p. 1

bulloch county schools rigor relevance relationships every student every day 2011 2012 student handbook with code of conduct elementary middle and high schools

[close]

p. 2

school board members david ball chairman district 1 representative davidball@frontiernet.net 912 489-4837 term expires december 2012 vernon littles district 5 representative vlittles@georgiasouthern.edu 912 478-5201 term expires december 2014 mike sparks district 2 representative bradwellalum69@yahoo.com 912 842-2460 term expires december 2014 edwin hill district 3 representative edwinh@dhhccpa.com 912 764-6951 term expires december 2012 steve hein district 4 representative shein@georgiasouthern.edu 912 764-4395 term expires december 2014 anshul jain district 6 representative jain4boe@aol.com 912 681-2273 term expires december 2014 mike herndon district 7 representative statesboroagency@gmail.com 912 681-4619 term expires december 2012 maurice hill district 8 representative hillmaurice@yahoo.com 912 764-7134 term expires december 2012 superintendent s office staff dr lewis holloway superintendent 912 212-8500 mary henley administrative assistant to the superintendent mhenley@bulloch.k12.ga.us 912 212-8500

[close]

p. 3

homeroom teacher please note all of the new additions to the handbook have been shaded for your quick reference affirmation of receipt of student handbook please print i student s last name first middle preferred name have received a copy of the bulloch county schools 2011 2012 student handbook and the school supplemental handbook the handbooks contain the student code of conduct state law state school board policy and local policy on student attendance i understand the policies procedures and directives set forth in these handbooks furthermore i agree to abide by these policies procedures and directives student signature we have read a copy either electronic or paper of the bulloch county schools 2011 2012 student handbook and the school supplemental handbook which contain the student code of conduct state law state school board policy and local policy we expect our son/daughter to abide by these policies parent/guardian signature parent/guardian signature date please sign date and return to the school site within five school days.

[close]

p. 4

[close]

p. 5

central office staff central office main switchboard 912 212-8500 dr lewis holloway superintendent mary henley administrative assistant to the superintendent human resources and student services kevin judy assistant superintendent for human resources sharon hodges administrative assistant to the asst superintendent phillip tremble director of human resources and hearings code of conduct megan blanchard director of school nutrition b j brannen coordinator of employee benefits penny o freeman director of professional learning and teacher certification dionne gamble coordinator of attendance and system social worker homeless liaison taadra and home schooling teaching and learning dr jody woodrum assistant superintendent of teaching learning elementary education dr fran stephens assistant superintendent of teaching learning secondary education theresa beasley administrative assistant to the assistant superintendent holly gray administrative assistant to the assistant superintendent monica lanier director of federal programs georgiana darsey coordinator of english language learners dr susan rutherford director of special education abbie lacienski director of career technical and agriculture education dr marilyn dryden director of early care and student services brenda kingery program improvement specialist for testing data analysis and research business and finance charles wilson assistant superintendent for business and finance and construction susan cassedy administrative assistant to the assistant superintendent glenn rogers director of facility management paul webb director of transportation and bus maintenance troy brown director of accounting diane nichols payroll information systems craig liggett assistant superintendent of information systems amy thompson administrative assistant to the assistant superintendent patricia webb coordinator of student information

[close]

p. 6

table of contents philosophy mission statement of bulloch county schools 1 i general information 1 mandatory notification to students and parents 1 harassment and non-discrimination policies prohibition of harassment of students 3 effect of student handbook 5 state law on attendance 5 georgia s teenage and adult driver responsibility act taadra 7 accident/illness 8 admissions/withdrawals/transfers 8 admission of suspended/expelled students 8 addressing concerns 9 after school activities 9 athletic medicals 9 bicycles 9 book bags 9 cell phone use 9 extracurricular activities 9 fund raising 9 student network folder agreement 9 school bus transportation 9 student dress expectation 12 counseling services 13 disaster alerts 13 immunization 13 medication 13 lunchroom information 15 parent portal 16 personal belongings 16 school property and student debts 16 title i parent involvement plan 17 title i no child left behind nclb 17 transportation changes 19 video audio taping 19 visitors 19 academic information all grades attendance regulations .20 school sponsored non-instructional activities absences 20 make-up work 20 materials 20 parent/guardian right-to-know 20 bulloch county academic promotion placement and retention policy 20 pyramid of intervention 21 criteria for promotion in kindergarten 21 criteria for promotion in grades 1-8 22 promotion criteria and procedures for grades 1-8 23 additional requirements for grades 3,5 and 8 23 first crct test administration 24 second crct test administration 25 appeals process 25 report cards 25 plagiarism 25 ii.

[close]

p. 7

quest 25 iii elementary pre-k through 5 schools/grades academic information elementary grading system grades 2-5 26 first grade evaluation key 26 middle schools grades 6 8 academic information academic counseling 26 grading system 26 eligibility for participation in competitive interscholastic activities 26 student driving and parking regulations 26 high school academic information and graduation requirements academic counseling 27 promotion/retention policy 27 grading system and academic credits 27 high schools 27 end of course testing 28 make-up work 28 graduation requirements 28 summer school qualifications 30 accel old post secondary options 30 honor graduate 31 class ranking/grade weighting 31 valedictorian and salutatorian 31 georgia scholar 31 competitive interscholastic activities eligibility 31 hope program 32 work based learning 32 governor s honors program 33 compass test 33 student code of conduct general expectations 33 internet use agreement 33 law enforcement officials notification of 36 questioning and apprehension by law enforcement officer on school premises 36 due process rights of students search and seizure policy 36 corporal punishment 37 parental involvement 37 suspension 37 in-school suspension 38 expulsion 38 system student disciplinary hearing 38 physical violence resulting in substantial injury to a teacher 39 special education 40 non-traditional educational programs 40 performance learning program 40 alternative education program 40 classification of violations of student code of conduct 40 elementary consequences 41 class i offenses 41 class ii offenses 41 iv v vi.

[close]

p. 8

class iii offenses 41 middle and high school consequences class i offenses 42 class ii offenses 42 class iii offenses 42 disciplinary expulsion protocol for grades 6-12 42 weapons dangerous instruments etc 43 disciplinary offenses 43 possession 43 code of conduct violation chart 44 discipline report 53 vii directory schools 54 viii calendar back cover

[close]

p. 9

[close]

p. 10

bulloch county schools student handbook philosophy of bulloch county schools education is a vital part of the american democratic commitment the mastery of basic skills the development of the ability to reason and character development must be fundamental components of the educational process in america s schools just as essential as these components is the advancement of the value of living in a free-enterprise system the goal of education in america is to produce individuals who are knowledgeable and can make decisions for themselves as free members of a democratic society mission statement work together to ensure a quality education for all learners for access and notify the parents or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected 2 right to consent disclosures you have the right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable data contained in the student s educational records except to the extent that ferpa authorizes disclosure without consent the intent of the bulloch county school system is to limit the disclosure of personally identifiable educational information contained in your educational records to those instances when prior written consent has been given to the disclosure as an item of directory information of which you have not refused to permit disclosure and/or under the provisions of ferpa which allows disclosure without prior written consent one exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interest a school official is a person employed by the school as an administrator supervisor instructor or support staff member including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel a person serving on the school board a person or company with whom the school has contacted to perform a special task such as an attorney auditor medical consultant or therapist or a parent or student serving on an official committee such as a disciplinary or school compliant committee or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks a school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility understand that upon request the school discloses educational records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll 3 right to request amendments to have corrected any parts of an educational record that is believed to be inaccurate misleading or otherwise in violation of your rights is a right a parent or eligible student who wishes to amend or correct a record that he or she believes to be inaccurate should 1 write the school principal or appropriate school official 2 clearly identify the part of the record they want changed and 3 specify why it is inaccurate if the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student the school will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advises them of their right to a hearing i general information mandatory notification to students and parents of rights under family education rights and privacy act ferpa a family education rights and privacy act each year the bulloch county board of education is required to give notice of the various rights accorded to parents and students over eighteen years of age eligible students pursuant to the federal statute the family education rights and privacy act ferpa parents and eligible students have a right to be notified of certain rights with respect to the student s education records in accordance with ferpa you are notified of the following 1 right to inspect you as a parent or eligible student have the right to review and inspect substantially all of the student s education records maintained by or at a school which your child attends in the bulloch county school system within forty-five 45 days of the day the school receives a request for access parents or eligible students should submit to the school principal or other appropriate school official a written request that identifies the records they wish to inspect school officials will make arrangements

[close]

p. 11

page 2 regarding a request for amendment additional information regarding the hearing procedure will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing 4 right to complain you have the right to file a complaint with the family policy compliance office u.s department of education 400 maryland avenue sw washington d.c 20202-4605 5 right to obtain policy you have the right to obtain a copy of the written institutional policy adopted by this institution in compliance with ferpa a copy may be obtained in person or by mail from the bulloch county board of education 150 williams road statesboro georgia 30458 b notice of designation of directory information under ferpa secondary educational act of 1965 esea to provide military recruiters upon request with three directory informational categories names addresses and telephone listings unless parents have advised the lea they do not want their student s information disclosed without their prior written consent 4 any parent or student refusing to have any or all of the designated directory information disclosed including directory information that may be disclosed to military recruiters institutions of higher education and school system publications must file written notification to that effect with the principal of the school which the student attends within 30 days of enrolling in each school year forms for this purpose are available in the principal s office 5 in the event a refusal is not filed the bulloch county school system and the school which the child attends assume that neither the parent of a student nor eligible student objects to the release of the designated directory information c mandatory notification of rights under the federal protection of pupil rights amendment 1 the bulloch county board of education has designated certain information contained in the educational records of the students of the bulloch county school system as directory information for purposes of the family educational rights and privacy act ferpa 2 the following information regarding students is considered directory information 1 name 2 address 3 telephone number 4 electronic mail address 5 date and place of birth 6 school 7 program of study 8 participation in officially recognized activities and sports 9 weight and height of members of athletic teams 10 dates of attendance 11 institutions attended by the student 12 audio statements and/or performances and 13 photographs video images and other pictures of the student for school and school system publications 3 directory information may be disclosed by the bulloch county school system for any purpose at its discretion without the consent of a parent of a student or an eligible student parents of students and eligible students have the right however to refuse to permit the designation of any or all of the above information as directory information in this case the information will not be disclosed except with the consent of a parent or student or as otherwise allowed by ferpa in addition two federal laws require local educational agencies leas receiving assistance under the elementary and protection of pupil rights amendment ppra affords parents and students who are 18 or emancipated minors eligible students certain rights regarding our conduct of surveys collection and use of information for marketing purposes and certain physical exams these include the following rights 1 to consent before students are required to submit a survey that concerns one or more of the following protected areas protected information survey if the survey is funded in whole or in part by a program of the u.s department of education ed a political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student s parent b mental or psychological problems of the student or student s family c sex behavior or attitudes d illegal anti-social self-incrimination or demeaning behavior e critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships f legally recognized privileged relationships such as with lawyers doctors or ministers g religious practices affiliations or beliefs of the student or parents or h income other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.

[close]

p. 12

page 3 2 to receive notice and an opportunity to opt a student out of a any other protected information survey regardless of funding b any non-emergency invasive physical exam or screening required as a condition of attendance administered by the school or its agent and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of a student except for hearing vision or scoliosis screenings or any physical exam or screening permitted or required under state law and c activities involving collection disclosure or use of personal information obtained from students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to others 3 to inspect upon request and before administration or use a protected information surveys of students b instruments used to collect personal information from students for any of the above marketing sales or other distribution purposes and c instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum the bulloch county school district will develop and adopt policies in consultation with parents regarding these rights as well as arrangements to protect student privacy in the administration of protected surveys and the collection disclosure or use of personal information for marketing sales or other distribution purposes the bulloch county school district will directly notify parents and eligible students of these policies at least annually at the start of each school year and after any substantive changes bulloch county school district will also directly notify parents and eligible students such as through u.s mail or email at least annually at the start of each school year of the specific or approximate dates of and provide an opportunity to opt a student out of participating in the following activities · collection disclosure or use of personal information for marketing sales or other distribution administration of any protected information survey not funded in whole or in part by ed any non-emergency invasive physical examination or screening as described above family policy compliance office u.s department of education 400 maryland avenue sw washington d.c 20202-4605 complaint procedures under the no child left behind act any individual organization or agency complainant may file a complaint with the bulloch county board of education department if that individual organization or agency believes and alleges that a local educational agency lea is violating a federal statute or regulation that applies to a program under the no child left behind act the complaint must allege a violation that occurred no more than one 1 year prior to the date that the complaint is received unless a longer period is reasonable because the violation is considered systemic or ongoing for more information please contact monica lanier at 912 212-8554 harassment and nondiscrimination policies prohibition of harassment of students the policy of the bulloch county board of education is to maintain a learning environment that is free from harassment because of an individual s race color sex or disability the board of education prohibits all such forms of harassment therefore it shall be a violation of this policy for any student teacher administrator or other school system employee through conduct or any form of communication of a sexual nature or regarding race color or disability as defined below to harass school system students a violation exists if a school system policy for any teacher administrator or other school personnel of this district to tolerate sexual harassment racial harassment or disability harassment as defined by this policy by a student teacher administrator other school personnel or by any third parties who are participating observing or otherwise engaging in activities including sporting events and any other extra curricular activities under the auspices of the school system the bulloch county school system will act to promptly investigate all complaints either formal or informal verbal or written of harassment because of race color sex or disability to promptly take appropriate action to protect individuals from further harassment and if it determines that unlawful harassment occurred to promptly and appropriately discipline any student · · parents/eligible students who believe their rights have been violated may file a complaint with the following:

[close]

p. 13

page 4 teacher administrator or other school personnel who is found to have violated this policy and/or to take other appropriate action reasonably calculated to end the harassment reporting procedures consequences investigations and all allegations of sexual harassment racial harassment or disability harassment shall be fully investigated and immediate and appropriate corrective or disciplinary action shall be initiated by the superintendent a substantiated charge against an employee shall subject such person to disciplinary action including the possibility of discharge a substantiated charge against a student shall subject the student to disciplinary action including but not limited to suspension or expulsion whether a particular action or incident constitutes a violation of this policy requires a determination based on all of the facts and surrounding circumstances the investigation shall be conducted as are other nondiscrimination investigations conducted in accordance with board policy descriptor code jaa/gaaa submission of a good faith complaint or report of sexual harassment racial harassment or disability harassment will not affect the complainant s or reporter s future employment grades learning or working environment or work assignments non-discrimination the bulloch county board of education does not discriminate on the basis of age disability race ethnic origin color or sex/gender in its educational programs and activities athletic programs or employment practices as required by the age discrimination act of 1975 section 504 of the rehabilitation act of 1973 section 504 title ii of the american with disabilities act of 1990 title ii title vi of the civil rights acts of 1964 title vi title ix of the education amendments of 1972 title ix and the equity in sports act o.c.g.a 20-2315 questions concerns or complaints relating to the nondiscrimination policies and practices of the bulloch county school system should be addressed to the following officials kevin judy assistant superintendent for human resources/student services equal opportunity coordinator and title ix coordinator sports equity and title ix coordinator specific to athletics bulloch county central office 150 williams road statesboro georgia 30458 912 212-8510 the right to confidentiality both of the complainant and the accused will be respected consistent with the board s legal obligations and with the necessity to investigate the allegations of misconduct and to take corrective action when this conduct has occurred any student who believes that he/she has been the victim of sexual harassment racial harassment or disability harassment by a student teacher administrator or other school personnel of the school system or by any other person who is participating in observing or otherwise engaging in activities including sporting events and other group activities under the auspices of the school system should report the alleged acts to a principal guidance counselor or other individual designated to receive such complaints who will immediately report to the assistant superintendent of human resources filing of a complaint or otherwise reporting sexual harassment racial harassment or disability harassment will not reflect upon the individual s status nor will it affect future grades course assignments or other educational decisions any teacher administrator or other school official who has or receives notice that a student has or may have been the victim of sexual harassment racial harassment or disability harassment by a student teacher administrator or other school personnel of the school system or by any other person who is participating in observing or otherwise engaged in activities including sporting events and other extra-curricular activities under the offices of the school system is required to immediately report the alleged acts to the principal of the school which the student attends and/or the following appropriate school district official a allegations of sexual harassment or race harassment should made to the principal of the school which the alleged student victim attends and to the assistant superintendent for human resources as equal opportunity coordinator and title ix coordinator designated in the student handbook b allegations of disability harassment should be reported to the principal of the school which the alleged student victim attends and to the director of special education who is the section 504/americans with disabilities act coordinator named in the student handbook.

[close]

p. 14

page 5 dr susan rutherford section 504 and americans with disabilities act coordinator william james educational complex 150 williams road statesboro georgia 30458 912 212-8582 national guard and such other approved absences shall be excused absences the requirements of this subsection shall apply to a child during the ages of mandatory attendance as required in subsection a of this code section who has been assigned by a local board of education or its delegate to attend an alternative public school program established by that local board of education including an alternative public school program provided for in code section 20-2-154.1 regardless of whether such child has been suspended or expelled from another public school program by that local board of education or its delegate and to the parent guardian or other person residing in this state who has control or charge of such child nothing in this code section shall be construed to require a local board of education or its delegate to assign a child to attend an alternative public school program rather than suspending or expelling the child b any parent guardian or other person residing in this state who has control or charge of a child or children and who shall violate this code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be subject to a fine not less than $25.00 and not greater than $100.00 imprisonment not to exceed 30 days community service or any combination of such penalties at the discretion of the court having jurisdiction each day´s absence from school in violation of this part after the child´s school system notifies the parent guardian or other person who has control or charge of a child of five unexcused days of absence for a child shall constitute a separate offense after two reasonable attempts to notify the parent guardian or other person who has control or charge of a child of five unexcused days of absence without response the school system shall send a notice to such parent guardian or other person by certified mail return receipt requested public schools shall provide to the parent guardian or other person having control or charge of each child enrolled in public school a written summary of possible consequences and penalties for failing to comply with compulsory attendance under this code section for children and their parents guardians or other persons having control or charge of children the parent guardian or other person who has control or charge of a child or children shall sign a statement indicating receipt of such written statement of possible consequences and penalties children who are age ten years or older by september 1 shall sign a statement indicating receipt of such written statement of possible consequences and penalties effect of student handbook the policies rules and regulations shown in the student handbook for bulloch county schools are regulatory in nature and are not to be construed to give rise to any substantive or vested rights the board of education the superintendent and the principal reserve the right to amend suspend repeal modify or revoke the policies rules and regulations at any time as to any students or related persons without incurring any obligation with respect to the old or existing policy rule regulation or administrative procedure the ultimate administrative responsibility for the school is vested in the principal who must treat each situation whether disciplinary or administrative from the perspective of what is in the best interest of the student concerned the other students in the school and the ongoing educational mission of the school and of the bulloch county school system state law on attendance the official code of georgia o.c.g.a 20-2-690.1 mandatory attendance in a public school private school or home school program shall be required for children between their sixth and sixteenth birthdays such mandatory attendance shall not be required where the child has successfully completed all requirements of a high school diploma every parent guardian or other person residing within this state having control or charge of any child or children during the ages of mandatory attendance as required in subsection a of this code section shall enroll and send such child or children to a public school a private school or a home study program that meets the requirements for a public school a private school or a home study program and such child shall be responsible for enrolling in and attending a public school a private school or a home study program that meets the requirements for a public school a private school or a home study program under such penalty for noncompliance with this subsection as is provided in chapter 11 of title 15 unless the child´s failure to enroll and attend is caused by the child´s parent guardian or other person in which case the parent guardian or other person alone shall be responsible provided however that tests and physical exams for military service and the

[close]

p. 15

page 6 after two reasonable attempts by the school to secure such signature or signatures the school shall be considered to be in compliance with this subsection if it sends a copy of the statement via certified mail return receipt requested to such parent guardian other person who has control or charge of a child or children public schools shall retain signed copies of statements through the end of the school year local school superintendents in the case of private schools or home study programs and visiting teachers and attendance officers in the case of public schools shall have authority and it shall be their duty to file proceedings in court to enforce this subpart state school board policy on absences and excuses code jbd local boards of education shall adopt policies excusing students from school under the following circumstances · personal illness · serious illness or death in a student s immediate family · court order · religious holidays ·conditions rendering attendance impossible or hazardous to student health or safety · one day to register or vote in a public election · parent being deployed or returning from military duty up to five days per year the bulloch county board of education will allow absences resulting from students visiting prospective colleges to be counted as excused absences if the student receives approval from school administrators prior to the visitation students shall be counted present when serving as pages of the general assembly note school boards are allowed to require appropriate documentation in order to determine if an absence is an excused absence bulloch county board of education believes that regular school attendance is essential to gaining a quality education each school shall intervene early when students begin to accumulate absences these interventions shall include telephone calls letters home visits and conferences informing of absences and resource referrals to parents offering assistance in resolving attendance problems if attendance problems continue a referral to the attendance support hearing ash will result the purpose of the attendance support hearing is to provide school and communitybased assistance to families when needed to address attendance concerns the attendance support hearing is intended to be a preventative and not punitive means to promote excellent regular attendance students found truant in the event of being reported or found truant pursuant to o.c.g.a 20-2-698 20-2-699 and/or 20-2-700 the student along with their parent/guardian will be immediately referred for an attendance support hearing even if they have not yet reached seven absences absences excuses and early dismissals students are expected to be in attendance in bulloch county schools in accordance with compulsory attendance laws and for the number of full-length days prescribed by law a student shall not be absent from school or from any class or other required school hours except for illness or other providential cause unless with written permission of the teacher principal or their duly authorized school official no student shall encourage urge or counsel other students to violate this policy absences will be considered either excused or unexcused pre-approved absences absences for early dismissal and out-of-town trips which are approved by the administration before the absence occurs will result in the student being allowed to make up work and not receive a zero on work missed in case of an emergency parents must make arrangements within a reasonable period of time excuses excuses for absences shall be furnished in writing must be signed by the student s parent or guardian and shall specifically state the dates and reasons for the absence excuses written by parents will be accepted for up to 5 five absences any absence thereafter will require an excuse from a medical professional or other medical documentation as required by the principal or designee early dismissal for the academic advantage of a student being in school a student should not be taken out of school during the school day including the latter part of the day when necessary a student is permitted to leave during the school day if a parent guardian or other approved person comes to school to get him/her the person picking up the student must sign him/her out at the school office.

[close]