Student Handbook

Jasper Adventist Christian School Handbook

 

Mission Statement

Jasper Adventist Christian School (JACS) provides quality education in a Christian environment.

Philosophy

JACS provides a Christ-centered curriculum promoting spiritual, physical, mental and social development.

 

 

Objectives

Our goal is to assist our students to:   

  • Know and accept Jesus Christ as a personal Savior
  • Think and act independently, even in the face of peer pressure
  • Exhibit self-control, cheerfulness, courtesy, respect, gratitude, and a desirable personality
  • Aspire to excellence
  • Maintain respect for others (students, parents, visitors, and staff)
  • Help maintain a safe environment
  • Accept responsibility for their own actions

 

Governing Body

 JACS is a non-profit school operating under a Board appointed by the Jasper (TN) Seventh-day Adventist Church which provides significant funding to support school operations.  The JACS Board includes a combination of both parents of JACS students as well as other members of the church.  Guidance and funding are also provided by the Georgia-Cumberland Conference.  The JACS School Board reserves the right to make final interpretations of school policy and may make appropriate changes during the course of the school year.   

 

Admission Policy

Jasper Adventist Christian School (JACS) is open to all students in our community who comply with the character and curriculum requirements, and who demonstrate an honest desire for a Christian education.  Students who apply are pledging to obey the rules and standards as outlined in this handbook and as explained or modified in official school notices.  New students must have previous school records transferred before admission will be granted.  JACS does not discriminate against any applicants on the basis of race, religion, color or national origin.  No admissions are final until approved by the School Board.  JACS does not accept students involved in hormone replacement therapy or sex reassignment surgery.

 

Entrance Age & Grade Placement

  • Kindergarten – 5 years old by August 15   
  • First Grade – 6 years old by August 15         
  • After testing and counseling with the parents, JACS staff determine the student’s grade placement.

 

Application Policy

Parents (Guardians) of students applying for the first time, including Kindergarten and 1st Grade, should:

  1. Read and be familiar with the current handbook
  2. Complete and sign an Application Form
  3. Present a copy of the most recent report card (if applicable)
  4. Have a Medical Exam Report completed by a doctor (forms available at the school)
  5. Provide Proof of Immunizations
  6. Provide Proof of Age (Birth Certificate)
  7. Signed release to access records from the previous school (if applicable)

Returning students should complete the Pre-Registration Form at the end of the current school year and review the current handbook. No students will be admitted to the 7th or 8th grades unless they have previously attended 6th grade at the Jasper Adventist Christian School. Exception to this rule must be appealed to the School Board and students will need to provide references and be interviewed by the principal. New 7th and 8th graders, if accepted, are on probation for the first 9 weeks.  Unless moving into the community, students are discouraged from transferring into our school after the 2nd quarter.    

Payment of the registration fee and the first month’s tuition should be made no later than the first day of school.   JACS does not accept students with an unpaid bill at JACS or any other school.  Student Records will not be released until the student's bill is paid in full. 

 

Registration & Technology Fees

A Registration Fee is charged to help cover fixed expenses (assessment, testing, student insurance, library, textbook rental, etc.). In addition, a Technology Fee is charged to support the use of computers and internet access. A student wishing to return to the school for a new school year may not register unless the previous year's tuition has been paid in full.  Parents are required to sign a Financial Agreement at registration. 

 

Student Insurance

Supplemental accident insurance is carried for each student. This coverage is intended to supplement insurance provided by the parents. This coverage is effective during regular school hours and for school-sponsored activities.

 

Tuition

Every effort is made to offer a quality, well-rounded, Christian education at the lowest possible cost to parents. JACS is subsidized by the Jasper Seventh-day Adventist Church, and other supportive donors.

Tuition payments are due on the 1st day of each month from August through May (10 months).  Late fees are charged after the 10th of the month, and any returned check charges will be added to the bill.  If tuition and registration are prepaid by semester (half a year) a 5% discount will be given. If the tuition and registration fee are paid in full, a 7% discount will be given.  In order to receive these discounts, payment must be made prior to the 1st day of school.  

Any student whose tuition is at least one month behind is subject to suspension until arrangements are made to get the account current. Final grades and official records will not be provided to the student or sent to another school until the account is paid in full.

 

Media Release Form

JACS regularly uses photos and videos in its publications and materials. A media release form must be completed at registration giving permission for images of the student to be used as outlined.                  

      

School Hours

The school day for all students begins at 8 AM. The regular dismissal time is 3 PM; dismissal time on Friday is 2:30 PM. 

Students should not arrive at school more than 15 minutes before classes start unless prior arrangements have been made with the teacher.  A 15 minute "grace period" will be granted to parents after the 3 PM dismissal time (2:30 PM on Friday).  If parents arrive after that time, a $5 per student late pick-up fee will be charged for each 15 minutes that they are late in picking up their student.  Students will be dismissed from their classrooms as parents come to pick them up.  Children must be supervised by their parents at all times after school hours.  School playground is closed before and after school hours.

 

Attendance

Attendance is a key factor in student achievement and success. Therefore, students are expected to be present each day school is in session. State law requires 180 days of school, and each school is to maintain regular student attendance.  The teacher is responsible for reporting excessive absences to the Marion County Board of Education.

Trips that take students out of school during the school year are strongly discouraged. If trips are taken, parents must notify the school 2 (two) weeks in advance. Missed work must be completed prior to the trip or submitted within 2 (two) days of return.

Please try to make doctor, dentist, and orthodontist appointments after school hours or during vacation time.  In the case of illness, parents should notify the school by 8 AM each day the student is absent. After 3 consecutive days of illness, a written excuse from the doctor is required. Students who have office visits not involving illness (tests, physicals, orthodontics, etc.) are expected to be in school before their appointment or return to school after the appointment.

A tardy occurs when a student is out of the classroom at the beginning of the official school day. An early dismissal occurs when a student leaves school before the end of the official school day. Excessive tardiness and early dismissals can greatly affect a child's learning and subsequently, their grades because they miss out on important teacher instruction that will not be repeated.  Arriving late in the classroom is disruptive to the program and negatively impacts other students. Please have your student in class prior to 8 AM. Students do best with 8-10 hours of sleep and are encouraged to have a good breakfast and no TV/video games before coming to school. 

Student are required to make up missed work as specified by the classroom teacher.  It is the student's responsibility to collect and return missed work within the time frame of the individual teacher's classroom policies upon his/her return.  Failure to complete missed assignments in the allotted time frame will result in a 0 (zero) for the assignment.

Fifteen (15) absences in a school year may result in a failing grade for the student.

 

Dress & Grooming

Parents and students are expected to apply the Biblical principles of modesty and decency. Research and experience agree that what a child wears to school has a direct influence on behavior and on the amount the child learns.  Clothing and grooming which the teacher considers to be distracting school performance. The style of dress and grooming (haircuts and combing style, make-up, etc.) should not copy the styles of sports, music, TV, movie, or video stars. Haircuts are not to be of any extreme style.             

Dress and/or grooming which draws undue attention to the student, or that is unnatural in appearance, is not to be worn. Colored fingernail polish, rings, necklaces and chains, earrings (even if the ears are pierced) bracelets and any other jewelry items are not to be worn to school or any activities or events sponsored by the school.  Students are expected to dress in accordance with their birth gender.

 

Dress Code

The School Board has adopted a dress code for our students.

Shirts: Solid, one colored polo shirts with a collar. Shirts must be proper size and fit, with emphasis on the length. (To determine proper length, raise arms fully above the head. If there is a gap between the belt line of the pants and the bottom hem of the shirt, the shirt is too short.)  Logos should be smaller than a silver dollar. Shirts may be long or short sleeved as weather permits. (No sleeveless). Solid colored sweaters and sweatshirts may be worn over the polo shirts in cooler weather. Stripes and patterns are not allowed.

Coats and Jackets: Solid color rule also applies to light weight jackets. The exception to the rule is heavy winter coats.

Pants:  Can be khaki, black or blue, or jeans. They must be clean with no holes or frayed edges.  They should not be baggy or too tight. Stretch pants, sweatpants, leggings or any type of sports pants are not permitted. 

Shorts: Solid colored, long walking shorts (to the top of the knee.)  May be worn in warm weather.  All shorts must meet the same criteria as long pants (no sport pants, stretch material, or frayed edges.) 

Skirts/Dresses/Jumpers:  Must be solid color and of modest fit and length (just above the knee or longer).  Girls should wear shorts under their skirts/dresses for modesty. 

Shoes:  Students are required to have athletic shoes for PE and recess. No sandals or open toed shoes are permitted for safety reason. They should also have shoes or slippers for inside use. Students will remove their "outdoor" shoes upon entering the building and put on their "inside shoes" while inside. 

Hats:  Must be removed inside the buildings, during prayer, and at other times teachers deem appropriate. They must be kept in the locker.  Hats may not have any TV, Movie, or Game Characters on them.

School Shirts: Students are required to have a school shirt to be worn on fieldtrips and on Fridays.       

Please monitor the weather forecast each evening or morning so your child will come dressed for the weather.  In the winter, students need to wear clothing in layers so they can remove the outer layers while they are inside and put them back on during recess and PE.

 

Inclement Weather Policy

JACS does not automatically close when Marion County Schools close. When bad weather is forecast, check the JACS Facebook Parent Communication page or watch for a text from the principal.  If bad weather occurs during the day and we must close school, you will be notified by text of phone call.

 

Lunches

Parents are encouraged to provide healthy lunches for their student.  Students are expected to remain at school during lunch time, so lunches should be brought to school by each student. Lunches should not include unclean meats such as pork, ham products, shrimp, etc. Each classroom has a microwave which students are welcome to use (2-minute limit for each student).  Self-preparing lunches (mac and cheese, etc.) must be able to be fixed by the student without adult help. Teachers cannot spend their brief lunch period preparing a student's food. Parents are encouraged to use an ice pack to keep student’s lunch cool as needed. Carbonated drinks or caffeinated drinks should not be part of school lunches.  Please limit candy or sweets in lunches.

 

Conduct

Students are expected to respect authority and encouraged to be kind and respectful to one another. The following behaviors are not acceptable at JACS:

  • Bullying, fighting, rough play, or running in the classrooms or halls.
  • Disrespect toward staff & students (mimicking, laughing at mistakes, talking back, making facial expressions, mumbling, griping, or complaining, etc.)
  • Swearing, slang, abusive and obscene language
  • Use of tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs
  • Disrespect of the Lord’s name or the religious ideals of the school
  • Discussion of movies, videos, and TV programs, unless the teacher is leading the discussion
  • Stealing or damaging school equipment or buildings (may be liable for the cost of repair or replacement)
  • Dishonesty (lying, theft, cheating, or having another person do your homework)
  • Chewing gum
  • Possession of harmful devices such as guns, knives, matches, fireworks, etc.
  • Sexual harassment, violence, threats, undue teasing, and derogatory remarks (regarding ethnicity, sex, disability, etc.)
  • Bringing to school improper magazines or pictures, occult materials, radios, video games, Nintendo, iPods, MP3 players, etc.
  • Students are expected to use the restroom consistent with their birth gender.

Electronic equipment or software, CD's, DVD's, thumb drives, zip drives, tablets, smart watches, personal computers, cell phones, GPS device etc., should NOT be brought to school without prearranged permission from the teacher.

 

Discipline

JACS discipline policy encourages self-discipline and helps the student consider the effect of his/her action on others and him/herself.  The willingness of the student to make changes, as well as the support of parents goes a long way toward making discipline a positive experience rather than punitive.  Discipline is addressed in a variety of ways depending on the significance of the behavior, age or maturity level of the student, and it’s influence on fellow students. The same act may be dealt with differently when all factors are examined.  Here are some of the consequences that may be used:

  • Phone call to parents
  • Running laps
  • Time out: sitting in an area apart from classmates, etc.
  • Loss of privileges: restricted from recess activities, fieldtrips, etc.
  • Meeting with teacher, parents, and/or Principal as appropriate
  • Restitution: making payment for loss to the school or to an individual, etc.
  • Common labor: cleaning of school facility, lawn/garden work, etc.
  • Individualized behavior plan 
  • Parents called for early pickup
  • Suspension from school: 1-5 days
  • Dismissal: no longer accepted as a student

 

Conflict Resolution

When a conflict arises, parents are encouraged to follow the biblical principles found in Matthew 18:

Step 1) Discuss the situation with the student’s teacher in a sit-down session after school

    Step2) If an amiable agreement cannot be reached, request a meeting with the principal and teacher

    Step 3) If no agreement, request a meeting with the School Board chairperson, principal & teacher

Final resolution will be made by the JACS Board as needed.

 

Phone Use

The telephone is provided for the use of the teachers and for emergency use only for the students. Students will not be allowed to use the phone to arrange for someone to go home with them. Generally, we will not call a student to the phone; however, we will deliver messages to the student. If a student becomes ill at school, he/she is to report to the teacher so that the teacher can notify his/her parents if necessary. 

Cellphones are not to be brought to school unless they are accompanied by a note from the parent explaining why the student needs the cellphone that particular day. Student cell phones must be given to the teacher, with the note upon arrival at school. The phone will be kept by the teacher during school hours and returned when the student leaves for the day.  Cellphones are not to be used on the school premises after school. Phones found in backpacks or lockers will be confiscated.

 

Computer Policy

All students using the computers and Internet at JACS agree to abide by the following rules:

Use of the network is intended to support education and research, and not for personal use. Users have access to the internet to facilitate diversity and personal growth in technology, information gathering skills, and communication skills.

  • Access to the internet is a privilege. All users will be considerate of other users.
  • Use of the internet for commercial or profit purposes is prohibited.
  • The username and password of a user are not to be shared or used by anyone other than the registered user. Violation of this rule will result in termination of the account.
  • No personal information is to be transmitted over the internet: address, phone number, school address, etc. Never arrange to meet in person anyone you contact over the internet without parental permission.
  • Bullying, hate mail, harassment, discriminatory remarks, and other anti-social behaviors are prohibited on the internet.  
  • Inappropriate uses of the internet include, but are not limited to chat rooms, instant messaging, Facebook, YouTube, twitter, personal e-mail accounts, etc.
  • Users will not attempt to engage in any illegal activity over the internet.
  • Users will accept the responsibility of keeping copyrighted information of any kind from accessing the internet. Users, who violate any of these rules, will be subject to discipline as determined by the teachers and principal.

 

Personal Property

Students should not bring valuables to the school unless they have been given permission by the teacher. If approved, these items should be placed in the care of the teacher. The school accepts no responsibility for the care or safety of personal property left in the school building or anywhere in the school premises.    

 

Volunteers/Drivers

Parents, grandparents, and others are encouraged to volunteer to help in the classrooms on a regular (prearranged with the teacher) schedule. Research shows parental involvement in the child’s education will improve the quality of the education the child receives. Each family is encouraged to contribute to volunteer work at the school which may be during the school day, on field trips, or on work bee days. Volunteer drivers are not only greatly appreciated, but also, necessary for field trips. All volunteer drivers must fill out the volunteer driver questionnaire. Proof of valid driver's license and $100,000/$300,000 auto insurance is required. (A current copy of the insurance policy and driver's license must be kept on file at JACS.)  Insurance is required in order to drive students other than one's own.  Screening of volunteers is required.

 

Medication

Teachers are unable to give students non-prescription medication for headaches, colds, or sinus problems.  If your child needs over-the-counter medicine, you may send it with them for self-medication.  If your child is taking prescription medicine that is scheduled for a dosage during school hours, teachers will be able to assist your child only if the Administration of Medication Form has been properly filled out and signed by the parent. The medication must be in the original bottle with the prescription.  Students may only self-medicate if the teacher has been notified by the parents.

 

Report Cards

Report cards are available at the end of each quarter. Each custodial parent/guardian, who so desires, will receive a copy of the report card providing there are no outstanding fees or charges. Parent/teacher conferences will be held twice a year (first and third quarter) and at other times, as the teacher deems necessary.  A parent/guardian is welcome to make an appointment with the teacher at a mutually agreed upon time.

 

Visitors

The school encourages parents to be involved in the child’s educational experience.  However, visitors can be a disruption to the normal routine of the classroom.  Opportunities will be scheduled for parents to join students for various activities throughout the school year, such as field trips, Kids for Christ meetings on Fridays, special curriculum events, STEM activities, lunch dates, and outdoor education experiences.   All school visits must be approved by the principal. 

 

Student Pick-up Authorization

Students will be allowed to leave campus ONLY with a pre-approved adult. Written, signed, notification from a parent/guardian is required for all students leaving with someone other than their parent/guardian.

 

Asbestos Management Plan

Our school has asbestos in the attic of the original building. The inspection and management plan for Asbestos-Containing-Materials (ACBM) required by the Federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) has been performed for this facility. It is monitored on a yearly basis and submitted to the state for review and approval.