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JW Eater Junior High School

Frequently Asked Questions

2020-2021

MISSION

The mission of Rantoul City Schools is to empower learners to grow beyond limits by providing a nurturing environment where learners feel free to take risks, ensuring individuals needs are met through engaging opportunities, and expecting academic and behavioral excellence.

IMPORTANT CONTACTS

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Key People ………………………………………………………………………………………………….3

Student Transportation ……………………………………………………………………………….4

Grade Reports & Honors ……………………………………………………………………………...5

Promotion/Retention ………………………………………………………………………………….6

Extra Curricular School Activities ……………………………………………………………...…6

Athletics ………………………………………………………………………………………….……....….7

Safety ………………………………………………………………………………………………….…...…8

Breakfast & Lunch …………………………………………………………………………………...….9

Absences …………………………………………………………………………………………………....10

Parent Involvement ……………………………………………………………………………………..11

Discipline Concerns ………………………………………………………………………………….....12

Middle Grades Philosophy/Structure ……………………………………………………...…….12

Mission and Vision……………………………………..……………………………………………...…13

Restorative Practices………………………………………………………………………………...….14-15

Who are key people that can assist me?

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Student Transportation

When can I drop of my student?

Supervision of students does not begin until 8:05 AM. Please do not drop off your student until 8:05.

Where can I drop-off and pick-up my?

The following locations can be used to drop-off or pick-up your child before and after school:

Before School

• Wabash in the front of the building

After School

• Wabash in the front of the building

What transportation is available for my student?

        If you live beyond one-and-a-half miles from school…

First Student

• First Student is the school district’s transportation provider.
• You can view your students transportation information in Skyward Family Access.
• For bussing questions, please contact first student.

• Justin Schultz
• Phone: 217-893-5445
• Email: justin.schultz@firstgroup.com

If you live within one-and-a-half miles from school…

• Generally, the school does not provide transportation for students living within one-and-a-half miles from the school.

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Grades & Honors

How can I access my student’s grades from home?

• You can view your child’s grades and attendance records through Skyward Family Access, which can be found at the EJHS website or with this direct link https://skyward.iscorp.com/scripts/wsisa.dll/WService=wsedurantoulcityil/seplog01.w
• You may receive your username and password at registration. Or, you may also receive your access information at any time during regular office hours. The parent/guardian must present a valid photo ID in order to obtain access.
• Please contact the main office if you have further questions.

How are Progress Reports and Report Cards handled at EJHS?

• Progress Reports are issued half way through each quarter to show your child’s academic progress.
• Report Cards are issued at the end of each quarter to show your child’s final academic grades for that period.
• Typically, both are sent home with your student.
• You may view your student’s grades at any time through Skyward Family Access.

How can my child make Honor Roll?

• Students who have an A or higher in all classes qualify for High Honor Roll.
• Students with at least Bs but not higher than As  in all classes qualify for Honor Roll.

What is the grading scale?

• 90% - 100%                       A
• 80% - 89.9%                         B
• 70% - 79.9%                         C
• 60% - 69.9%                         D
• 59.9% or below                     F

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Promotion/Retention

How can I make sure my child is promoted to the next grade level?

It is the policy of JW Eater JHS to promote students to the next grade or retain students in the same grade based primarily on academic performance in all classes. Students will earn one point for each passing quarter grade they earn in each class with mathematics and reading/language arts counting for two points each. In general, there are 32 points possible. A student must earn at least 23 points (70%) to be promoted automatically to the next grade level. If a student has fewer than 23 points, that student will be considered for summer school (see Retention Procedures below). If a student is found in need of attending summer school, the student may be required to attend summer school. A student found in need of attending summer school, may be retained in the current grade for failure to attend and/or successfully complete summer school.  If a student has fewer than 17 points, the student may be retained without the option of summer school.

Promotion Policy

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Extra-Curricular  School Activities

What school programs are available for my child?

*Please note that some activities are not offered every year, and some activities may be added.

Eater students may participate in a variety of activities. Most activities meet after school, and some may meet before or during the school day. Some of our extra-curricular school activities include Student Council, National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), Speech Team, Coding Club, Art Club, School Play/Musical, Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA), Band, Jazz Band, and Scholastic Bowl.

Does my student have to be academically eligible similar to athletics?

Yes. Students must be academically eligible to participate in activities. Please see the Athletics page for more information.

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Athletics

What athletic opportunities are available for my child?

Fall Sports

• Baseball (July-September)
• Softball (July-September)
• Boys and Girls Cross Country (August-October)
• Girls Basketball (August-December)

Winter Sports

• Boys Basketball (October-February)
• Girls Volleyball (December-March)

Spring Sports

• Boys and Girls Track (February-May)

Other

• Cheerleading. Sixth and Seventh graders tryout in the spring for the following Girls and Boys Basketball seasons.

Do I have to pay any athletic fees?

• No. Currently students are not charged a fee to try out or participate in athletics. Families may be asked to purchase some equipment that is used only by their student.

Does my child need to have a Physical Examination to participate in sports?

• Yes, all student athletes must have a current Sports Physical (less than 395 days old)  before they are allowed to try-out or practice.

How is eligibility handled at EJHS?

• Students must be passing all classes on a weekly basis to be eligible to participate in athletics.   Eligibility is checked on Friday at 3:00 p.m. and is in effect from the following Monday through Sunday.  Students are notified by the Athletic Director on Monday morning and parents receive a letter via U.S. Mail.  Ineligible students may not dress for home games and may not attend away games during the week that they are not eligible..  
• Students who are failing for 3 consecutive weeks are removed from the sport/activity roster for the remainder of the season.
• If a student has at least one failing grade at the time of the weekly report, they will not be eligible to participate the following week.

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Safety

How do I find out about the rules of EJHS?

• The school rules can be found in the JW Eater Junior High School Student Handbook included and on the EJHS website.
• School district information, that is also related to discipline, may be found in the Board Policy and Procedure Manual that is issued to parents at registration.

• Please contact a building administrator if you have any questions.

What do I do if my child is being bullied?

• We encourage all members of the school community, including students, parents, volunteers, and visitors, to report any act of bullying behavior directly to a school official. A Bullying Behavior FAQ is available on the EJHS website.

• Each reported incident of bullying behavior is fully investigated by a staff member and appropriate actions are taken.  
• Students who demonstrate bullying behavior or are victims of bullying behavior may be offered services through a social worker or may be referred community agency.  
• All staff and students receive instruction on bullying prevention through our Conscious Discipline Program and Second Step Instruction.

Will I be contacted in case of an emergency or drill at EJHS?

• In the case of an actual emergency EJHS or RCS will send parents an automated message, utilizing voice, text, and e-mail. In order to receive these alerts, it is important that you keep your family contact information up-to-date in Skyward.
• EJHS is required to conduct various drills during the school year including fire (3), bus evacuation (1), tornado (1), and “active shooter” (1). The school does not notify parents of all drills. When EJHS conducts the “active shooter” drill, parents are notified after the drill has occurred.

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Breakfast & Lunch

How can I pay for Breakfast and/or Lunch at EJHS?

• All students are eligible for one no-charge breakfast and lunch per day.
• Additional breakfast and lunch or ala carte items are purchased on a prepay system using your child’s student ID card. It is extremely important that students have their ID cards with them every day at breakfast and lunch. 

• No cash payments are taken in the lunchroom.
• No a la carte items are available.
• RCS provides its own food service. For specific food service questions, contact (217) 893-5400 with questions or concerns about food quality or service.

When is breakfast?

• Breakfast begins at 8:05. Breakfast is served every day from 8:05-8:20 during Eater 101.

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Absences

What do I do if my child will not be at school?

• To report an absence, call the Office at 893-5401 between 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. each day of the absence with the reason for the absence.
• If a parent or guardian does not call in, students must bring a signed and dated note to the attendance office stating the reason for the absence(s) when they return.

How can I request homework when my child is absent?

• If your child is only absent for one or two days, it is the parents responsibility to contact the teachers directly to request homework. It is recommended that parents check the teachers’ homework blogs on-line, email teachers, or call teachers directly.
• During an extended absence (three days or more), parents may call the Office to request homework assignments before 10:00 AM. Assignments for students will be available for pick-up in the Office at the end of the following school day. If assignments are not requested prior to the student’s return to school from an absence, it becomes the student’s and/or parent’s responsibility to contact each of the student’s teachers to determine what assignments need to be made-up and the deadline for turning them in. A student will have at least one day to make up work for each day of absence. Teachers are not expected to reteach information missed by students during an absence.

Will I be notified if my child does not show up to school?

• Yes, if your child is absent without parent or guardian authorization, an automated service will call home starting at 10:20 a.m. to report your child’s absence from school. It is important that you keep your family contact information up-to-date in Skyward.

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Parent Involvement

What is the school’s Parent Involvement Policy?

JW Eater Junior High School shall promote parent involvement and work as equal partners with parents in providing quality learning experiences for every student, every day, without exception. JW Eater Junior High School administration and staff believes and acknowledges that parent involvement raises the academic achievement level of students. Additionally, parents become empowered, teacher morale improves, and communities grow stronger when parents take an active role in educating their children. To this end, JW Eater Junior High School will actively seek to involve parents in the education of their children at all grade levels.

What is the school’s classroom visit policy?

• Parents are always welcome and are encouraged to visit EJHS and to attend classes with their students. Please make arrangements at least one day in advance of your visit and register in the office upon arrival.
• Teachers may not be available to meet with you during these visits, but if you wish to attend team or individual conferences with teachers please call the school to arrange specific meeting times.

What is the expectation for family-school communication?

• In general, the school may communicate information about a specific student only with persons listed in Skyward as the parent/guardian or as an emergency contact for that student. If a parent/guardian needs to communicate with the school, please call the school or come to the school’s attendance office. Office staff will make every effort immediately to connect the parent/guardian with the most appropriate staff member to address the parent’s/guardian’s needs. If office staff is unable to connect the parent/guardian with an appropriate staff member, office staff will give the parent/guardian the option to leave a message (voice or written) for the appropriate staff member. A parent/guardian should receive a response to the message within one school day (please allow a minimum of 24 hours). If a parent/guardian does not receive a response within one school day, the parent/guardian should contact the school principal or assistant principal. If a parent/guardian does not receive a response within one school day from the school principal, parents/guardians may contact the RCS District Office by calling 217-893-5400.

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Discipline Concerns

What can I do if I have a concern with student discipline?

• If you do not agree with or have questions about a classroom discipline decision, please first contact that teacher. If speaking with the teacher does not resolve your concern, please contact one of the assistant principals.
• If you do not agree with or have questions about a discipline decision from your child’s assistant principal, please first contact the principal.
• At any time you are welcome to call the RCS District Office at 217-893-5400.

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Middle Grades Philosophy/Structure

What is the school’s philosophy?

JW Eater Junior High School subscribes to a philosophy that the unique needs of students in grades six through eight can best be met when provided an education that is student-centered and responsive to their developmental needs. A fundamental component of this philosophy are several organizational components including having students grouped on academic teams, providing social and emotional supports, and a homeroom/advisory period during the school day.

What are teams and how are they structured?

• At EJHS, teams involve a group of core academic teachers and special services teachers that work with the same group of students the entire school year. EJHS, teams are grouped as a grade level.
• This structure allows students to feel a sense of belonging to ease social and emotional transitions during their middle grades years.

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EJHS’s Mission and Vision

What is the mission of EJHS?

The mission of Rantoul City Schools is to empower learners to grow beyond limits by providing a nurturing environment where learners feel free to take risks, ensuring individuals needs are met through engaging opportunities, and expecting academic and behavioral excellence.

What is EJHS’s vision for the future?

EJHS promotes its mission through a vision for academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, and social equity.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.  JW Eater Junior High School is academically excellent. EJHS challenges all students to use their minds well, providing them with the curriculum, instruction, assessment, support, and time they need to meet rigorous academic standards. EJHS recognizes that early adolescence is characterized by dramatic cognitive growth, which enables students to think in more abstract and complex ways. Our curriculum and extra-curricular programs are designed to be challenging and engaging, tapping young adolescents' boundless energy, interests, and curiosity. Students will learn to understand important concepts, develop essential skills, and apply what they learn to real-world problems. Every adult in our school maintains a rich academic environment by working with colleagues in our schools and community to deepen our knowledge and improve our  practice.

DEVELOPMENTAL RESPONSIVENESS.  EJHS is developmentally responsive.  EJHS creates small learning communities of adults and students in which stable, close, and mutually respectful relationships support all students' intellectual, ethical, and social growth.  EJHS provides comprehensive services to foster healthy physical and emotional development. Students have opportunities for both independent inquiry and learning in cooperation with others.  Students have time to be reflective and numerous opportunities to make decisions about their learning.  EJHS involves families as partners in the education of their children by keeping them well informed, helping them develop their expectations and skills to support learning, and assuring their participation in decision-making.  EJHS is deeply rooted in the community while providing students opportunities for active citizenship.  Students and staff use the community as a classroom, and community members provide resources, connections, and active support.

SOCIAL EQUITY.  EJHS is socially equitable.  EJHS  seeks to keep students' future options open.  EJHS has high expectations for all  students and is  committed to helping each child produce work of high quality.  EJHS makes sure that all students are in academically rigorous classes appropriate to the child that are staffed by experienced and expertly prepared teachers.  EJHS acknowledges and respects students' histories, cultures, and previous life experiences.  EJHS works to educate every child well and to overcome systematic variation in resources and outcomes related to race, class, gender, and ability. EJHS engages their communities in supporting all students' learning and growth.

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Restorative Practices

What is Restorative Practices?

The objective of Restorative Practices (RP) is to improve school climate and break the cycle of repeating conflict and ongoing harm by dealing with issues underlying harmful behavior and addressing the needs and feelings of individuals who were affected.  RP is a term used to describe a variety of processes that focus on building relationships, identifying harm and making amends or repairing relationships, instead of excluding students from the school community. Although in some cases RP may take the place of punitive discipline, even with RP in place, students may continue to receive traditional disciplinary consequences.

RP is a broad umbrella that includes general work with all students and staff on how to listen and respond effectively to others and includes direct, intensive interventions with specific students. Most students only experience RP through activities during Eater 101. On a regular basis students participate in classroom circles, classroom-based climate discussions, and community-building activities. The purpose of these conversation-based activities is to teach and practice social skills such as listening, empathy, and clear communication with peers.

If a there is a conflict involving a student, whether at school or outside of school, students and/or staff may participate voluntarily in a Restorative Conversation. A trained staff member facilitates these conversations, and these conversations are intended to help students and staff resolve minor conflicts.

If there is a more serious conflict involving a student (e.g. physical violence, harassment, bullying, or a conflict unable to be resolved through a Restorative Conversation), whether at school or outside of school, students and staff may participate voluntarily in a Conflict Circle. A Conflict Circle is facilitated by one or two trained adult circle keepers and includes the parties that were perceived to have done harm,  parties who perceive themselves as having been harmed, and those who feel impacted by what happened, which may include school staff and/or family members, as well as peers

The general process of a Conflict Circle is as follows:

1. Initiating the Conflict Circle. Anyone involved in the conflict, including students, staff, and/or family members, may request the conflict circle. A circle may be requested by speaking with a building administrator or school social worker. Alternatively, the person initiating the request may complete the “Restorative Practices Conflict Circle Request” form and turn it in to the main office.
2. Exploration Meeting / Circle Preparation. After receiving the request, at least one trained adult will meet with  participants to explore their needs and the possibility of participating in a Conflict Circle. All participants voluntarily take part in these individual or small group exploratory meetings. The purpose of the exploration meeting is to identify the conflict and the individuals who need to be present, support those individuals in gaining clarity about their feelings and needs, explain the Circle process, and obtain informed consent to participate in the Conflict Circle, if participants want to proceed.
3. The Conflict Circle. After all participants have been prepared for the Conflict Circle, participants voluntarily take part in the Conflict Circle. During a Conflict Circle, a particular dialogue process is followed and all parties have the opportunity to be heard. At least one trained adult facilitates the Conflict Circle.
4. Agreements. During the last part of the Conflict Circle, participants are encouraged to make agreements in order to repair any harm done as a result of the conflict, make amends, and create conditions in which future harm is less likely. Agreements are written and agreed to by all parties.
5. Follow-up. After the Conflict Circle, a trained adult will check in with the participants to see if they are satisfied with how things have unfolded after the Circle. If there are concerns with the agreements or if participants are dissatisfied for other reasons, an additional Restorative Conversation or Conflict Circle may be initiated.

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