2015-2016 CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT – STUDENT RIGHTS AND

RESPONSIBILITIES AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT HANDBOOK

Dr. R. Stephen Green, SUPERINTENDENT

Middle/High School (Grades 6-12)

As a DeKalb student, you are expected to:

• Be courteous and respectful to others

• Behave in a responsible manner

• Dress appropriately

• Obey all rules

• Cooperate with school staff

• Attend school daily

YOU ARE EXPECTED TO KNOW AND FOLLOW THE RULES OF YOUR SCHOOL AND THE DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOL

DISTRICT .

SIT DOWN WITH YOUR PARENT/GUARDIAN TONIGHT AND REVIEW THE CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT WITH THEM. ASK QUESTIONS IF YOU

DO NOT UNDERSTAND!

AFTER REVIEWING THE CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT, YOU AND YOUR PARENT MUST SIGN THE SIGNATURE PAGE AND RETURN

IT TO THE SCHOOL.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN TODAY!!!

• When and where you can be disciplined by the school.

• Expectations on weapons.• Expectations on drugs.• Expectations on school attendance.• Expectations on behavior.• Student Pledge.• Anti-Bullying Pledge.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS REVIEW IS NOT INTENDED TO TEACH YOU

EVERYTHING ABOUT THE CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT!!!

YOU ARE EXPECTED TO READ IT WITH YOUR PARENT, UNDERSTAND

IT, AND FOLLOW IT!!!

HOWEVER, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR NEED MORE

INFORMATION, PLEASE ASK YOUR TEACHER DURING THIS

PRESENTATION!!!

NOW IS THE TIME TO UNDERSTAND!!!

WHEN AND WHERE CAN I BE DISCIPLINED BY THE

SCHOOL?During the school day;

On the way to or from school;

At the school bus stop;

Anytime when on a school campus or in a school building;

On the school bus;

At a school-related event (field trip, game, presentation, etc.).

WHEN AND WHERE CAN I BE DISCIPLINED BY THE

SCHOOL?

You may also be disciplined

for ANY misbehavior that poses a problem to the safety or well-being

of staff/students, NO MATTER WHEN OR WHERE IT OCCURS.

If I misbehave, I may receive:

• Warning/Reprimand• Time Out• Seat/Schedule Change• Parent Conference• Probationary Contract• Detention• In-School Suspension• Out-of-School

Suspension (Not allowed to attend any school)

• Counseling• Expulsion (Not allowed

to attend any school)• Assignment to

Alternative School• Referral to Outside

Agencies• Referral to Juvenile Court• Referral to Law

Enforcement• Other consequences

based on incident severity

IF YOU ARE ASSIGNED TO ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL

• There is no option, you MUST attend.

• You must complete the assigned time at the Alternative School before you are released to your home school.

IF YOU ARE SUSPENDED, EXPELLED OR ASSIGNED TO AN ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL, YOU MAY NOT GO ON ANY ANY

SCHOOL CAMPUS OR TO ANY SCHOOL FUNCTIONS!!!

PROBATION

• If you violate school rules, you may be placed on local school or District-wide probation.

• This is a reminder to you to change your behavior and follow all school rules (ask if you do not understand).

• Breaking rules while on probation could result in suspension, expulsion or assignment to an alternative school.

LET’S PAUSE FOR A TEST!!!

SECTION #11. A student may be expelled for violation of

school probation. True/False

2. Suspended students are allowed on school campus and at school functions. True/False

3. A student can be disciplined for misbehavior that occurs at the school bus stop. True/False

4. Students cannot be suspended or expelled for dangerous/illegal/disruptive activities outside of school hours. True/False

WEAPONS

• Weapons at school are a serious threat to everyone, including you. REPORT THEM!!!

• You must NEVER bring or possess weapons at school, a school activity, on the school bus, at a school bus stop, or on the way to or from school.

• Weapons at school will be reported to the police and may result in criminal charges.

• If you have any knowledge of a weapon at school, you mustmust report it!! You do not have to be identified!!!

IT IS A VIOLATION TO JUST BE IN POSSESSION OF WEAPONS. WHAT

DOES THAT MEAN?

• Anywhere on you

• Purse/Bookbag (Yours or one you are carrying belonging to another)

• Locker issued to you

• Taking something that has a weapon in it, even if you don’t know what’s in it.

WEAPONS

•NEVER TOUCH OR ACCEPT ANY ITEM THAT MAY BE A WEAPON FROM ANOTHER STUDENT!

• IF YOU FIND A WEAPON, DON’T TOUCH IT, EVEN IF YOU FIND IT ON THE WAY TO OR FROM SCHOOL. LEAVE IT THERE AND REPORT IT TO AN ADULT!!!

EXAMPLES OF WEAPONS: GUNS/FIREARMS

(pistols, handguns, rifles, pellet/BB, starters, stuns, tasers, look-alike firearms, etc.)

KNIVES

RAZORS (single/double-edged, box cutters, etc.)

BLACKJACKS

MARTIAL ARTS DEVICES (nun-chuks, throwing stars, etc.)

CHAINS

BATS/CLUBS

BRASS/ARTIFICIAL KNUCKLES

MORE EXAMPLES OF WEAPONS:

FIREWORKS

FAKE WEAPONS

GASOLINE/KEROSENE

EXPLOSIVE/CORROSIVE CHEMICALS

EXPLOSIVE DEVICES

Anything that releases a spray, foam, gas smoke, spark, fire, odor, etc.

ANY item/device that may violate this expectation!!

GUNS/FIREARMS

Federal law requires school systems to EXPEL students for at least ONE CALENDAR YEAR for POSSESSION of a FIREARM!

GUNS/FIREARMS

They do not have to be working or loaded.

DO NOT TOUCH firearms or any gun parts, including ammunition or

bullets!!!!

OTHER ITEMS YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE AT SCHOOL

Water Pistols;

Items that project a liquid;

Toy Guns;

Matches/Lighters;

Laser Pointers;

Devices that emit an electrical shock;

Other items that, when used inappropriately, cause discomfort/harm to another person or disrupts the school.

LET’S PAUSE FOR A TEST!!!SECTION #2

1. Possession of a pocketknife is against school rules. True/False

2. Federal and state law mandates a minimum one-year expulsion for possession of a firearm on school property, bus, or at a school event. True/False

3. Students may be suspended for possessing a smoke bomb, bullets, or fireworks. True/False

4. Possession of martial arts devices at school is not against school rules. True/False

5. Lighters and laser pointers are prohibited. True/False

DRUGS

• Students MUST NOT possess, use, be under the influence of, sell/distribute or receive ANY substance believed to be drugs.

• The possession, use, sale/distribution of drugs is ILLEGAL and HARMFUL and will be reported to law enforcement.

• Students MAY NOT possess drug-related paraphernalia (pipes, rolling papers, clips, etc.).

THESE ARE DRUGS…

AlcoholMarijuanaMethEcstasySynthetic Drugs

(Spice, K2, etc.)

HeroinLSD

Prescription Drugs

Over-the Counter Drugs

InhalantsLook-Alike DrugsTablets/CapsulesOther Legal/Illegal

Substances

DRUGS• NEVER TOUCH OR ACCEPT ANY ITEM THAT MAY

BE DRUGS FROM ANOTHER STUDENT!

• IF YOU FIND DRUGS, DON’T TOUCH THEM, EVEN IF YOU FIND THEM ON THE WAY TO OR FROM SCHOOL. LEAVE THEM THERE AND REPORT THEM TO AN ADULT!!!

• POSSESSING, SELLING OR PASSING DRUGS WITHIN 1000 FEET OF A SCHOOL OR PROPERTY USED BY THE SCHOOL WILL BE REPORTED TO THE POLICE!!!

DRUGS

• A student MAY NOT use drugs at any school-related activity, on the way to/from school, on a school bus or at the bus stop.

• Students who violate this rule may be referred to a drug education program, Gaining Results In Prevention (GRIP), in addition to other consequences.

DRUGS

DRUGS CAN HURT/KILL YOU AND AFFECT

YOUR FUTURE AND FAMILY.

STAY AWAY FROM THEM!!!

TOBACCO PRODUCTS ARE NOT ALLOWED AT SCHOOL

• Cigarettes/Papers(e.g. e-cigarettes)

• Cigars• Loose Tobacco• Pipes• Chewing Tobacco• Snuff• Similar Products

It is against the law for persons under 18 to use tobacco.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Prior doctor/parent consent is REQUIRED to use prescription drugs at

school (follow school procedures).

SEARCHES

You and your belongings can be searched if you are suspected (Reasonable Suspicion) of having an illegal/banned item at school.

Your LOCKER, DESK, or VEHICLE may be searched ANYTIME.

If illegal/banned items are found in anything UNDER YOUR CONTROL (e.g. bookbags or lockers), it belongs to you!!!

THEREFORE, DON’T DO THE FOLLOWING THINGS:

Hold something for another person, even if you don’t know what it is.

Let another person carry your bag throughout the day.

Share lockers----YOU are held responsible for whatever is in YOUR locker. DO NOT SHARE LOCKERS!!!!

Report ALL illegal/banned items immediately to an

adult!!!!

LET’S PAUSE FOR A TEST!!!SECTION #3

1. An administrator cannot search a student based on reasonable suspicion. True/False

2. A student having or using alcohol at school, at a school function or on the way to school could be suspended. True/False

3. Possession of any medication, without the proper permission, is against school rules. True/False

4. A vehicle brought on school property cannot be searched at any time. True/False

5. Any incident of possession and/or distribution of drugs within 1,000 feet of a school or property used by the school must be reported to the police. True/False

EXPECTATIONS ON STUDENT ATTENDANCE

• Students are expected to attend school/class each day and on time.

• Parents/Guardians must contact the school for all absences.

• You cannot make up work missed for unlawful absences unless approved by principal.

• Excessive absences may be reported to Juvenile Court or the DeKalb Solicitor-General.

EXPECTATIONS ON STUDENT ATTENDANCE

• If you are having trouble getting to school/class, talk to an adult.

• If you skip class, your parent will be called in for a conference.

• Continued skipping/tardiness could result in assignment to an alternative school.

YOUR ATTENDANCE MAY AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO DRIVE

(15-17 years old)

Your license/permit or ability to get one will be suspended for one year if you:

1.Have 10 or more unexcused absences in a school year (current or previous school year);

2.Withdraw/drop out and don’t enroll in another educational program.

3. Causing physical harm to school personnel;

4. Possession or sale of drugs or alcohol on school grounds or events;

5. Possession or use of a weapon on school grounds or events;

6. Sexual offenses; OR

7. Send Certification of Non-Compliance for attendance to Student Relations.

LET’S PAUSE FOR A TEST!!!SECTION #4

1. A student who chronically skips classes may be assigned to an alternative school. True/False

2. A student may be disciplined for chronic tardiness. True/False

3. Academic work missed due to unlawful absences cannot be made up when the student returns to school unless permission is granted by the principal prior to the absence. True/False

4. Unexcused absences or dropping out of school cannot affect your drivers license/permit. True/False

EXPECTATIONS ON BEHAVIOR

• Students must respect others and seek to resolve conflicts peacefully.

• Conflicts and issues should be immediately reported to an adult. LET THE ADULTS HANDLE IT!!!

• Fighting and/or other forms of violence may result in suspension/expulsion.

• If you encourage a fight or get in it, you are breaking school rules.

• Verbal/Physical threats to students, staff and/or the school will be taken seriously.

EXPECTATIONS ON BEHAVIOR

•Unless it is dangerous or illegal, follow ANY INSTRUCTIONS given by school staff.

•All forms of gambling and having gambling items are NOT ALLOWED!!

EXPECTATIONS ON BEHAVIOR

• Never go to another school unless you have been approved to be there.

• Don’t go/stay on campus or enter a school after hours.

• Always tell the truth and never falsify report cards or school documents.

• Engaging in “inappropriate activities” is not allowed (Offense #23).

TEACHER: Please provide an age-appropriate explanation of the offense.

BullyingBULLYING AND ALL OTHER FORMS OF HARASSMENT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!

• Bullying= unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involve a real or perceived power imbalance. Its actions include making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, etc.

• State law calls for an assignment to an alternative school on the 3rd incident of bullying (Grades 6-12).

• DeKalb Schools reserves the right to punish a student after the 1st incident of bullying.

Cyberbullying• NEVER use texting or the Internet to threaten or

bully another person.

• DO NOT send, re-send, or save inappropriate messages/images.

Use of school equipment, network or time in school to threaten/bully another person is PROHIBITED and may

result in SUSPENSION or EXPULSION!!!

Cyberbullying that occurs on or off of school property, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!!

NOTE: The person being bullied has the right to file a criminal complaint.

IF YOU ARE OR SEE SOMEONE BEING BULLIED,

REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY!!!

Gang-Related ActivityGang-Related Activity is prohibited by state law and the

DeKalb County School District and WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!!!

DEFINITION OF A GANG: Group of three or more persons who engage in

illegal activities that threaten the safety of students, staff, volunteers, visitors or others or

may disrupt the school.

The existence of a gang may be established by evidence of a common name or common identifying signs, symbols, tattoos, graffiti, or attire or other distinguishing characteristics.

Gang-related activities include, but are not limited to:

Displaying gang signs/symbols on personal or school property

Wearing gang-related clothing (shirts, hats, bandanas, belts, jewelry, etc.)

Displaying gang hand-signs, tattoos/brands, which symbolize gang affiliation

Defacing school property with gang graffiti (furniture, walls, buses, buildings, etc.)

The use of computers, cellular phones, video cameras, etc.) to video or share gang activity

Acts of violence including gang recruitment, intimidation, and school disturbances, that may place students and staff in reasonable fear of safety

STUDENT DRESS CODE

• Dress like you are coming to SCHOOL to learn.

• What you wear positively or negatively affects the school.

• If you have to guess whether or not something violates the Student Dress Code, ASK an adult or DON’T WEAR IT.

YOU SHOULD NOT WEAR CLOTHING, JEWELRY, TATTOOS,

PIERCINGS OR SIMILAR ITEMS THAT - • Disrupt the school or endanger the

health or safety of other persons

• Promote gangs or the use of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco

• Show words, phrases or pictures that are violent, disruptive, sexual, offensive and/or vulgar

• That are derogatory regarding a person’s ethnicity, color, race, origin, religion, sexual orientation, or disability

LET’S PAUSE FOR A TEST!!!SECTION #5

1. A student may not be assigned to in-school suspension for rude behavior. True/False

2. Fighting at school, in the restroom, or on a school bus is prohibited. True/False

3. A student may be written up for cyberbullying even if it wasn’t done at school or with a school computer. True/False

4. Verbally threatening another student is not punishable if there is no physical contact. True/False

5. A student who encourages a fight or who tries to prevent someone from breaking up a fight may be disciplined. True/False

YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH SCHOOL STAFF

• The school staff is there to help you with your education and future.

• ALL THREATS TO ADULTS WILL BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY!!! WATCH WHAT YOU SAY AND/OR DO TO AN ADULT!!!

INTENTIONALLY HITTING/INJURING A SCHOOL

STAFF MEMBER COULD RESULT IN PERMANENT

EXPULSION!!!

TELL AN ADULT OR CALL1-877-SAY STOP

1-877-729-7867or

DCSD Alert/Ethics Line 1-888-475-0482

If you have any information on weapons, bullying, drugs, gang activity, threat or planned activities

that may threaten the safety/well-being of students, staff and/or other persons at the school.

YOU CAN REPORT ANONYMOUSLY. YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO IDENTIFY YOURSELF!

Electronic Communication Devices

• Includes (but not limited to) cell phones, pagers, PDAs, etc.

• These items may not be used during instructional time (start of school day through the end of the school day), unless there is an approved instructional purpose.

• Turn off and secure these items during instructional time.

Electronic Communication Devices

You may not use any device to:

• Take pictures/video of any persons in school without the expressed permission of the principal.

• Enter a locker room/restroom for the purpose of taking pictures/video.

• Send text messages/pictures/video to other students during school.

PROPERTY• Stealing or being in possession of

something that belongs to the school or another person is NOT ALLOWED.

• NEVER HOLD SOMETHING FROM ANOTHER STUDENT THAT YOU THINK MAY BE STOLEN. This is possession of stolen property and you will also be charged.

• Stealing is ILLEGAL and will be reported to the police.

PROPERTY• It is a violation of school rules to

damage/vandalize school or personal property.

• Losing, damaging school materials, using another person’s computer ID/password and/or misusing the school computer, network, Internet/Intranet, etc. or having counterfeit money could result in receiving consequences.

• If you damage or lose school materials, you must pay for them (Restitution).

CLASSROOM AND/OR SCHOOL DISTURBANCES

• You and your fellow students have a right to learn in a clean and safe school.

• Nobody has the right to say/do something to take that away and disturb learning in class/school!

• You are expected to come to school each day to “do school”. There is no other purpose!

• If you feel that you cannot do this, talk to your parent and the principal.

UNSAFE ACTION (Code #26)

• Stop and Think before you do anything that may hurt you or others.

• This code only applies when the violation is not covered by another offense code.

EXPECTATIONS ON THE SCHOOL BUS

• Don’t do anything that may distract the driver and the safe operation of the bus.

• Devices that may affect the operation of the bus are prohibited.

• Use headphones with iPods, MP3 players and similar devices.

If it is not allowed in school, it is not allowed on the bus or at the bus stop. KNOW THE RULES!

MORE INFORMATION• It is NOT self-defense if you can avoid the

problem, tell an adult, or you continue fighting after adults get there.

• If you help or encourage someone else to violate rules (accessory), you can also receive consequences.

• If you are issued a school ID badge, you must keep it on you!

• If you continue to violate school rules, you may be suspended, expelled or assigned to an alternative school.

LET’S PAUSE FOR A TEST!!!SECTION #6

1. Possession of stolen property will not result in expulsion. True/False

2. A student may be suspended or expelled for making threatening comments to a teacher, administrator, other staff member, or visitors to the school. True/False

3. Repeated violations of school rules may result in suspension. True/False

4. Taking school materials without permission is not a violation of school rules. True/False

5. Students found guilty of being accessories to any behavior prohibited by school rules may be subject to the same consequences as students who directly participated in the incident. True/False

LET’S PAUSE FOR A TEST!!!SECTION #6

6. Damage to textbooks, media center materials, computer-related equipment, or restrooms may result in suspension and restitution. True/False

7. Students participating in a bomb threat will not be arrested. True/False

8. Students may be suspended from a school bus for misbehavior. True/False

9. Students should tell an adult if they have a conflict with another person and avoid violence. True/False

10. Using an unauthorized computer ID or password may result in suspension. True/False

STUDENT PLEDGE

• You pledge to follow all school rules and help to make your school safe place for learning.

• You will go over the Student Pledge and Anti-Bullying and with your parent/guardian, sign and return it to your school tomorrow.

ANTI-BULLYING/HARRASSMENT/HAZING PLEDGE

I _____________, realize that bullying, harassment, and hazing are wrong and hurtful to my fellow students. I therefore pledge that I will not, in any way, participate or encourage

bullying and/or all forms of harassment.

BE SAFE, RESPECT EVERYONE AND HAVE A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR!!!

YOU CAN DO IT!!!

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!!!

DeKalb County School District Department of Safe Schools and Student Relations 5823 Memorial

Drive Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Dr. Kishia Towns, Interim Director