Student/Parent Handbook

Contacts (315) 689-8500

Main Office
Lori Eggleston-Support (x2002): leggleston@jecsd.org
Alexis Farnsworth-Admin (x2001): afarnsworth@jecsd.org
 
Health Office
Jessica Strong-Nurse (x3010): jstrong@jecsd.org

Attendance                
jemsattendance@jecsd.org

Food Service
Bill Vita-Director (x5701): bvita@jecsd.org

Free & Reduced Meal Program
Bernadette Fall-Admin (x5002): bfall@jecsd.org

Transportation
Diane Miano-Supervisor (x5601): dmiano@jecsd.org

School Resource Officer
Lynette DelFavero (x2006): ldelfavero@jecsd.org

Guidance
Mrs. Fedigan (x2012) Guidance Counselor: mfedigan@jecsd.org
Mrs. Brogan (x2013) Social Worker: kbrogan@jecsd.org
Ms. Morgans (x2018) Psychologist: amorgans@jecsd.org

Staggered Arrival and Dismissal
Arrival of self-transports and walkers. 7:50-8:00 a.m.
Arrival of district-transports,  8:00 a.m.

Students who ride the bus and walk, 3:00 p.m. (On Wednesdays, 2:28 p.m.)
Parent pick-ups, 3:05 p.m. (on Wednesdays, 2:33 p.m.)

Note: Both arrival and dismissal of self-transports will occur in the parking lot in front of the bus garage. Please do not enter the bus circle.

Mission, Vision, and Values

District Mission:
To cultivate the BEST in personal growth and achievement

School Mission:
Jordan-Elbridge Middle School helps young people create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. 

Vision:
Jordan-Elbridge Middle School is a premier IB World School that prepares every student to be a changemaker and take transformative action within and beyond the school community.

Values:
Jordan-Elbridge Middle School places supreme importance on intercultural understanding, service, and reflection.
JE EAGLES are…
Just and caring
Excellent in all that they do

Ethical in their behaviors
Accepting of all
Global thinkers
Learners first
Examiners of why and how
Selfless           
                

Part I – Student Services

Visitor policy: 

Because a school is a place of learning and because the district is charged with maintaining the safety of all students and staff, the following rules are enforced:

1. Any person who is not a regular student or staff member is considered a visitor.
2. Visitors are welcome to attend all school functions that are open to the public.
3. All visitors must report to the main office upon entering the building. All visitors are required to sign-in and wear an identification badge. Before leaving the building, all visitors must return to the main office and sign-out. 
4. All visitors are expected to abide by the rules for public conduct on school property as detailed in the district’s code of conduct.
5. Any unauthorized person on school property will be reported to the principal or his/her designee.
6. Unauthorized persons will be asked to leave and law enforcement may be called as warranted.

Attendance

New York State now has requirements holding each school accountable for students who have chronic absenteeism. New York State defines chronic absenteeism as a student missing 10% of the school days (18) in a school year. We will be monitoring daily attendance and reaching out to parents and guardians as we become concerned about a student being chronically absent from school. Regular school attendance is directly linked to academic success. After being absent from school, students are to give their written excuse to the nurse. If your child is going to be absent from school, please notify the Health Office at 689-8520, extension 2011.

Tardiness

Students who enter the school building after 7:50am are required to report directly to the health office to sign in and to secure a pass to their assigned class.

Early dismissal

If your child needs to leave prior to the end of the school day, we ask that you provide a note and that your child give the note to the nurse. The nurse will then give the student a pass to give to his/her homeroom teacher. Upon arriving to pick up your child, parents are asked to report to the main office door, buzz the secretary and your child will be dismissed to you. Please know that as a safety precaution you may be asked to show a form of identification.
Note: Students can be released only to a parent or the individuals listed on the child’s emergency card. In order to enforce custody agreements, the school must be given a copy of the court order containing the judge’s signature.

School closings

School messenger will notify families of any school closings or delays. As well, school messenger will notify parents of any weather-related early dismissals.

Transportation

A.M. Parent transport: There is no supervision prior to 7:40 a.m. Parents are asked to drop students off in front of the bus garage. Please do not use the bus circle for student drop off.
P.M. Parent Transport: Self-transport students will be dismissed at 2:55 p.m. Students may be picked up in front of the bus garage. Students with bicycles Students who choose to ride their bikes to school are asked to place their bike in the rack located next to the Ramsdell east entrance and
walk their bicycles once on school grounds.
Requesting transportation: Parents are required to submit a request for transportation each school year. If you are going to self-transport your child, the transportation office needs to receive written notice so that they can keep this information on file. So as to avoid overcrowding on the buses, district personnel can only honor written requests to change a student’s drop-off or pick-up location if the request is due to a permanent change in daycare arrangement.
Should you have any questions regarding busing, please contact the Transportation Department at 689-8500 extension 5601 and 5602.
 

Services By Office:

Cafeteria Services

Jordan-Elbridge Central School District will provide lunch and breakfast to students free of charge. Any questions regarding food services should be directed to the Food Service Director at 689-8500, extension 5701.

Health office

The health office is located in the hallway to the left of the lobby doors. The school nurse provides basic first aid, conducts height, weight, vision and hearing assessments, maintains student health records, and serves as a liaison between home and school. The school nurse does not diagnose any medical conditions as this is the responsibility of your family doctor. New York State Education Law does not permit school nurses to dispense any internal medication, including aspirin, unless the following conditions are met:

• A written order from a physician indicating the medication, dosage and duration of order.
• Written parental permission for the administration of the medication.
• A supply of medication with a label that contains the student’s name, type of medication, doctor’s name, time(s) to be given, and dosage.

The school nurse is required to maintain a file of each child’s immunizations. The school nurse will contact the parent or guardian of any student who is lacking a required immunization. By New York State Education Law, any failure to comply, within 30 days from notification, will result in a student’s immediate suspension from school until said requirement is met.
Notes: *Medicine cannot be transported back and forth by students via the school bus.*
Physical education is required for all students. In order for a student to be excused from PE class, the school nurse must be provided a written release from a physician.

Guidance office

The purpose of the guidance department is to help students meet with success in school. The guidance counselor will help students learn more about themselves, their interests, and their special abilities. The guidance counselor is available to assist with both educational and personal concerns.
 

Library

Students are encouraged to use the library to do independent research, view library materials, and engage in leisure reading and/or to study. Reference and reserved materials, including current magazine issues, are to be viewed in the library only. However, overnight borrowing of these materials may be arranged with the librarian.
Books may be borrowed for three weeks and renewed once. Failure to return materials may result in the loss of library privileges. Students, who lose, misplace or damage library materials must make a monetary reimbursement to the school. The librarian shall determine the fee according to replacement costs.

Academics:

International Baccalaureate report cards

JEMS will be moving to an IB report card for the 2021-22 school year. The IB report card parameters are explained in a separate handbook for students, which they will receive at the beginning of the year. Information about grades, academic recognition, and grade reporting will be presented to students during the first week of school and to parents at the grade level “Back to School” night.

Academic recognition

Refer to the International Baccalaureate student handbook for academic recognition.

National Junior Honor Society

In the spring of a student’s Year II, he or she may begin the process of applying for acceptance to the National Junior Honor Society. In order to be eligible students must have a composite IB report card score of 6-8 for the first three marking periods and a “clean” discipline record. Students who meet the eligibility criteria will be required to fill out an application to provide information about his or her character, leadership, and community service. Applicants must also complete a community service plan. Students who are interested in being a member of the Junior Honor Society should make an extra effort to lead, be a member in school activities, clubs, and community organizations, and perform volunteer work.

Student council

The purpose of the Student Council is to promote school spirit and school pride. The Student Council officers and individual class officers are elected in the fall of each year.

Retention

A student’s failure to be promoted to the next grade level is a multi-faceted decision. Factors for consideration include the child’s age, physical size, academic history, current academic transcript, and emotional maturity. All relevant parties would have input to such a decision, including the student, the student’s parents, teachers, guidance counselor and the building principal.

Acceleration policy for students in Year III

The District will provide an opportunity for Year III students to be accelerated in Living Environment. Screening of students for possible placement in this program will take place at the end of the 7th grade year. Students will be able to enroll in Living Environment upon the recommendation of their teacher and parent agreement. Students may enroll in Algebra I. Students who enroll in Algebra I must also enroll in 8th grade math. Successful completion of the course and the Regents exam will result in the student receiving one high school credit. A parent/guardian must give permission for a student to participate. All parties need to know that acceleration is difficult and will include mandatory attendance at scheduled review classes.
 

Part II - Student Behavior and Discipline

This section of the handbook outlines specific expectations for student behavior at the Jordan-Elbridge Middle School facility. Additionally, the District’s Code of Conduct is available for review on the district’s website. All students, staff and community members are subject to the Code of Conduct when on school grounds or at school functions.

Student responsibilities

A student shall not act in such a manner which disrupts the rights of others or which causes disorder or infringes on the rights of others. A school is a place of learning and it is important for all members of the school community to act in a manner considerate of the rights and feelings of others. Students learn from each other. Older students need to be conscientious that younger students are often impressionable. Students are expected to show respect for faculty and other members of the school community. A relationship based upon respect creates a harmonious environment. For the educational process to proceed in an orderly fashion, certain minimum standards of behavior must be required of all students.

All district students have the responsibility to:

• Contribute to maintaining a safe and orderly school environment that is conducive to learning and to show respect to other persons and to property
• Be familiar with and abide by all district policies, rules and regulations dealing with student conduct ? attend school every day unless they are legally excused
• Be on time and prepared to learn
• Work to the best of their ability in all academic and extracurricular pursuits and strive toward the highest levels of achievement
• Conduct themselves as representatives of the district when participating in or attending school-sponsored extracurricular events and to hold themselves to the highest standards of conduct, demeanor, and sportsmanship
• React to direction given by teachers, administrators and other personnel in a respectful manner
• Work to develop mechanisms to control their anger
• Ask questions when they do not understand
• Seek help in solving problems
• Dress appropriately for school and school functions
• Accept responsibility for their actions

All district parents have the responsibility to:

• Recognize that the education of their child is a joint responsibility
• Ensure that their child attends school regularly and on time
• Insist that their child be dressed and groomed in a manner consistent with the student dress code
• Help their child to understand that in a democratic society appropriate rules are required to maintain a safe, orderly environment
• Know the school rules and help their child understand them
• Convey to their child a supportive attitude toward education
• Build good relationships with all school staff
• Help their child deal with peer pressure
• Inform school officials of changes in the home situation that may affect student conduct or performance
• Provide a place for their child to study and complete homework assignments

Cell phones

Students are not to use their cell phones during the instructional day unless granted permission by their teacher. Students who bring cell phones to school are required to turn them off and store them in their bag. The school cannot/will not be responsible for electronics including cell phones/watches, I-pads, I-pods, or other computer devices.

Electronic equipment and games

It is recommended that students not bring any electronic equipment or games to school including I-pods, I-pads, electronic games, lap-top computers, etc. Note: The district cannot/will not be responsible for damage or loss to any personal property or electronic devices.

Lockers

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, hallway lockers will not be assigned to students.

Detention

Any student removed from a class for being disruptive will be placed on detention. The detention will be served afterschool. Detention will be held M, T, TR, and F. We will do our best to notify parents that students have detention. Students in grades 6-8 will be expected to stay regardless of parent contact unless a parent has made other arrangements with the principal or teacher.

Class attendance

Students are required to attend all classes and study halls. Students who fail to attend classes and study halls will be subject to the following policy: First Offense: Teacher shall notify the principal and the child’s parents. The student shall face disciplinary action. Subsequent Offenses: Student will receive an in-school suspension and a parent conference may be required.

In-school suspension

In the event that a student is placed on in-school suspension, he or she will be supervised by an adult in a room where the student will be asked to complete class work and any related homework A student serving an in-school suspension will not be permitted to attend classes nor will he or she be able to participate in or attend any school activities during the period of the in-school suspension.

Out-of-school suspension

In the event that a student is suspended from school, he/she may not attend classes, participate in school functions, or attend any school-related activities. Upon returning to school, the student and his/her parent will be asked to have a conference with a building administrator. Note: A suspended student may be required to make up all class work, homework and/or tests given during the student’s suspension.

Dress code

Students are expected to be clean and neat in personal appearance and clothing when they attend school. Hats will not be worn in the school building. Additionally, a student’s dress, grooming and appearance, including hair style/color, jewelry, make-up and nails, shall:

• Be safe, appropriate and not disrupt or interfere with the educational process
• Recognize that extremely brief garments such as tube tops, net tops, halter tops, spaghetti straps, plunging necklines (front and/or back) and see-through garments are not appropriate
• Ensure that underwear is completely covered with other clothing
• Include footwear at all times
• Not include items that are vulgar, obscene, libelous or derogatory to others on account of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or disability
• Not promote and/or endorse the use of alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs and/or encourage other illegal or violent activities
• Should reach the tip of their longest finger when standing - if shorts or a skirt - to be considered appropriate
• Provide enough coverage that no part of an undergarment is visible
• Not make reference to violence, guns, weapons, profanity, alcohol, drugs, tobacco products, or make offensive statements about religion or gender

Students who violate the dress code shall be required to modify their appearance by covering or removing the offending item and, if necessary or practical, replacing it with an acceptable item. Any student who refuses to do so shall be subject to discipline up to and including in-school suspension for the day. Any student who repeatedly fails to comply with the dress code shall be subject to further discipline up to and including out of school suspension.

Bus rules

Bus safety is the responsibility of all persons on the school bus. The bus driver is in charge of the bus and responsible for your safety. Help your bus driver to keep your bus neat and do your part to make his/her driving safe. Students must follow all rules that are posted on the school bus:

• Be on time at the scheduled stop or when going home at the close of the school day.
• Wait until the bus comes to a full stop before attempting to get on or off. When waiting for the bus, be sure to stand at least 3 feet back from the edge of the pavement until the bus comes to a full stop.
• Wait for the driver’s hand signal before crossing the road or street and cross at least 10 feet in front of the bus.
• Leave no books, lunches, papers or other articles on the bus. Also, do not bring water guns, sharp objects, or any large items on the bus.
• Refrain from talking to the driver while the bus is moving.
• Be courteous and responsible at all times.

Study hall

Students must bring texts and materials to study hall. Each student is expected to recognize the purpose of study hall and to respect the rights and needs of others. It is recommended that students use this time to develop good study habits and to maintain high academic standards.

Payment for technology

Students are required to pay for Chromebooks and textbooks that are lost, stolen, or damaged.

School dances

Dances are not open to the public. Only students enrolled at the Jordan-Elbridge Middle School are allowed to attend. Students are to stay in the building for the length of the dance. No alcoholic beverages, controlled substances or tobacco products will be allowed in the school building or on school grounds. Students engaged in behavior that is inappropriate for a public place will be asked to immediately stop. If the student refuses, he or she will be directed to leave school property. Any student involved in or encouraging a fight, damaging property or infringing on the rights of others will be dealt with in accordance with the district’s Code of Conduct and may be subject to prosecution. Students must meet the same standards of dress as those for the regular school day. Anyone who does not will be directed to leave school property. No pupils are to be in the parking area, in cars or out, except as they are entering or leaving school grounds. Chaperones will check the parking areas periodically. Pupils loitering in these areas will be directed to leave the school grounds immediately. Students who violate any of these rules will be suspended from attending dances for the remainder of the school year, as well as face additional disciplinary action as warranted.

Athletics:

Student academic eligibility

6-8 Please refer to the academic eligibility policy in the IB handbook.

Student attendance eligibility

On the day of extra-curricular events, practice or competition, students must attend a minimum of 50% of their assigned classes to be considered eligible to participate. The only exceptions to this rule will be an absence due to a medical appointment or a death in the family. In all cases, the parent/guardian must communicate the reason to the Athletic Director, Band Leader or school administrator prior to the absence. A non–excused absence shall constitute automatic ineligibility for the remainder of the day. Attendance on the last day of the week shall determine eligibility for the weekend.                               

SPEED DIAL (all numbers begin with a "315" area code)
Middle School 689-8520
High School 689-8510
Elbridge Elementary 689-8540
District Office 689-8500
Special Programs 689-8500 x5041
Transportation 689-8500 x5601 and x5602