JMS Student Handbook
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Jefferson Middle School 100 Dragon Drive Jefferson, Georgia 30549 Student Handbook 2021-2022 JMS Telephone – 706-367-2882 JMS Fax – 706-367-5207 Website – jms.jeffcityschools.org Facebook: Jefferson Middle School @JMSDragons All procedures outlined in this student handbook may be updated due to extenuating circumstances and subject to guidance set forth by the Georgia Department of Education, the Georgia Department of Health, and other local, state, and federal agencies. Table of Contents Jefferson City Schools’ Leadership 3 Calendar 4 School Day Arrival and Dismissal 5 Where to go for assistance 6 Dress Code 6 Enrollment and Withdrawal 8 Admission Requirements 8 Immunizations 9 Non-Resident Students 10 Homeless Students 12 Withdrawal 13 Health and Safety 14 Attendance 21 Excused Notes 24 Early Check-outs 25 Curriculum and Instruction 26 Professional Certified Staff 27 Connections 28 English Language Learners 28 Gifted Education 29 Homebound Students 29 Migrant Students 30 Sex Education 30 Special Education 30 504 31 Parent Involvement 32 Grading Policies 33 Promotion and Retention 34 Academic Integrity 35 Athletic Activities & Eligibility 35 Concussions 37 Student Code of Conduct 38-55 Cafeteria 55 Field Trips 56 Guidance 57 Library Media Center 57 Clubs 57 Student Ceremonies 57 Electronic Devices Policy (cells/headphones) 58 1 Internet Use Policy 61 Discrimination 63 Grievances 63 Fines, Fees, Charges 64 Student Copy Machine/Telephone Use 65 Student Deliveries 65 FERPA 65 R.O.A.R. Behavior Matrix 66 Bullying Contract 67 2 JEFFERSON CITY SCHOOLS LEADERSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS: Mr. Ronnie Hopkins, Chair; Ms. Guy Dean Benson; Ms. Angela D'Zamko; Mr. Willie Hughey; Mr. Brantley Porter; Ms. Lisa Richmond JCS ADMINISTRATION: Dr. Donna McMullan - Superintendent Mr. Brian Moore – Associate Superintendent Instructional Services: Director of Teaching and Learning – Dr. Sherry Hix Director of Technology – Ms. Miranda Storey Director of Federal Programs and Assessment – Mr. Tom Parker Director of Special Education – Mr. Trevor Metzger Operational Services: Director of Communications and Public Relations – Ms. Sydney Casey Director of Finance – Ms. Kim Navas Director of Personnel – Dr. Angela Vinson Director of School Nutrition – Ms. Sue Perry Director of Transportation – Mr. Rodney Lackey Director of Maintenance – Mr. Russell Massey Support Services: Special Education Coordinator – Ms. Brandi Pieplow Student Support Services Coordinator – Ms. Megan Cushman Academic and Career Planning Coordinator – Ms. Holly McShane K-12 Gifted Coordinator – Ms. Lori Alexander PK-5 MTSS/504 Coordinator – Ms. Lori Alexander 6-12 MTSS/504 Coordinator – Ms. DeMaris Hooper PK-12 Behavior Interventionist – Mr. Quinn Backus School Psychologists – Ms. Karen Hartsfield; Dr. Seajae Hartness PK-12 Data Management Specialist – Ms. Carla Fowler BioSTEAM Coordinator – Ms. Liz French Safety and Security Coordinator – Mr. Brandon Mosley Technology Support – Ms. Janice Nelms; Ms. Shely Vlahos; Mr. Ronnie Miller Digital Learning Specialist – Mr. Kris Plummer 3 JCS PRINCIPALS: Ms. Annette Beckwith (JES); Mr. Christopher Whitworth (JA); Ms. Carol Ann Knight (JMS); Mr. Rob McFerrin (JHS) JCS ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS: Mrs. Jessica Ferguson (JES); Mrs. Jodi Stephens (JES); Ms. Samantha Barrett (JA); Ms. Chrissy Joiner (JA); Mr. Howard McGlennen (JMS); Ms. Adria Whitworth (JMS); Ms. Jenny Hardy (JHS); Mr. Gibson Lowry (JHS); Mr. Bill Navas (JHS) Jefferson City Schools Mission Statement Our mission is to graduate fully functioning adults. Belief Statements 1. We commit to providing learning environments that are physically and emotionally safe. 2. We commit to assisting students to become independent and critical thinkers. 3. We commit to empowering students with responsibility and self-respect to make positive choices. 4. We commit to exposing students to differentiated learning experiences. 5. We commit to using a variety of assessments to guide instruction. 6. We commit to communicating with our stakeholders: students, staff, parents, and the community. School Calendar – (Policy AEA) The school calendar provides days of attendance for students, days of professional learning and organizational meetings for teachers and administrators, holidays and vacation periods, and other schedules of importance to the staff, students, and the public. Detailed information regarding the Jefferson Middle School 2021-2022 calendar will be distributed to students during Open House. The calendar can also be found on www.jeffcityschools.org 4 School Day Arrival and Dismissal School Day The school day for each of the four schools in the Jefferson City School System is as follows: Jefferson Elementary 7:35 A.M.-2:30 P.M. Jefferson Academy 7:25 A.M.-2:40 P.M. Jefferson Middle School 8:15 A.M.-3:35 P.M. Jefferson High School 8:20 A.M.-3:25 P.M. Arrival Early morning supervision for JMS students will be provided in the gymnasium beginning at 7:35 A.M. Students being dropped off should enter through the gym doors. For the safety of our students, please do not drop off students prior to this time. JMS will not be responsible for student supervision prior to 7:35 A.M. Students will have an opportunity to eat breakfast prior to the start of the school day. Cars will not be allowed in the front drive each morning from 7:35 A.M. - 8:15 A.M. The front drive is reserved for bus drop off at this time. The school day will begin promptly at 8:15 A.M. Students are counted tardy after 8:15 A.M., and must check in at the front office in order to be counted present. Dismissal Students will be expected to move directly to their designated area and exit the building in an orderly fashion. Bus dismissal is located in the front of the building. Car rider dismissal is located in the rear of the building. Walkers should proceed to the cafeteria. All students, except those participating in extracurricular activities or tutorial sessions, should be out of the building by 3:50 P.M. Any students in the building after 3:50 should be under the direct supervision of a school employee for a specified activity. All car riders should be picked up in car rider line (back of the building). The front of the building is reserved for bus dismissal only. 5 Where to Go for Assistance Absence/Attendance Media Center Accidents Main Office Activity/Scheduling Approval Main Office Announcements Media Center Athletic Eligibility Main Office Breakfast/Lunch Program Food Service Manager Career Information Counselor Change of Address Registrar Check In/Out Main Office Counseling (Individual or Group) Counselor Custodial Assistance Main Office Finance/Fees/Fines Bookkeeping/Main Office Illness Main Office/Clinic Locating Students Main Office Lockers Main Office Lost and Found Each Hall PRIDE (Advisement) Counselor Parent Portal Media Specialist Requisition/Purchase Bookkeeping Facility Reservation Principal Schedule Changes Principal School Insurance Main Office Special Education Issues Special Ed Coordinator Testing Information Testing Coordinator Visitors Main Office Withdrawal from School Registrar Guidelines for Student Dress Dress Code – (Policy JCBD) Each school principal shall be authorized to establish reasonable dress and grooming standards for students who attend the school to which they are assigned. Such standards shall be based upon legally acceptable standards as determined by case law. Students at JMS are expected to be appropriately dressed for school. Any clothing, accessory or personal appearance that distracts/disrupts the learning environment or educational process, or is offensive to others is considered to be inappropriate for 6 school. Examples of inappropriate dress at Jefferson Middle School include, but are not limited to, the following items: a. Any attire that promotes inappropriate messages, statements, advertisements, pictures (e.g. alcohol, drugs, weapons, sexually suggestive, violence, profanity, gang affiliation, any substance illegal to a minor, or that is offensive); b. Shorts / skirts / dresses (including slits and splits) cannot be shorter than each individual student’s mid-thigh. Having clothing underneath the shorts, skirt or dress does not remove the mid-thigh rule. Shorts/skirts cannot be completely covered by a shirttail or jacket and cannot distract or disrupt the learning environment. c. Any clothing that is excessively tight, for example: leggings, spandex pants, yoga pants, etc. must be worn with a top that is longer than the seat of the pants. d. Tops or blouses that expose any part of the midriff or back, and/or chest area, are unacceptable. Spaghetti Straps and off the shoulder tops are inappropriate and not allowed. e. Garments that have open holes, rips, or tears higher on the leg than mid thigh. f. Students must have undergarments covered. Attire that is revealing, transparent, or that shows undergarments is inappropriate. g. Head coverings, including hats, caps, bandannas, do-rags, combs, picks, gloves, and sunglasses or costumes of any kind are not appropriate for a regular school day. No head coverings at all including hoodies. h. Sleepwear or swimwear of any kind is inappropriate for school. i. Shoes with attached wheels, bedroom-type slippers, or cleats cannot be worn inside of the school building. j. Attire with writing across the seat is not appropriate for school. Jefferson Middle School administration reserves the right to determine whether a student’s appearance to include clothing attire, hair, makeup and accessories is within the limits and guidelines of the dress code. Adherence to the guidelines of student dress is required at all school sponsored functions, excluding sports. The administration may approve certain items of dress for specific activities and/or occasions. Any adjustment to the dress code will be determined at the discretion of the administration. Students who are scheduled for Health/Physical Education will be required to wear the JMS Physical Education uniform. These uniforms can be purchased at the beginning of 7 the school year and throughout the school year from the P.E. coach. Any violation of the dress code may result in the student changing into appropriate attire from items in the JMS Clothing Closet or having other clothing brought from home.