Student Code of Conduct
It is the purpose of the Calhoun City School System to operate each school in a manner that will provide an orderly process of education and that will provide for the welfare and safety of all students who attend the schools within the district. In accordance with that purpose, the board of education has adopted a policy which requires students to conduct themselves appropriately at all times in order to facilitate a learning environment for themselves and other students. These standards for behavior require students to respect each other and school district employees, to obey student behavior policies adopted by the board, and to obey student behavior rules established at each school within the district.
The school’s primary goal is to educate, not to punish; however, when the behavior of an individual student comes in conflict with the rights of others, corrective actions may be necessary for the benefit of that individual and the school as a whole. Accordingly, students shall be governed by policies, regulations, and rules set forth in this Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct is effective during the following times and in the following places:
Also, 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. Any student charged with a felony, or crime of a felonious nature, shall be assigned to an alternative school placement.
Parents are encouraged to become familiar with the Code of Conduct and to be supportive of it in their daily communication with their children and others in the community.
Discipline
It is the belief of the school staff and administrators that very little learning takes place in an unruly classroom. It is in the child’s best interest for the school and parents to partner together to address discipline issues that arise. The support of parents is vital to maintain a well-ordered school. Discipline is a means to an end. Its ultimate goal is to help students be more successful.
Teachers are charged with the responsibility of managing student behavior in the classroom. Teachers call parents when necessary. If a student continually disrupts the classroom then a referral to the principal’s office may be necessary. The parent will receive a copy of the student’s discipline referral from the principal which should be signed by the parent and returned to the school the next day.
Our goal is to provide a positive atmosphere with a system that will encourage students to work toward self-discipline. Positive reinforcements come through such things as praise, visits to the office for recognition of good behavior, encouragement and many other teacher initiated activities. Students are encouraged to be self-disciplined and to make right choices because they want to do well.
Teachers will establish policies and procedures to ensure order in their classrooms. These classroom rules will be consistent with school and board policies. Students are expected to follow the guidelines and instructions of their teachers.
When it is necessary to apply discipline, school administrators and teachers will follow a progressive discipline approach. The degree of discipline to be used will be appropriate for the severity of the behavior infraction and will take into account the student’s discipline history, the age of the student, and other relevant factors. Disciplinary measures that may be used include but are not limited to the following:
1. warning and/or counseling with a school administrator or counselor
2. loss of privileges
3. isolation or time out
4. temporary removal from class or activity
5. notification of parents
6. parent conference
7. assignment to STOP for part of or whole day(s)
8. recess detention or lunch detention
9. after-school detention
10. temporary or long-term placement in an alternative education program
11. short-term suspension
12. referral to a tribunal for long-term suspension or expulsion
13. suspension or expulsion from the school bus
14. referral to law enforcement or juvenile court officials: Georgia law requires that certain acts or 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 (more than 10 days) or expulsion, including permanent expulsion, but those punishments will be determined only by a disciplinary tribunal as outlined in the Calhoun City Board of Education policies. Parents or students may elect not to contest whether a student has violated the Code of Conduct or the appropriateness of a disciplinary measure. In such a case, an agreement may be negotiated which would include the parents or students waiving a right to a hearing before a disciplinary tribunal. Such an agreement and waiver must be approved also by the disciplinary tribunal or hearing officer in accordance with local board policy. Before a student is suspended for 10 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 a legal requirement that an incident be reported. School officials may search a student if there is a 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, lockers, or any vehicle brought on campus. Metal detectors and/or drug/weapon sniffing dogs may be utilized at school or at any school function, including activities which occur outside normal school hours or off the school campus at the discretion of administrators.
Behavior Which Will Result in Disciplinary Procedures
1. Assault, including threats of bodily harm and/or sexual assault of teachers, administrators, other school personnel, other students, or persons attending school-related functions, shall result in: immediate suspension and automatic referral to a disciplinary tribunal if a student is alleged to have committed an assault upon a teacher or other school personnel; possible referral to a disciplinary tribunal if a student is alleged to have committed an assault upon another student or a person attending a school related function.
2. Physical violence against a teacher, school bus driver, or other school personnel: (1) Immediate suspension and automatic referral to the disciplinary tribunal if a student is alleged to have committed battery upon a teacher or other school personnel; expulsion for the remainder of the student’s eligibility to attend public schools for acts of physical violence found by a tribunal to have intentionally made physical contact which causes physical harm to another unless such physical contacts or physical harms were in defense of himself or herself, as provide in Code Section 16-3-21; or , the board may authorize the student to attend alternative school for the period of the expulsion; provided, however, that if such student is in kindergarten through grade six, then the board upon the recommendation of the tribunal may permit the student to reenroll in regular programs for grades 9-12; and provided further that if the board does not operate an alternative education program for grades kindergarten through grade six, then the board may permit a student in kindergarten through grade six who commits such an act to reenroll in the public system. The student shall be referred to juvenile court with a request for a petition alleging delinquent behavior. (2) Expulsion, long-term suspension, or short-term suspension for students found by a tribunal to have intentionally made physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with another person.
Bus Discipline
The same conduct is required on the buses as in the school and classroom. The following are considered inappropriate behaviors and will be subject to corrective measures:
Disciplinary problems that occur on the school bus may warrant warnings, temporary loss of riding privileges or permanent suspension of riding privileges. The severity and frequency of infractions will be considered when determining consequences.
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 handbook, the principal may undertake corrective measures which he/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.