Jones MS Student & Parent Handbook

Mr. Glenn C. Jones

“A Lifetime and Legacy of Service”

Mr. Glenn C. Jones graduated from Lawrenceville High School in 1932. That same year, he started his career of educating children at Bethesda School. In 1933, he began teaching at Bristol Academy and then later moved to Zion Hill School. Glenn Jones moved to Harmony Junior High in 1938 and remained there for 35 years! While at Harmony, Mr. Jones taught a full load of classes, drove the bus, coached basketball, rang the bell for class changes, stoked the coal stoves, began one of the first school lunch programs, and found time to be the principal. His impact on students and their families has been immeasurable; and he continues to provide unending inspiration to the faculty and staff of Glenn C. Jones Middle School where his legacy of helping all children continues every day!

Our Vision: Jones Middle School will become a world-class school where students acquire the knowledge and skills to be successful in high school, college and careers.

Our Mission: The mission of Jones Middle School is to pursue excellence in academic knowledge, skills, and behavior for each student, resulting in measured improvement against local, national, and world-class standards.

We Believe...

• Our school will educate and inspire each child to become a productive citizen who contributes to society.
• Our shared beliefs and mission will guide our behavior and decisions.
• Our climate will be characterized by order, security, kindness, and service to others.
• Our work will be characterized by care for our students, for their parents, and for our colleagues.
• Our teachers will be experts in their fields, dedicated to refining their craft & collaborating with each other.
• Our challenging, engaging, and inspiring lessons will provide academic rigor for all students.
• Our teachers and students set and achieve high academic and performance goals.
• Our students will exhibit leadership qualities necessary for meaningful relationships and future endeavors.
• Our partnership with our community will provide our students with an unparalleled educational experience.

School Administration

Ms. Lin Thornton- Principal

Ms. Charmaine Grey- 7th Grade Assistant Principal

Mr. Stacy James- 8th Grade Assistant Principal

Dr. Felecia McClain-Sturdivant- Special Education, 504 and Instructional Support Assistant Principal

Ms. Kelli Fitch - 6th Grade Assistant Principal

Car Rider Procedures

• To minimize the car rider line backing up onto Ridge Road and to maintain safety, the car ride line will wrap along the side of the school.
• Parents are expected to drop off and pick up students in the front of the school along the curb. Staff will direct vehicle movement and the unloading or loading of students.
• Students should not exit vehicles in other areas of the parking lot unless with a parent.

• If your child is attending study hall, tutoring, intramurals or any other club/activity, they may be dropped off between 7:50-8:15AM. Drop off is on the side of the building at the cafeteria doors. There is no student entry through the front doors until 8:50AM.
• Any student that arrives between 8:15-8:50AM must remain in their vehicle until the 8:50AM bell.
• Pull up to the drop off sign before letting your child out of the car in the mornings.
• Be sure your child is prepared to quickly exit the car when you come to a complete stop.
• Only turn right out of the parking lot to keep traffic moving.
  
• Only let your child out of the car in our designated locations for drop off (not the parking lot).
  
• After 9:20AM, please park and check your child in tardy.

Study Hall Expectations

Study hall is available for students who need a quiet place to read, study, or work independently starting at 7:50am each day. If students are attending a club, tutoring, or another activity, they are dismissed with a pass or picked up by their teacher at 8:15am. Students who are not dismissed at 8:15am, may remain in study hall until 8:50am when the transition to homeroom begins.

Below are the expectations for study hall:

• Study hall is a time for quiet reading, studying, or independent work.
• Study hall is not a time for socializing.
• Students should show respect for the space and allow others to focus.
• Students must be seated and not roaming around the cafeteria.
• Students should follow directions from staff members at all times.
• Students should be engaged in productive activities (e.g., studying or reading).
• Students not following these guidelines may be redirected.

• Students will be dismissed at 4PM and will exit through the front doors and will be supervised by adults.
  
• Communicate with your child at 4PM where you are in the car rider line.
  
• Pull all the way forward before stopping to let your child in your vehicle.
  
• Only turn right out of the driveway.
  
• Students may be picked up at Zion Hill Baptist Church or Ivy Creek Elementary School. We have adults who escort/supervise students until they are off campus safely.
  

• During afternoon dismissal, students must be silent and listen carefully for their bus number.
  
• Students may only ride their assigned bus to and from school.
  
• A bus pass must be requested by a parent to JMS to ride an unassigned bus.
  
• Requests for long-term bus changes must be approved by the GCPS District Transportation Office.
  
• Riding a school bus is a privilege. Improper conduct on the bus will result in suspended privileges.

• Walker will be issued a walker tag for their bookbag. Must be clearly visible.
  
• Walker tag permission forms/requests can be found on the JMS website.
  
• Walkers will be escorted along a designated path to exit campus.

Requirement

Students will only be released from school to parents or to a person who has been approved and identified by a parent in the student profile information. *Picture ID will be requested by the office staff before the student will be released. Students will not be allowed to check out after 3:30 p.m. Please keep this in mind when scheduling appointments.

Please come to the front door of the school, ring the doorbell and a staff member will assist you in entering the building. All visitors are required to report directly to the front desk and sign in with the office clerk. A visitor's badge will be issued and must be worn while on the school campus. Please come and visit with us or volunteer through the PTSA. We welcome you.

Students are encouraged to attend school every day. Daily attendance positively impacts a student’s academic achievement. Parents are encouraged to contact the school each day a student is absent. If a child is absent, parents are required to submit a note stating the reason for the absence. Parent notes for excused absences must be submitted within 2 weeks of the absence. Doctor's notes will be accepted at any time. Attendance will be monitored by the administration. *Parents of students surpassing 5 unexcused absences will be contacted by the school.

Extended Absence

If a student is absent for an extended amount of time (more than two days), a parent should email each teacher prior to the extended absence. Parents may refer to teacher eCLASS pages for missing assignments/information.

Make-Up Work

It is the responsibility of the student to communicate with his/her teachers after an absence to secure any missed assignments and due dates.

Four Digital Learning Days are scheduled throughout the school year. These are also Teacher Planning Days. Additional Digital Learning Days may be necessary due to inclement weather or other emergency situations.

Scheduled Digital Learning Days for 2024-2025

• Friday, September 20
• Tuesday, November 5
• Friday, February 7
• Friday, March 14

What to Expect on Digital Learning Days

• Students will access each of their teacher’s eClass pages to locate the DLD lesson for the day.
  
• Lessons will be asynchronous, and students will work through their assignments independently.
  
• There will be no Zoom sessions, nor a set schedule on those days.
  
• Students are free to access lessons throughout the day at their time of choosing.
• Teachers are available by email to assist students throughout the day should questions arise.

How Do I Support My Child During Digital Learning Days?

• Identify an appropriate place to work (preferably at a desk/table.) Ensure necessary materials.
  
• Encourage your student to be mentally present- resist the urge to multi-task (i.e. toggling among other screens, watching TV, playing games, using social media, etc.)
  
• Review grades in the Parent Portal and encourage your child to complete any graded assignments that were not turned in. Digital Days are a great time to make up late work!
  
• Communicate to your child that you expect them to access each class and complete assignments.
  
• Ask your child to show you his/her completed assignments for all 6 classes that evening.
  
• Have discussion with your child about school. What are they learning about in their classes?
  
• Should your child have questions or need additional support, he or she may email the teacher.

Numerical Grading System

· All students are issued numerical grades. The official grading system for GCPS is as follows:

o A = 90 – 100

o B = 80 – 89

o C = 70 – 79

o U/F = Below 70

Gradebook Assessments

• All classes will be assigned at least 5 graded summative assessments during each semester.
• All classes will be assigned between 14 and 20 formative assignments each semester.
• All classes will take a final exam at the end of each semester.

Grade weights vary by course; however, grades from all courses will include classwork, quizzes, projects, summative assessments, and other graded tasks as shared by the teachers.

Make-up Work/Work not turned in (NTI)

• Unless absent, a student is expected to submit work on time to the appropriate teacher when it is due.
• When absent, it is the student’s responsibility to ask for assignments missed and check the teacher’s eCLASS page. It is the student’s responsibility to turn in make-up work.
• As a general rule, students are given two days to turn in make-up work for each day absent. However, teachers will work with students on an individual basis, as needed.
• Any work not turned in will be recorded in the grade book as an “NTI” (not turned in) until the work is received by the teacher and graded.
• An “NTI” is factored into the grade book as a ZERO and greatly impacts a student’s overall grade. It is the student’s responsibility to follow up with the teacher regarding NTIs.

Grade Progress and Parent Portal

Teachers will email grade reports periodically to the parent email address located in the portal. Please make sure this information is updated and check your spam folder. Parents and students always have access to current grades in both the Parent and Student Portals.

Semester Report Cards

• Semester 1 Report Cards are sent home in early January
• Semester 2 Report Cards are mailed home after school ends in May

6th Grade

The guideline for promotion from grade six to grade seven is: Students should pass five out of six subjects each semester. Language Arts and Mathematics should be two of the five subjects passed. Passing a course is determined by the student earning a grade average of no less than 70 percent each semester.

7th Grade

The guideline for promotion from grade seven to grade eight is: Students should pass five out of six subjects each semester. Language Arts and Mathematics should be two of the five subjects passed. Passing a course is determined by the student earning a grade average of no less than 70 percent each semester.

8th Grade

The guideline for promotion from grade eight to grade nine is: Students should pass five out of six subjects each semester. Language Arts and Mathematics should be two of the five subjects passed. Passing a course is determined by the student earning a grade average of no less than 70 percent each semester. Eighth grade students should score Grade Level or Above on the Reading and Vocabulary domain of the Language Arts Georgia Milestones End of Grade (EOG) Assessment and achieve the performance level of Developing or higher on the Mathematics Georgia Milestones.

Parents should verify the accuracy of their contact information at the beginning of each school year, or they can update this information in the Parent Portal. In addition, if changes to contact information occur during the school year, parents should contact the school office to let staff know of those changes, or update via the Portal. This will improve communication throughout the year and ensure that your family will receive messages sent through ParentSquare.

ParentSquare

GCPS sends emergency notifications such as school closings and safety alerts by phone, text, and/or email via ParentSquare. All Jones Middle School general/non-emergency notifications will be sent by email using ParentSquare.

GCPS Parent Portal

The Parent Portal provides a tremendous amount of information to you about your child. In the Parent Portal you can view your child’s grades from this year and past years, lunch balance, State/National Test Scores from previous years, Transformation information, Discipline, Attendance Records, and more.

https://vimeo.com/443451764- English

https://vimeo.com/443479056- Spanish

If you don’t have a Parent Portal account, go to the JMS Webpage and print Parent Portal Form. Bring form to the front office desk with a picture ID. Trouble logging in or seeing all of your children? Email malena.mitchell@gcpsk12.org

eClass Notifications

Students & parents can be notified by email when items are added or updated on teachers’ eClass Course pages.

• Go to the student’s eClass course page.
• In the top right corner, click on the drop down next to the child’s name.
• Click Notifications. Enter an email address.
• Chose what items you want to be notified about your child’s eClass pages.

Student Portal

The Student Portal provides students access to online textbooks and resources, as well as the ability to monitor their classroom grades. Students may access teachers’ daily assignments, important information, school dates, and teacher contact information.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Parent/Teacher Conferences provide an opportunity for parents and teachers to work together cooperatively. Please feel free to request an in-person or virtual conference with your child's teacher at any time. An Early Release Conference may be requested by your child’s teacher during the month of October and/or March. Teachers or parents may also request parent conferences as needed throughout the year

Weekly Morning Tutoring 8:20-8:50AM

Monday- Language Arts tutoring

Tuesday- Math tutoring

Wednesday- Science tutoring

Thursday- Social Studies tutoring

Friday- Connections tutoring

JAG Time

JAG Time is a daily, 30-minute period dedicated to academic remediation and/or enrichment. This period also serves as a time for students to engage in social emotional learning (SEL), which is provided through our counseling and advisement programs.

Student Support Team

The Student Support Team (SST) exists to help classroom teachers identify students that are having difficulty either academically or behaviorally and to recommend alternative instructional strategies for that student. The team reviews and considers all available information about an individual student. Parents and/or teachers can refer a student to the SST Committee. If a parent has any questions concerning the referral process, he or she should contact either the student's teacher or assistant principal.

Academic Assistance Program (AAP)

The Academic Assistance Program provides intervention and credit recovery for students who do not achieve a passing grade after 1st semester. AAP (Semester Academic Assistance Program) information sheets and schedules are sent home in January. Students who do not meet promotion criteria for semester 1 and who do not participate in AAP will automatically need to attend summer school to meet promotion criteria.

Counseling Department

School counseling services are available to all students. A counselor is assigned to each grade level. The goal for the guidance and counseling program is to help students be academically and personally successful. The Jones Middle School Counselors will work closely with “at-risk” students in order to help these students be more successful.

Shena Manning: 6th Grade

Nathan Shope: 7th Grade

Ashley White: 8th Grade

Clothing:

ALL clothing should provide sufficient coverage.

Hats and Hoods:

Headgear is prohibited in the building. This includes, but is not limited to, caps, hats, hoods, bandanas, wave caps, sweatbands, or any other head covering. *Exceptions for religious or medical reasons.

Shoes

Health & safety regulations require that footwear be worn at all times at school. No slippers.

Undergarments

Undergarments should not be visible. Bathing suits of any kind are not allowed.

Outerwear

Students may not wear trench coats or other long coats resembling the style of a trench coat to school. Students may not wear blankets, capes, or costumes to school.

Words and Images

No student clothing shall display words or symbols that advocate or depict violence, drugs, alcohol, sex, illegal gang affiliation or other illegal activity expressed or implied. No student clothing or accessories shall be disruptive or have caused past disruption to the school environment.

Jewelry and Accessories

Jewelry and accessories that may be used as weapons are not allowed to be at school. This includes, but is not limited to, wallet chains, jewelry such as spiked rings, spiked bracelets, two or three finger rings that are joined and bulky chains worn around the neck or waist. Sharp objects that could pose a danger, such as spikes or safety pins, are not allowed on clothing or book bags.

Gang Affiliated Attire

Students are not allowed to display clothing or symbols that have been identified by the Gwinnett County Police Gang Task Force as being commonly identified with gangs. Garments, jewelry, body art and tattoos that communicate gang allegiance are not allowed to be worn at school, and no item may be worn in a manner that communicates gang affiliation.

Students who violate minor classroom rules may receive a teacher assigned citation and consequence. These consequences may include but not limited to: warning, silent lunch, conference, or teacher detention. Teachers will notify parents when a citation has been issued.

Gwinnett County Board of Education permits students to have in their possession a cell phone on a limited basis. If you need to contact your student, please call the front office at 770-904-5450 and we will be happy to deliver the message. Students are responsible for the security of their cell phones. During school hours, students should have their cell phones silenced and put away. Students who violate the policy will receive consequences.

Away for the Day

All middle school students in Gwinnett County Public Schools will be issued a Chromebook to keep and use for instructional purposes. Students will no longer have any instructional reason to rely on a cell phone as their “device” needed for school. Due to the 1:1 Chromebook initiative, here is our “Away for the Day” electronic device expectation.

• With the implementation of 1:1 Chromebooks, there is no longer any need for a student to use a cell phone as an instructional device.
• Upon arrival, students are expected to silence/turn off their phones and store them in their backpacks where they will remain for the duration of the school day. Cell phones and other devices should not be visible or in use during the school day.
• Students are not to keep cell phones or earbuds/headphones on their person. Students are expected to have WIRED earbuds daily to accompany their district-issued Chromebook for necessary instructional purposes.
• If a student needs to contact home for any reason, they may do so from any school office phone. If you need to contact your student, please call the front office at 770-904-5450.
• Students assume all responsibility for any personal electronic devices brought to school.
• If a personal electronic device of any kind is lost, stolen, or damaged, the school is not responsible for restitution nor is the school obligated to investigate.

If a student fails to adhere to the Away for the Day procedure, he/she will be subject to the following consequences:

• 1st offense – The teacher reminds the student of the “Away for the Day” expectation and sends the student to the grade level administrator to receive a warning
• 2nd offense - The teacher reminds the student of the “Away for the Day” expectation and sends the student to the grade level administrator to secure their device for the remainder of the day. The student will retrieve their device at the end of the school day. A parent/guardian will be contacted via email.
• 3rd offense – The teacher reminds the student of the “Away for the Day” expectation and sends the student to the grade level administrator to secure their device for the remainder of the day. The student will receive an administrative consequence and a parent will be contacted to retrieve the cell phone.

This along with other supports, will help provide a safer environment for students and will allow us to continue to pursue excellence in academic knowledge, skills, and behavior for each student.

Class Tardy Process

Each teacher will have a tardy sheet. When students are tardy, they will sign their name, date, and time on the sheet.

Tardy Consequences:

• 1st Tardy - Warning

• 2nd Tardy - Parent Contact

• 3rd & 4th Tardies - Silent Lunch

• 5th & 6th Tardies - Detention

• 7th and after Tardies - Referral

Interventions will be put in place to help improve student tardiness.

Parents are discouraged from bringing items such as lunches, gym bags, and books to school to be delivered to students. Interruption of classes to deliver these items interferes with instruction. We cannot deliver flowers, gifts, or fast-food lunches to students. Students who arrive to school with outside food or non-water specialty drinks must consume these food and beverage items prior to 1st period.

Tech devices, textbooks, musical instruments, library books and other school equipment and/or property should be considered on loan for the period the student uses such equipment or material. In the event of loss or abuse of instruments, equipment or property, restitution will be determined by the amount it costs to replace or repair instruments, equipment or school property.

Technology Device Checkout Guidelines

• Devices should be maintained by the student while checked out.
  
• Any issues with the device should be reported to the school immediately.
  
• All devices checked out to students must be checked back in at the school’s determined date.
  
• Upon their return, devices will be assessed for damage and fines may be assigned based on the damage in order to cover the cost of replacement parts and repairs.
  
• If a device is returned in good condition, no fine will be assigned.
  
• Device services will be turned off and replacement fines will be assigned if not returned.

Personal Property Responsibility

Any personal property that will cause disruption at school or on the bus will not be permitted. While the school will make every reasonable effort to protect personal property, the school cannot be responsible for its security. When personally owned electronic devices, cell phones, earbuds, rented instruments, or equipment and the like are brought to school, the school cannot assume responsibility for loss or damage. That responsibility remains with the student and parents.

Student Accident Insurance, which provides coverage specifically for accidental injuries, is made available through our partnership with K & K Insurance. The plan, which has several coverage options, is best used as a supplement to your child’s existing insurance policies. Because GCPS does not cover injuries that occur at school, we encourage parents to consider this reasonably priced insurance product.

For full details about the K & K Student Accident Insurance program, including coverage options and pricing, please review one of these downloadable files at https://www.gcpsk12.org/Page/24706.

Students will use their student ID numbers at the register. To ensure Free and Reduced Lunch opportunities parents must fill out a FRL form at the beginning of each school year. See details and website below to access the application.

Free and Reduced Lunch Application

The online application is available 24/7 and is a secure environment at https://www.nlappscloud.com/. When you submit your online form, please make sure you receive a confirmation number. Later, you will be able to use this number to find out the status of your child’s online application.

The faculty and staff of Jones Middle School are vitally interested in the health and welfare of all students; however, the administration, teachers and staff are not licensed physicians or nurses. No employee will furnish a student with any medicine, including aspirin or similar non­prescription medications, except those designated staff members assigned to the clinic.

To ensure the safety of all students at our school, the following guidelines will be followed when medications are to be sent to school.

1. All medications, prescription and over the counter, require completion of the Administration of Medication Request Form. Parents must bring medication to the clinic for safe storage.
   
2. If a request is made that an over-the-counter medication be administered on a long-term basis (more than one week) or an on-demand basis, then a doctor's statement may be required explaining the necessity for the medication.
   
3. All medications must be in the ORIGINAL CHILD-PROOF CONTAINER. Prescription medications must be in the labeled prescription bottle. Medications stored in envelopes, baggies, etc. will not be administered.
   
4. Please try to administer all prescription and over-the-counter medicine at home when possible. Parents should check with their physician regarding the need for medications to be administered during school hours. Medications prescribed for three times daily often can be given before school, after school and at bedtime.
   
5. Students should never keep medicine in their possession while attending school. All medicines, prescription and non-prescription (i.e. Tylenol. aspirin, etc.) must be kept in the clinic and administered there. Students, who are in possession of medication, such as Tylenol, or their own prescription medication, are subject to disciplinary action as outlined under Gwinnett County Public Schools Code of Conduct Rule. Following this guideline will help us ensure that medications are properly controlled and properly administered at school.
   
6. Students will not be called out of classes to take their medicine. We are committed to ensuring that learning time is protected. Calling a child out of class to take their medicine interrupts the learning of all children. We must insist that parents provide the necessary reminders and motivation for children to remember to report to the clinic to take their medicine.
   

Students have two Connections classes each semester in addition to their regular academic classes. Band, Orchestra, Chorus, DLI, Guitar, and Spanish (grades 7 and 8) are year-long connections classes. Students in these programs rotate into one other new connections class each semester.

Clubs and Organizations

An updated list of clubs and organizations, including club sponsors and meeting dates can be found on the Jones website.

Sports

Jones Middle School offers girls and boys basketball, cheerleading, girls volleyball, girls and boys soccer and girls and boys cross country as part of GCPS middle school athletics.

Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) recognizes that the use of technology is prevalent in society. Students and staff have access to the Internet, cell phones, games, and a variety of personal technology devices. Students and staff utilize social media websites and applications as well as a variety of other digital resources that allow them to interact, share, create and innovate. Staff members utilize these same resources as a means to effectively engage and motivate student learning and collaborate with colleagues.

When using GCPS technology or network access, students are expected to follow the Student Conduct Behavior Code, including respecting others’ privacy. Online student accounts to be used for legitimate educational purposes will be subject to monitoring and review, including review of text and attachments that are related to that student or students. At NO TIME should a student consider GCPS e-mail, networked applications, or account or technology access private or confidential in any way.

While the school district does maintain internet filters, there may be times when a student may accidentally or purposefully discover inappropriate materials online. Gwinnett County Public Schools DOES NOT CONDONE the use of such materials. Inappropriate use of GCPS technology or network access is a violation of the Student Conduct Behavior Code.

Access is a privilege, not a right, and all students are expected to treat this learning tool with respect. GCPS technology, network access, and electronic resources must not be used to:

-Harm other people, interfere with other people’s work, or steal property.

-Gain unauthorized access to other people’s files or programs.

-Gain unauthorized access to on-line resources, including using someone else’s password.

-Make changes to the hardware/software configuration of any machine, including installing/deleting software.

-Improperly use the network, including introducing software viruses and/or bypassing security policies.

-Steal or damage data and/or computers and network equipment.

-Access, upload, download, distribute pornographic, hate-oriented, obscene, or sexually explicit material.

Failure to follow these guidelines violates Georgia, O.C.G.A., Codes 16-9-90, 16-9-91, 16-9-93, and 16-9-93.1 as well as Title XVII of United States Public Law 106-554, known as the Children’s Internet Protection Act. Such use can also lead to disciplinary action, up to and including loss of access to GCPS technology resources and further disciplinary actions as defined by existing GCPS policies. Such disciplinary actions may include confiscation of technology being used inappropriately if an incident occurs.