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gilmer county schools code of student conduct grades 6 -12 gilmer high school gilmer middle school clear creek middle school

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important code of student conduct 2010-2011 please review this book with your student so that your family is aware of what is and is not appropriate in school during school-sponsored activities and on school bus transportation since parents can be held responsible for the actions of their children it is important that they are aware of the rules and the consequences if their students break the rules however parents also have the right to advocate for their children therefore the school must have proof that every student and every parent has had a chance to read this code of student conduct sign and return the acknowledgement form to the school within 3 days of receipt of the code of student conduct 2010-2011 to confirm that you have received the book and you know what the rules are your signature does not mean that you agree or disagree with the rules whenever the term parent is used it also refers to either or both parents any guardian of a student any person in a parental relationship to a student or any person exercising supervisory authority over a student in place of a parent gilmer county school system page 2

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welcome to the 2010-2011 school year dear students and parents gilmer county public schools is committed to providing all students with a quality education in a safe and secure learning environment the code of student conduct booklet is designed to help promote those goals this code provides you with information about the rules that students are expected to follow as well as the consequences for unacceptable and serious misbehavior furthermore the code addresses expectations for students related to consistent and timely attendance respect for persons and property appropriate dress technology usage student publications student activities student records and the right to appeal including grievance procedures please review all information in the code of student conduct carefully and discuss the consequences of violating the rules students and parents are required to sign a statement that indicates they have received the code of student conduct and are aware of the explanation of rules it provides you can be assured that we are planning to continue our commitment to student achievement safe and secure schools and positive character development you may view the code of student conduct and sb policy jcda under policies on the school s website www.gilmerschools.com with mutual understanding and cooperation i know this year will be a successful one for all of us have a wonderful year sincerely randal p parson superintendent gilmer county schools for idea-eligible iep students suspension and expulsions shall follow applicable laws school board policies and provisions of the individual education plan iep likewise for students determined to be disabled under section 504 of the rehabilitation act of 1973 suspension expulsion and other disciplinary measures shall follow applicable laws school board policies and provisions of the section 504 accommodation plan gilmer county school system page 3

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table of contents section i attendance non-attendance and early signs of truancy excused absences unexcused absences make-up work tardiness/early sign-outs field trips student withdrawals section ii respect for persons and property expected behaviors unacceptable behaviors leading to disciplinary action school bus behavior discrimination and/or harassment section iii dress code section iv technology usage section v student activities and assembly section vi free speech and student publications section vii privacy of student records family educational rights and privacy act ferpa privacy practices related to students and family medical/mental health records hipaa 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 10 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 section viii interventions and/or consequences possible interventions and/or consequences of misbehavior consequences of serious misbehavior leading to suspension and/or expulsion drug and substance abuse offenses leading to suspension and possible expulsion other offenses non-drug and non-substance abuse offenses leading to suspension and possible expulsion offenses leading to mandatory expulsion alternative to expulsion programs workback out-of-district expulsion definition of weapons definition of offenses section ix right to appeal and grievance procedures 21 22 22 23 24 24 25 25 26 26 27 spanish el código de conducta de estudiantes está a su disposición en español en la escuela gilmer county school system page 4

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section i attendance the parent of a child of compulsory age is responsible for the child s daily school attendance o.c.g.a § 20-2-690.1 school staff parents students and appropriate state agencies are expected to work together to ensure that laws are obeyed including but not limited to referral to the state designated agency for possible court action for extended absence or truancy o.c.g.a § 20-2-694 sb policy jb outlines the rules that apply to attendance and attendance procedures you may view this policy and all school board policies on the web at http www.gilmerschools.com a student s presence in class is required to maximize the attainment of instructional objectives for students who demonstrate patterns of non-attendance interventions may be recommended a student s presence in class is required to maximize the attainment of instructional objectives for rights responsibilities students have a right to know how the district defines and handles excused absences unexcused absences and tardiness the infraction consequence matrix that assigns specific consequences for misbehavior and is part of the school s discipline plan is available to parents upon request students have a right to make up work they missed during an absence students who are married are parents or are expectant mothers have a right to remain in the regular school program or to attend a special program designed to meet their needs students have a right to be protected from exposure to communicable diseases and infestations when in school students have a responsibility to attend all classes students have a responsibility to be on time for school and all classes students have a responsibility to ask their parents to notify the school when they are absent students have a responsibility to ask teachers for and to complete make-up assignments students have a responsibility to get medical advice and/or counseling about how to adjust their schooling for marriage pregnancy and parenthood students having or suspected of having a communicable disease are not allowed to attend school in order to return to school parents must obtain a doctor s note stating that the student is no longer contagious chickenpox is the only infectious disease that does not require a doctor s note non-ttendance interventions may be recommended rule the school board of gilmer county georgia stresses the importance that all students attend school regularly and remain in school until they graduate from high school student absences are taken daily and monitored weekly by the attendance support team ast within each school if a student becomes truant or continues to have excessive absences interventions such as requiring families to attend ast meetings and entering into written agreements designed to help improve attendance may be implemented if the school determines the attendance continues to be unsatisfactory the attendance support team is authorized to make a truancy referral to juvenile court if necessary non-attendance and early signs of truancy it is important to be in school every day if your child is not in school he or she may be showing early signs of truancy through a pattern of non-attendance sb policy jb what is a pattern of non-attendance a student may be establishing a pattern of non-attendance when he or she has an accumulation of tardiness early sign outs and/or absences excused and unexcused that exceed 5 days parents and students may review absences at any time at school or at home by contacting the school or by accessing electronic attendance records through powerschool parent® if after an accumulation of absences as noted above the principal and/or his designee determines that the reasons for time out of school are invalid the principal/designee shall refer the student to 1 the attendance support team ast collaborative problem solving team to determine if early patterns of truancy are developing and provide appropriate interventions and/or 2 the juvenile court will be notified due to noncompliance with compulsory school attendance laws absence reports absences may be reported by telephone and must be followed up by a written note or a note from the doctor s office the report must come from a parent and give the dates of the absences and the reason for the absences parents must gilmer county school system page 5

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report these absences within 2 days following although school principals may make exceptions in cases of need school staff members have a legal right to ask for a written medical excuse for high school only absences for dual enrollment students must be reported to both schools excused absences students must be in school however when it is necessary to be out of school absences may be excused for one of the reasons listed below students on field trips in school suspension or attending alternative-to-suspension programs are not considered absent for reasons 1-5 parents must report the absence the day before the day of or within 2 school days following the absence or the absence will be considered unexcused any absence is unexcused until the school receives a note to excuse the absence some situations will require written documentation from a private physician or public health unit excused absences include 1 personal illness a students who expect to miss at least 10 consecutive school days due to illness or a medical condition should obtain a copy of the hospital/homebound referral packet from the hospital/homebound contact person at their school with proper verification a student may be eligible for hospital/homebound instruction as outlined in sboe 160-4-2 31 2 serious illness of an immediate family member 3 death in the immediate family 4 religious holidays of the student s specific faith 5 required court appearance or an order by a governmental agency 6 conditions rendering attendance impossible or hazardous to student health or safety 7 special event examples of special events include important public functions i.e serving as pages of the georgia general assembly conferences state/national competitions as well as exceptional cases of family need students must get permission from the principal/designee at least 5 days in advance 8 a student whose parent or legal guardian is in military service in the armed forces of the united states or the national guard and such parent or legal guardian has been called to duty for or is on leave from overseas deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting 0 .c .g .a § 20-2-692 .1 a maximum of five school days per school year 9 scheduled doctor or dentist appointments student must turn in note from doctor s office confirming visit 10 students having or suspected of having a communicable disease or infestation that can be transmitted are to be excluded from school and are not allowed to return to school until they no longer present a health hazard sb policy jgcc unexcused absences parents will receive letters to inform them of their student s unexcused absences generated from official attendance records after five 5 unexcused absences 1 absences are excused only for the reasons previously listed if absences are not excused as defined in the previous section the absences are considered unexcused 2 students who have been assigned an out school suspension and choose not to participate in an alternative-to suspension program will be considered suspended 3 students without a completed certificate of immunization indicating compliance with the current required schedule of immunizations will not be allowed to attend classes until this document is provided or a waiver is obtained students who receive the first shot in a series of immunizations but who are late obtaining subsequent shots will be given 3 days grace period after which they will be excluded from school and resulting absences will be considered unexcused 4 students 14-18 years of age who drop out of school or who have 10 or more unexcused absences in the current academic year or ten or more unexcused absences in the previous academic year will have their driver s license suspended or ability to apply for a driver s license learner s permit by the state of georgia department of driver services additional information about procedures and waivers is available from school administration or guidance offices makeup work 1 students have two 2 class days to make up the work for each class day absent not including the day of return however previously assigned work is due the day of return these deadlines may be extended by the principal for extenuating circumstances 2 students who are assigned in school suspension are expected to attend and complete daily assignments 3 students who are assigned out of school suspension and who attend alternative-to-suspension programs are allowed to make up work alternatives to out of school suspension may include school in school suspension saturday school off-campus alternative-to-suspension programs and community partnership alternative-to suspension programs gilmer county school system page 6

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given students must complete the work within 10 days and may earn a grade to replace the incomplete i in extenuating circumstances the principal has the authority to extend the deadline when these deadlines are not met the incomplete i changes to a course failure f w enforcement officer when the officer has reasonable grounds to a child may be taken into custody by a law enforcement officer when the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the child is absent from school without authorization or is suspended or expelled and is not in the presence of his or her parent or legal guardian for the purpose of delivering the child without unreasonable delay to the gilmer county sheriff s office o.c.g.a § 20-2-698 intake staff does a screening to determine risk factors that might lead to the cause of excessive tardiness or truancy this is not a learning environment the day spent with the gilmer county sheriff s office is an unexcused absence tardiness/early sign outs tardiness/early sign out is disruptive to the learning environment and can have a negative impact on student achievement tardiness/early sign out may also count toward establishing a pattern of non-attendance that may indicate early signs of truancy a pattern of non-attendance may be established by an accumulation of tardiness absences excused and unexcused and early sign outs that exceed 5 days a tardy/early sign out is excused for the same reasons that an absence is excused excused absences/tardiness include illness illness of an immediate family member death in the family religious holidays of the student s faith required court appearance or subpoena by a law enforcement agency special event scheduled doctor or dentist appointments communicable disease in extenuating circumstances principals and/or their designee may also excuse a tardy for reasons other than those stated if documentation is provided parents must follow the same process to excuse a tardy as they do to excuse an absence 1 tardiness is defined as a student not being in the classroom when classes are scheduled to begin a student who has an excused tardy note should report directly to class after first checking in at the designated check-in area of the school 2 early sign out is defined as a student not completing a school day or high school class period 3 excessive tardiness/early sign out will be addressed on a case-by-case basis to determine if there is a pattern of nonattendance 4 tardiness/early sign out to any class without documentation may be considered unexcused when students are tardy or signed out early on an ongoing basis their academic performance may be negatively impacted the school system strongly encourages parents to ensure their student is in school for the full school day every day field trips the state department of education allows students to be counted present for up to ten 10 non-instructional pep-rallies school pictures field trips etc days per year field trips may be instructional in some classes and not in others example math field trips will be non-instructional in the english class any student exceeding the ten non-instructional days will be counted absent for the additional days student withdrawals 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 for a high school diploma o.c.g.a § 20-2-690.1 for students sixteen 16 years of age and older principals or designee have the authority to withdraw a student who is sixteen 16 years of age or older who is not receiving homebound or home based instructional services as required by the idea when the student has been absent without lawful excuse for ten 10 consecutive school days the principal or designee shall use his or her best efforts to notify the parents guardians if the school system plans to withdraw such students who is younger than eighteen 18 years of age and is not subject to compulsory school attendance an exit interview will be attempted for each student who decides to drop out of school when possible students are referred to other educational locations e.g ged and mountain education center also be aware that students who drop out of school are not eligible to receive a driver s license or permit or will have their license or permit revoked for grades 9-12 when class work is not completed due to excused absences a grade of incomplete i may be gilmer county school system page 7

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section ii ­ respect for persons and property character education sclrship is woven into the policies and procedures of gilmer county schools self-control citizenship loyalty responsibility sportsmanship honesty integrity and personal courage are the foundation of this code of student conduct rights students have the right to be treated with respect and honesty students have the right to privacy students have the right to a safe and orderly school responsibilities students have the responsibility to demonstrate the character education traits students have the responsibility to treat others with respect and honesty students have the responsibility to respect the rights of others students have the responsibility to treat school property and the property of others with respect and to act in a way that does not interfere with the rights of others and is not harmful to the health and safety of others rule it is important for students to know their rights and responsibilities which include obeying teachers and all other school employees obeying each individual rule as defined by the school and obeying bus drivers students are expected to honor their responsibilities and behave in ways that respect the rights of all consequences for unacceptable behaviors are found on pp 27-31 expected behaviors treat others with respect and honesty prepare for class by bringing paper pencil pen books and other needed supplies complete all class work and homework use class time properly take home and return necessary forms follow rules and regulations about field trips take care of and return all textbooks library books or other school-owned materials loaned to them act responsibly on campus on buses on field trips and at all school-sponsored events regardless of location unacceptable behaviors leading to disciplinary action attendance incidents leaving class or school without permission not attending school truancy being tardy excessively skipping class out of assigned area rule violation incidents including but not limited to violating the dress code taking possessing displaying distributing and/or transmitting pictures using a camera telephone during the school day note use of a camera telephone may result in additional consequences beyond confiscation if used to take pictures that are pornographic or obscene or to break rules or laws littering disruptive incidents including but not limited to disturbing the class or school by being disrespectful or rude refusing to obey any staff member failing to follow classroom rules running in the halls throwing objects possessing or igniting fireworks or smoke/stink bombs fighting gambling or bringing distracting items to school including but not limited to skateboards scooters inline skates/roller blades/heelies sneakers with wheels toys playing cards toy weapons games cigarette lighters radios audio recorders headphones laser pointers/pens and other laser devices bullets or shell casings sole possession of a wireless communication device camera telephone cell telephone or pager is not a violation of the code of student conduct o.c.g.a 20-02-1183 however the possession of a wireless communication device cellular telephone camera telephone or pager which disrupts the educational process the use of a cellular telephone camera telephone or pager during instructional hours the use of a cellular telephone camera telephone gilmer county school system page 8

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or pager on school buses in the absence of an emergency concerning safety-to-life issues and the possession or use of a cellular telephone camera telephone or pager which disrupts or interferes with the safety-to-life issues would be a violation of the code of student conduct subjecting violators to progressive discipline note if students possess a cellular telephone camera telephone or pager it should be turned off and kept out-of-sight inside a pocket book bag purse or similar container and it may not be used or allowed to emit any ring tone or other noise on school grounds during instructional hours unless authorized by a school staff member violations of this policy will result in confiscation and the device will only be released to the parent progressive discipline will apply for repeated violations school board employees will not be held liable for wireless communication devices cell telephones camera telephones or pagers that are lost stolen or confiscated o.c.g.a § 20-2-1184 requires school districts to notify parents that students who use wireless communication devices smartphones cell telephones camera telephones or pagers in the commission of a criminal act may face school disciplinary action and/or criminal penalties gilmer county schools reserves the right to search wireless communication devices that are in violation of this policy sole possession of personal technology including but not limited to ipods mp3 players laptops etc is not a violation of the code of student conduct if students possess personal technology they should be turned off and kept out-of-sight inside a pocket book bag purse or similar container however using personal technology at the direction of a teacher will not be subject to discipline under this policy violations of this policy will result in confiscation and the device will only be released to the parent progressive discipline will apply for repeated violations using scooters and inline skates/rollerblades/heelies in the school building is also prohibited behaving inappropriately on field trips displaying disruptive behavior possessing and/or distributing materials prohibited by law including but not limited to pornographic/obscene material storing pornographic/obscene materials and drug paraphernalia in school lockers in or on any student s personal belongings or in vehicles parked on school property misrepresenting oneself by cheating copying plagiarizing counterfeiting using false identification or making false reports by posing as a parent to excuse absences or tardiness sign a report card etc unauthorized possession or use of school/county documents or forms abusing another student or staff member including but not limited to verbal abuse actual or threatened physical harm extortion destruction of personal property intentionally making a false accusation or intentionally providing misinformation conducting recruiting or participating in youth gang activities on campus using gang-related or cult-related gestures and/or signs unauthorized presence on school property endangering the lives of students and staff by setting off and/or reporting unfounded fire/emergency alarms gambling for secondary students only parking a motorized vehicle on school grounds without an official permit or in unauthorized areas substance abuse/drug incidents including but not limited to possessing or using drugs alcohol and/or tobacco products including unauthorized over-the-counter medications sale or attempted sale and/or transmittal of drugs alcohol and/or tobacco products including authorized or unauthorized over-the-counter medications possessing drug paraphernalia acts against persons including but not limited to bullying means o.c.g.a § 20-2-751.4 1 any willful attempt or threat to inflict injury on another person when accompanied by an apparent present ability to do so or 2 any intentional display of force such as would give the victim reason to fear or expect immediate bodily harm 3 any intentional written verbal or physical act which a reasonable person would perceive as being intended to threaten harass or intimidate that a causes another person substantial physical harm b has the effect of substantially interfering with a student s education c is so severe persistent or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment or d has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school cyber-bullying during school hours on school grounds or using school technology taking part in physical acts of a sexual nature engaging in sexual harassment or offending others by indecent exposure using insulting profane racially or sexually offensive written or oral language or making obscene remarks or gestures gilmer county school system page 9

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harassing others because of age color gender national origin marital status race religion or sexual orientation national origin pertains to but is not limited to an individual s or his/her ancestor s place of origin as well as physical cultural or linguistic characteristics harassing others because of a disability harassing others because of ethnicity socio-economic background or linguistic differences harassing others because of physical appearance or for any other reason hazing hazing means any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student regardless of 1 the student s willingness to participate or 2 that the conduct or activity was not sanctioned by the organization or 3 that the activity was not done as a condition of membership to an organization o.c.g.a § 16-5-61 threatening stalking hitting or hurting a teacher or other school personnel intentionally making a false accusation that jeopardizes the professional reputation employment or certification of a teacher or other member of a school staff committing a hate crime a hate crime refers to an attack on an individual or his/her property in which the individual is intentionally selected because of his/her race color religion national origin gender disability or sexual orientation the attack or offense may range from racial remarks or graffiti on school walls to threats of physical harm intimidation hate mail and hate e-mail vandalism arson physical assault etc students who believe they have been victims of a hate crime must immediately report the act to a teacher and/or school administrator the school administration conducts hate crime investigations falsifying misrepresenting omitting or erroneously reporting information regarding instances of alleged inappropriate behavior by a teacher administrator or school employee toward a student property incidents including but not limited to damaging destroying or vandalizing school property misusing technology starting a fire arson committing petty theft breaking and entering/burglary other criminal incidents including but not limited to having and/or hiding a weapon threatening or hurting a person with a weapon committing robbery forcing someone to give money possessions or other things of value to another or oneself extortion endangering the lives of students and staff by failing to report a threat of violence against others making a bomb threat sexual battery kidnapping or abduction homicide committing other criminal acts gilmer county school system page 10

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school bus behavior misconduct by any student while riding a school bus represents a serious threat to the safety of all occupants of the bus as well as other motorists pedestrians and members of the community all rules that apply to the school grounds and school activities also apply to the school bus parents are responsible for their student s behavior on the way to and from school and at the bus stop when the bus stop is not on school board property refer incidents that occur on the bus stop but are not on school board property directly to law enforcement unacceptable behaviors on a school bus leading to disciplinary action level one violations eating or drinking on the bus failing to sit in the seat assigned by the bus operator level one consequence first offense verbal or written reprimand from the school principal or designee second offense parent conference third offense 3-day suspension from school bus transportation repeated offenses repeated level one unacceptable behaviors will be considered willful disobedience and/or open defiance of authority resulting in suspension from the bus for the remainder of the school year and/or suspension and/or possible expulsion from school level two violations disrupting distracting or disobeying a bus operator failing to utilize required safety equipment on the bus getting out of the seat while the bus is in motion loud talking inappropriate remarks or spitting out of the bus window at other students pedestrians or motorists level two consequences first offense verbal or written reprimand from the school principal or designee second offense 1 day to 10 days suspension from school bus transportation repeated offenses repeated level two unacceptable behaviors will be considered willful disobedience and/or open defiance of authority resulting in suspension from the bus for the remainder of the school year and/or suspension and/or possible expulsion from school level three violations placing head arms or legs outside the window of the bus opening a school bus emergency door and/or exiting the bus when the bus is stopped unless directed by the school bus operator in an emergency or during an evacuation drill threats against the bus operator bus attendant or passengers on the bus profanity directed at the bus operator or bus attendant fighting on the bus smoking on the bus opening a school bus emergency exit door while the bus is in motion throwing objects out of the window of the bus which may or may not cause injury to persons or physical damage throwing objects at a bus after leaving the bus which may or may not cause injury to persons or physical damage vandalism of seats or other bus equipment boarding or attempting to board a bus route other than the student s assigned bus route or attempting to leave the school bus at other than the student s assigned bus stop without permission of the school principal or designee level three consequences first offense 1 day to 10 days suspension from school bus transportation and/or school second offense 10 days suspension from school bus transportation and/or school third offense repeated level three unacceptable behaviors will be considered willful disobedience and/or open defiance of authority resulting in suspension from the bus for the remainder of the school year and/or suspension and/or possible expulsion from school for idea-eligible iep students suspension and expulsions shall follow applicable laws school board policies and provisions of the individual education plan iep likewise for students determined to be disabled under section 504 of the rehabilitation act of 1973 suspension expulsion and other disciplinary measures shall follow applicable laws school board policies and provisions of the section 504 accommodation plan the principal or designee of all disciplinary centers may review individual cases before assigning consequences gilmer county school system page 11

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discrimination and/or harassment the gilmer county board of education does not discriminate on the basis of race color religion national origin age disability or sex in its employment practices student programs and dealings with the public it is the policy of the gilmer county board of education to comply fully with the requirements of title vi title ix section 504 of the rehabilitation act of 1973 the americans with disabilities act and all accompanying regulations if any student feels that he or she has been discriminated against or harassed there are specific procedures to report such offenses see page 30 for further information whenever the word student appears parents may become involved forms of discrimination harassment is a form of discrimination harassment based on age color disability ethnicity gender linguistic differences national origin marital status race religion or sex are violations of school board policies and civil rights laws and statutes and should be addressed in a similar manner as detailed above national origin pertains to but is not limited to an individual s or his/her ancestor s place of origin as well as physical cultural or linguistic characteristics sexual harassment and sexual violations sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that violates the civil rights act of 1964 title ix of the education amendments of 1972 and sb policy gaeb sexual violence is a physical act of aggression that includes a sexual act of sexual purpose sexual violence is also a violation of these same statutes and may also represent a criminal law violation the school district prohibits any form of sexual harassment and sexual violence sexual harassment and sexual violence are unlawful and will be grounds for disciplinary action students who believe they have been victims of sexual harassment or sexual violence should report the alleged act immediately to a teacher and/or school administrator because sexual harassment can take on many forms the following are some definitions of sexual harassment/violence sexual harassment/sexual violence defined sexual harassment consists of unwelcome sexual advances requests for sexual favors sexually motivated physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature sexual harassment includes but is not limited to the following behaviors unwelcome statements of a sexual nature unwelcome solicitation or pressure for sexual activity intentional brushing against patting or pinching of another s body suggestive or obscene letters notes invitations derogatory comments slurs jokes epithets unwanted physical contact and blocking movements leering with sexual overtones gestures display of sexually suggestive objects posters or cartoons indecent exposure section 504 of the rehabilitation act of 1973 and the americans with disabilities act of 1990 ada sb policy gaeb section 504 of the rehabilitation act of 1973 and the americans with disabilities act of 1990 ada prohibits discrimination against any students with regard to access to programs services and activities on the basis of disability if any student feels he or she has been discriminated against because of such disabilities there are specific procedures to report such offenses see page 32 for the steps to report such offenses gilmer county school system page 12

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section iii dress code appropriate dress and grooming can help create a positive learning environment and support gilmer county school s emphasis on workplace readiness other attire may be allowed for special school activities with approval of the school administration possible consequences for violating the dress code are found in the discipline matrix changes in clothing trends will not override the dress code policy rights students have a right to wear stylish clothes of their choice as long as those clothes are appropriate for school are not dangerous to health and safety and do not create a substantial and material disruption of the school responsibilities students have a responsibility to dress neatly appropriately be clean and well groomed rule all students are expected to honor their responsibilities and dress in a way that respects the rights of others 1 footwear must be worn at all times bedroom slippers are not allowed parents should ensure that footwear their students do wear to school would not impede their safety 2 special clothing including footwear may be required for safety reasons in certain programs including but not limited to physical education home economics career/technical education and science 3 revealing clothing or clothing that exposes the torso is not allowed examples include but are not limited to seethrough garments mini-skirts or mini-dresses halters tube tops backless dresses tops or dresses with spaghetti straps or tank tops without over blouses long shirts jackets or shirts or blouses tied at the midriff and bare midriff outfits 4 clothing which is not worn appropriately is not properly fastened or has tears that are indecent will not be permitted all trousers including oversized or low-hanging trousers must be worn and secured at waist level 5 garments including but not limited to pajamas boxer shorts bloomers and bustiers which were traditionally designed as undergarments sleepwear or beachwear may not be worn as outer garments 6 other clothing not allowed are leggings without overblouses long shirts that reach no shorter than 3 inches above the knee tights bodysuits or hosiery including those with lace trim and bicycle racing attire unless they are worn underneath dresses skirts or shorts of appropriate length appropriate t-shirts may be worn as outer garments 7 clothing that exposes the upper thigh is not allowed shorts that are not shorter than 3 inches above the knee including walking shorts bermuda shorts and split skirts culottes are not allowed 8 clothing jewelry buttons haircuts or other items or markings which are suggestive revealing or indecent associated with gangs or cults encourage the use of drugs alcohol tobacco or violence or support discrimination on the basis of age color disability ethnicity gender linguistic differences marital status national origin race religion socioeconomic background sexual orientation physical appearance or for any other reason are not allowed 9 body piercing jewelry except earrings in the ears is prohibited 10 head coverings including but not limited to caps and hats are not allowed unless they are necessary for safety in programs such as home economics technology education vocational education and to be worn outdoors for physical education or are worn for religious or medical reasons bandanas are not allowed authorized head coverings/hats must be in compliance with #8 11 curlers and other hair grooming aids including any electrical appliances i.e curling irons flat irons hair dryers etc are not allowed personal grooming including but not limited to combing brushing and/or spraying hair and applying cosmetics is allowed only in restrooms and/or designated areas 12 sunglasses may not be worn indoors unless a doctor s authorization is on file sunglasses are allowed to be worn outdoors for physical education and recess as a safety precaution from sun damage 13 any articles of clothing or jewelry that may cause injury including but not limited to belts bracelets wallet chains collars with spikes and heavy link chains are not allowed indecent suggestive and revealing refer to exposure of private body parts and/or pictures or words with a sexual connotation gilmer county school system page 13

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section iv technology usage student internet acceptable use agreement computers networks and online telecommunications such as the internet and e-mail are becoming more commonplace in our classrooms and media centers every year while these systems have the power to deliver a huge number of resources to our classrooms their ability to serve students and teachers depends on the responsible and ethical use of every device and system rights students have a right to use online telecommunications and networks to increase their access to information and resources students have a right to use online telecommunications and networks to obtain information create intellectual products collaborate and communicate for educational purposes students have a right to use online telecommunications and networks without the fear that their products or their personal reputation will be violated misrepresented tampered with destroyed or stolen responsibilities students have a responsibility to understand the difference between appropriate and unacceptable uses of online telecommunications and networks students have a responsibility to use online telecommunications and networks in a responsible efficient ethical and legal manner in accordance with their educational mission students have a responsibility to recognize that the use of online telecommunications and networks is a privilege that can be withdrawn if they engage in unacceptable or illegal use of this resource rule students are expected to use technology responsibly sb policy ifbg defines the appropriate use of technology throughout the district this policy describes how computers and networks must be used to support research and instructional activities in our classrooms labs and media centers first it promotes the use of technology as a powerful educational tool that is increasingly becoming a common part of every student s day second it provides those students who use these computers and the networks to which they are connected to act in accordance with prescribed rules and behavioral codes detailed in the policy several major provisions are noted below the full text of sb policy ifbg is available upon request from each school s media center and on the internet you may view the complete technology policy and all school board policies on the web at http www.gilmerschools.com major policy provisions all users of computers networks and online telecommunications systems shall adhere to laws regarding use of computers networks and online telecommunications systems must be related to students educational activities students must recognize that computers networks and equipment used to support online telecommunication systems are shared devices and agree to use them in ways which will maintain their continued operability for all users no illegal activity may be conducted using the district s computers networks or online telecommunications systems students must not access or distribute offensive obscene inflammatory or pornographic material students shall not intentionally spread computer viruses vandalize data infiltrate systems or degrade/disrupt computer and/or network performance copyright enforcement of policy the gcss uses a technology protection measure that blocks or filters internet access to some internet sites that are not in accordance with the policy of the gilmer county school system the technology protection measure that blocks or filters internet access may be disabled by a gilmer county school system staff member for bona fide research purpose by an adult a gcss staff member may override the technology protection measure that blocks or filters internet access for a student to access a site with legitimate educational value that is wrongly blocked by the technology protection measure that blocks or filters internet access the gcss staff will monitor students use of the internet through either direct supervision or by monitoring internet use history to ensure enforcement of this policy illegally using school district technology and/or software to alter information is a felony misusing school district technology and/or software to transmit insulting profane racially or sexually offensive written language or to make obscene remarks or gestures is unacceptable behavior that will lead to disciplinary action using technology including but not limited to computers networks online telecommunication systems cellular telephones and camera telephones to bully or libel another student or staff member is a violation of the code of student conduct and will result in disciplinary action gilmer county school system page 14

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p. 15

section v student activities and assembly school activities give students a chance to interact in positive ways they can learn from each other how to work together harmoniously for common goals rights students have a right to take part in extracurricular activities assemblies and school-approved organizations without discrimination on the basis of age color disability ethnicity gender linguistic differences marital status national origin race religion socioeconomic background sexual orientation physical appearance or for any other reason students have a right to take part in electing officers for student government students have a right to consult with faculty advisors of school-approved clubs and groups students have a right to seek office in student government and/or school-approved clubs and groups without discrimination on the basis of age color disability ethnicity gender linguistic differences marital status national origin race religion socioeconomic background sexual orientation physical appearance or for any other reason students have a right to attend educational field trips or educational school-sponsored activities however noneducational field trips are a privilege students on field trips will have the same rights as it pertains to make-up work as students with excused absences responsibilities students have a responsibility to keep their extracurricular activities from interfering with their academic work and to know and follow the rules for the activities they choose students have a responsibility to ensure that their actions as members of school clubs and groups meet the standards that have been set by the school administration students have a responsibility to educate themselves as to the qualities needed for leadership and choose officers who have those qualities students who hold office have a responsibility to learn how to do their jobs support the goals of the group that elected them and to treat other members of the group fairly students who participate in field trips social and/or extra curricular activities that are school-approved and/or sponsored by school clubs or groups have a responsibility to follow the rules set forth in the code of student conduct and where applicable by the conferences conventions or contests they may attend rule many students take part in school-related activities that are extracurricular take place outside of school hours social and interscholastic engage in competition with other schools students must attend half of the classes on the day of an activity in which they want to take part unless they have been excused or exempted from class by the school administration in advance students are expected to have prior approval from the school administration for many activities related to school-approved and school-sponsored clubs and groups they need approval to present a program or an assembly collect funds items cannot be sold for personal gain such as food jewelry t-shirts etc have a fundraising project on or off school grounds fundraising drives among students initiated by outside organizations such as the salvation army united way girl scouts etc are not permitted in the schools hold a demonstration field trips under special conditions students may be denied participation in educational or non-educational field trips and educational school-sponsored activities see sb policy ifcb gilmer county school system page 15

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