📚 JECS School Handbook

History

The Josephine Edwards Christian School (JECS), built in 2000 at its current location, is a memorial to one of the area's beloved teachers and authors. Mrs. Edwards taught in both the Gilmer County High School and Pleasant Gap Adventist School. This humble school, which has been in continuous operation since 1952, has produced graduates who have become teachers, nurses, doctors, preachers, missionaries, and valued members of their communities.

Accreditation

The Josephine Edwards Christian School is state accredited through the Georgia Private School Accreditation Council; therefore full transfer of credits is available. Teachers are certified through the SDA School System. The Seventh-day Adventist School system is one of the largest church operated systems with over 5,500 Adventist schools worldwide.

Philosophy

Josephine Edwards Christian School believes a complete education includes the harmonious development of the mental, physical, social, and most importantly, the spiritual growth of each student. We attempt to educate our students for this world and prepare them for the eternal life that is to come; Bible class, worship, and prayer are essential ingredients of our standard textbook curriculum.

Mission Statement

The Josephine Edwards Christian School, a member of the Seventh-day Adventist School System, was established in 1952 to provide a Christ-centered education for the Christian youth of the Ellijay, GA area. Our mission is to lovingly guide students into a personal relationship with Jesus through His Word, academics, and nature.

Vision

Our vision of a quality school will:

1. Lead learners to know God, His Word, and His Creation.
2. Develop academic excellence at an individualized pace.
3. Provide a safe and caring environment.
4. Foster the use of technology available to us.
5. Use our community resources.
6. Encourage service and leadership.
7. Enrich the educational experience through the fine arts.
8. Enhance the quality of students' lives.

The Josephine Edwards Christian School is a non-profit organization serving the educational needs of the Gilmer, Pickens, and Fannin counties' areas without regard to race, color, ethnic background, national origin, or gender.

Age Requirements

• Students entering Pre-K must be 4 years old by Aug. 15
• Students entering Kindergarten must be 5 years old by Aug. 15
• Students entering First Grade must be 6 years old by Aug. 15

Required Documents

1. Application Form
2. Financial Agreement Form
3. Physical examination by their own family doctor
4. Photocopy of their birth certificate
5. A current certificate of immunization
6. A current eye, ear, and dental examination record
7. $50.00 Non-refundable Deposit ($100.00 for multiple children). This deposit will be deducted from the entrance fee

School Hours

School begins at 8:00 am and dismisses at 4:15 pm; Monday through Thursday. Students should not arrive on school grounds prior to 7:45 am and should leave by 4:30 pm, unless other arrangements have been made.

Excusable Absences

Absence and tardiness are excusable for these reasons only:

1. Illness of the student, with excuse from doctor
2. Death in the immediate family
3. Medical appointment
4. Quarantine

A written excuse is required for each absence or tardiness. Students are entitled to make up work they have missed due to absence. It is the responsibility of the student and parent to make arrangements to acquire missed assignments.

Experience has shown that there is a direct correlation between school dress and school behavior. A student's school attire should be modest, neat, and simple.

General Guidelines

• Wrist and ankle jewelry, chains, rings, or earrings are not permitted.
• Makeup, if worn, should be light natural colors and not reflective of any trend.
• Only one color of clear or natural nail polish at a time is permitted.

Approved School Attire

SHIRTS: Solid color, polo-type shirt with full collar and sleeves. All colors are acceptable. Shirts must have JECS embroidered on them by September 15 or 30 days after enrollment.

PANTS: Dress pants of black, tan, navy or plain blue jeans without holes.

SHORTS: Same regulations for pants and they must come to the knee while standing and kneeling.

SHOES: Tennis shoes or sneakers are required. No other shoes are allowed, including skate fliers.

HAIR: Should always be neat and clean. Natural-colored highlights are acceptable but no unnatural coloring is allowed.

Parent and student support is essential in upholding the ideals of our Christian school. The following behaviors are unacceptable:

1. Showing disrespect toward the teacher or any other adult associated with the school program.
2. Verbally or physically abusing a student.
3. Disruptive behavior in the classroom or on the school grounds.
4. Using profane language.
5. Consumption of beverages that contain alcohol or caffeine.
6. Willful destruction or vandalism of any school property or anyone else's property.
7. Gambling or betting.
8. Possessing or displaying any obscene literature or pictures.
9. Indulging in lewd conduct or any suggestive behavior.
10. Improper conduct towards those of the opposite sex.
11. Using or possessing narcotics, tobacco, or alcohol in any form.
12. The use, handling, or possession of any type of firearm, firecrackers, knives, lighter, or any other dangerous item.
13. Theft, cheating, lying, or any other type of willful deception or dishonesty.
14. Tampering with or using any fire-fighting equipment.
15. Using motorcycles, three-wheelers, four-wheelers, or skateboards.
16. Leaving the school property during the school day without permission.
17. Using radios, CD players, electronic game equipment, or other electrical devices unless specifically requested by the teacher.
18. Cell phones are not to be used during school hours, if seen they will be confiscated.
19. Guests or pets coming to school without prior permission.

Lice Policy

If a student is sent home once with lice and/or nits and returns to school with lice and or nits, we must have a letter from the Health Department or a health care provider stating the student is lice and/or nit free before they can return to school.

Lunches

Recognizing that good nutrition is important for good learning and behavior, parents are urged to send healthful lunches to school for their children in accordance with Seventh-day Adventist health principles. Caffeine beverages and pork products are not permitted. Nutritious and appetizing vegetarian lunches are encouraged. A microwave is available for warming ready-to-eat lunches for students.

Medications

Non-prescription medications may not be administered to students by school staff unless there is written permission and instruction. All prescription medications brought to school are to be given to the office for safekeeping in the original container with proper labeling. A completed Medication Administration Form must accompany all prescribed medications.

Weapons Policy

The school board prohibits students and visitors from possessing, storing, making, or using a weapon in any setting under school supervision. This includes firearms, knives, razors, clubs, electric weapons, martial arts weapons, ammunition, and explosives. Violations will be referred to parents and law enforcement.

Parents' Responsibility

The success of this school depends upon the cooperation between parents, teachers, and students. Parents are encouraged to:

1. Uphold Christian ideals in their homes.
2. Participate in Home and School Association meetings.
3. Meet school financial obligations promptly.
4. Keep students home who show symptoms of a communicable disease.
5. Visit and observe the classroom by appointment.
6. See that your student has the proper school supplies.
7. Give two hours of volunteer help per month.

Grievance Procedure

1. The complainant is to meet with the teacher to deal with the issue. All meetings with the teacher must be by appointment.
2. If unresolved, the complaint is to be taken to the principal for consideration with all parties present.
3. If unsuccessful, a final appeal can be made to the local school board with a conference representative invited to participate.

Home and School Association

Meetings will be scheduled on a regular basis at the school and parents will be notified of the date and time in advance. Your attendance at these meetings is a vital tool in developing good communication between parents and teachers.

Report Cards

Report cards are issued four times during each school year. The teacher will schedule a conference with the parents at the end of the first reporting period and as needed to discuss the progress of the student.

Transcripts

In harmony with the policy established by the General Conference Department of Education, grade cards, transcripts of credits, or diplomas will be issued only when the student's account is paid in full. Students transferring to JECS may not be accepted if an account is owed at a previous school.

Tuition Payments

Tuition payments are due by the 1st of each month. Payments will be considered late after the 10th, at which time parents will be notified, and if not paid by the 15th, the student may be required to remain at home until the account is paid or arrangements with the principal have been made.

Transportation

Students are to leave the school property at the end of the school day with their designated transportation. Any deviation from this must be made in writing by the parents, preferably in the morning upon arrival. Students will not be permitted to make alternate transportation arrangements during the school day.

Visitors

Parents and others are welcome at the school and are urged to visit the classroom. This should be done after the first four weeks of school when teachers and students have had time to become acquainted. Visitors must check with the teacher before entering a classroom and should try to schedule visits one day in advance whenever possible.

Telephone

Parents are requested to call the school during school hours only in case of an emergency. Students may not receive or place calls without the permission of a teacher.

Personal Property

The school is not responsible for damage to any personal property brought to school.

Inclement Weather

In the event of inclement weather, the school will follow the same course of action as the Gilmer County Public School System. The public snow line is 706-276-SNOW (7669).

Asbestos Statement

No asbestos-containing building materials were used in our school facility. Documents for materials used in the new facility are on file in the school office and available for public inspection.