The status quo is not what the leaders of the Jones County School System are looking for when the new school year begins next month.
During a conversation with three school system leaders — the new principal of Jones County High School, Chance Scott, new JCSS Communications Director Adam Gillhouse and Superintendent Dr. Jessica Graves, who will be beginning her first full school year in the position — returning to the way things have been done in the past was not at the top of the list.
The June 25 impromptu meeting took place in the community room at the high school to talk about new policies but covered much more. Scott spent last year as the principal of Clifton Ridge Middle School, and when the position at JCHS opened up, the Board of Education unanimously agreed he was the man for the job.
Gillhouse’s communication skills and ability to work with teachers, students and community leaders have already been proven, and he also had the unanimous support of the board.
It was not lost on this reporter that these three leaders have nine children among them, all attending Jones County schools, which could be an added reason for their enthusiasm and dedication to our school system.
The conversation started with Scott talking about the need to reach out to the entire community.
“We have to increase school spirit and community spirit for the Greyhounds,” he said.
That support starts with athletic events, but that’s just the first step.
“How do we increase that culture? We’ve got to make people want to be here,” the principal said.
A part of getting them here is athletic events. Scott said they came to a consensus about having a Passport for high school students. When they attend a given number of events, they will get swag from the school store. Students will check in at events, and that will also include some community events.
“With school spirit, we have to be all in. When you pull up to Jones County, you should know we’re the Greyhounds. We’ve got to be known and recognized, not just locally but statewide,” he said.
“I’m very big on brand. Let’s be known as the premier high school.”
The principal said he is looking forward to the start of the school year.
“I’m very excited” he said. “I enjoy the school system, I enjoy the school, and I really enjoy the people in this district. We have to make everybody better.”
Gillhouse said he is excited about policy changes and schedule changes due to either state laws or in response to survey data of stakeholders.
“We are trying to provide the best experience for our kids based on survey responses from teachers, parents and students,” he said.
Scott said they plan to have a Q&A with administrators on social media soon to answer a lot of questions that are frequently being asked.
Policies
In talking about implementation of new policies, starting with bullying, Scott pointed out that the Bullying Policy starts with a state law.
“When you get to the root of the word, the definition of bully, it’s a difficult thing to prove in education and in the world,” he said. “My stance is to get down where it started. Is it just kids being mean or continued and repeated targeting? If it’s true bullying, there has to be an investigation.”
Teachers go through a bullying protocol every year, and the investigation is an administrative task. Scott said there is a chain of command for that, starting with counseling and administration.
Scott said the fighting policy was focused on major disruptions at the schools. He said the process dealing with fighting would be followed every time to be consistent.
Graves said work is also being done on the restorative side to promote positive behavior.
“Our goal is to graduate our kids and add contributing members of society. We look far beyond the graduation lens. We want kids to be prepared post-graduation,” she said.
The mantra is enrolled, enlisted or employed.
The principal said that includes the attendance policy, also important for post-graduation.
The consequences for excessive absences will be tied to privileges. He said students completing their credits would graduate, but walking across the stage to receive a diploma is a privilege. Scott said other privileges include things like driving to school and attending prom.
“We need to put teeth in our policies,” he said.
Scott said teachers also need to want to be at school, and that is a statewide problem. He said teachers need to be recognized for what they do to create positive outcomes.
“We want to change the environment so they are afraid to miss out on something good,” the principal said.
Block scheduling
Jones County High School has traditionally had seven periods a day for 50 minutes. Block scheduling is four 90-minute classes a day, two academic classes and two elective classes of the student’s choosing per semester.
Scott said all students have received an email explaining the scheduling.
The superintendent said it creates more opportunities for pathways. Students will be able to pick more than one pathway, and teachers will have a 90-minute planning session each day.
Scott said teachers will now have 75 students a semester instead of 150.
“You can build a relationship a lot better with 75 than you can 150,” he said.
It also decreases the grading load.
Graves pointed out less transitions in the building means more safety for kids, and block scheduling means more opportunities for credits, leading to more balance.
“If kids struggle, they can earn those credits back before they graduate. That increases likelihood of graduation,” she said.
Gillhouse said over four years, there is a difference of 32 credits with block scheduling compared to the traditional 28. That means students can take a class they want or retake a class if needed.
Scott said students have taken recovery classes online in the past that have been less rigorous. Those students will retake classes face to face now.
Graves said the counseling department at the high school has also been streamlined to make sure there is a focus on not only academics but the wellbeing of the students. The way that has been done is anything relating to central office will now be sent to central office.
“Mr. Scott has re-envisioned the counseling department at the high school so they actually serve and support kids,” she said. “They know them; they know their post-graduation goals.”
Scott said all counselors will have a specialty and are responsible for every student.
“That’s a shift for them, but they have embraced it and are full-steam ahead.”
Culture shift
Graves said the culture of the district is changing.
“We have moved from hysteria to healing, and this is hope for a better future for us,” she said. “We are starting to have conversations. Before you yell the sky is falling, sit down and ask questions. We can talk about it and solve problems instead of creating hysteria.”
Graves said 77 percent of the teachers at JCHS were surveyed and said they wanted to move to block scheduling. She added (rounding up) 100 percent of teachers and leaders said disciplinary oversight was their top priority.
“These decisions were made as directly as a response to that survey feedback,” the superintendent said. “It’s pretty hard not to react to a 100 percent response rate.”
