Following each nine weeks grading period, students and teachers participate in rallies designed to promote academic success and boost students’ self esteem. All parents are welcomed and encouraged to attend academic pep rallies. Teachers will announce the dates and times.

Afternoon Dismissal

Walkers - All walkers are dismissed at 2:50 p.m. and must leave school by the front doors. They must not “hang out” but are expected to leave campus when dismissed.

Bicycles - In an effort to protect our students, bicycles may not be ridden to and from school.

Car Riders - Car riders are dismissed at 2:55 p.m. and are to be picked up no later than 3:30 p.m. Repeated cases of a child being left stranded at school past 3:30 p.m. will result in the police being called to school and report made to the Department of Child Services. Car riders are picked up at the front of the building at the canopy and are not to be picked up in the parking lot or at any other location on campus. If you wish for your child to meet you somewhere off campus, he/she becomes a walker, is released at 2:50 p.m. and must leave campus. If you choose, you may park and come get your child but please don’t ask them to meet you in the parking lots. Car riders will be seated on the benches along the front sidewalk and should watch for their rides. Please, for safety’s sake and to speed up the process, your child must follow the rules.

Bus Riders - Bus riders will be taken to the gym at 3:05 p.m. and will be seated on the bleachers by bus numbers. Riding the bus is a privilege. Improper conduct may result in that privilege being denied. If it is necessary for a student to ride a bus different from the regularly scheduled one, parents must send a note requesting permission. The note must be signed by the principal and given to the driver by the student when boarding the bus.

Kindergarten - Parents may pick up their children in the front hall at the main doors at 2:00 p.m. if they wish. If not, please wait until scheduled dismissal times to avoid possible confusion. The office becomes a busy place at that time of day.

State law requires that children ages six through seventeen attend a public or private school and has charged the school system with the responsibility of ensuring that the law is obeyed. The school board does understand that there will be times when your children may miss school because of illness or other unforeseen problems. Principals are given authority to excuse five absences per semester with a note from the parent or guardian for any of the following reasons:

Personal Illness
Illness of immediate family member
Death in the family
Extreme weather conditions
Religious observances
Circumstances which the judgment of the principal create emergencies over which the student has no control.

A doctor’s statement is required in order to excuse all absences beyond the five allowed per semester. The student is responsible for making up all work missed when the absence is excused. This work must be made up within three days except in cases of extended illness. Work missed for unexcused absences can not be made up! Students must bring a note to the office upon returning to school explaining the reason for the absence in order to receive an admit slip to class. Failure to bring a note will result in an unexcused absence! Students that sign out before 11:30 a.m. or arrive at school after 11:30 a.m. are counted absent for the entire school day.

The faculty and staff of Jere Whitson School believe that no one has the right to prevent someone else from learning. Therefore, students should conduct themselves with the highest standards at all times. Every student is expected to behave in an orderly manner and respect the rights of others. Each student is expected to comply with individual teacher’s classroom rules as well as follow these general school rules:

Students will not physically or verbally abuse other students, faculty or staff. Bullying will not be tolerated!

Students will show respect for school property as well as the property of others.

Students will show respect for all adults and authority.

Students will follow the rules established for good social and health habits.

Students are not allowed to chew gum at school.

Failure of a student to comply with school and classroom rules could result in disciplinary action which is appropriate for the seriousness and frequency of the offense. Disciplinary action may include time out, written assignments, loss of privileges, after school detention, corporal punishment, and suspension from school. Parents will be notified about persistent or serious discipline problems and your help in dealing with these problems will be expected and greatly appreciated.

Basic supplies such as pencils, paper, erasers, etc. can be purchased in the school bookstore which is open from 7:45 - 7:55 a.m. in the office.

Students are expected to keep themselves well groomed and neatly dressed at all times. Students are not appropriately dressed when their attire is disruptive to the learning environment or when it creates a health hazard. The following items are inappropriate for school attire:

T-shirts that make reference to drugs, tobacco, alcohol, sex or obscenities, or promote violence such as wrestling or violent video games;

Tank tops, fish net shirts, halter tops, tube tops, or midriff tops that expose your child’s mid section;

Flip Flop sandals or slide shoes without a strap in the back;

Short shorts or excessively short skirt lengths;

Hats, head coverings, or caps inside the building except for school sponsored special occasions.

Any parent who wishes to pick up his/her child before normal dismissal time must sign the student out in the office. No teacher is allowed to release a student during the school day without an Early Dismissal Slip from the office. Please check out students early only when they are sick or for essential reasons.

The decision to dismiss schools early is made by the Director of Schools. Announcements will be made on Cookeville Cablevision Channel 7 and local radio stations. Telephone lines need to remain open so please do not call the school when you suspect an early closing. A form for stating your plan for what your child is expected to do if school is dismissed early is in your child’s registration packet. Please fill out this form and return it to school with the other forms.

It is crucial that we have accurate, current records on our students for emergency purposes. Please be sure that we have phone numbers where you or your designee can be reached at any time. Also, be sure to notify the school if any information changes during the course of the year.

Field trips are very valuable extensions of the school curriculum. Students are expected to behave in an exemplary manner whenever the are representing our school. Students that choose to misbehave may be excluded from any field trip. One permissions slip covering all trips will be included in the registration packet and must be signed and returned to school if you with for your child to participate in field trips.

In the late 1920’s, north Cookeville was in need of a new school because the only school in the area, Freehill School, was in extreme disrepair. Mr. J.P. Jackson, a local resident, approached the school board to ask for a new school. Mr. Jere Whitson was serving as school board chairman at the time and asked for a public meeting of interested citizens of the area. The meeting was a productive one. It was decided that a new school would be built on what is the present site, the property donated to the county by Mr. Jere Whitson. The area residents helped by supplying the money and much of the labor for the project, truly making it a community undertaking. The school was a two room frame structure and was named after Mr. Jere Whitson because of his involvement in the process and fact that he donated land on which the school was built.

The school was enlarged in 1952 to include a cafeteria, gym, office area, library, and fourteen classrooms. In 1975, the “lower end” of the building was built to add a larger cafeteria and kitchen, additional bathrooms, and six new classrooms. A renovation in 1989 was undertaken to paint, replace carpet, and partition some areas to better utilize available space.

In 1994, we occupied our most recent addition to Jere Whitson Elementary. This is the new part added to the back of the building and includes two first grade classrooms, one CDC resource room, a multipurpose room, a new library, custodial closets and a staff restroom. The old library was converted into the office located at the front entrance to the building and includes the main office, reception area, conference room, textbook storage room, and principal’s office.

Information concerning accident insurance is included in the registration packet. Participation is the decision of the parent.

Lesson Line allows parents access to homework assignments and other school information. Expect information to come home later.

Items which are found and turned in to the office. Please check in the office if an item is lost. Label everything with your child’s name in permanent ink. Unclaimed items are donated to the needy.

The principal or his designee may dispense doctor prescribed medication. These guidelines must be followed:

Medication must be brought to the office in the morning and picked up in the afternoon (if medication is needed at home) by a parent or guardian.

Medication must be in the original container labeled with the child’s name, doctor’s name, dosage, time medication is to be given, and name of the drug.

Parents must complete a form available in the office before medication can be dispensed. Non prescription medicines are not to be routinely dispensed by school employees.

Please, do not allow your child to routinely bring excessive amounts of money to school. If turning in money for fund raisers or other fees, be sure to seal the money in an envelope with the student’s name on it and instruct your child to give it to his/her teacher upon arrival at school, or turn it in personally if you desire. We will make every effort to recover any money lost, but we simply cannot be responsible for money brought to school by students until they have turned it in to the teacher.

We have two scheduled dates set for parent-teacher conferences during the school year. Please see the school calendar in this handbook. However, parents may request a conference at any time during the year when it is convenient for both parent and teacher. These conferences must be scheduled in advance so that the teacher will have time to review the child’s records and organize any information necessary for the conference. Conferences may not be help between 7:45 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. except by appointment. Parents going to a classroom early and simply “hanging out” is a distraction and is not allowed.

The staff at Jere Whitson Elementary School is dedicated to providing a quality education for every student. It is our goal to instill in all students the moral and social values basic to the needs of the individual within our culture, the ideals of our democratic society and a lifelong love for learning.

We recognize that each child is an individual possessing special characteristics and unique needs. The educational program is based on the premise that all students are capable of learning and that it is our responsibility to provide a program of study that will enable every individual to achieve all that their abilities will allow.

The promotion or retention of student is the teacher’s responsibility. It is the school’s policy to support the teacher in this professional duty. The school considers it very important that parents are well informed at an early date when retention is advised.

We have a Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) that meets at least three times each year. We recommend that all parents that have the opportunity become members. The PTO raises money through various fundraisers and does volunteer work for the school.

Report cards are sent home each nine weeks and are to be signed by a parent and returned to school. There will be a replacement charge of one dollar for lost report cards. Kindergarten students receive a non-graded progress report. The countywide grading scale is as follows:

Grades 1&2 Grades 3&4

E= Excellent A= 95-100
G= Good B= 85-94
S= Satisfactory C= 75-84
N= Needs Improvement D= 70-74
U= Unsatisfactory F= Below 70

School Age Care (SAC) is available for those parents who wish to participate. The morning program begins at 6:00 a.m. and the afternoon program ends at 6:00 p.m. Ask the office for information.

As the new school year begins, thousands of children will ride the school buses to and from school. Although school buses are relatively safe, it is very important for parents and students to review some important safety rules with children when riding the school bus.

Students are under the supervision and control of the bus driver while on the bus, and all reasonable directions given shall be followed by showing consideration and respect for the bus driver and fellow students. The school bus is an extension of school activity; therefore, students shall conduct themselves on the bus in a manner consistent with the established standards for safety and classroom behavior.

Arrive at the bust stop on time. While waiting for the bus, students must stand away from the road. Younger students should be permitted to load first.

Do not fight or engage in rough play. No profane language or obscenities while waiting for the school bus, while on the bus or after leaving the bus.

Students will not deface or cause damage to the bus in any way.

Tobacco products and paraphernalia are not to be brought onto the bus.

The bus driver has the authority to seat any or all students for any reason.

Emergency exits must be free from obstructions at all times. The bus driver may prohibit any equipment or objet considered to be dangerous to the safety and welfare of those on board. Student possessions may not be placed in the aisle, or front of the bus or on the floor. Band instruments, ball equipment and class projects will be permitted only when they can be held on the student’s lap and not obstruct the driver’s view.

No food or drink may be consumed on the bus during regular scheduled routes. Every child should have a backpack for loose papers. Lunches may be carried in their backpacks. Routinely, students are only permitted to get on or off the bus at their assigned stop. To get off the bus at an other location on the assigned route, the student is required to have a permission slip signed by the parent and cosigned by the principal. Guest riders with a permission slip are only permitted to ride on a space available basis.

Students must remain seated at all times. They are not permitted to use emergency windows, emergency doors or touch the safety equipment without driver permission. Students must depart from the bus in an orderly manner. Students will move away from the bus promptly to a location at least 15 feet from the roadway. If crossing t he roadway, the student should be at least 12 feet in front of the bus and be able to see the driver’s face.

Students are not allowed to have in hand any pointed objects such as pens, pencils, compasses, or protractors while on the bus.

Students are not permitted to open or close the windows without the permission of the driver. Keep hands, arms, and heads inside the bus. Throwing any object in or out of the bus is prohibited.

The principal of the student shall be informed by the bus driver of any serious discipline problem and may be called upon for assistance if necessary. A student may be denied the privilege of riding the bus if the principal determines that the student’s behavior is such as to cause a disruption on the bus, or if the student disobeys state or local rules and regulation pertaining to student transportation.

Breakfast is served daily, except on abbreviated days, from 7:25 a.m. - 7:50 a.m. Account deposits for meals must be made in the cafeteria on Monday mornings only. Please send money or a check in an envelope with I.D. number (last 4 digits of child’s S.S. number), child’s name and homeroom teacher printed on the envelope. Meals may also be purchased daily as students go through the line. If a student forgets his money, he will be allowed to charge one day. If a student needs to charge two consecutive days, he will be required to telephone his parents. The breakfast meal may not be charged. Menus are published weekly in the local newspaper. Meal prices are as follows:

Breakfast:
Student $1.00
Child/Adult Visitor $1.25
Reduced Price $ .30

Lunch:
Student $1.35
Child Visitor $1.85
Adult Visitor $2.35
Reduced Price $ .40

Extras:
Milk $ .25
Juice $ .30
Ice Cream $ .50
Hawaiian Punch & Sunny Delight $ .50
Potato Chips $ .40

Students are not allowed to bring carbonated drins or any food or drinks in cans or glass bottles to school. Boxed juices are ideal in helping to prevent spills. Parents are encouraged to eat lunch with their child occasionally if at all possible; however, in an effort to maintain order we ask that cafeteria rules are followed and that other children not be asked to join them for lunch.

The school doors are opened at 7:00 a.m. and locked at 3:30 p.m. for the regular school day. A before-and-after school program (SAC) is available for those students who must be dropped off before 7:00 a.m. or picked up after 3:30 p.m. Students must not be dropped off before 7:00 a.m. or left at school after 3:30 p.m. unless they are enrolled in the (SAC) program. Students that arrive before 7:45 a.m. must report to the gym. Students must be in their rooms for roll call no later than 8:00 a.m. Walkers are dismissed at 2:50 p.m., car riders at 2:55 p.m. and bus riders are taken to the gym at 3:05 p.m.

Individual student pictures are taken in the fall and individual and group pictures are taken in the spring. Parents are not required to purchase pictures but the students must have his/her picture taken, at no charge to the student, for the yearbook.

At the beginning of the year, classroom teachers will notify parents of specific supplies that will be needed. Although textbooks are provided, there are other items which students need that cannot be furnished by the county or state. An addition sum of ten dollars per student will be requested for workbooks, are supplies, weekly magazines, etc.

Students not in class by 8:00 a.m. are tardy and must be signed in at the office by a parent or guardian. An admit slip is required in order to enter class. Student tardies are recorded along with absences. Excessive absenteeism or tardiness will be reported to the attendance supervisor.

Except for emergencies, students and employees will not be allowed to answer personal calls. Messages will be taken and delivered at appropriate times. Please call before 2:00 p.m. if you have a message for your child. Students must have a phone pass from their teacher before being allowed to use the phone.

All textbooks are loaned to students free of charge. The cost is covered by state and local tax money. The parent assumes the responsibility for compensating the school for books lost or for unreasonable damage. School records and report cards may be withheld for an indebtedness owed to the school.

We encourage community use of school facilities. School board policy requires that certain guidelines be followed. Check with the principal if interested.

Park only in designated areas and do not block bus lanes or park in areas marked with “No Parking” signs. All parents and visitors must enter the building through the front doors only and check in through the office for a pass.

If you are withdrawing your child from school, come to the office and fill out the necessary forms. These forms are usually required for enrollment in another school.