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