Glennville Elementary School’s Code of Discipline Belief Statement It is the belief of the faculty and staff of Glennville Elementary School that a safe school environment is imperative to having an academically successful school. To this end, GES will maintain a discipline policy that is based on the expectations of proper behavior from the students who attend our school. The expectation is that students will behave themselves in such a way to facilitate a learning environment, respect each other and school district employees, obey student behavior policies adopted by the Tattnall County Board of Education and obey student behavior rules established by Glennville Elementary School. All of the following rules apply to students while they are on a school campus, on a school bus, or at any school function or event. *Note: Georgia Law encourages parents to accompany student assigned OSS on his/her return to school. SDC = State Discipline Code Rule #1: Narcotics, Alcoholic Beverages and Stimulant Drugs A student shall not possess, sell, use, transmit, or be under the influence of any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, alcoholic beverage, intoxicant, anabolic steroid, or other dangerous drug of any kind except as prescribed by a physician, nor shall he represent any substance as a drug for sale or use. This includes the unlawful use or possession of illegal drugs or alcohol. Consequences: Grades K-5: 10 days Out-of-School-Suspension (OSS), contact appropriate authorities, possible tribunal. Rule #2: Weapons State law prohibits anyone from carrying a weapon onto school property. Students cannot supply, possess, handle, use or transmit any weapon or represent any object as a dangerous weapon. Any bat, club, or other bludgeon-type weapons as well as pocketknives, razor blades, and box cutters are included. All types of defensive spray (mace, pepper, etc.) and shocking instruments (laser/stun gun, etc.) are also included. This includes possession of a weapon, as provided for in Code section 19-11-127.1 Consequences: Grades K-5: 10 days OSS, referral to tribunal, and contact authorities Rule #3: Guns A student shall not possess a gun. Consequences: Grades K-5: 10 days OSS, referral to tribunal, recommend one (1) calendar year expulsion and contact authorities Rule #4: Activating a Fire Alarm Under False Pretense No student shall activate a fire alarm under false pretense. Consequences: Grades K-5: *Progressive 5 days OSS, possible tribunal, contact authorities *Progressive means the severity of the disciplinary measures increase. Rule #5: Electronic Communication Devices Electronic Communication Devices are not allowed at school. POSSESSION of an electronic communication device at school involves Progressive ISS. Use of an electronic communication device at school involves Progressive OSS. Consequences: Grades 3-5: Progressive ISS or OSS Grades K-2: 1st Offense: take up device and contact parents 2nd Offense: Progressive ISS Rule #6: Refusal to Comply With Administrator A student shall not refuse to comply with a reasonable request or directive given by a school administrator. Consequences: Grades K-5: Progressive OSS, parent notified of disciplinary action Rule #7: Verbal and Physical Harassment No student shall verbally or physically harass another student. This includes verbal assault of other students, including threatened violence or sexual harassment as defined pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972. This also includes verbal assault of, physical assault or battery of, and disrespectful conduct, including use of vulgar or profane language, towards persons attending school related functions. Consequences: Grades 3-5: 1st offense: 3 days ISS or corporal punishment 2nd offense: Progressive OSS, parent notified of disciplinary action Grades K-2: Corporal punishment, parent notified of disciplinary action 2 Rule #8: Fighting (SDC: 008) Fighting shall not be permitted. This includes physical assault or battery of other students. NOTE: Involvement in a fight is based on: 1: Did a fight occur? 2: Did the individual(s) have an opportunity to avoid the fight? If the answer to both questions is yes, then the student was involved in the fight. If the administrator, after reviewing the facts, determines that one of the participants was clearly the victim and did not instigate the fight, and did not have the opportunity to avoid the fight, the victim may not be suspended. Consequences: Grades 3-5: Progressive (4, 7, 10 day) OSS Grades K-2: 1st offense: Corporal punishment, parent notified of disciplinary action 2nd offense: Progressive OSS, parent notified of disciplinary action Rule #9: Bullying (SDC: 017) Any willful attempt or threat to inflict injury on another person, when accompanied by an apparent present ability to do so is considered bullying. It is defined by Code Section 202-751.4 Consequences: Grades 3-5: 1st offense: 3 days ISS or corporal punishment, parent contact 2nd offense: Progressive OSS, parent notified of disciplinary action Grades K-2: Corporal punishment, parent notified of disciplinary action Rule #10: Violence Against Staff A. A student shall not threaten or intimidate faculty or employees with violence or physical harm. This includes verbal assault, including threatened violence, of teachers, administrators, and other school personnel. Consequences: Grades 3-5: 1st offense: 5 days OSS, parent conference 2nd offense: 10 days OSS and parent conference Grades K-2: 1st offense: Corporal punishment and parent conference 2nd offense: Progressive OSS, parent conference B. Physical assault and/or battery on faculty, staff members, or any school employee shall not be permitted. Consequences: Grades 3-5: 10 days OSS, referral to tribunal Grades K-2: 1st offense: Corporal punishment, parent conference 2nd offense: Progressive OSS, parent conference 3 C. Vulgar language toward staff member shall not be permitted. This includes disrespectful conduct toward teachers, administrators, and other school personnel, including use of vulgar or profane language. Consequences: Grades 3 – 5: 1st offense: Progressive ISS 2nd offense: Progressive OSS Grades K – 2: 1st offense: corporal punishment/ISS 2nd offense: Progressive OSS Rule #11: Property (SDC: Vandalism 020, Arson 002, Theft 011) A. No student shall willfully or recklessly destroy or threaten to destroy school property. This includes, but not limited to, such actions as the use of threat or bombs, explosives, setting fires, and the deliberate destruction of school property. Consequences: Grades 3-5: Progressive OSS, restitution, possible tribunal Grades K-2: Progressive OSS, parent notified of disciplinary action B. No student shall steal or vandalize school property or property belonging to others. Consequences: Grades 3-5: 1st offense: Restitution, Progressive ISS. Corporal punishment an option, parent notified of disciplinary action. 2nd offense: Restitution, Progressive OSS, parent notified of disciplinary action. Grades K-2: 1st offense: Restitution, Corporal punishment an option, parent notified of disciplinary action. 2nd offense: Restitution, Progressive ISS, parent notified of disciplinary action. 3rd offense: Restitution, Progressive OSS, parent notified of disciplinary action. Rule #12: Extortion or Attempt to Extort A student shall not extort or attempt to extort property from other students. (Extortion is defined as obtaining property from another person by force or threat of force.) Consequences: Grades 3-5: 1st offense: 3 days ISS or corporal punishment, restitution, parent conference 2nd offense: Progressive OSS Grades K-2: Corporal punishment, parent conference 4 Rule #13: Sexual Harassment (SDC: Sexual Harassment 015, Sexual Battery 014, Sex Offences 016) Sexual harassment is not tolerated at school or at any school function. Sexual harassment may include, but is not limited to sexual remarks, jokes or innuendoes, obscene gestures, staring or leering, inappropriate touching of any kind, blocking the victim's passage, etc. Harassment complaints will be investigated and dealt with firmly. A student may give his/her complaint to any staff member. The staff member will refer the complaint to the proper persons. Consequences: Grades K-5: Depending on the seriousness of the complaint, consequences may range from a conference/warning to referral to a tribunal. In all cases, an attempt will be made to notify parents of all parties that an investigation is in progress. Rule #14: School Disturbances Students shall not commit acts, which cause disruption of learning opportunities and/or threaten the safety of others. This includes, but is not limited to, sit-downs, walkouts, riots, picketing, trespassing, inciting disturbances, threats, or actual violence during periods of disruption, blocking entrances or exits, including cafeteria, hallways, ramp ways, inner doorways, and loading zones. Consequences: Grades 3-5: Progressive OSS, parent notified of disciplinary action Grades K-2: Corporal punishment, Parent notified of disciplinary action Rule #15: Tobacco, Lighters, Matches (SDC: Tobacco 018) Students shall not bring, possess, or use tobacco in any form. Students shall not bring, possess, or use matches or lighters. Consequences: Grades 3-5: Progressive OSS, or corporal punishment, parent notified of disciplinary action Grades K-2: Corporal punishment, Parent notified of disciplinary action Rule #16: Cutting Class A. Cutting Class: Any student who misses one or more classes may be considered truant. This might also include students who are in unauthorized areas. Consequences: Grades 3-5: Progressive OSS or corporal punishment an option, parent notified of disciplinary action Grades K-2: All offenses: Discretion of administrator in charge of referral, parent notified of disciplinary action. 5 B. Leaving the school campus without following school checkout procedures, leaving school grounds after arriving on the school campus, without permission being given through the school office shall be considered as truancy. Parents will be called immediately after discovering the child is no longer at school. Consequences: Grades 3-5: Progressive OSS Grades K-2: Progressive OSS, Corporal punishment an option Rule #17: Gang Activity Gang activity will not be tolerated on a school campus, school bus, or at any school event. Students shall not participate in any gang activities such as: written symbols, spoken language, hand signals, clothing, gang names or nicknames, recruitment of members or initiation of members, etc. Consequences: Grades 3-5: Progressive 3 days OSS Grades K-2: Administrators’ discretion Rule#18: Explosive Devices A student shall not possess any device or substance that may explode, including ammunition. Consequences: Grades K-5: 10 days OSS, tribunal, possible alternative school Rule #19: Terroristic Threats Terroristic threats is a felony in the State of Georgia and is defined by Georgia Code 16-11-37; 16-15-2, 3, and 4. Consequences: Grades K-5: 10 days OSS, referral to tribunal. NOTES: 1. Students given OSS will NOT be able to make up work missed while on suspension. 2. Parents who wish to refuse corporal punishment for their child must come to the school to sign a corporal punishment waiver. The waiver must be signed annually. 3. All referrals to the disciplinary tribunal could result in long-term suspension, or expulsion from school. 4. A student may be guilty of violations of any of these rules when he directly violates the rule, aids and abets in the violation of a rule, or intentionally advises or encourages another to violate a school rule. 5. Any disciplinary referral which results in punishment of In-School Suspension (ISS) or greater shall require parent contact (by disciplinary form, letter, or telephone) and notation in student's disciplinary file. 6 6. Students assigned to In-School Suspension (ISS) or Out-of-School Suspension (OSS) will not be allowed to participate in or attend any school function or extracurricular activities during their assignment. 7. In order of fulfill the due process requirement for all students, referrals will be investigated prior to assigning a consequence with the student being allowed to tell their side of the story. 8. Realizing these guidelines are not all-inclusive, the elementary schools of Tattnall County reserve the right to make adjustments to these policies. 9. Administrative Oversight: Since it is unreasonable to try and create policies and regulations for every possible incident this code of conduct is meant to serve as a guide not as an all inclusive policy manual. It will be the administration of Glennville Elementary School’s decision to determine severity of the action and the appropriate punishment for actions that are not taken into account in this code. GES reserves the right to use administrative oversight in dealing with discipline problems at the school. 10. Tattnall County Schools shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, handicap or disability in its educational programs, activities or employment policies. (Section 504) Contact person: Lisa Trim, (912) 557-4726. 11. *Progressive means that the severity of the disciplinary measures increase. PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES When it becomes necessary to impose discipline, school administrators and teachers will follow a progressive discipline process. The degree of discipline to be imposed by each school official will be in proportion to the severity of the behavior of a particular student and will take into account the student’s discipline history, the age of the student and other relevant factors. The Code of Conduct provides a systematic process of behavioral correction in which inappropriate behaviors are followed by consequences. Disciplinary actions are designed to teach students self-discipline and to help them substitute inappropriate behaviors with those that are consistent with the character traits from Georgia’s Character Education Program. The following disciplinary actions may be imposed for any violation of this Code of Conduct: Warning and/or Counseling with a School Administrator or Counselor Loss of Privileges Isolation or Time Out Temporary Removal from Class or Activity Notification of Parents Parent Conference Corporal Punishment Detention Placement in an Alternative Education Program Short-term Suspension Referral to a Tribunal for Long-term Suspension or Expulsion Suspension or Expulsion from the School Bus 7 Referral to Law Enforcement or Juvenile Court Officials: Georgia law requires that certain acts of misconduct be referred to the appropriate law enforcement officials. The School will refer any act of misconduct to law enforcement officials when school officials determine such referral to be necessary or appropriate. The maximum punishments for an offense include long-term suspension or expulsion, including permanent expulsion, but those punishments will be determined only by a disciplinary tribunal as outlined in the Tattnall County Board of Education policies. Before a student is suspended for ten days or less, the principal or designee will inform the student of the offense for which the student is charged and allow the student to explain his or her behavior. If the student is suspended, the student’s parents will be notified if possible. School officials may involve law enforcement officials when evidence surrounding a situation necessitates their involvement or when there is legal requirement that an incident be reported. School officials may search a student if there is reasonable suspicion the student is in possession of an item that is illegal or against school rules. Student vehicles brought on campus, student book bags, school lockers, desks and other school property are subject to inspection and search by school authorities at any time without further notice to students or parents. Students are required to cooperate if asked to open book bags, locker or any vehicle brought on campus. Metal detectors and drug or weapon sniffing dogs may be utilized at school or at any school function, including activities that occur outside normal school hours or off the school campus at the discretion of administrators. 8 Progression of Disciplinary Action The progression of disciplinary action (PDA) is for “normal” disciplinary problems that are not specifically covered in the Code of Discipline. These problems “MAY” include, but are not limited to the following actions: any action, which disturbs the normal flow of teaching activities in a classroom or creates a situation in halls that affects the safety of children. This includes acts of disrespect to the teacher or adult in charge of supervision. Referral Action Notification 1st Warning Referral sent to parent 2nd Corporal Punishment (3)* or In-school suspension (3)* Referral sent to parent 3rd Corporal punishment (3) or In-school suspension (3 or 5 days) Referral sent to parent 4th Corporal punishment (3) or In-school suspension (3 or 5 days) Referral sent to parent 5th Corporal punishment (3) or In-school suspension (3 or 5 days) Referral sent to parent 6th Out-of-school suspension (3) Referral sent to parent 7th Out-of-school suspension (5) Referral sent to parent 8th Out-of-school suspension (7) Referral sent to parent 9th Out-of-school suspension (10) referral sent to parent 9 *Corporal punishment and in school suspension will only be utilized twice. The PDA will only be used for normal discipline problems. PDA will not be applied to the serious discipline problems, but not limited to those found in the code of discipline. Retained fifth graders who are age appropriate may be placed in the alternative school. Please notice where your child is on the PDA and be aware of the next step and the consequences. EXPLANATIONS OF DISCIPLINE TERMS Corporal punishment Glennville Elementary School has the right, by law, to administer corporal punishment. If you personally do not want your child paddled, you must sign a wavier at the main office. The wavier must be filled out annually. By requesting the wavier, discipline options for your child will be decreased. In school suspension (ISS) The in-school suspension option is utilized to keep students from being suspended from school. While assigned to ISS, the student is not counted absent and is allowed to continue doing school assignments; however, the student is isolated from the general population. ISS students are not allowed to participate in extra-curricular activities during their assignment in ISS. Out-of-school-suspension (OSS) OSS is the option that is used when all else fails. Students assigned OSS will be counted absent and will receive zeros for work missed. OSS students are not allowed to participate in extra-curricular activities during their assignment of OSS. Bus suspension Students may lose their riding privileges if they do not follow all rules and safety procedures. Students are usually given a warning for the 1st normal discipline problems; however, progressive bus suspensions follow. Notification of disciplinary action This is the school’s way of informing the parent of the disciplinary action that has been administered. Progressive means that the severity of the disciplinary measures increase. 10 PDA LIST OF INFRACTIONS The following is a list of examples of progression of disciplinary action infractions. The list is not exhaustive but merely to be used as a guide. Gambling - Students shall not engage in gambling activity. Gambling includes playing cards, betting, matching, etc., for money or property. Classroom Disturbances - Students shall not engage in any action which disturbs the normal flow of teaching activities in the school. This includes insubordination, disorderly conduct, disobeying school rules, regulations, or directives; disobeying directives given by teachers, administrators, or other school staff. Dress Code - Students shall not wear clothing that is prohibited in the dress code to school or school-sponsored events. Public Display of Affection or Touching - Students shall not engage in physical displays of affection or touching at school or school-sponsored events. Electronic Equipment - Students shall not bring toys, radios, tape players, games, cell phones, etc., on buses or school campus, or to school events. This includes Walkman and Gameboy equipment. This also includes field trip activities. Failure to Perform Assigned Consequences for Misconduct - No student shall fail to carry out assigned consequences for misconduct Giving False Information to School Officials - No student shall give false information to school officials at any time. This includes intentionally giving misinformation to get another student into trouble, failing to give accurate information when asked, and giving inaccurate information to keep oneself out of trouble. Refusal to Complv - No student shall refine to comply with directives given by any teacher, staff member, or administrator. Horseplay - No student shall engage in horseplay on school campus and at schoolsponsored events. This includes roughhousing and boisterous play. Vulgar Language and Pornographic Materials - No student shall use profane, vulgar, or obscene words, gestures, or actions. This includes verbal or written language. Pornographic pictures or materials are not to be brought to school. AUTHORITY OF THE PRINCIPAL The principal is the designated leader of the school and, in concert with the staff, is responsible for the orderly operation of the school. In cases of disruptive, disorderly or dangerous conduct not covered in this Code, the principal may undertake corrective measures which he or she believes to be in the best interest of the student and the school provided any such action does not violate school board policy or procedures. The principal fully supports the authority of the teacher to remove a student from his/her classroom. OFF CAMPUS BEHAVIOR Students may be disciplined for conduct off campus which is felonious or which may pose a threat to the school’s learning environment or the safety of students and employees. 11 STUDENT SUPPORT PROCESS The Student Support Team (SST) of Glennville Elementary School is made up of a core group of teachers who work with faculty members in helping to improve the grades, speech, or behavior of their students at GES when referred by their teachers or parents. Within our discipline code, SST is designed to create the expectation that the process of disciplining students will include due consideration, as appropriate in the light of the severity of the behavioral problem, of student support services that may help the student address behavioral problems available through GES or Tattnall County Board of Education. Glennville Elementary School’s student support process may be one or more of the following: 1) A student may be sent to the guidance counselor for additional help in controlling his/her behavior. 2) A student may be sent to the principal for counseling with the hopes of controlling his/her behavior. 3) The SST process may be employed to involve the guidance department, administration and the student’s teachers and parents. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT PROCESS This segment of the student code of conduct is designed to create the expectation that parents and guardians, teachers and school administrators will work together to improve and enhance student behavior and academic performance and will communicate freely their concerns about and actions in response to student’s behavior that detracts from the learning environment at Glennville Elementary School. School administrators recognize that two-way communication through personal contacts are extremely valuable; therefore, they provide information to parents as well as on-going opportunities for school personnel to hear parents’ concerns and comments. The Code of Conduct specifies within its standards of behavior various violations of the Code which may result in a school staff member’s request that a parent or guardian come to the school for a conference. Parents are encouraged to visit the schools regularly and are expected to be actively involved in the behavior support process designed to promote positive choices and behavior. Parents and students should contact the Principal of the school if specific questions arise related to the Code of Conduct. The law allows a local board of education to petition the juvenile court to require a parent to attend a school conference. If the court finds that the parent or guardian has willfully and unreasonably failed to attend a conference requested by the principal pursuant to the laws cited above, the court may order the parent or guardian to attend such a conference, order the parent or guardian to participate in such programs or such treatment as the court deems appropriate to improve the student’s behavior, or both. After notice and opportunity for hearing, the court may impose a fine not to exceed $500 on a parent or guardian who willfully disobeys an order of the court under this law. 12