Policies

School Hours

BELL​ ​SCHEDULE

​7:20​ ​a.m.—Start​ ​Time​ ​for​ ​Teachers ​ ​​ ​​

7:30 ​a.m.—Start​ ​Time​ ​for​ ​Pupils
​ ​​ ​​ 2:09​ ​p.m.—Dismissal

Arrival​ ​Times​ ​&​ ​Procedures​​ ​–​ Students​ ​are​ ​not​ ​to​ ​arrive​ ​before​ ​7:15 ​a.m​.​ ​​ ​​ ​Students​ ​may​ ​not​ ​enter​ ​the building​ ​before​ ​7:15​ ​am,​ ​except​ ​during​ ​inclement​ ​weather.​ ​​   During​ ​inclement​ ​weather,​ ​all​ ​students​ ​should enter​ ​through​ ​the​ ​auditorium​ ​door.​ ​​ ​​School​ ​begins​ ​promptly​ ​at​ ​7:30 ​a.m.​ ​​ ​Any​ ​student​ ​arriving​ ​after​ ​7:30 a.m.,​ ​should​ ​enter​ ​through​ ​the​ ​front​ ​doors​ ​of​ ​the​ ​school​ ​and​ ​report​ ​to​ ​the​ ​late​ ​desk.​ ​​ ​In​ ​order​ ​to​ ​en​sure​ ​the safety​ ​of​ ​all​ ​students​ ​and​ ​​respect​ ​our​ ​instructional​ ​environment​,​ ​parents​ ​may​ ​not​ ​to​ ​walk​ ​children​ ​to​ ​class.

​Dismissal​ ​Times​ ​&​ ​Procedures​​ ​–​ ​Dismissal​ ​is​ ​at​ ​2:09 ​p.m.​ ​​ ​​Students​ ​must​ ​be​ ​picked​ ​up​ ​by​ ​2:15 ​p.m. There​ ​is​ ​no​ ​supervision​ ​in​ ​the​ ​schoolyard​ ​after​ ​2:15.​ ​​ ​Students​ ​may​ ​not​ ​return​ ​to​ ​the​ ​building​ ​once​ ​they​ ​have been​ ​dismissed.​ ​​ ​All​ ​students​ ​who​ ​do​ ​not​ ​ride​ ​a​ ​school​ ​bus​ ​will​ ​dismiss​ ​into​ ​the​ ​schoolyard​ ​through designated​ ​doors.

Attendance and Truancy Policy

​State​ ​law​ ​requires​ ​school​ ​attendance​ ​for​ ​everyone​ ​under​ ​the​ ​age​ ​of​ ​17.​ ​​ ​If​ ​absent​ ​from​ ​school,​ ​the​ ​student must​ ​bring​ ​a​ ​note​ ​from​ ​the​ ​parent​ ​or​ ​guardian​ ​to​ ​the​ ​homeroom​ ​or​ ​advisory​ ​teacher​ ​on​ ​the​ ​day​ ​that​ ​he/she returns.​ ​The​ ​note​ ​must​ ​include​ ​name​ ​and​ ​telephone​ ​number,​ ​the​ ​dates​ ​and​ ​reasons​ ​for​ ​the​ ​absence,​ ​and parent/guardian​ ​signature.​ ​​ ​Students​ ​who​ ​fail​ ​to​ ​bring​ ​in​ ​such​ ​notes​ ​will​ ​be​ ​coded​ ​with​ ​unexcused absences/parental​ ​neglect.

​All​ ​schoolwork​ ​missed​ ​by​ ​student​ ​must​ ​be​ ​made​ ​up​ ​as​ ​soon​ ​as​ ​possible​ ​after​ ​returning​ ​to​ ​school. Excessive​ ​absence​ ​without​ ​makeup​ ​of​ ​work​ ​may​ ​result​ ​in​ ​lowered​ ​academic​ ​achievement.​ ​​ ​Regular attendance​ ​is​ ​a​ ​requirement​ ​at​ ​Jenks.​ ​​ ​A​ ​parent/guardian​ ​may​ ​be​ ​contacted,​ ​if​ ​there​ ​is​ ​a​ ​problem​ ​with​ ​your child’s​ ​attendance​ ​record.​ ​​ ​Parent​ ​Link​ ​is​ ​a​ ​central​ ​calling​ ​system​ ​in​ ​place​ ​that​ ​calls​ ​the​ ​home​ ​each​ ​day​ ​in the​ ​event​ ​of​ ​a​ ​child’s​ ​absence.

Regular attendance insures the continuity of the educational program essential for growth. Students are expected to arrive to school on time at 7:30 AM. If your child is absent or sent to school late, it is the responsibility of the parent to notify the teacher in writing of the reason. It is also the responsibility of the child to make up any missed work during the absence. Attendance will be carefully monitored and legal action will be taken in cases of repeated unexcused absences.

Regular attendance insures the continuity of the educational program essential for growth. Students are expected to arrive to school on time at 7:30 AM. If your child is absent or sent to school late, it is the responsibility of the parent to notify the teacher in writing of the reason. It is also the responsibility of the child to make up any missed work during the absence. Attendance will be carefully monitored and legal action will be taken in cases of repeated unexcused absences.

​Chronic​ ​Absence​ ​is​ ​defined​ ​as​ ​8​ ​or​ ​more​ ​missed​ ​days​ ​of​ ​school.​ ​​ T​​he​ ​School​ ​District​ ​of​ ​Philadelphia will​​ ​refer​ ​students​ ​who​ ​have​ ​missed​ ​8​ ​or​ ​more​ ​days​ ​to​ ​Truancy​ ​Court.​​ ​​ ​For​ ​our​ ​students​ ​to​ ​achieve to​ ​the​ ​best​ ​of​ ​their​ ​ability​ ​and​ ​develop​ ​to​ ​their​ ​full​ ​potential,​ ​they​ ​must​ ​be​ ​present​ ​and​ ​active​ ​in school.

​Absences​ ​of​ ​more​ ​than​ ​three​ ​days​​ ​require​ ​a​ ​doctor’s​ ​note​ ​be​ ​submitted​ ​to​ ​the​ ​classroom​ ​teacher.​ ​​ ​If​ ​this trend​ ​continues,​ ​a​ ​parent​ ​or​ ​guardian​ ​will​ ​be​ ​officially​ ​notified​ ​of​ ​constant​ ​absences.​ ​​ ​At​ ​this​ ​time​ ​a​ ​meeting may​ ​be​ ​scheduled​ ​with​ ​school​ ​personnel​ ​to​ ​discuss​ ​the​ ​child’s​ ​attendance.​ ​​ ​If​ ​absences​ ​do​ ​not​ ​cease,​ ​the attendance​ ​officer​ ​will​ ​submit​ ​student​ ​and​ ​parent/guardian​ ​names​ ​to​ T​​ruancy​ ​Court.​​ ​​ ​The​ ​parent/guardian and​ ​student​ ​will​ ​then​ ​be​ ​called​ ​into​ ​court​ ​and​ ​consequences​ ​will​ ​be​ ​imposed.​ R​​emoving​ ​a​ ​child​ ​from​ ​school to​ ​babysit​ ​a​ ​younger​ ​sibling,​ ​go​ ​shopping,​ ​or​ ​take​ ​care​ ​of​ ​family​ ​business​ ​is​ ​an​ ​unexcused​ ​absence​ ​and​ ​will be​ ​coded​ ​as​ ​such.

​Lateness

Students​ ​are​ ​expected​ ​to​ ​arrive​ ​promptly​ ​each​ ​morning​ ​and​ ​must​ ​be​ ​in​ ​the​ ​classroom​ ​line​ ​in​ ​the​ ​yard​ ​to begin​ ​the​ ​day​ ​by​ ​7:30​ ​am.​ ​​ ​Students​ ​arriving​ ​late​ ​should​ ​report​ ​to​ ​the​ ​late​ ​desk​ ​outside​ ​of​ ​the​ ​main​ ​office.​ ​A note​ ​from​ ​home​ ​should​ ​explain​ ​the​ ​reason​ ​for​ ​the​ ​lateness.​ ​​ ​Adults​ ​may​ ​not​ ​take​ ​late​ ​arrivals​ ​to​ ​class. Learning​ ​is​ ​in​ ​progress​ ​and​ ​interruptions​ ​must​ ​be​ ​kept​ ​to​ ​a​ ​minimum.​ ​Cooperation​ ​with​ ​this​ ​policy​ ​is​ ​needed in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​allow​ ​the​ ​educational​ ​program​ ​to​ ​proceed​ ​without​ ​the​ ​interruption​ ​of​ ​students​ ​arriving​ ​late.​ ​​ F​​ive latenesses​ ​will​ ​result​ ​in​ ​loss​ ​of​ ​privileges​ ​such​ ​as​ ​participation​ ​in​ ​class​ ​field​ ​trips,​ ​class​ ​or​ ​school events,​ ​and​ ​assemblies.​​ ​​ ​Excessive​ ​lateness​ ​will​ ​result​ ​in​ ​a​ ​conference​ ​and​ ​administrative​ ​intervention when​ ​necessary.​ ​​The​ ​School​ ​District​ ​of​ ​Philadelphia​ ​​will​​ ​refer​ ​students​ ​who​ ​have​ ​been​ ​late​ ​8​ ​or​ ​more times​ ​whether​ ​excused​ ​or​ ​unexcused​ ​to​ ​Truancy​ ​Court.

Parent Visitation

​Parents are encouraged to visit Jenks. However, please follow these guidelines before visiting:

Send a note to your child’s teacher requesting an appointment.
Report directly to the school office to receive a visitor’s pass. Please do not go directly to your child’s classroom. Come to the office for permission to go anywhere in the building. This is a safety issue.

Appointments with the Principal must be scheduled after 2:30 PM as it is necessary for the administrative team to focus on instruction and the day-to-day operation of the building. Emergency appointments will be made accordingly.

​Lunch / Breakfast Programs

The​ ​School​ ​District​ ​of​ ​Philadelphia​ ​serves​ ​breakfast​ ​and​ ​lunch​ ​FREE​ ​of​ ​charge.​ ​​ ​Parents​ ​do​ ​not​ ​have​ ​to complete​ ​an​ ​application.

​Lunchroom​ ​Procedures
The​ ​cleanliness​ ​and​ ​neatness​ ​of​ ​the​ ​lunchroom​ ​are​ ​the​ ​responsibility​ ​of​ ​each​ ​class,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​each individual​ ​student.​ ​​ ​No​ ​items​ ​containing​ ​glass​ ​(soda​ ​and​ ​juice​ ​bottles,​ ​etc.)​ ​should​ ​be​ ​a​ ​part​ ​of​ ​a​ ​student’s lunch.​ ​​ ​All​ ​food​ ​and​ ​beverages​ ​should​ ​be​ ​packaged​ ​in​ ​plastic​ ​or​ ​paper.​ ​​ ​In​ ​addition​ ​students​ ​will​ ​follow​ ​these procedures:

Students​ ​must​ ​sit​ ​in​ ​their​ ​assigned​ ​areas​ ​immediately​ ​upon​ ​entering​ ​the​ ​lunchroom.​ ​​ ​Students​ ​will be​ ​called​ ​by​ ​lunchroom​ ​assistants​ ​to​ ​purchase​ ​lunch.
Lunch​ ​lines​ ​must​ ​be​ ​orderly.

Students​ ​will​ ​stay​ ​seated​ ​during​ ​lunch​ ​except​ ​while​ ​engaging​ ​in​ ​approved​ ​activities.
All​ ​food​ ​will​ ​be​ ​consumed​ ​in​ ​the​ ​lunchroom.​ ​​ ​Food​ ​should​ ​NOT​ ​be​ ​eaten​ ​in​ ​the​ ​yard​ ​unless​ ​there​ ​is a​ ​special​ ​occasion. Talking​ ​is​ ​to​ ​be​ ​done​ ​in​ ​conversational​ ​tones.
Each​ ​student​ ​is​ ​responsible​ ​for​ ​putting​ ​his/her​ ​trash​ ​in​ ​the​ ​receptacles​ ​provided.
Students​ ​will​ ​not​ ​be​ ​allowed​ ​to​ ​leave​ ​the​ ​lunchroom​ ​until​ ​their​ ​assigned​ ​areas​ ​are​ ​clean. Students​ ​must​ ​have​ ​an​ ​appropriate​ ​pass​ ​to​ ​leave​ ​the​ ​lunchroom.
​​If​ ​a​ ​packed​ ​lunch​ ​is​ ​forgotten​ ​at​ ​home,​ ​please​ ​do​ ​not​ ​bring​ ​it​ ​to​ ​school.​ ​​ ​This​ ​interrupts​ ​the​ ​learning​ ​day. Your​ ​child​ ​will​ ​be​ ​served​ ​a​ ​school​ ​lunch.

Lunchroom and School Yard Procedures

​Inclement Weather

On rainy days or very cold days, parents are advised not to send their children to school until a few minutes before the start time of 7:30 AM. Parents are asked to make sure that children are dressed appropriately for the weather. Unless it is raining or extremely cold (below 32˚), children will have outdoor recess.

In case of more severe weather conditions that may necessitate the closing of schools, please listen to KYW-1060 AM or TV alerts concerning, “All Philadelphia Public Schools.” In the event of early closing of schools, we must know where your child can go if you are not home. A form will be sent home early in the school year. Any child who does not return this form will be sent directly home during an emergency dismissal.

​Early Dismissals

Scheduled:​​ ​​Refer​ ​to​ ​the​ ​School​ ​District​ ​Calendar,​ ​included​ ​in​ ​this​ ​publication.​ ​The​ ​calendar​ ​is​ ​also distributed​ ​to​ ​students​ ​in​ ​the​ ​beginning​ ​of​ ​school​ ​year​ ​and​ ​posted​ ​on​ ​our​ ​website.

​Unscheduled:​​ ​​ ​​During​ ​times​ ​of​ ​inclement​ ​weather,​ ​the​ ​School​ ​District​ ​of​ ​Philadelphia​ ​will​ ​announce​ ​early dismissals​ ​on​ ​the​ ​district​ ​website:​​ ​​http://www.phila.k12.pa.us/​.​ ​​ ​Students​ ​will​ ​be​ ​dismissed​ ​according​ ​to information​ ​provided​ ​by​ ​the​ ​parent​ ​on​ ​the​ ​emergency​ ​forms.

​Unscheduled​ ​by​ ​parent​ ​request:​​ ​​ ​No​ ​child​ ​will​ ​be​ ​given​ ​an​ ​early​ ​dismissal​ ​from​ ​school​ ​unless​ ​a​ ​parent comes​​to​​school​​to​​escort​​the​​child​​from​​the​​building. ​​​S​​tudents ​​will​​ not ​​be ​​dismissed​​ early​​ from​​ school after​ ​1:30​ ​pm.​​ ​​ ​Parents​ ​are​ ​asked​ ​not​ ​to​ ​schedule​ ​doctor​ ​and​ ​dental​ ​appointments​ ​during​ ​school​ ​hours, whenever​ ​possible.​ ​​ ​All​ ​early​ ​dismissals​ ​will​ ​be​ ​recorded​ ​in​ ​the​ ​district’s​ ​Attendance​ ​Monitoring​ ​System. Habitual​ ​early​ ​dismissals​ ​adversely​ ​affect​ ​student​ ​learning​ ​and​ ​may​ ​affect​ ​student​ ​grades.​ ​​ ​Additionally,​ ​five latenesses/early​ ​dismissals/late​ ​pick-ups​ ​will​ ​result​ ​in​ ​loss​ ​of​ ​privileges​ ​such​ ​as​ ​field​ ​trips​ ​or​ ​special​ ​events.

​Emergencies​ ​will​ ​be​ ​referred​ ​to​ ​the​ ​principal.​ ​In​ ​case​ ​of​ ​emergency,​ ​the​ ​principal​ ​may​ ​release​ ​the​ ​child​ ​to the​ ​person​ ​listed​ ​as​ ​an​ ​emergency​ ​contact​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Parent​ ​Location​ ​form.​ ​Please​ ​do​ ​not​ ​ask​ ​for​ ​exceptions​ ​to this​ ​policy.​ ​In​ ​the​ ​event​ ​a​ ​child​ ​is​ ​seriously​ ​injured​ ​or​ ​ill​ ​and​ ​a​ ​parent​ ​cannot​ ​come​ ​to​ ​the​ ​building,​ ​the​ ​school will​ ​call​ ​911​ ​to​ ​take​ ​the​ ​child​ ​to​ ​a​ ​nearby​ ​hospital​ ​for​ ​medical​ ​care.

​Any​ ​child​ ​who​ ​leaves​ ​school​ ​prior​ ​to​ ​10:00​ ​am​ ​will​ ​be​ ​charged​ ​with​ ​an​ ​entire​ ​day​ ​of​ ​absence.​ ​​ T​​here​ ​will​ ​be no​ ​early​ ​dismissals​ ​prior​ ​to​ ​10:00​ ​am​ ​or​ ​after​ ​1:30​ ​pm​.​ ​​ ​Notes​ ​will​ ​be​ ​required​ ​for​ ​doctor’s​ ​visits.​ ​​ ​These may​ ​be​ ​brought​ ​to​ ​the​ ​school​ ​the​ ​next​ ​day.​ ​​ ​On​ ​scheduled​ ​early​ ​dismissal​ ​days​ ​there​ ​will​ ​be​ ​no​ ​early dismissal​ ​given,​ ​except​ ​for​ ​emergencies.

​Parents​ ​requesting​ ​early​ ​dismissals​ ​will​ ​be​ ​asked​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​photo​ ​ID,​ ​state​ ​the​ ​relationship​ ​to​ ​the​ ​student, give​ ​reason​ ​for​ ​dismissal,​ ​and​ ​give​ ​their​ ​signature.​ ​​ ​Children​ ​will​ ​be​ ​dismissed​ ​to​ ​a​ ​parent​ ​or​ ​guardian​ ​only. When​ ​confirming​ ​identification,​ ​all​ ​adults​ ​who​ ​are​ ​picking​ ​up​ ​students​ ​must​ ​remove​ ​their​ ​headwear, including​ ​but​ ​not​ ​limited​ ​to​ ​burqa,​ ​chadar,​ ​boshiya,​ ​niquab,​ ​or​ ​hats.

​As​ ​per​ ​policy​ ​dictated​ ​by​ ​Dr.​ ​Hite​ ​in​ ​2013,​ ​students​ ​will​ ​only​ ​be​ ​granted​ ​an​ ​early​ ​dismissal​ ​under​ ​the following​ ​circumstances:
1.​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​Medical​ ​or​ ​dental​ ​emergency

2.​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​Illness​ ​or​ ​injury

3.​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​Suspension

4.​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​​Hearing

​Parents​ ​may​ ​not​ ​enter​ ​the​ ​schoolyard​ ​during​ ​lunch​ ​recess​ ​without​ ​approval​ ​from​ ​the​ ​principal. Visitation​ ​by​ ​parents/guardians​ ​that​ ​do​ ​not​ ​have​ ​an​ ​educational​ ​purpose​ ​will​ ​not​ ​be​ ​permitted.

Emergency Contact Information

Each year the school distributes a three-part parent location card which requests information where parents can be located in the event of an emergency. It is very important that these forms be completed legibly and correctly. All three forms are to be completed exactly alike. If there is a change in address, phone number, emergency contact or any other information you think the school should know about, please notify either your child’s teacher or the school office immediately.

​Fire Drills

Fire drills are held in preparation for an emergency. Fire drill directions are posted in all rooms. Students must walk quickly and quietly as directed by their teachers. Everyone must leave the building for fire drills.

​Policy Change: Special Release procedures for School District of Philadelphia Students:

The School District of Philadelphia is committed to making student safety an integral part of each school’s mission, school safety plans, policies, procedures and protocols.

It is crucial that all staff is made aware of the policies, as well as their role in implementing them, so that all students are provided a safe learning environment.

To that end, the District has revised its Special Release Procedures, requiring photo identification checks (preferably government-issued ID) with every special release.  All schools will be expected to implement this protocol as established.Click here for details.

Busing is not provided for any kindergarten student.  Busing is provided under certain conditions and approved EH-36 forms through the Office of Student Placement.

School Trip Permission Form – all students going on school trips will receive from their teacher a new school district permission form to go on the trip. This form must be completely filled in, signed by a parent or guardian and returned to the teacher before a student can go on any school trip.

Photo Release Forms

Permission Form for Use of Student Image on the School District of Philadelphia Website – This form is a request for permission to use the image and/or voice of your child on the official School District of Philadelphia World Wide Web page on the Internet.

Cafeteria and School Yard Procedures