As the summer ticks away, educators with the Jones County School System work to prepare students, teachers, parents and themselves for the 2026-27 school year that will be here in a flash.
The preparation started in earnest at a May 23 board retreat that invited community members not only to attend but to also participate. The product of that meeting was the creation of core beliefs and the JCSS mission and vision.
New and updated district policies were presented to Board of Education members at their May 12 meeting and were unanimously approved at their June 9 meeting. The policies were for homebound instruction programs, suicide prevention, student records, parents bill of rights, bullying, and transfers and withdrawals.
Jones County High School is utilizing social media to help get the information about changes for the upcoming school year to the public with the most recent announcement that all Jones County students will get into all sporting events free with a current student ID.
The previous student ticket price was $10. The free admittance does not apply to unaccompanied minors.
Policies posted June 17 began with the announcement that only clear cups and clear water bottles are allowed on campus. Metal cups and colored bottles are not permitted at the high school. The next post addressed the issue of the possession or use of vapes.
Being caught in possession or use of a vape will result in a 10-day suspension and a minimum of 45 days in Alternative School.
The Physical Altercation Policy states disruptions to the school day will not be tolerated. Any physical altercation that causes a disruption to the school day will result in an immediate 10-day suspension and a minimum of 45 days in alternative school.
JCHS Principal Chance Scott clarified in a June 25 interview that the Physical Altercation Policy is not referring to a spontaneous disagreement between students that may become physical, but that would also not be tolerated and would be dealt with.
He said the Physical Altercation Policy resulting in suspension and Alternative School is intended for ongoing disagreements, for example, that are stoked on social media and result in planned physical altercations that intentionally disrupt the school day.
A June 18 social media post focused on a Block Schedule update. JCHS is transitioning in the 2026-27 school year to what is known as a block schedule. That means freshmen and sophomores will take four blocks per semester and juniors and seniors a minimum of three blocks for both semesters.
That is not a complicated as it sounds. Scott explained that students have already registered for their classes for the school year. The block schedule increases class time from 50- 90 minutes, and students will select two academic classes and two electives to take each semester.
Teachers will have 75 students per semester in contrast to dealing with 150 students, which will make it easier getting to know students and decrease the grading load.
A June 19 post will affect every student and family in the Jones County School System. Personal electronic devices are not permitted for student use during the school day. That includes cell phones, smart watches, earbuds, headphones or any other electronic device. If an electronic device is seen or heard, it will be confiscated.
The device can be retrieved from the front office at the end of the school day. This policy is in accordance with Georgia Law and Jones County Board of Education Policy.
The anti-bullying policy was posted June 24. The issue of bullying is also covered by state law and is not only a school problem. If reported at any Jones County school, the behavior will be investigated by school administrators.
Under Georgia Law, bullying includes threatening or attempting to physically harm another person. It can include intimidations, displays of force that cause fear of harm that interfere with a student’s education, creates a threating environment, infringe on a student’s rights or disrupts operation of the school.
Bullying can include cyberbullying, text messages, social media, group chats, websites and other electronic communication.
Retaliation against anyone who reports bullying is prohibited and will result in disciplinary consequences.
Scott posted a video on the JCHS Facebook page June 23 during which he explains several of the new policies, including physical altercations.
An article containing information from a June 25 interview with Scott, JCSS Communications Director Adam Gillhouse and Superintendent Dr. Jessica Graves will be in next week edition with more information about upcoming changes in the district for the next school year.
