CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT – STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT HANDBOOK 2018 -2019 DISCIPLINE TEST ELEMENTARY (Grades K-5) De. Kalb County School District Department of Student Relations 5823 Memorial Drive Stone Mountain, GA 30083 Dr. Kishia Towns, Director Dr. R. Stephen Green, SUPERINTENDENT

As a De. Kalb 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 WE LEARN TODAY? ? Ø When and where we can be disciplined by the school. Ø Expectations on weapons. Ø Expectations on drugs. Ø Expectations on school attendance. Ø Expectations on behavior. Ø Student Pledge. Ø Anti-Bullying Pledge.

WHEN AND WHERE CAN I BE DISCIPLINED BY THE SCHOOL? v. During the school day; v. Walking on the way to or from school; v. At a school-related event (field trip, game, presentation, etc. ); v. Anytime when on a school campus or in a school building; v ANYWHERE if the misbehavior poses a problem to the safety or well-being of staff/students.

WHEN AND WHERE CAN I BE DISCIPLINED BY THE SCHOOL? Students WILL BE DISCIPLINED and possibly permanently removed from riding the bus, for FIGHTING on the school bus, at the bus stop, OR While walking to or from the bus stop;

If I misbehave, I may receive: ØWarning/Reprimand/Counseling ØTime Out ØParent Conference ØProbation/Probationary Contract ØDetention ØSuspension/Expulsion ØOther Consequences ØBus Suspension or Seat/Schedule Change

PROBATION • If you break school rules, you could be placed on probation by administration. • Probation means you are reminded to follow school rules. • If you are on probation and break school rules, you could be suspended.

LET’S PAUSE FOR A TEST!!! SECTION #1 1. Students can be disciplined for fighting in the neighborhood on the way to or from school. True/False 2. Students cannot be suspended from the school bus for misbehavior. True/False 3. A student may be placed on probation for not following school rules. True/False

WEAPONS • Weapons at school are a serious threat to everyone, including you. REPORT THEM!!! • You must NEVER bring weapons to school, on the school bus, or to a school bus stop. • NEVER TOUCH OR ACCEPT ANY ITEM THAT MAY BE A WEAPON FROM ANOTHER STUDENT! • IF YOU FIND A WEAPON, DON’T TOUCH IT!!!!!! LEAVE IT THERE AND REPORT IT TO AN ADULT!!!

EXAMPLES OF WEAPONS: V GUNS/FIREARMS (pistols, handguns, rifles, pellet/BB, starters, stuns, tasers, look-alike firearms, etc. ) V KNIVES V RAZORS (single/doubleedged, box cutters, etc. ) V BLACKJACKS V MARTIAL ARTS DEVICES (nun-chuks, throwing stars, etc. ) V CHAINS V BATS/CLUBS V BRASS/ARTIFICIAL KNUCKLES

MORE EXAMPLES OF WEAPONS: V Anything that releases a spray, foam, gas smoke, spark, fire, odor etc. V ANY item/device that may violate this expectation!!

MORE EXAMPLES OF WEAPONS: PEPPER SPRAY and MACE are WEAPONS and ARE NOT ALLOWED!!!!

GUNS/FIREARMS Federal law requires school systems to EXPEL students for ONE CALENDAR YEAR at least 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!!!!

Verbal or written threats to SHOOT the SCHOOL, faculty, staff, or another student WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!!!! CONSEQUENCE: Placement at the Alternative School or EXPULSION

OTHER ITEMS YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE AT SCHOOL VWater Pistols; VItems that project a liquid; VToy Guns; VMatches/Lighters; VLaser Pointers; VDevices that emit an electrical shock (e. g. tasers); VOther items that, when used inappropriately, cause discomfort/harm to another person or disrupts the school.

LET’S PAUSE FOR A TEST!!! SECTION #2 1. A student may be expelled for threatening to shoot the school, a teacher, or another student. True/False 2. Pepper spray and mace are not considered weapons. True/False 3. Students may be suspended for having a weapon even if they were not the person who brought it to school. True/False 4. Cigarette lighters are considered weapons. True/False

DRUGS Students MUST NOT… v. Use, vbe under the influence of, vpossess, vsell/distribute, vor receive ANY substance represented or believed to be drugs!!!!

THESE ARE DRUGS…. üAlcohol üMarijuana üMeth üEcstasy üSynthetic Drugs (Spice, K 2, etc. ) üHeroin üLSD üPrescription Drugs üOver-the Counter Drugs üInhalants üLook-Alike Drugs üTablets/Capsules üOther Legal/Illegal Substances

DRUGS CAN HURT OR KILL YOU AND AFFECT YOUR FUTURE AND FAMILY. STAY AWAY FROM THEM!!!

DRUGS Students MAY NOT possess any drug-related paraphernalia (e. g. pipes, rolling papers, clips, etc. )

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Doctor and parent permission is required to use prescription drugs at school.

TOBACCO PRODUCTS THAT ARE NOT ALLOWED AT SCHOOL Ø Cigarettes/Papers Ø E-cigarettes Ø Cigars Ø Loose Tobacco Ø Pipes Ø Chewing Tobacco Ø Snuff Ø Similar Products It is against the law for persons under 18 to use tobacco.

SEARCHES ØYou and your belongings can be searched if you are suspected (Reasonable Suspicion) of having an illegal/banned item at school. ØYour locker or desk may be searched ANYTIME. ØIf 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: v. DO NOT hold something for another person, even if you don’t know what it is. v. DO NOT let another person carry your bag throughout the day. v. DO NOT let another person put items in your locker

Report ALL illegal/banned items IMMEDIATELY to an ADULT!!

LET’S PAUSE FOR A TEST!!! SECTION #3 1. Students will not be disciplined for being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. True/False 2. Students’ lockers may be searched at any time. True/False 3. Students are permitted to bring cigarettes to school. True/False 4. I can get in trouble if I hold drugs for another student. True/False

EXPECTATIONS ON STUDENT ATTENDANCE • Students are expected to attend school/class each day and on time. • Excessive absences may be reported to Juvenile Court or the De. Kalb Solicitor. General’s office. • If you are having trouble getting to school/class, talk to an adult.

LET’S PAUSE FOR A TEST!!! SECTION #4 1. A student may be disciplined for repeatedly being late to school. True/False 2. I am not expected to be at school everyday. True/False

EXPECTATIONS ON BEHAVIOR v. Students must respect others and resolve problems peacefully. v. Problems with other students should be immediately reported to an adult. LET THE ADULTS HANDLE IT!!! v. Fighting and/or other forms of violence or verbal threats will NOT BE TOLERATED and may result in suspension. v. If you encourage a fight or get in it, you are breaking school rules.

EXPECTATIONS ON BEHAVIOR v. Threats to students, staff and/or the school will be taken SERIOUSLY!!! v. Unless it is dangerous or illegal, follow any instructions given by school staff. v. All forms of gambling and having gambling items are not allowed. v. Always tell the truth and never falsify report cards or school documents.

EXPECTATIONS ON BEHAVIOR v. Never go to another school unless you have been approved to be there. v. Don’t go/stay on campus or enter a school after hours. v. Engaging in “inappropriate activities” is not allowed (Offense #23). Teacher: Please give an age-appropriate explanation for this.

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!

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 i. Pods, MP 3 players, cellphones, 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!

BULLYING 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. Cyberbullying, whether it occurs on or off of school property, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!! Ø De. Kalb Schools reserves the right to punish a student after the 1 st incident of bullying.

IF YOU ARE OR YOU SEE SOMEONE BEING BULLIED, REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY!!!

Gang-Related Activity is prohibited by state law and the De. Kalb County School District and will not be tolerated!!! Definition of a Gang: Group of three or more persons, with a common name, signs, dress, etc. , who engage in illegal activities that may be a threat to others and/or disrupt the school.

Gang-related activities include, but are not limited to: L Displaying gang signs/symbols; L Wearing gang-related clothes (shirts, hats, bandanas, belts, jewelry, etc. ); L Displaying gang hand-signs, tattoos/brands; L Putting gang writing on school walls, furniture, etc; L Hitting or fighting for gang recruitment, threats, and/or disturbing school.

TELL AN ADULT OR CALL 1 -877 -SAY STOP 1 -877 -729 -7867 or 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!

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 - ïDisrupt the school or endanger the health or safety of other persons; ïPromote gangs or the use of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco; ïShow words, phrases or pictures that are violent, disruptive, sexual, offensive and/or vulgar; ïAre derogatory regarding a person’s ethnicity, color, race, origin, religion, sexual orientation, or disability.

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

LET’S PAUSE FOR A TEST!!! SECTION #5 1. Verbal and/or written threats to school staff or students will not be tolerated. True/False 2. Wearing gang-related paraphernalia in school 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. A student who encourages a fight or who tries to prevent someone from breaking up a fight may also be disciplined. True/False

YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH SCHOOL STAFF • The school staff is there to help you with your education and future. • They are your parents at school/on the bus. Treat them as you would your own parents/guardians. • 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!!!

Electronic Communication Devices ' Includes (but not limited to) cell phones, headphones, pagers, PDAs, etc. ' These items are not be used during instructional time (start of school day through end of school day), unless there is an approved instructional purpose. ' Turn off and PUT THEM AWAY!!

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, misusing the school computer, network, Internet/Intranet or having counterfeit money could result in consequences. • If you damage or lose school materials, you must pay for them (Restitution).

UNSAFE ACTION (Offense #26) • Stop and Think before you do anything that may hurt you or others. • This only applies when the violation is not covered by another offense code.

REPEATED VIOLATIONS If you continue to violate school rules, you may be SUSPENDED or EXPELLED!!!

LET’S PAUSE FOR A TEST!!! SECTION #6 1. I cannot be suspended for possessing a stolen cellphone if I wasn’t the person who actually stole it. True/False 2. A student may be suspended or expelled for making threats to a teacher, administrator, other staff member, or visitors to the school. True/False 3. Damage to textbooks, media center materials, computer-related equipment, or restrooms may result in suspension and restitution. True/False

LET’S PAUSE FOR A TEST!!! SECTION #6 (cont. ) 4. Cellphones can only be used before the school day begins and at the end of the school day, unless it is for instructional purposes. True/False

STUDENT PLEDGE $You pledge to follow all school rules and help to make your school a safe place for learning. $You will go over the Student Pledge with your parent/guardian, sign and return it to your school tomorrow.

ANTIBULLYING/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!!! De. Kalb County School District Department of Student Relations 5823 Memorial Drive Stone Mountain, GA 30083 Dr. Kishia Towns, Director