Attendance Policy

Tardy - Students are to be in class prior to the bell to not be considered tardy. Unexcused tardy will be recorded in grade book and addressed by the teacher including assignment to Choice Room for the period.

Excused absence – To have an absence excused, students must turn in an excused absence request form to Mrs. Marsh in the Freshman Building. Students have 3 days upon returning to campus to request that their absence be excused. Beyond this point, absences will not be excused unless medical documentation is provided.

Unexcused absence – Students are allowed 4 unexcused absences in a 9 weeks before they will be denied credit for their makeup work.

*Teachers have the right to enforce a more stringent policy, as found in the Student Progression Plan*

Dress Code

In order to ensure an orderly learning environment where all students understand and demonstrate respect for themselves and others, all students are responsible for familiarizing themselves and complying with dress code expectations.

Check Out Policy

Below is the school policy regarding checking students out of school:

To check out a Student Driver:
-Call 863-648-3566 and choose option 4

To check out non-Student Drivers:
-Come to main office with a photo ID

STUDENT IDENTIFICATION BADGE POLICY 2024-25

Student identification badges will be provided to secondary students district-wide in an effort to ensure the safety and security of students and staff. Students must wear the ID badge above the waist at all times when on school grounds.

All students are provided a Student Identification Badge at no cost. Students in need of a replacement ID Badge will be charged five dollars.

The following expectations will apply:

  • ID Badges are considered a part of the George Jenkins High School dress code and must be worn throughout the entire school day.
    • Student identification badges must be worn around the neck on a lanyard or clipped above the waist.
  • The following procedures will apply to students without their Identification Badge:
    • 1st Period: Teachers will check for IDs at the beginning of 1st period and will request a replacement ID for students without an ID. A replacement ID will be made and delivered to the student’s class.
    • 2nd – 7th Periods: Students who do not have their ID appropriately displayed after 1st period will be referred to the Choice Room*.
      • Students who do not have a first period class on campus or who check in late may have an ID made during their first class of the day, if needed.
  • Altering a Student Identification Badge, covering the student picture, or wearing another student’s badge is not permissible and will lead to a Choice Room* visit. Repeated offenses may result in progressive disciplinary action.

*Students without an ID Badge are considered out of dress code and will be sent to the Choice Room. Progressive disciplinary measures, as outlined in the GJHS Choice Room Policy, will be enforced for repeated infractions.

Electronic device policy 2024 - 2025

Rationale: A specific, clear, campus-wide policy for the use of personal electronic devices in classrooms is a necessary
component in ensuring that instructional time, academic integrity, and student engagement are maximized throughout
the school day.

*Polk County Public Schools has adopted a 1:1 student device initiative, where every student is provided a laptop to take home and
bring to school each day. The 1:1 device provided by the school will be used in class, as directed by the teacher, and is the only
approved device that may be used during instructional time.

**Polk County Public Schools is no longer a Bring Your Own Device District and, as a result, personal student laptops and tablets may
not be used on campus. Students will not be provided access to Wifi for any personal device (excluding their school-assigned 1:1
laptop). The use of a VPN or any attempt to bypass the district filter and/or security protocol will warrant disciplinary action.

***Personal electronic devices will be referred to as ‘cell phones’ in this policy. The term ‘cell phone’ shall refer to all cell phones,
earbuds, tablets, laptops or any other personal device with internet or Bluetooth capability.

Procedure
1. As soon as a student enters his teacher’s classroom for his assigned class period, he must place his cell phone
and other electronic devices in his backpack or pocket. The cell phone is to remain in the backpack/pocket, in
the possession of the student, for the duration of the class period. The cell phone is to be set to silent or turned
off in the classroom.

2. It is George Jenkins’ policy that students are not permitted to listen to music, watch personal videos, visit social
media sites/apps, play games, or consult the time on their phones during the class period, including ENN/Home
Room time, announcements, the last ten minutes of class, etc.

3. Students are permitted to access their phones before/after school, at lunch, and during the transition from one
class period to the next.

Consequences
1. If a student refuses to put his phone in his backpack or pocket as soon as he enters the classroom, the student
will be referred to the Choice Room.

2. If a student takes his phone out of his backpack or pocket during the class period, he will be referred to the
Choice Room.

3. If a student argues with the teacher/staff or otherwise detracts from the instructional class period due to
accessing his electronic device or due to the device ringing/vibrating/etc., the student will be referred to the
Choice Room.

4. Students referred to the Choice Room for electronic device infractions will be subject to the same progressive
discipline measures as students sent to the Choice Room for other infractions.

Special Considerations

1. If a student encounters an emergency that requires the use of his phone, the teacher/staff may grant the
student permission to step outside of the classroom and use his phone.

2. If, upon entering the room, the student says that he does not have a phone to put in his backpack or pocket, the
teacher will not ask any further questions. However, the student will immediately be referred to the Choice
Room if the teacher/staff observes the student in possession of a phone at any point during the rest of the class
period.

3. When the teacher grants the student permission to leave the classroom, the student may take the phone with him but immediately place the phone back into his backpack or pocket upon his return.