentration; and • Whether your child is provided services by paraprofessionals, and if so, their qualifications. Please know that our staff is committed to helping your child reach his or her highest academic potential throughout their school career. That commitment includes making sure that all of our teachers and paraprofessionals are highly skilled and are providing quality instruction to your child. If you wish to request information concerning your child’s teacher's’ qualifications, please contact your child’s Principal using the contact information listed below. School office hours are 8:00 AM until 3:00 PM Monday - Friday following the school yearly calendar. Jenkins County Elementary School Randy Dailey, Principal 220 Landrum Drive, Millen, GA 30442 Email:
[email protected] Phone: 478-982- 5503 Jenkins County Middle School Rob Gray, Principal 409 Barney Avenue, Millen, GA 30442 Email:
[email protected] Phone: 478-982- 1063 Jenkins County High School Rob Gray, Principal 433 Barney Avenue, Millen, GA 30442 Email:
[email protected] Phone: 478-982- 4791
Thank you for your interest and involvement in your child’s education. Sincerely,
Title I Director
Title II Director
43
Jenkins County School System Vision: Joining Communities and Schools for Success Mission: Educating students for college and careers.
Processes and Procedures Complaint Form for Federal Programs and State and Local Programs
1) The Superintendent will require annually that each administrator review the BOE policy for Complaint Procedures regarding alleged discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color or national origin in violation of Title VI, on the basis of sex in violation of Title IX or on the basis of disability in violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the Americans With Disabilities Act. 2) The Superintendent will require annually that each administrator review the following procedures to be used for handling all complaints by parents, students, staff, private schools, and / or by community partners or the general public: a) Complaints shall be handled in the order in which they are received; b) Complaints shall be handled based on the following administrative order: Student Complaints: i. Complaint about a Teacher or other staff – Shall be made to Assistant Principal of student’s school ii. Complaint about the Assistant Principal – Shall be made to Principal of student’s school iii. Complaint about the Principal – Shall be made to Superintendent’s BOE designee iv. Complaint about the system Designee – Shall be made to Superintendent v. Complaint about the Superintendent – Shall be made to Board of Education Parent Complaints: i. Complaint about a Teacher or other staff – Shall be made to Assistant Principal of student’s school ii. Complaint about the Assistant Principal – Shall be made to Principal of student’s school iii. Complaint about the Principal – Shall be made to Superintendent’s BOE designee iv. Complaint about the system Designee – Shall be made to Superintendent v. Complaint about the Superintendent – Shall be made to Board of Education Staff Complaints: i. Complaint about other staff – Shall be made to Asst. Principal of assigned school ii. Complaint about the Assistant Principal – Shall be made to Principal of assigned school iii. Complaint about the Principal – Shall be made to Superintendent’s BOE designee iv. Complaint about the system Designee – Shall be made to Superintendent v. Complaint about the Superintendent – Shall be made to Board of Education Private School Complaints: i. Complaint shall be made to the BOE designee ii. Complaint about the system Designee shall be made to the Superintendent iii. Complaint about the Superintendent shall be made to the Board of Education Community Partners or General Public: i. Complaint shall be made to the Assistant Principal of the school ii. Complaint about the Asst. Principal shall be made to the Principal of the school iii. Complaint about the Principal shall be made to the BOE designee iv. Complaint of system Designee – Shall be made to Superintendent v. General Public complaint of Superintendent – Shall be made to Board of Education c) A written report will be provided to the Superintendent within three work days of initial receipt of complaint with details regarding resolution of complaint or non-resolution of complaint.
44
Name (Complainant):
Mailing Address: (Street, City, Zip Code)
Cell Phone Number:
Work Phone Number:
Agency / agencies complaint is being filed against:
Date on which violation occurred: Statement describing how the above named agency / agencies has violated a Federal statute or regulation: (Attach additional pages if needed.)
List the facts on which the above statement is based and the specific requirement allegedly violated: (Attach additional pages if needed.)
List the names and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify this allegation and / or provide additional information:
Has a complaint been filed with any other government agency regarding this same allegation? If so, what is the name of that agency and the contact person for this complaint:
Please attach copies of all applicable documents needed to support this allegation. Please make a list of all attached documents:
Signature of Complainant:
Date complaint was filed:
Please mail a completed complaint Packet (form and all supporting documents) to the following location: Jenkins County Board of Education Federal Programs Department 1152 E. Winthrope Avenue Millen, Georgia 30442
45
Jenkins County School System Vision: Joining Communities and Schools for Success Mission: Educating students for college and careers. Policy Parental Involvement in Education Descriptor Code: LEBA Date Adopted: 06/19/2006 The Board of Education (Board) affirms and assures the right of parents and legal guardians of children being served in activities funded by Title I the opportunities to participate in the planning, design and implementation of the Title I program and its activities. A. The Board shall involve parents in the joint development of a written parent involvement policy that shall be incorporated into the school system's plan under section 6312 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The school system shall involve parents in the process of school review and improvement under section 6316 through input received from school level improvement committees, school council meetings with parent membership and through input received from other parent meetings or written surveys. The school system shall also establish expectations for parent involvement through written information distributed to parents through system, school, and classroom newsletters, parent contracts, the local media, as well as through school or system websites. B. The Board shall provide coordination, technical assistance and other support necessary to assist participating schools in planning and implementing effective parent involvement activities to improve student academic achievement and school performance through the distribution of written information and resources and through meetings in or out of the school involving appropriate personnel. C. The Board shall build the schools' and parents' capacity for strong parental involvement through a variety of activities to include but not limited to ● Providing information to parents in written form or through meetings on topics such as the State's academic content standards, State and local student academic achievement standards/assessments, and the requirements of parent involvement under the law. ● Providing materials and training to help parents work with their children and monitor their progress to improve their children's achievement. ● Training educational staff on how to build ties between parents and the school. ● Coordinating and integrating parent involvement strategies with Head Start, Pre-K programs and other programs, to the extent feasible and appropriate by communicating directly and indirectly with these agencies through verbal or written information when needed. ● Sending information to parents in a format and, to the extent feasible, in a language that parents can understand. ● Providing reasonable support for parental involvement activities as parents may request or as the school or system deems appropriate or necessary. D. The Board shall conduct, with the involvement of parents, an annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of the parent involvement policy to determine whether there has been increased participation and whether there are barriers to greater participation, particularly by parents who are economically disadvantaged, disabled, have limited English proficiency, have limited literacy, or are of any racial or ethnic minority background. This data will be obtained from parent, committee or school council meetings or through parent surveys. E. The Board, in conjunction with individual school activities, ,shall, to the extent possible, implement the activities to meet the federal requirements under Title I, Part A, Sec. 6318. It shall encourage and support activities that allow the schools to effectively involve parents, which places a positive impact on student success.
46
Jenkins County School System Vision: Joining Communities and Schools for Success Mission: Educating students for college and careers. Title I Parent Involvement Plan - System September 9, 2014
The Jenkins County School System strives for all stakeholders, including parents, to be informed and involved in the planning, revision, implementation and evaluation of each School’s Needs Assessment and School Improvement Plan, the District's Comprehensive Improvement Plan (CLIP) and the System Improvement Plan, each School Parental Involvement Plan and the System Parental Involvement Plan. The JCSS System Parent Involvement Plan defines a process whereby stakeholders, including parents, are provided an opportunity to participate in the following processes and procedures: 1. Providing evidence that parental notifications and other communications are easily understandable in a language that parents can understand. 2. JCSS provides evidence of guidance and assistance to schools about the timeliness and required elements of parental notices for schools indentified for improvement, corrective action, and State Directed status. Parents and stakeholders will be notified and information will be distributed through formal and informal collaboration: participation in the Parent Involvement Council, School Improvement Teams, School Parent / Teacher Organizations, face to face meetings and conferences, phone calls, emails, mail, newsletters, website, fliers, announcements at school and public events, public postings and other reasonable methods of distribution as deemed convenient and accessible for parents and other stakeholders. All information will be distributed to parents and stakeholders through a minimum of three separate methods. 3. Providing evidence that JCSS notifies parents and stakeholders and provides ample opportunity for meaningful engagement shall be documented through artifacts that demonstrate distribution of the following: a. Priority / Focus / Alert School Status b. School Improvement Status ● Evidence that the LEA notifies stakeholders, including parents, of its School Improvement Status. ● Evidence that stakeholders are involved in the development and review of JCSS’s Title I plan and the School Improvement Plan for each school ● Evidence that technical assistance and support was provided to schools about stakeholder consultation, including parental participation, in school and system improvement of the development of schoolwide programs. c. Intradistrict Choice d. Flexible Learning Plan e. Teacher and Paraprofessional Qualifications f. Highly Qualified Teachers ● Evidence that JCSS and schools inform stakeholders, including parents, that their child has been assigned, or has been taught for four or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who is not highly qualified. 4. JCSS produces evidence that it provides technical assistance to schools to develop their capacity to plan and carry out effective stakeholder involvement, including parental involvement, practices, school parental involvement plans and school parent student compacts. 5. JCSS and each school produces evidence that an annual revision to the written Parental Involvement Plans have been completed and revised as needed. Evidence to be provided includes the system’s process to collect and review the system and school Parental Involvement Plans and to determine if the plans and practices are effective and meet the Title I requirements. 6. Each school completes an annual revision to their Parent Involvement Plan which is distributed to stakeholders, including parents, in multiple ways. 7. Each school completes annual school parent student compacts signed by all three stakeholders. 8. JCSS and each school convenes an annual meeting to inform participating stakeholders, including parents, about Title I programs and to explain their rights to be involved. 9. JCSS requires an annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of the system and school level parent involvement activities in improving the academic quality of Title I schools. 10. JCSS and each school have carried out the six requirements to build parents’ capacity to be involved in school including using Title l funds to support literacy programs. (1) shall provide assistance to parents of children served by the school or local educational agency, as appropriate, in understanding such topics as the State's academic content standards and State student academic achievement standards, State and local academic assessments, the requirements of this part, and how to monitor a child's progress and work with educators to improve the achievement of their children; 47
(2) shall provide materials and training to help parents to work with their children to improve their children's achievement, such as literacy training and using technology, as appropriate, to foster parental involvement; 3) shall educate teachers, pupil services personnel, principals, and other staff, with the assistance of parents, in the value and utility of contributions of parents, and in how to reach out to, communicate with, and work with parents as equal partners, (4) shall, to the extent feasible and appropriate, coordinate and integrate parent involvement programs and activities with Head Start, Reading First, Early Reading First, Even Start, the Home Instruction Programs for Preschool Youngsters, the Parents as Teachers Program, and public preschool and other programs, and conduct other activities, such as parent resource centers, that encourage and support parents in more fully participating in the education of their children; (5) shall ensure that information related to school and parent programs, meetings, and other activities is sent to the parents of participating children in a format and, to the extent practicable, in a language the parents can understand; (6) shall provide such other reasonable support for parental involvement activities under this section as parents may request. 11. JCSS and each school informs stakeholders, including parents, about the existence of a parent resource center, where applicable. 12. JCSS uses the services of the Parent Information and Resource Center (PIRC) and has informed schools, parents, and parent groups about the PIRC. 13. JCSS reserves at least 1% of its Title I, Part A allocation for parental involvement. 14. JCSS ensures that parents are involved in decisions about the use of the 1% reservation for parental involvement to schools. 15. JCSS informs and involves stakeholders, including parents, in the planning, revision, and implementation of parental involvement activities, school improvement plans, the LEA's Comprehensive Improvement Plan (CLIP), School Improvement Plans, Title I Schoolwide Plans, and School Parent Involvement Plans. The following descriptions provide specific information regarding the planning and implementation of our school and system Parent Involvement activities: Parent Involvement Activity TitleI Annual Parent Meetings Timeframe August/ September Responsibilities of Schools Plan meetings, Notify parents and stakeholders of meetings, Facilitate meetings Stakeholder Involvement Attendance at meetings and trainings, Refreshments, Participant recruitment, Provide feedback on plans, processes, and procedures Partners for Planning and Implementation Parents, JCES, JCMS, JCHS, JCSS, JCFEC (JCFEC is the local community collaborative), SIG (Stakeholder Involvement Group), Partners in Education Parent Involvement Activity Organization of SIG Stakeholder Involvement Group Timeframe July/ August for initial meeting and ongoing monthly meetings during the school year Responsibilities of Schools & System Plan meetings, Notify parents and stakeholders of meetings, Facilitate meetings, collect feedback and questions from parents and stakeholders, work with system leaders to develop responses to parent and stakeholder feedback and questions, publish and distribute responses to parent and stakeholder feedback and questions Stakeholder Involvement Attendance at meetings, Refreshments, Participant recruitment, Provide feedback on plans, processes, and procedures, Ask questions regarding school and system plans, processes, and procedures Partners for Planning and Implementation Parents, JCES, JCMS, JCHS, JCSS, JCFEC (JCFEC is the local community collaborative), parents and community stakeholders Parent Involvement Activity Title I Parent / School Compacts Timeframe August (Initial distribution) October & March (Review at Parent Conferences) Responsibilities of Schools Create Parent / School Compacts (revise each year), Distribute Parent / School Compacts, Collect Parent / School Compacts, Train school staff, Provide copies to teachers of their students’ Parent / School Compacts to discuss with parents during parent conferences Stakeholder Involvement Read and Sign, Submit to School, Promote attendance at parent conferences, Participate in parent conferences Partners for Planning and Implementation Parents, JCES, JCMS, JCHS, JCSS, JCFEC (JCFEC is the local community collaborative), SIG (Stakeholder Involvement Group) Parent Involvement Activity Parent Notifications Timeframe August and Ongoing 48
Responsibilities of Schools & System Revise annual required notifications, train school staff, post on website,and distribute hard copies Stakeholder Involvement Review, Request assistance if needed, Mail letters, Partners for Planning and Implementation Parents, JCES, JCMS, JCHS, JCSS, JCFEC (JCFEC is the local community collaborative), SIG (Stakeholder Involvement Group) Parent Involvement Activity Revisionof Parent Involvement Plans Timeframe August/ September Responsibilities of Schools & System Plan meetings, Notify parents and stakeholders of meetings, Facilitate meetings, provide draft of Parent Involvement plans, revise plans according to feedback, publish and distribute revised plans Stakeholder Involvement Attendanceat meetings, Refreshments, Participant recruitment, Provide feedback on school and system plans, processes, and procedures Partners for Planning and Implementation Parents, JCES, JCMS, JCHS, JCSS, JCFEC (JCFEC is the local community collaborative), SIG (Stakeholder Involvement Group), Partners in Education Parent Involvement Activity Parent Education Center (located at Central Office) New for 2014 2015 Timeframe October and ongoing Responsibilities of System Provide materials for parents to use during SIG meetings or to take home in order to assist their student’s academic progress, Maintaining a lending library Stakeholder Involvement Attendance at meetings, Participant recruitment, Provide feedback on school and system plans, processes, and procedures Partners for Planning and Implementation Parents, JCES, JCMS, JCHS, JCSS, JCFEC (JCFEC is the local community collaborative), SIG (Stakeholder Involvement Group), Partners in Education Parent Involvement Activity Parent Involvement Teacher Leaders Timeframe August June Responsibilities of Schools Facilitate ongoing communication with parents through written distribution, Facebook Parent Connection page for each school, Remind 101 (texting system, Postings on website and bulletin boards at schools, central office, and community partner locations Stakeholder Involvement Read and review information distributed from schools and system, Attendance at meetings, Participant recruitment for SIG meetings, Provide feedback on school and system plans, processes, and procedures Partners for Planning and Implementation Parents, JCES, JCMS, JCHS, JCSS, JCFEC (JCFEC is the local community collaborative), SIG (Stakeholder Involvement Group), Partners in Education Parent Involvement Activity School Improvement Teams and System Improvement Team Timeframe August/June Responsibilities of Schools & System Facilitate meetings and trainings for school and system leadership including parents and community partners Partners for Planning and Implementation Parents, JCES, JCMS, JCHS, JCSS, JCFEC (JCFEC is the local community collaborative), SIG (Stakeholder Involvement Group), Partners in Education
49
JENKINS COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM JCSS Mission: To provide a positive learning environment that will prepare all students with the knowledge and skills to be productive members of society.
PARENT / COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN Jenkins County Elementary School 2014-2015 Revised: June 5th, 2014 Part 1: General Expectations Jenkins County Elementary Schoolwill implement the following: In support of strengthening student academic achievement, each school that receives Title I, Part A funds must develop jointly with, agree on with, and distribute to, parents of participating children a written parental involvement plan, agreed on by such parents, that contains information required by section 1118 (b)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) (school parental involvement policy). The plan establishes the school’s expectations for parental involvement and describes how the school will implement anumber of specific parental involvement activities, and it is incorporated into the school’s plan submitted to the local educational agency (LEA).
The school will adhere to the following as required by law: Involve parents, in an organized, ongoing, and timely way, in the planning, review, and improvement of programs under Title I, Part A, including the planning, review, and improvement of the school parental involvement plan and the joint development of the schoolwide program plan under section 1114(b)(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). Update the school parent involvement plan periodically to meet the changing needs of parents and the school and distribute it to the parents of participating children and make the parental involvement plan available to the local community. Provide full opportunities, to the extent practicable, for the participation of parents with limited English proficiency, parents with disabilities, and parents of migratory children, including providing information and school reports required under section 1111 of the ESEA in an understandable and uniform format and including alternative formats upon request, and, to the extent practicable, in a language parents understand. If the school wide program plan under section 1114 (b) (2) of the ESEA is not satisfactory to the parents of participating children, submit any parent comments on the plan when the school makes the plan available to the local educational agency. Be governed by the following statutory definition of parental involvement and will carry out programs, activities, and procedures in accordance with this definition: Parental involvement means the participation of parents in regular, two-way, and meaningful communication involving student academic learning and other school activities, including ensuring – (A) that parents play an integral role in assisting their child’s learning; (B) that parents are encouraged to be actively involved in their child’s education at school; (C) that parents are full partners in their child’s education and are included, as appropriate, in decision-making and on advisory committees to assist in the education of their child; (D) the carrying out of other activities, such as those described in section 1118 of the ESEA.
50
Part II: Description of how the school will implement required schoolwide parental involvement plan components. Jenkins County Elementary School will implement the following: I. Take the following actions to involve parents in an organized, ongoing, and timely manner in the planning, review, and improvement of Title I programs including involvement in the decisions regarding how funds for parental involvement will be used. Send a monthly newsletter from Principal; Teacher weekly newsletters; Remind 101; JCES Parent Connection Facebook Page; Weekly updates on JCES website; Announcements/advertisements in local newspaper; Invitations to parent events in teachers' weekly newsletters; Invitations to parent events via flyers sent home with students; Provide information regarding parent involvement including volunteering requirements; Monthly Parent Involvement Meetings at BOE; Monthly Community//family involvement activities; Conduct one Fall and one Spring Parent Conference time II. Take the following actions to conduct an annual meeting, at a convenient time, and encourage and invite all parents of participating children to attend, to inform them about the school’s Title I program, the nature of the Title I program, the parents’ requirements and the school parental involvement policy, the school-wide plan, and the school-parent compact. Hold a Title I Parent Meeting at least once per semester--have different people speak to address overarching issues as well as grade-appropriate/relevant issues; III. Take the following actions to offer a flexible number of meetings, such as meetings in the morning or evening, and may provide with Title I funds, transportation, child care or home visits, as such services relate to parental involvement. Have teachers available during planning periods for conferences, meetings, etc. which should be planned 24 hours in advanced; Provide class coverage for teachers to be available at other times as needed; Monthly Parent Involvement Meetings at BOE; Monthly Community//family involvement activities; Conduct one Fall and one Spring Parent Conference time IV. Take the following actions to provide parents of participating children the following: Timely information about the Title I programs; Description and explanation of the curriculum in use at the school, the forms of academic assessments used to measure student progress, and the proficiency levels students are expected to meet; Opportunities for regular meetings, if requested by parents, to formulate suggestions and to participate, as appropriate, in decisions relating to the education of their child, and respond to any such suggestions as soon as practicably possible; Send a monthly newsletter from Principal; Teacher weekly newsletters; Remind 101: JCES Parent Connection Facebook Page; Weekly updates on JCES website; Announcements/advertisements in local newspaper; Invitations to parent events in teachers' weekly newsletters; Invitations to parent events via flyers sent home with students; Provide information regarding parent involvement including volunteering requirements; Monthly Parent Involvement Meetings at BOE; Monthly Community/family involvement activities; Maintain and regularly update Parent Information board in main lobby of JCES; Conduct one Fall and one Spring Parent Conference time; Use Mass Media such as You Tube to create videos for parent and community viewing 51
V. Take the following actions to jointly develop with parents of participating children a schoolparent compact that outlines how parents, the entire school staff, and students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement and the means by which the school and parents will build and develop a partnership to help children achieve the State’s high standards. Offer numerous opportunities for meetings and conferences; Conduct parent surveys; Contact parents by phone regarding attendance, academic performance, health concerns, and behavior; Review input from parents, faculty/staff, and students on a regular basis with a concerted effort to make improvements as appropriate; K-2 and 3-5 Parent Involvement Committee including teacher and parent representatives VI. Build the school’s and parents’ capacity for strong parental involvement, in order to ensure effective involvement of parents and to support a partnership among the school involved, parents, and the community to improve student academic achievement, through the following activities specifically described below: A. Provide assistance to parents of participating children, as appropriate, in understanding topics such as the following, by undertaking the actions described in this paragraph – the State’s academic content standards; the State’s student academic achievement standards; the State and local academic assessments including alternate assessments; the requirements of Part A; how to monitor their child’s progress, and how to work with educators Monthly Parent Involvement Meetings Monthly at BOE; Provide Parent Resource Center including having items available for check-out to use at home; Work with Jenkins County Family Enrichment Center to provide an afterschool program for students in Grades 2-5; Conduct small group sessions as well as one-on-one meetings with parents/guardians; K-2 and 3-5 Parent Involvement Committee including teacher and parent representatives B. Provide materials and training to help parents to work with their child to improve their child’s achievement, such as literacy training and using technology, as appropriate, to foster parental involvement, by; Provide materials and links to websites containing information regarding parenting, homework assistance, etc. through newsletters, newspaper articles, conferences, parent connection web site C. Provide training to educate the teachers, pupil services personnel, principal, and other staff in how to reach out to, communicate with, and work with parents as equal partners, in the value and utility of contributions of parents, and in how to implement and coordinate parent programs, and build ties between parents and the school, by: Work cooperatively with Jenkins County Board of Education/Central Office personnel and local agencies to provide opportunities for parents to attend and participate in school-sponsored functions and activities; Monthly Parent Involvement Meetings at BOE; K-2 and 3-5 Parent Involvement Committee including teacher and parent representatives D. Coordinate and integrate parental involvement programs and activities with Head Start,
Even Start, Home Instruction Programs for Preschool Youngsters, the Parents as Teachers Program, and public preschool and other programs, and conduct other activities, such as parent resource centers, that encourage and support parents in more fully participating in the education of their children, by: Work with local Methodist preschool, Head Start, and Babies Can't Wait programs to provide intervention services for children; Work with Jenkins County Family Enrichment Center to provide information to parents as well as connect them with needed community resources and services;
52
Monthly Parent Involvement Meetings at BOE; K-2 and 3-5 Parent Involvement Committee including teacher and parent representatives E. Take the following actions to ensure that information related to the school and parent
programs, meetings, and other activities, is sent to the parents of participating children in an understandable and uniform format, including alternative formats upon request, and, to the extent practicable, in a language the parents can understand:
Provide print materials in English and Spanish; F. Provide other reasonable support for parental involvement activities under section 1118
as parents may request, by;
Have an interpreter assist with non-English speaking parents/guardians; Part III: Discretionary Parental Involvement Plan Components Jenkins County Elementary School will implement the following: In support of strengthening a consistent parent / community involvement focus for this school and the system, the following focus area and strategy has been adopted for this school year: Focus Area: Increase Communication between schools, parents, and the community. Strategy: JCSS will improve parent / community engagement by increasing the frequency (how often), duration (how long), and method (what type) of communication between schools and parents, and community partners. The following actions will be implemented in support of this focus area and strategy: Action Frequency Duration Method Responsible Party Facebook Groups August 2014-July 2015: Ongoing-Weekly Revisions, Online access for parents/community partners Notify parents about Facebook Groups through other Communication actions. Parent Involvement Teacher Leaders Media / Articles Ongoing-August 2013 – July 2014 Local Newspaper, Principal, Media Committee Remind101.com Weekly and/or daily August 2013 -July2014 Text messaging, Assistant principal, K-2 and 3-5 Parent Involvement Coordinators, and/or teachers Class Newsletters Weekly August 2013 – July 2014, Send home with students, All homeroom teachers Parent Conferences As needed, Fall and Spring scheduled conferences August 2013 - May 2014 Notified via email, notices sent home with students, and through phone calls, All teachers School / Parent Google Calendars Ongoing—weekly revisions August 2013 – July 2014 Link published on JCES website, Parent Involvement, Teacher Leaders PowerSchoolParent Portal Ongoing August 2013- July2014Link published on JCES website Burt Carter, Jake Sasser Teacher Websites Ongoing—weekly revisions August 2013 - May2014 Links published on weekly newsletters and on JCES website All teachers Community Parent Involvement Meetings Monthly August 2013 – May 2014 Meetings held at the Board Office Julie Chance School Parent Involvement meeting Monthly August 2013- May 2014 Meeting held at the School Assistant principal, K-2 and 3-5 Parent Involvement Coordinators
53
ANNUAL NOTIFICATION CONCERNING FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT (FERPA) 1. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over eighteen (18) years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights are as follows: A. Right to Inspect: You as a parent or eligible student have the right to review and inspect the student’s education records within forty-five (45) days of the day the School receives a request for access. Parents or eligible students should submit to the School Principal or other appropriate school official a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The Principal or school officials will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. B. Right to Request Amendment: You as a parent or eligible student have the right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate or misleading. The parents or eligible student should write the School Principal or the appropriate school official, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the school will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing. C. Right to Consent Disclosures: You as a parent or eligible student have the right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the school as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement personnel); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company with whom the School has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. You should also understand that, upon request, the School discloses education records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student is enrolled or seeks or intends to enroll. D. Right to Complain: You as a parent or eligible student have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the School System to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The address of the office that administers FERPA follows: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-5901 2. Notice of Designation of Directory Information Under FERPA The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a Federal law, requires that the Jenkins County School System, with certain exceptions, obtain your written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from your child’s education records (or from your records if you are over eighteen (18) years of age and, therefore, an eligible student). However, the Jenkins County School System may disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without written consent unless you have advised the school system to the contrary in accordance with school system procedures. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow the Jenkins County School System and the principal or other appropriate officials of your child’s school to include this type of information from your child’s education records in certain school publications. For example, information may be included in a playbill showing your student’s role in a drama production, the annual yearbook, an honor roll or other recognition list, a graduation program, and a sports activity sheet or program such as for wrestling, football, baseball, softball, etc. showing weight and height of team members. Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can also be disclosed to outside organizations without a parent’s prior written consent. Outside organizations include, but are not limited to, companies that manufacture class rings or publish yearbooks. In addition, two federal laws require local educational agencies (LEAs) receiving assistance under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to provide military recruiters, upon request, with three directory information categories—names, addresses and telephone listings—unless parents have advised the LEA, in this case, the Jenkins County School System, that they do not want their student’s information disclosed to military recruiters without their prior written consent. 54
If you do not want the Jenkins County School System to disclose directory information from your child’s education records without your prior written consent, you must notify the Jenkins County School System in writing by filing or delivering written notification to that effect with the principal of the school which your child attends within thirty (30) days of the child’s enrollment each school year. Forms for this purpose are available in the principal’s office. The following information regarding students is considered directory information: (1) name (10) program of study (2) address (11) dates of attendance (3) telephone number (12) grade level (4) electronic mail address (13) diplomas, certificates, awards received (5) date and place of birth (14) audio statements and/or performances (6) school (15) weight and height of members of athletic teams (7) participation in officially recognized activities and sports (8) photographs, video and audio images and recordings (9) educational agencies or other institutions of learning previously attended by the student.
ANNUAL NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS UNDER THE FEDERAL PROTECTION OF PUPIL RIGHTS AMENDMENT (PPRA) PPRA affords parents and students who are 18 or emancipated minors (“eligible students”) certain rights regarding our conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. These include the following rights: --To Consent before students are required to submit to a survey that concerns one or more of the following protected areas (“protected information survey”) if the survey is funded in whole or in part by a program of the U. S. Department of Education (ED) – Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent; Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family; Sex behavior or attitudes; Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior; Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships; Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers; Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents; or Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility. --To Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a student out of Any other protected information survey, regardless of funding; Any non-emergency, invasive physical exam or screening required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school or its agent, and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of a student, except for hearing, vision, or scoliosis screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required under State law; and Activities involving collection, disclosure, or use of personal information obtained from students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to others. --To Inspect, upon request and before administration or use Protected information surveys of students; Instruments used to collect personal information from students for any of the above marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes; and Instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum. The Jenkins County School District will develop and adopt policies, in consultation with parents, regarding these rights, as well as arrangements to protect student privacy in the administration of protected surveys and the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes. The Jenkins County School District will directly notify parents and eligible students of these policies at least annually at the start of each school year and after any substantive changes. Jenkins County School District will also directly notify parents and eligible students, such as through U.S. Mail or email, at least annually at the start of each school year of the specific or approximate dates of and provide an opportunity to opt a student out of participating in the following activities: Collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales or other distribution. 55
Administration of any protected information survey not funded in whole or in part by ED. Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening as described above.
Parents/eligible students who believe their rights have been violated may file a complaint with the following: Family Policy Compliance Office, U. S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-4605
Jenkins County School System Vision: Joining Communities and Schools for Success Mission: Educating students for college and careers. Policy Homeless Students Descriptor Code: JBC(1) Date Adopted: 06/19/2006 Last Revision Date: 08/02/2011 In accordance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, the School System will work with homeless children and youths and their families to provide stability in school attendance and other services. Special attention will be given to ensuring the enrollment and attendance of homeless children and youths not currently attending school in a manner that will not stigmatize or segregate them on the basis of their status as homeless. Homeless students will be provided School System services for which they are eligible, including Head Start and comparable pre-school programs, Title I, similar state programs, educational programs for students with disabilities or limited English proficiency, vocational and technical education programs, gifted and talented programs and school nutrition programs. Every child of a homeless individual and every homeless child are entitled to equal access to the same free, appropriate public education as provided to other students. The School System will assign and admit a child who is homeless to a School System school regardless of residence or whether the homeless child is able to produce records normally required for enrollment. The District has approved administrative procedures for the education of Homeless Children and Youth that provide for a system plan that identifies and removes barriers for students such as the following: (a) Identification; and (b) School Selection; and (c) Enrollment; and (d) Transportation; and (e) Disputes
The Superintendent will review and revise as necessary rules or procedures that may be barriers to enrollment of homeless children and youths. In reviewing and revising such procedures, the Superintendent will consider issues of transportation, immunization, residence, birth certificates, school records and other documentation. The Superintendent will appoint a liaison for homeless children. A "homeless child" is defined as provided in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Anyone having a concern or complaint regarding placement or education of a homeless child will first present it orally and informally to the School System homeless liaison who shall carry out the dispute resolution process as defined in the state plan for the Education of Homeless Children and Youths.
56
57
58
59
