Policies

Student safety and courtesy for others are matters of considerable importance atJFS. Since traffic in and out of our parking lot can be significant, we request that all families respect the following procedures:

• Students in the primary grades (1-3) will be dropped off in the back loop on Chisin St. Students in the upper grades (4-6) will be dropped off in the front parking lot. Siblings with upper and primary grade students will choose a loop. TK/K students will be dismissed by their teacher.
• School staff begins supervision at 7:45 a.m. Please ensure your child arrives to school between 7:45 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. as the bell rings at 8:05 a.m.

• For safety, please use the designated walkways and avoid walking through the parking lot for morning drop-off.

• To keep traffic flowing smoothly and ensure safety in the mornings, please do not leave your car parked or unattended at the curb. 

• We kindly ask parents to help ensure their children are picked up on time each day by making the necessary arrangements.
• At dismissal, most third and sixth grade students including students in the 5/6 combination class, will be dismissed at their backdoors (doors leading to the front loop) unless needing to be picked up in the backloop or attending the YMCA program. If you would like to pick your third or sixth grader from the back loop please discuss this with your child prior to the first day of school. 
   

All visitors must report directly to the office to sign-in and obtain a vistors badge prior to volunteering in the classroom. The office staff is happy to assist you. 

• Please do not block driveways adjacent to the school.
• Be a ‘good neighbor’ and find appropriate parking or use the back loop to pick up your child.
• Your child should ONLY cross the street where there is a crosswalk. Encourage and model for your child the use of the crosswalk and respect for our crossing guards.

Update your contact information on the PowerSchool Parent Portal. If we ever have a school emergency you will be contacted by the information you provide on your Parent Portal. You will receive an email, text, and phone calls.

View the PowerSchool Parent Portal instructions or contact us you need assistance.

For an excused absence (illness)

• Parents may request homework by 12:00pm via e-mail to the classroom teacher.
• Please do not call and request homework from the school office.
• The teacher will leave missed classwork or homework in the front office by 2:30 p.m., if requested.
• If homework is not requested, the child may pick up missed assignments upon returning to school.

For an unexcused absence (vacation/travel)

• Homework is not provided in advance for students missing school for unexcused absences.
• Missed work will not be provided for unexcused absences.
• Vacation and travel are unexcused absences.

Students are encouraged to be responsible for their personal and academic needs.

There is a No Rescue/Responsibility policy before, during, and after school for items that are left at home or school (homework, projects, backpacks, instruments, etc.) except: Students Projects that are too large or heavy to carry

The object of homework is to assist and improve a student’s learning. Homework is to be reasonable in length, directly related to classroom work, well defined in advance by the teacher, understood by the student, and corrected and returned to the student. It is the student’s responsibility to complete homework. The type of homework assignments and length should vary according to the student’s level. Your child is responsible in bringing his/her homework to school. JFS has a “no rescue” policy in place to emphasize student responsibility no homework brought late by a parent or guardian will be accepted; students will need to remember their homework prior to leaving school. Once they leave school, they will not be able to return to the classroom after school for forgotten work.

Kindergarten: Homework is minimal and based on teacher judgment of student’s need. However, reading is mandatory.

Primary grades (1-3): Some homework will be assigned to familiarize the students with the need for accuracy, time management and organizational skills, which are the foundation for the required homework that is a part of the intermediate grades educational program. Homework is assigned at the discretion of the teacher with an emphasis on language arts and math.

Intermediate Grades (4-6): Homework emphasis is on language arts and math. Additional assignments are given which, in the judgement of the teacher, will assist the student to learn and develop initiative and responsibility. Long-term reports and projects will be assigned.

Students may bring a lunch or receive a hot lunch at school.

• If your child is eating lunch from home, your child should bring his/her lunch with them to school. Please label all lunch boxes, containers, and water bottles. 
• Dropping off lunches is discouraged.
  • Please help your child be responsible to bring their own lunch with them or if they forget their lunch they may receive a hot lunch from school.
  • Students without lunches walk to the office at their designated lunch time to check if a lunch was dropped off for them. No classrooms will be called or emailed for forgotten items. With 600 students on campus, time spent in communication for forgotten items is not possible.
  • If no lunch was dropped off, students will receive a hot lunch.
• If you must bring lunch for your child, please inform your child’s teacher by e-mailing them.
• There will be NO SHARING OF FOOD ALLOWED; some students may have food allergies.
• Kindergarten is a peanut free zone: no peanut products are allowed.
• Students may bring a nutritious snack to be eaten during the morning recess in designated areas.
• Lunch recesses are supervised by paid supervisors.

Parents are allowed to send small treat bags, that do not contain food, as a way to celebrate their child’s birthday with classmates. Due to allergies, EESD board policy and good nutrition, no food is allowed for birthday celebrations. If a student brings a treat bag, please ensure there is one for every student in the class. Thank you. 

Please keep all balloons and birthday decorations at home. Thank you!

Field Trips

Field trips are planned by grade level teams to extend and enrich the curriculum. Parents are invited to participate as chaperones. Due to liability issues, only JFS students (not siblings) may attend field trips and all students must ride on the bus.

Bus Expectations and Regulations (mainly field trips)

Behavior while on the bus and waiting for the bus is subject to the school and school expectations.

• Obey the teachers and driver’s instructions and expectations.
• Remain seated until the bus driver arrives at the stop and the bus door is opened.
• Talk quietly so you don’t disturb the concentration of the driver.
• Keep head, arms, hands, and legs in the bus while on board.
• Eating or drinking is not permitted on the bus.
• Animals, glass containers, large articles, and radios are not allowed on the bus.
• Cell phones are not allowed on the bus (unless otherwise specified by the classroom teacher, prior to the field trip).
• Respect property and help keep the bus clean.

To ensure your child’s safety, notify the school immediately if you have a change of address, home, or work telephone number during the school year. Emergency Contacts can be updated through the PowerSchool Parent Portal.

Students may not leave school without permission. If you must remove your child prior to dismissal, please come to the office, and we will notify your child’s teacher. Please schedule appointments late in the afternoon so as not to disturb your child’s education. Please also note if you are picking your child up during lunch, please allow for extra time as locating students during lunch time can be difficult and take additional time. Thank you. 

The Evergreen School District Board of Trustees adopted Discipline with Dignity in 1992. This philosophy is based upon several principles:

• Long-term behavior changes vs. short-term quick fixes. Dealing with student behavior is part of the job. We will invest whatever time is needed to produce a change in behavior.
• Being fair means treating students individually, based on what will work for them. While the expectations are uniform for all, specific consequences are assigned on an individual basis, based upon the needs, offense, and history of the student.
• Always treat students with dignity. We use discipline techniques to help student maintain or enhance their self-esteem. We use privacy, eye contact, and proximity when correcting student behavior.

To ensure student safety, pets are not allowed in areas where children are likely to be present, which includes at drop-off and dismissal. Thank you for keeping our community safe. 

Students are expected to dress appropriately and to be properly groomed for the school day. The type and style of clothing and hairstyle are individual and personal. The school shall be concerned when these are extreme and could cause distractions or are unsafe. Appropriate shoes must be worn at all times for safety reasons. Shorts, skirts and dresses must be a minimum of fingertip-length. 

Examples of inappropriate clothing may include:

• Garments where the torso and/or bare shoulders are exposed, such as tube tops, tank tops, half shirts, spaghetti straps, and halter-tops.
• Clothing, caps, or buttons that show obscene words or pictures, sexually suggestive statements, drug or alcohol references.
• Caps/hats are not to be worn in class.
• Recreational clothing, such as bathing suits, or spandex shorts,
• Sandals, opened-toe shoes, and platform shoes.

Partnership with parents gives children strong messages for success in school. Parents who review their children’s weekly papers, work folders, and notebooks will be aware of their children’s strengths and needs. Parent and teacher communication is essential and encouraged via email or before and after school phone calls. 

School and district communications are sent weekly via ParentSquare.

Our teachers care about children, and they are dedicated to making your child successful in school and providing a quality education for every student. To maintain an effective home/school partnership, we suggest the following:

• Ensure that your child comes to school on time every day.
• Respond promptly to all letters, notes, e-mails, and phone calls from school.
• Ask your child every day about something that he/she learned.
• Encourage your child to respect himself/herself, to respect the rights and property of others, and to follow the school's expectations.
• Set aside some quiet time and a place every day for homework and be prepared to give some help with assignments.
• Become informed about school programs and speak with your child’s teacher whenever necessary.
• Attend as many school-related activities as possible.

Children’s names and room numbers should be on clothing and lunch boxes. The only time students should bring toys, games, balls, or other items to school is when the teacher instructs them to do so. Electronic toys and expensive jewelry are not allowed at school. Cell phones are to be turned off and remain in your child’s backpack until the end of the school day. Any student found using a cell phone during school hours will have the phone confiscated and sent to the office for the PARENT to pick up. Smart watches are not allowed on campus. 

• Report Cards are sent home three times a year. Envelopes are to be signed by the parent and returned to school.
• Progress Reports are sent mid-trimester in grades 1-6.
• Families are invited to attend Back-to-School night in the fall, parent-teacher conferences in November, and Open House in the spring.
• November parent-teacher conferences are essential to the overall education program. Please plan on attending. If parents have a special concern, they are encouraged to schedule a conference with the teacher at any time during the school year.

Students are expected to be prepared to learn and have the following responsibilities:

• Arrive at school every day on time.
• Be prepared every day with completed homework assignments.
• Take home all letters, messages, and notes.
• Discuss with parents what they have learned in school; ask parents and teachers for help when needed.
• Respect themselves and the rights and property of others; follow all school expectations.

James Franklin Smith holds bi-weekly meetings regarding the progress of identified students. During the Student Study Team Meeting (SST)the team will review the student’s progress with the parents to develop a plan that will lead to the success of each child referred. Team members will include your child's teacher, the principal and other specialists (the resources specialist, speech and language therapist or school psychologist) who will discuss possible strategies and  accommodations that may assist your child be be successful at school.  

Student Use of Technology Policy

The district recognizes technology as support for the instructional programs and it shall be used to further student learning. Regulations prohibit access to harmful matter on the internet (obscene or pornographic or other misuses of the system). No expectation of privacy should exist, as district staff may monitor the system activity to ensure proper use of the system. Student and parent must sign an Acceptable Use Agreement, outlining a student’s responsibilities and obligations, before using the district’s online resources.

Social Media with Students

Students must use Social Media responsibly. Social media used at home must not disrupt the learning environment at school. Students must respect each other and not engage in any inappropriate behavior to prevent disciplinary consequences at school.

Standards of Behavior

The staff of James Franklin Smith is committed to the process of educating the whole child – academically, socially, physically, and emotionally. We value the individual and cultural differences that each child brings to the learning environment. Students are taught how to behave responsibly, make good decisions, and resolve problems in an appropriate manner. All school expectations apply during the instructional day including arrival and departure to and from school.

School-wide Expectations:

1. Come prepared and ready to learn.
2. Arrive at school on time daily.
3. Treat others with courtesy and respect. Be responsible.
4. Complete and return homework on time.
5. Keep our school clean and safe.

Behavior Referrals 

At JFS, we conduct ourselves in ways that will support a positive learning environment. We believe in safety, respect, and responsibility. If your child receives a referral, please discuss the noted behavior with your child, sign the referral with any comments and return to your child’s teacher the following morning.

Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior

Consequences are related to the severity and frequency of the offenses: warning/reminder of the rule, a break, exclusion from special activity, phone call to parent/guardian, parent/guardian conference, request for parent involvement, referral to administration, behavior contract, suspension, and expulsion from school.

Severe Misconduct

Serious misbehavior including physical fighting or threatening to cause injury, showing defiance of authority, obscenity or profanity, sexual harassment, and possession and/or use of a dangerous instrument or substance will result in immediate referral to the principal.

Expulsion from the Evergreen School District removes a child in grades K-8 from enrolling in any Evergreen School for the period of expulsion. Laws that became effective January 1, 1996, require a recommendation for expulsion for possessing a firearm (including pellet or BB guns), brandishing a knife at another person, and selling drugs. Additionally, the Board of Trustees may expel for possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia, damage to property, theft, tobacco, disruption/defiance of authority, imitation firearm possession, sexual harassment, hate violence, and possession of dangerous objects.

Also, please note that if these violations occur when a student is walking to or from school, the student may be referred for expulsion. Parents should seriously review with their child at all ages the consequences of what they carry in their pockets, bags, or backpacks to and from school. Evergreen

School District endorses a Zero Tolerance policy for any action of a student that endangers others.

The following Evergreen School District policies are provided to you to increase your awareness of what is and is not tolerated at any Evergreen School District campus. Policies can be accessed online or requested from the school office.

Student Use of Technology - B.P. 6163.4

The Governing Board recognizes that technology provides ways to access the most current and extensive sources of information. Technology enables students to practice skills and to develop reasoning and problem-solving abilities. Every effort shall be made to provide equal access to technology throughout the district’s schools and classes. Students are responsible for adhering to Evergreen School District’s Acceptable Use Agreement.

Non-Discrimination - B.P. 5145.3

District programs and activities shall be free from discrimination, including harassment, with respect to the actual or perceived ethnic group, religion, gender, color, race, ancestry, national origin, and physical or mental disability, age or sexual orientation. The Governing Board shall ensure equal opportunities for all students in admission and access to the educational program, guidance, and counseling programs, athletic programs, testing procedures, and other activities.

Sexual Harassment - B.P. 5145.7

The Governing Board is committed to maintaining a school environment that is free from harassment. The Board prohibits sexual harassment of any student by another student, an employee or other person, at school or at a school-sponsored or school-related activity. The Board also prohibits retaliatory behavior or action against any person who complains, testifies, assists or otherwise participates in the complaint process established in accordance with this policy. Any student who engages in sexual harassment of anyone at school or at a school-sponsored or school-related activity is in violation of this policy and shall be subject to disciplinary action.

Uniform Complaint Procedure - B.P. 1312.4

The Board recognizes that the district has primary responsibility for ensuring compliance with state and federal laws and regulations governing education. The district shall investigate and seek to resolve complaints at the local level. The district shall follow uniform procedures when addressing civil rights guarantees, complaints alleging unlawful discrimination or gender equity issues, or failure to comply with state or federal law in programs for consolidated categorical aid, Indian education, migrant education, child nutrition, special education, adult education, career/vocation education, and child development. The Board prohibits retaliation in any form for the filing of a complaint, the reporting of instances of discrimination, or for participation in complaint procedures. Such participation shall not in any way affect the status, grades, or work assignments of the complainant. The Board acknowledges and respects employee rights to privacy. Discrimination complaints shall be investigated in a manner that protects the confidentiality of the parties and the facts. This includes keeping the identity of the complainant confidential except to the extent necessary to carry out the investigation or proceedings, as determined by the Superintendent or designee on a case-by-case basis. The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that employees designated to investigate complaints are knowledgeable about the laws and programs for which they are responsible.

Tobacco-Free Environment - B.P. 4016.1 and 5131.62

Documentation and research has demonstrated the health hazards associated with the use of tobacco products and the breathing of second-hand smoke. Further, a legislative mandate requires the district to alleviate the presence and use of tobacco products in the educational environment. The Governing Board intends to maintain tobacco and smoke-free school facilities, grounds, offices, work areas, and district vehicles for all of its students, employees, parents, volunteers, and visitors.

Williams Uniform Complaint Procedures - B.P. 3212.4 W

The Board recognizes that the district has primary responsibility for ensuring compliance with state and federal laws and regulations governing education. The district shall investigate and seek to resolve complaints at the local level. The district shall follow uniform procedures when addressing complaints regarding Instructional Materials, Teacher Vacancy/Mis-assignment and Facilities conditions which pose an emergency or urgent threat to the health or safety of students and/or staff.

Protection of Pupil Rights

The district has adopted policies, in consultation with parents, regarding student and parent rights as well as arrangements to protect the privacy in the administration of protected information surveys and the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales or other distribution purposes. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act gives parents certain rights with respect to their child’s educational records. More information is available in the school office.