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Code of Conduct

 

CODE OF CONDUCT

 

The Emanuel County Board of Education has adopted a policy which requires all schools to adopt Codes of Conducts that requires students to conduct themselves in a manner that facilitates a learning environment for themselves and other students at all times. 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.

This school’s primary goal is to educate, not 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 will be governed by policies, regulations, and rules set forth in the handbook. The Code of Conduct is effective during the following times and in the following places:

  • At school or on school property at any time;
  • Off school grounds at any school-related activity, function or event and while traveling to and from such events;
  • On vehicles provided for student transportation by the school system.

Authority of the Principal: The principal is the designated leader of the school and, in conjunction with the staff, is responsible for the orderly operation of the school. In cases of disruption, disorderly, or dangerous conduct not covered in this Code, 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.

Authority of the Teacher: The Superintendent fully supports the authority of principals and teachers in the school system to remove a student from the classroom pursuant to provisions of the state law. Each teacher shall comply with the provision of

O.C.G.A. 20-2-737 which requires the filing of a report by a teacher who has knowledge that a student has exhibited behavior that repeatedly or substantially interferes with the teacher’s ability to communicate effectively with the student in his or her class or with the ability of such student’s classmates to learn, where such behavior is in violation of the student code of conduct. Such a report shall be filed with the principal or designee on the school day of the most recent occurrence of such behavior, shall not exceed one page, and shall describe the behavior. The principal or designee shall, within one school day after receiving such a report from a teacher, send to the student’s parents or guardian a copy of the report and information regarding how the student’s parents or guardians may contact the principal or designee.

The principal or designee shall notify in writing the teacher and the student’s parents or guardian of the discipline or student support services, which has occurred because of the teacher’s report within one school day from the imposition of discipline or the utilization of the support services. The principal or designee shall make a reasonable attempt to confirm that the student’s parent or guardian has received the written notification, including information as to how the parents or guardian may contact the principal or designee.

Also, students may be disciplined for conduct off campus that is felonious or which may pose a threat to the school’s learning environment or the safety of students and employees. Parents are encouraged to become familiar with the Code of Conduct, to be supportive of it in their daily communications with their children and others in the community, to participate in school activities such as Boosters and to be actively involved in the behavior support process designed to promote positive choices and behavior.

 

DISCIPLINE / PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES

When it is 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 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
  • Time Out
  • Removal from Class or Activity
  • Notification of Parents
  • Detention 
  • Placement in an Alternative Education Program
  • Short-term Suspension (In-School or Out of School)
  • Referral to a Tribunal for Long-term Suspension or Expulsion
  • Parental Suspension – Parents and students must meet with administration before returning to school. If a student reports to school without a parent, he/she will be trespassing on school property which will result in additional disciplinary actions.
  • Suspension or Expulsion from the School Bus
  • Referral to Law Enforcement or Juvenile Court Officials: Georgia law requires that certain acts of misconduct be referred to 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 Board of Education policies.

Parents or students may elect not to contest whether a student has violated the Code of Conduct or the appropriate discipline, and in such cases, 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 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 are legal requirements 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 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, or lockers on campus. Metal detectors and drug or weapon sniffing dogs may be utilized at school or any school function, including activities, which occur outside normal school hours or off school campus at the discretion of administrators.

 

BEHAVIOR REFERRALS

During the school day, the principal or designee will call the parent/student to discuss the purpose(s) and consequence(s) for the behavior referral. Because all conferences with the teachers and administrators are scheduled conferences, all parents are strongly encouraged to schedule a conference when the principal or designee calls.  

The student will receive a copy of all behavior referrals, and it is his/her responsibility to notify the parent if the administrator cannot reach the parent. Major infractions will be handled on a case-by-case basis and may forego the teacher behavior referral process. Students with discipline referrals may be kept from attending certain school-sponsored events such as pep rallies, assemblies, programs, recognitions, etc.

In cases of chronic student incivility and/or other misconduct referrals, which are not under the state discipline matrix, the following progressive discipline procedures will be followed:

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Students have a process by which they may disagree with a teacher without creating a more difficult situation. The following steps must be used to seek a proper solution:

  • The students will not challenge the authority or judgment of the teacher during the class period nor in the company of other students.
  • The student will quietly accept the accusation, grade, assignment, or subject of disagreement.
  • After class, the student may request an appointment with the teacher to discuss the matter. The request may be made before or after school.

During the appointed meeting, the opinion of the student may be described in a calm manner. The student will listen carefully to the opinion of the teacher concerning the circumstance. If after this meeting, the student is still in disagreement, he/she is encouraged to explain the conflict to a parent/guardian. If the parent/guardian feels that the conflict is not resolved, an appointment should be arranged with the teacher. If the conflict remains unresolved, a conference with the administration should be scheduled.