Zora Ellis Junior High School

ZoraEllisJunior High School

414 Elm StreetTalladega, Alabama35160

Becoming the BestMiddle School in America

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Dear Parents,

It is my pleasure to welcome students and parents to Ellis Junior High for the 2012-2013schoolyear.We look forward to working with you to provide the best education possible for our students. At Ellis, we encourage parents to become actively involved in their child's education--join our PTO, attend school and board meetings as well as junior high and high school athletic events,visit the Ellis blogspot, and INOW to monitor your child’s grades. The more parents are positively involved and actively seen by their children at school,the more they will come to value their education.

The student handbook is designed to provide students and parents with important information about Ellis Junior High School. It contains information about the student code of conduct, discipline policies, dress code, calendar of events, and other information about policies and procedures. Every parent should take the time to sit down and read the handbook with their child to know what is expected at Ellis Junior High. After you have done this, please sign and return the “Certification Page” at the back of the handbook to your child's homeroom teacher by August 27, 2012.

We look forward to a very positive and exciting school year. Together, we will make a difference in the life of your child.

Sincerely,

Scott Bailey, Principal

If you would like a copy of this document in Spanish, or any other language, please contact the Talladega City Schools at 256-315-5600.

Si quisieras una copia de este documento en espanol, entrar en contacto con por favor las escuelas de la ciudad de Talladega en 256-315-5600.

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Talladega City Schools Mission Statement

Moving forward to meet the demands of a changing world

Talladega City Board of Education

Ward 1Mrs. Shirley Simmons-Sims

Ward 2Mrs. Juanita McClellan

Ward 3Mrs. Bonnie Miller

Ward 4Mrs. Elizabeth Smith

Ward 5Mr. James Braswell

System Administration

Superintendent of SchoolsMr. Doug Campbell

Child Nutrition ProgramMs. Joni Baker

Curriculum CoordinatorDr. Dolia Patterson

Zora Ellis Jr. High School Administration

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PrincipalMr. Scott Bailey

Assistant PrincipalMrs. Gloria Thomas

Zora Ellis Jr. High School Motto

Becoming the best middle school in America

Mission Statement of Ellis Junior High School

As members of the Ellis faculty and staff, it is our goal to educate students so that they may reach their fullest potential as individuals who will be successful, responsible, and productive members of a unified society.

Philosophy

The faculty and administration of Zora Ellis Junior High School believe that the school is representative of the community in which it exists and that each student is a unique part of that community. The staff accepts the responsibility of assisting in the intellectual, physical, and social development of the student.

The staff recognizes that students come from different backgrounds and that student ability levels range from low achievers to gifted. Therefore, the curriculum is designed to give each student the best education possible. Students are encouraged to study, explore, and experiment beyond the regular class assignments.

The faculty and administration strive to provide a program with sufficient depth to encourage students in their personal learning experiences and to motivate students to become well-adjusted and well-informed citizens who will make positive contributions to society.

Zora Ellis Jr. High School History

The first classes for the education of the children of Talladega city were held in the Old Northside School until 1908. Later, classes were housed in the Old Graham School with high school classes grades 9 through 12 being conducted upstairs and elementary classes held downstairs.

Zora Ellis Jr. High School was originally built as the first Talladega High School in 1924. The first graduating class was in 1928 with a total of 34 graduates and Mr. E.A. McBride serving as principal.

A new wing of the school that included a new library, science lab, fourteen additional classes and two new bathrooms was built in 1959.

In 1974, a new building was completed to house Talladega High School and the old building became known as Talladega Middle School. Talladega Middle School housed grades 6, 7, and 8. Mr. Troy Griffin was the first principal of the school.

The old portion of Talladega Middle School was renovated in the summer of 1985. During that same year, the mayor of Talladega proclaimed a Zora Ellis Day in honor of a beloved retired Talladega High School English teacher. At that time, Talladega Middle School was renamed Zora Ellis Jr. High School and housed only grades 7and 8. Dixon Jr. High School, which was located across the street from Zora Ellis, became Dixon Middle School and housed grade 6.

Zora Ellis Jr. High School has continued to house grades 7 and 8 for the students of Talladega City Schools since 1985. During the summer of 2003, the old portion of Ellis was updated and received central heating and cooling systems.

Presently, there is a principal, assistant principal, counselor, media specialist, secretary, bookkeeper, and approximately thirty-six teachers and staff. The school enrollment is 340. The campus includes a gymnasium, lunchroom, band room, stadium, special education cottage, baseball field and Harwell Auditorium.

Zora Ellis Jr. High School has an active Parent-Teacher Association. Organizations for students include Ellis Ambassadors, Student Council, BETA club, and Junior United Nations. Extracurricular activities include football, boys’ and girls’ basketball, girls’ volleyball, boys’ and girls' soccer, baseball, softball, cheerleading, Ellis Emeralds dance line, and band. Ellis Jr. High shares the Talladega Tiger nickname and mascot with THS.

Accreditation

Zora Ellis Junior High is an accredited member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Council on Accreditation and School Improvement as well as the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation.

Zora Ellis Class Schedule 2012-2013

• Students should not arrive before 7:25 a.m.
• 7:25-7:55 all students report to the lunchroom. Students may participate in breakfast at this time.
• 7:55—7th graders released to go to lockers and restroom
• 8:00—8th graders released to go to lockers and restroom

All Students Should Leave Campus Immediately Upon Being Dismissed

Before 7:55 / Students report to lunchroom
8:05 / First period begins
9:12 / Second period begins
10:19 / Third period begins
11:26 / Fourth period begins
12:54 / Fifth period begins
2:01 / Sixth period begins
3:05 / Dismiss bus riders
3:10 / Dismiss walkers and car riders

Ellis Jr. High School Calendar of Events 2012-2013

Semester 1

August 16Orientation/meet and greet 6:00-8:00

August 20Students’ first day of first semester

August 20-October 19First grading period

August 27Certification page due to homeroom teachers

August 27-September 14Coke sale

August 27Breakfast begins

September 3Labor Day holiday

September 7Fall pictures

September 19First progress report

October 22-December 21Second grading period

October 22-26Red Ribbon Week

October 23EXPLORE test for 8th grade

October 25First report card

November 5-16Cannedfood drive for The Red Door Kitchen

November 12Veterans’ Day holiday

November 21Second progress report

November 21Early dismissal @1:00

November 22-23Thanksgiving holidays

December 19-20Semester finals

December 21Semester make-ups (dismiss @ 1:00)

December 24-Jan. 2Christmas holidays

Semester 2

January 3Students’ first day of second semester

January 3-March 11Third grading period

January 10Second report card

January 21Martin Luther Kingholiday

February 6Third progress report

March 8Spring pictures

March 12-May 23Fourth grading period

March 15Third report card

March 25-29Spring Break

April 9Alabama Science Assessment

April 10-11Alabama Reading Assessment

April 16-17Alabama Math Assessment

April 17Fourth progress report

April 26No school

May 16Awards banquet

May 20Self-addressed, stamped envelope for report card due

May 21-22Semester finals

May 23Semester make-ups (dismiss @ 1:00)

May 24Final report cards mailed homeonlyto students who

bring a self-addressed, stamped envelope

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Zora Ellis Jr. High School Faculty

Language Arts Felicia Morgan (Chair)

Language Arts Ellen Carroll

Language ArtsPaula Johnson

Math Reginna McKinney (Chair)

Math Pamela Irons

MathDarlene Widick

ScienceSharon Runyan (Chair)

ScienceAnita Foy

ScienceShana Webb

Social StudiesThad Miller (Chair)

Social StudiesBradley Ward

Social StudiesKeisha Ragland

Social Studies (Advanced)Andrea Taylor

Physical EducationJannie Keith (Chair)

Physical EducationJeremy Sewell

CounselorAmy Smith

BandMatthew Martindale

LibraryShelley Adams (Electives Chair)

Career TechDavid Lipscomb

Special EducationAngela Phillips

Special EducationJoyce Turner

Special EducationFannie Barnes

Special EducationKendall Creel

ZoraEllisJr.High School Staff

SecretaryLindsey Hare

BookkeeperSharrene Fuller

ISIOdell Sims

AssistantBeverly Hanner

AssistantGail Montgomery

Special Education AssistantMashonda Truss

CustodianAndrell Ragland

CustodianJohn Ragland

CustodianConnie Cunningham

LunchroomBonnie Smith

LunchroomDebbie Hallman

LunchroomTeresa McElderry

LunchroomBarbara Tanner

Ellis Junior High School Policies and Procedures

Absences (Excused)

All student absences shall be designated as either excused or unexcused. A student shall be excused for absence from school for the following reasons:

1. Illness of the student.
2. Death in the immediate family of the student.
3. Inclement weather which would be dangerous to the life of the student as determined by the principal.
4. Legal quarantine.
5. Emergency conditions as determined by the principal.
6. Prior permission by the principal and consent of the parent/guardian.

Excuses

• In accordance with State Law, a parent or guardian must explain the cause of every absence of students under his/her control or charge. Every student, upon return to school, must bring a written excuse from home within two (2) days signed by the student's parent or guardian for each absence and present it to the principal or designee. All written excuses shall be retained for the remainder of the school year in the principal's office or other approved locations.

Make-up Work- Excused Absences

• If a student is absent for any excused reason as defined above, the student shall be allowed to make up work and/or examinations missed during said absence or absences.The student shall be responsible for contacting the teacher or teachers to arrange make-up work. Class work - Said student shall contact the teacher or teachers within two (2) school days to arrange a time to make up class work, etc. (All such work must be made up within five (5) school days from the last day of absence.) Examinations - Said student shall contact the teacher or teachers on the day following any absence to make up any examination missed. Teachers shall not be required to re-teach lessons, but students shall be given a reasonable opportunity to learn the lessons missed due to excused absences.

Absences (Unexcused)

Absences for reasons other than those defined above shall be considered as unexcused.Students absent for unexcused reasons in excess of four days will be referred to Juvenile Court Early Warning. Absences in excess of 10 parental excused will be counted as unexcused.

Make-up Work-Unexcused Absences

• Teachers shall not provide make-up work or examinations for students absent for unexcused reasons. Teachers, at their discretion, may require students absent for unexcused reasons to make up homework, class work, etc, on a non-credit basis in order to help such students maintain academic pace. Teachers shall not assign zeroes to students for unexcused reasons on an automatic basis. (Zeroes may be assigned to such students only when other students in general receive grades for homework, examination, recitation, etc.)

Arrival to School

Cars are to unload students at the cross-walk in front of Ellis Jr. High School ONLY! This is for the safety of students. Students are NOT to be dropped off at the corner in front of Graham or anywhere else besides the crosswalk. Bus riders are dropped off on the side street behind the lunchroom. Students are to report DIRECTLY to the lunchroom if they arrive before 7:55.

From 7:55 to 8:00 students are to take care of personal needs such as locker and bathroom visits. Any student arriving after 8:05 is tardy. Studentsare tardy if they are not in class when the bell rings. After 3 tardies, students are subject to disciplinary action.

Homeroom is for taking attendance, the pledge of allegiance, character education and announcements. This time is reserved for teachers to deal with routine matters and club schedules.

Attendance Defined

To be counted present, a student must be in attendance from the time set for the opening of school through at least half (50%) of the regular school day. Students are expected to report to first period before the tardy bell rings. Excessive tardies(3 or more) to school will result in ISI and suspension for defiance of authority.

Book Bags

Students will be permitted to use book bags for the purpose of carrying books, paper, pencil, and notebooks to school. Book bags are to be stored in lockers during the school day and will not be permitted to be taken from class to class.

Breakfast Rules

• NO talking when entering, exiting or while waiting in the lunchroom
• Upon entering, 7th graders sit to the left of teachers’ table and 8th graders sit to the right of the teachers’ table
• Be in compliance with dress code policy upon entering
• Do not skip or save seats
• Work on homework or read a book
• Line up for breakfast when called by the teacher
• When finished eating, throw away your trash
• Dismiss by tables per directions of teacher

Changing Classes

Students should not run in the hall or stop to socialize at lockers. Students must be able to move from one class to another. Students in the hall at times other than class change must have a pass from a teacher.

Confiscated Items

Do not bring to school items that create distraction: walkman devices, radios, CD players, CD's, electronic games, other electronic devices, cards, dice, cell phones, beepers, toys, yo-yos, caps, hats, sunglasses, do-rags, or water or toy guns. If taken up. these items will not be returned until the end of the school year. Water guns are considered a facsimile of a gun and will be dealt with as a weapon. Beepers, phones and lasers may be turned over to police. School personnel will not investigate lost or stolen electronic devices. School officials will not be held accountable for items taken up. Please do not bring these items to school. Students using cell phones at school during normal school hours will be suspended.(Talladega City Schools Board Policy 8.63)

Dismissal

In the afternoon, students will board buses directly in front of the school. Students who loiter on the yard will be subject to suspension from the bus. Car riders will be picked up in front of the school and behind the lunchroom. Cars should not be on the street in front of the school until after the buses have pulled away. All students should leave the building when dismissed unless under the direct supervision of a teacher.

Dress Code

Zora Ellis Jr. High School students will adhere to the following dress code.

General Recommendations:

1. Mandatory uniforms will be implemented.
2. Uniforms are to be worn at all school sponsored events except athletics and dances.
3. Students who move into the District shall be in compliance with the mandatory uniform specifications within five (5) school days of enrollment.
4. The Principal may determine appropriate occasions during the school year in which the students will be given the opportunity to wear other attire in adherence with the school dress code.

Colors:

1. Tops shall be collared, solid colored.
2. Bottoms shall be khaki or navy.
3. Sweaters, blazers, vests, and sweatshirts shall be solid navy, solid white, solid red, solid black, or solid khaki.

Shoe laces should be tied and/or straps fastened on all shoes.

* Flip flops, bathroom shoes, house shoes/slippers are not permitted at Zora Ellis Jr. High School.

Uniform Specifications:

Bottoms:

1. Female students may wear pants, shorts, skorts, and skirts.
2. Male students may wear pants and shorts.
3. Shall fit properly in the waist and length.
4. Shall not be worn below the waist or over-sized.
5. Shall not be overalls.
6. Shall not be made of denim or jean fabrics.
7. Shall not have cuts, splits, or holes.
8. Shorts, skorts, and skirts, shall be hemmed and shall not be more than three (3) inches above the top of the knee.

Tops:

1.Shall be tucked inside clothes properly.

2.Shall not be sleeveless.

3.Shall not have cuts, splits, or holes.

4.Shall not be made of denim or jean fabrics.

5.Collared shirt shall be worn underneath sweater, blazer, vest or sweatshirt.

6.T-shirts may be worn as undergarments, but shall not show through outer shirt.

7.Sweatshirts are not required to be tucked inside clothes.

8.Sweatshirts and sweaters shall not be oversized.

9.Sweatshirts that are not excessively large may be worn with collared shirt.

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Coats and Jackets:

1.May be any color but must be removed upon entering the school and placed in a locker or designated area.

2.Shall not be oversized.

3.Approved pullover or button up sweaters, blazers, vests, and sweatshirts may be worn to class.

4.Students may wear school letter jackets.

5.Solid colored fleeces (red, navy, khaki, black, white) may be worn in the building provided there is no hood.

** Concerning hooded jackets: Hoods must be removed before entering the buildings at Zora Ellis Jr. High and the jacket must be placed into the locker.

Hats/Caps:

1.Hats and caps and other head coverings shall be removed upon entering the school and placed in a locker or designated area.

2.Bandanas are prohibited.

Logos and Labels:

1.Logos and labels shall be no larger than a quarter.

Miscellaneous:

1.No body piercing other than ears.

2.Grills may not be worn on campus.

3.Rubber bands shall not be worn around the bottom of pants legs.

4.No suspenders.

5.No sunglasses. Only prescription and reading glasses are allowed.

Physical Education: