Behaviors Which Result In Disciplinary Action

• RULE 1: DISRUPTIVE CONDUCT

No student shall engage in behavior that disturbs or interferes with school activities or the educational process.

• RULE 2: UNRULY BEHAVIOR ON SCHOOL BUS

As defined by O.C.G.A. § 20-2-1181, it shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly disrupt or interfere with the operation of any public school, public school bus, or public school bus stop as designated by local school boards of education. A person convicted of violating this Code section may be guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature.

Bus behavior is governed by the same rules stated in this handbook and student code of conduct for behavior at school or on school property at any time, off school grounds at any school activity, function or event (and while traveling to and from such events), on vehicles provided for student transportation by the school district and while waiting for and leaving such vehicles (including, but not limited to, while at bus stops), at any time and place covered by the definition of the term “bullying” (as defined in Student Code of Conduct Rule 16: Bullying and Board Policy JCDAG: Bullying), and off campus where the student’s actions could result in the student being criminally charged with a felony and which makes the student’s continued presence at school a potential danger to persons or property at school or which disrupts the educational process.

In addition, while on a school bus, students shall:

• Respect all persons on the bus and cooperate with any instructions or requests by the bus driver and any other school district staff;
• Remain in their seats, assigned or otherwise, when the bus is moving, and keep their hands and feet out of the aisle and off other riders and their property;
• Keep all parts of their body inside the bus at all times;
• Never throw any item from the bus;
• Never damage any portion of the interior or exterior of the bus and its equipment;
• Never use a cell phone, computer, tablet, smartwatch, or other electronic device in a manner that might interfere with the bus communications equipment or the bus driver’s operation of
  the bus;
• Never use a mirror, laser, flash camera, or other light or reflective device in a manner that might interfere with the bus driver’s operation of the bus;
• Never engage in any other conduct which may be disruptive or distracting to the bus driver and/or which may interfere with the bus driver’s operation of the school bus, including, but not
  limited to, acts of physical violence (as defined in O.C.G.A. § 20-2-751.6), bullying (as defined in O.C.G.A. § 20-2-751.4, Student Code of Conduct Rule 16: Bullying, and Board Policy JCDAG: Bullying), physical assault or battery of other persons on the school bus, verbal assault of other persons on the school bus, disrespectful conduct toward the bus driver and other persons on the school bus, fighting, rough housing, hitting, slapping, pushing, shoving, kicking, shouting, and other unruly behavior;*
• Never use any profane, vulgar, or obscene gestures or other communications to anyone outside the school bus; and
• Remain absolutely quiet at all railroad crossings.

•  RULE 3: PARKING & TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS ON CAMPUS

Parking at school is a privilege, not a right. Students must have a valid driver’s license and insurance to obtain a parking permit. Students are to park cars immediately upon arrival at school and must enter the building immediately. Students must park in their assigned parking spaces. Vehicles parked in other areas are subject to being towed at the owner’s expense. Students may not visit vehicles until they are ready to leave campus at the end of the day unless the office gives special permission.
(Refer to the Driving Rules and Regulations at ECHS, SEHS, ECCA, and Crossroads Academy for additional guidelines.) Vehicles parked on school grounds are subject to searches by school administrators and law enforcement officers at the request of the school administration.

No student shall abuse school parking regulations or operate a motor vehicle in such a way as to cause damage to public or private property located on school grounds or in such a way as to endanger life or limb of persons utilizing school facilities, driveways, or parking areas. This includes driving recklessly around school buses in route to and from school or school functions.

Students who have lost their driving and other privileges and who violate the intent of this policy by driving to school, and parking on campus shall be subject to discipline that may include permanent loss of parking and other privileges and punishment for insubordination. Vehicles that are parked on school premises, which do not display a properly authorized parking permit, may be towed away at the owner’s expense.

• RULE 4: USE OF PROFANE, VULGAR & OBSCENE LANGUAGE, INCLUDING OBSCENE GESTURES

No student shall use profane, vulgar, or obscene language or gestures.

• RULE 5: ATTENDANCE

Unexcused absence, chronic tardiness, skipping class, and leaving campus without permission are prohibited. Students must attend school as required by the Compulsory Attendance Law in O.C.G.A.
§ 20-2-690.1. Failure to be at school and in class as specified by a student’s school class schedule, in accordance with the Effingham County Board of Education Attendance Policy, may result in disciplinary action.

• RULE 6: DRESS CODE VIOLATIONS

Students shall comply with the Effingham County Board of Education Administrative Procedures for Student Dress Code printed in this handbook.

• RULE 7: INAPPROPRIATE PUBLIC DISPLAY OF AFFECTION

Embracing, other physical displays of affection, or any acts of a sexual nature are strictly prohibited.

• RULE 8: INSUBORDINATION/NON-COMPLIANCE

No student shall engage in insubordination or non-compliance by failure or refusal to comply with the reasonable rules or requests of school personnel. This will be strictly enforced at daily safety screenings.

• RULE 9: CHEATING, PLAGIARISM AND OTHER ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

No student shall engage in cheating, plagiarism, or other form of academic dishonesty on any school-related work, including, but not limited to, tests, examinations, projects, reports, homework, and other assignments. Students shall not share answers, work, or other materials with other students when it comes to school-related assignments unless expressly permitted to do so by the classroom teacher.

• RULE 10: VERBAL ASSAULT/DISRESPECTFUL CONDUCT

No student shall engage in a verbal assault of or in disrespectful conduct toward a teacher, administrator, school bus driver, school official, other school district personnel, another student, or a
person attending a school-related function, event, or activity whether on or off school grounds. This includes, but is not limited to, engaging in threatened violence, sexual harassment as defined in Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and use of vulgar or profane language or behavior based on a person’s race, national origin, sex, or disability that is unwelcome, unwanted, and/or uninvited by the recipient.

• RULE 11: DAMAGE TO PROPERTY

No student shall at any time mark, deface, destroy, or cause willful or malicious damage to (1) the real or personal property of any school, the Board of Education, or the school district or (2) the personal property of any official, employee or staff member of the school district, another student, or any other person legitimately on school district property or attending a school-related function, event, or activity whether on or off school grounds.

Students shall exercise due care for and protection over the following property and items provided to them by the school district: instructional materials and content; computer hardware, software, and technical equipment; library books; and other media materials. For any student (or parent or guardian) who fails or refuses to pay for any lost or damaged property or items provided to them by the school district at replacement cost, the school district may refuse to issue or make available any additional property or items, including instructional materials and content; computer hardware, software, and technical equipment; library books; and other media materials.

• RULE 12: THEFT

No student shall take or steal any property of another person or the school with the intention of depriving that person, or the school of the property, regardless of the manner in which the property is taken or stolen.

• RULE 13: FALSE ALARMS

No student shall, either directly or through another person, cause a false report or false public alarm, including, but not limited to fire, bomb, etc., at any school, on any school bus, or at any school function or event. This includes false alerts created by the student through the mobile panic alert system as well as unnecessary deployments of the secondary locking system.

• RULE 14: PHYSICAL ASSAULT/BATTERY

No student shall engage in a physical assault or battery (including sexual harassment as defined in Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972) of a teacher, administrator, school bus driver, school official, other school district personnel, another student, or person attending a school-related function, event, or activity whether on or off school grounds. That is to say, no student shall cause, threaten to cause, or attempt to cause physical violence to any such person. “Physical violence” for
purposes of this rule means (1) intentional physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with the person of another or (2) intentional physical contact which causes physical harm to another unless such physical contacts or physical harms were in defense of himself or herself.

Any student alleged to have committed an act of physical violence shall be suspended pending a hearing by a disciplinary hearing officer, panel, or tribunal. If appropriate, the decision of the disciplinary hearing officer, panel, or tribunal shall state whether the student may return to school and if so, the time for the student’s return to school.

A student found by a disciplinary hearing officer, panel, or tribunal to have committed an act of physical violence as defined in part (2) of that definition against a teacher, administrator, school bus driver, school official, or other school district personnel shall be expelled from this school district. The
expulsion shall be for the remainder of the student’s eligibility to attend public school pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 20-2-150. The Board at its discretion may permit the student to attend an alternative
education program for the period of the student’s expulsion. If the student is in kindergarten through grade 8, then the Board at its discretion and on the decision of the disciplinary hearing officer, panel or tribunal may permit the student to re-enroll in the regular public school program for grades 9-12. A student found by a disciplinary hearing officer, panel, or tribunal to have committed an act of physical violence as defined in part (2) of that definition against a teacher, administrator, school bus driver,
school official, or other school district personnel shall also be referred to juvenile court with a request for a petition alleging delinquent behavior. A student found by a disciplinary hearing officer, panel, or tribunal to have committed an act of physical violence as defined in part (1) of that definition against a teacher, administrator, school bus driver, school official, or other school district personnel may be disciplined by expulsion, long-term suspension, or short-term suspension. Nothing in this rule limits
a student’s discipline for committing an act of physical violence against another student or person attending a school-related function, event, or activity whether on or off school grounds.

• RULE 15: FIGHTING, AGGRESSIVE OR CONFRONTATIONAL BEHAVIOR (FIGHTING WORDS, POSTURING TO FIGHT)

Students are prohibited from fighting. Any student who uses disgraceful, shameful or abusive words which incite or could incite a breach of the peace, that is to say, words which would reasonably provoke a violent response from another individual, shall be considered guilty of using fighting words, which is also prohibited. Any student who uses body language that could reasonably be considered to intimidate or provoke another person or who takes a posture that is representative of someone attempting to fight, shall be considered guilty of posturing to fight, which is prohibited as well. In addition, any student who uses his or her body to intentionally block another person’s passage, to intimidate another person, or to grab, push, or touch another person is guilty of posturing to fight.

Students must make a good faith effort to peacefully settle all disputes without resorting to fighting or violent behavior; instead, disputes should be promptly reported to teachers, administrators, other school personnel, bus drivers, or other persons in positions of authority with the school district. Students shall immediately separate and stop fighting, using fighting words, or posturing to fight when ordered to do so.

•  RULE 16: BULLYING

No student shall engage in bullying. Under O.C.G.A. § 20-2-751.4, “bullying” means an action which occurs on school property, on school vehicles, at designated school bus stops, or at school-related functions or activities, including, but not limited to, extracurricular activities, or by use of data or software that is accessed through a computer, computer system, computer network, or other electronic technology of the school district, that is:

• Any willful attempt or threat to inflict injury on another person, when accompanied by an apparent present ability to do so;
• Any intentional display of force such as would give the victim reason to fear or expect immediate bodily harm; or
• Any intentional written, verbal, or physical act, which a reasonable person would perceive as being intended to threaten, harass, or intimidate, that:
  • Causes another person substantial physical harm within the meaning of O.C.G.A. § 16-5-23.1 or visible bodily harm as such term is defined in O.C.G.A. § 16-5-23.1;
  • Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education or otherwise substantially infringing upon the rights of a student;
  • Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or
  • Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.

• RULE 17: THREATS AND INTIMIDATION

No student shall threaten, intimidate, or attempt to threaten or intimidate others with statements, gestures, and/or drawings, or communicate or attempt to communicate these threats with language that is spoken, written, body, electronic, or any means that could reasonably create fear or intimidation for any student, employee, official of the school system or any other person while on school grounds or in connection with school related functions and activities. This includes spreading rumors, regardless of their origin, that are threatening or create fear and intimidation.

• RULE 18: TERRORISTIC THREATS

No student shall engage in terroristic threats. A student commits a terroristic threat when he or she threatens to commit any crime of violence, to release any hazardous substances, as such term is
defined in O.C.G.A. § 12-8-92, or to burn or damage property with the purpose of terrorizing another or of causing the evacuation of a building, place of assembly, or facility of public transportation or otherwise causing serious public inconvenience or in reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror or inconvenience. Violation of this rule may also result in reimbursing appropriate agencies for any costs related to such action.

• RULE 19: ARTICLES UNRELATED TO SCHOOL INSTRUCTION - GENERAL

No toys, gum, candy, chips or drinks are allowed or to be sold in class or between classes without permission from a school official. Water bottles must be clear (transparent) plastic. No metal cups
will be allowed. No student shall have large sums of money at school or at school events. No student shall gamble or sell items to make a personal profit. No student shall possess any items containing excessive levels of chemical stimulants. No student shall be in possession of any other item deemed unrelated to school instruction.

• RULE 20: ARTICLES UNRELATED TO SCHOOL INSTRUCTION - ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICES

No student shall access personal electronics from the first bell beginning the start of the instructional day until the final bell signaling the end of the instructional day. The school assumes no responsibility or liability for lost or damaged cell phones or personal digital devices if brought to school.

Kindergarten - Twelfth Grade

Unauthorized use of a cell phone, smartwatch, or other digital device during school day or on a school bus may result in the following:

1. First offense – staff member confiscates device and submits a behavior referral; staff member gives device to administration; administration contacts parents; student picks up device at the end of the school day.
2. Second offense – staff member confiscates the device and submits a behavior referral; staff member gives device to administration; administration contacts parents; student will serve one day of OSS; parent picks up the device from the school at the end of the school day.
3. Third offense – staff member confiscates the device and submits a behavior referral; staff member gives the device to administration; administration contacts parents; student will
   serve three days of OSS; parent picks up the device at the end of the school day.
4. Fourth offense – staff member confiscates the device and submits a behavioral referral; staff member gives the device to administration; administration contacts parents; student will serve five days of OSS and be placed on probation; parent picks up the device at the end of the school day.
5. Fifth offense – staff member confiscates the device and submits a behavioral referral; staff member gives the device to administration; administration contacts parents; student will serve ten days of OSS and is referred to the Superintendent’s Designee for Discipline; parent picks up the device at the end of the school day.

•  RULE 21: TOBACCO, NICOTINE, AND ANY OTHER VAPING PRODUCTS

No student shall use, possess, or distribute tobacco, nicotine, or any other vaping product. This includes possession and/or use of a lighter, matches, any tobacco paraphernalia, e-cigarettes,
vaporizer (vape pens), or similar paraphernalia.

• RULE 22: UNLAWFUL USE OR POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL, DRUGS, OR OTHER INTOXICATING SUBSTANCES

No student shall possess, sell, use, distribute, or be under the influence of any legal or illegal drug in any form whatsoever, including, but not limited to alcohol, narcotics, cocaine, marijuana, depressants, stimulants, inhalants, hallucinogens, amphetamines, ecstasy, barbiturates, anabolic steroids, any additive or controlled substances, and intoxicants of all kinds, or any substance represented to be or reasonably appearing to be any type of drug. Use of a drug authorized by a medical prescription from a licensed physician shall not be considered a violation of this rule provided it is handled properly through the school nurse office. (Note: Students who need to have prescription drugs at school shall follow the procedures as specified under Effingham County Board of Education Policy JGCD (Medication). Students who are in possession of such prescription drugs who have not followed these “Medication” procedures shall be treated the same as one who possesses illegal drugs. Students must also comply with “Medication Administration at School” guidelines in the Health Services portion of this handbook.

• RULE 23: WEAPONS/DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTS/HAZARDOUS OBJECTS

No student shall carry, possess, handle, control, purchase, sell, provide to others, use or threaten to use any weapon or object that reasonably may be considered a weapon for any length of time (even a few seconds) and at any time or location covered by this Student Code of Conduct.

Weapons may include, but are not limited to:

1. Any handgun, firearm, rifle, shotgun or similar weapon defined in O.C.G.A. § 16-11-127.1; any explosive compound or incendiary device; or any other dangerous weapon as defined in O.C.G.A. § 16-11-121, including a rocket launcher, bazooka, recoilless rifle, mortar, hand grenade, or similar device; and

2. Any hazardous object, including any dirk, bowie knife, switchblade knife, ballistic knife, any other knife, straight-edge razor, razor blade, spring stick, knuckles (whether made from metal, thermoplastic, wood, or other similar material), blackjack, bat, club, bludgeon-type weapon, flailing instrument consisting of two or more rigid parts connected in such a manner as to allow them to swing freely (which may be known as nun chahka, nun chuck, nunchaku, shuriken, or
   fighting chain), any disc of whatever configuration having at least two points or pointed blades which is designed to be thrown or propelled (which may be known as a throwing star or oriental dart or instrument of like kind), nonlethal air gun, stun gun, taser, chemical spray, or similar object. Such term shall not include any of these instruments used for classroom work authorized by the teacher.

Any instrument which is designed for other purposes, but can easily be used to inflict injury (including, but not limited to, a pencil, hair pick, compass, etc.) shall be considered a weapon if the instrument is used or intended to be used in an aggressive, belligerent, or threatening manner, or to defend against such behavior.

With respect to a student who is determined to have violated this policy in connection with a weapon defined in paragraph 1 above, the student shall, at a minimum, be expelled from school for a period of not less than one calendar year; provided, however, that a hearing officer, tribunal, panel, administrator, superintendent, or local board of education shall have the authority to modify such expulsion requirement on a case-by-case basis.

A student who is determined to have violated this policy in connection with a weapon other than one defined in paragraph 1 above, the student shall be subject to discipline in accordance with this Student Code of Conduct.

Elementary School

• Any elementary school student violating this rule shall be disciplined by the school principal in the appropriate manner.

Middle School/High School

• Any student in middle and high school, who violates this rule, shall be automatically suspended from school. During the suspension, a complete investigation of the incident shall be conducted by the school administration.

• Should the investigation conclude that there was no threat or intent involved, then the student and his/her parents must have a conference with the superintendent or his designee to determine if the student shall be allowed to return to school after the suspension is complete. If this is an intentional violation of the rule, a student will be suspended from school for a minimum of ten days and referred to the Superintendent’s Designee for Discipline.

• RULE 24: GANG OR GANG-LIKE ACTIVITY

Gang and gang-like activity is strictly prohibited in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 16-15-4. No student shall use, employ, or rely upon gang membership or affiliation to threaten, intimidate, or to harass verbally or physically other students or employees of the Effingham County Board of Education.

• RULE 25: CRIMINAL LAW VIOLATORS/OFF-CAMPUS MISCONDUCT

A student shall be subject to disciplinary action for any off-campus behavior which could result in the student being criminally charged with a felony and which makes the student’s continued presence at school a potential danger to persons or property at the school or which disrupts the educational process.

• RULE 26: CUMULATIVE OFFENSES

Willful and persistent violations of the Student Code of Conduct may result in a referral to the Superintendent’s Designee for Discipline for appropriate action.

• RULE 27: ACCEPTABLE USE OF INTERNET

No student shall violate the Acceptable Use Agreement (AUA) found in the Appendix of this handbook.

• RULE 28: ENCOURAGING, CONSPIRING, OR COUNSELING ANOTHER TO VIOLATE THE STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

Any student who incites, advises, conspires, or counsels another person to engage in prohibited actions shall be considered guilty of violating the Student Code of Conduct and may be punished accordingly.

• RULE 29: STUDENT REPORTING OBLIGATIONS

Any student who has knowledge that another student has committed a violation (i.e., alcohol, drugs, intoxicating substances, weapons, false alarms, bomb threats, etc.) of the Student Code of Conduct, and that violation significantly impacts the safe and orderly environment of the school, is bound to report such violation to the appropriate school officials. Violators of this rule will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. Students are encouraged to use the school district’s Tip411 App to report any information related to violations of the Student Code of Conduct. Furthermore, any student who knowingly makes a false report to school officials is subject to disciplinary action.

• RULE 30: FALSIFYING REPORTS

No student shall falsify, misrepresent, omit, or erroneously report information regarding instances of alleged inappropriate behavior by a teacher, administrator, or other school employee toward a student. Such reporting shall result in disciplinary action.

Referral To Law Enforcement Authorities

The Effingham County Board of Education and its employees will adhere to all federal and state laws, which require reporting certain violations to law enforcement agencies. These violations include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Aggravated assault if a firearm is involved;
• Aggravated battery;
• Sexual offenses;
• Carrying deadly weapons at public gatherings;
• Carrying deadly weapons at school functions or on school property or within school safety zones;
• Illegal possession of a pistol or revolver by a person under the age of 18;
• Possession and other activities regarding marijuana and controlled substances;
• False alarms.

Other violations may be reported to law enforcement authorities based upon administrative prerogative.