Dear Parents,

We are always alarmed and dismayed when school shootings occur around our nation. I pray that this never becomes something that we are used to or that students start to think this is normal. We had our 2nd Lockdown Drill on Thursday, February 15, 2018.

Please note that student and staff safety are the first priorities at J.S. Waters school. We have taken the following steps to help create a safe environment within Chatham County Schools::

• Each of our schools must develop and maintain a unique, confidential, state-mandated crisis plan.
• We practice those plans with our students and staff members.
• Every school has a combination of technology-based security devices including cameras and door access systems.
• Through a partnership with the Chatham County Sheriff's Office, each of our high schools and middle schools has a full-time school resource officer. Our elementary and K-8 schools also have access to school resource officers as needed.
• Additional information is provided as a part of the Lockdown FAQ available on the district's website in the Parents / Guardians section.

We want to reassure parents of existing protocols that are in place and highlight the Lockdown FAQ available on the district website in the Parents / Guardians section. A short news story is on the district's homepage that also directs community members to this resource.

Respectfully,

Beverly Browne

Principal

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Welcome to J.S. Waters School!

I am honored to be the principal of J.S. Waters since 2007. J.S. Waters is part of a great community and I am blessed to be a member of a great team. Our mission is to develop respectful and responsible citizens who will be successful in a diverse and technical world.

I am happy to welcome you to the 2017-18 school year! We are looking forward to a productive partnership with you to ensure our children can achieve their highest potential. We recognize that in order to be successful in school, our children need support from both the home and school. We know a strong partnership with you will make a great difference in your child’s education.

1. As partners, we share the responsibility for our children’s success and want you to know that we will do our very best to carry out our responsibilities. We ask that you guide and support your child’s learning by ensuring that he/she: Attends school daily and arrives on time, ready for the day’s learning experience
2. Completes all homework assignments given by teachers
3. Reads daily to develop a love for reading and to improve literacy skills
4. Shares school experiences with you so that you are aware of his/her school life
5. Informs you if he/she needs additional support in any area or subject
6. Knows that you expect him/her to succeed in school and go on to college.

Please consider joining our school volunteer program as our students can greatly benefit from your involvement and contributions to the school’s program and its operations. We seek volunteers to help us with the following activities:

• Teacher-led instructional support, usually in the classroom
• Reading with children who need extra help
• School-wide events
• Student recognition events
• Outreach and recruitment of parent and community volunteers

If you have any questions about the rules and expectations, please feel free to contact me or to discuss them with your child’s teacher. It is very important that you and your child are fully informed regarding standards related to appropriate behavior for a safe and productive school year. Please feel free to review the Chatham County Schools Code of Conduct.

The wonderful J.S. Waters staff and I feel privileged to be a part of this school family. We thank you for your support and look forward to meeting you.