Board Policies |
Absences and Excuses The Gordon County Board of Education considers regular school attendance to be essential for educational progress. Students age six (6) to sixteen (16) as of September 1 shall be in attendance in the Gordon County Schools in accordance with the requirements of the compulsory school attendance laws of Georgia for 180 full-length school days each school year unless there is a legitimate, verifiable reason for their absence. Children younger than six years of age who have been enrolled 20 or more days are also subject to the compulsory attendance laws of the state. Furthermore, high school students whose academic schedule is set for the accrual of units may be subject to the loss of credit due to excessive absenteeism. The high school administration shall have in place published rules and procedures governing the enforcement of these academic sanctions resulting from excessive absenteeism. A record of attendance for each student enrolled in Gordon County Schools shall be kept in accordance with state regulations. In keeping with the regulations set forth in State Board Policy JBD, legitimate reasons are limited to: 1. When the student is personally ill to the extent that school attendance would endanger their health or the health of others; 2. When there is a serious illness or death in the student's immediate family (limited to the student's father, mother, sister, brother, child, spouse, grandparent, legal guardian, or other relative living in the residence of the student) which would reasonably necessitate absence from school (not to exceed three days); 3. When a special and recognized religious holiday is observed by the student's faith, upon written verification by their church leader to the principal of the local school prior to the religious holiday; 4. When the student is mandated by order of governmental agencies; i.e., pre-induction physical examination for service in the armed forces, court order, detention by law enforcement officials; 5. When the student is prevented from attendance as a result of conditions rendering school attendance impossible or hazardous due to health or safety concerns; 6. When a student registers to vote (not to exceed one day); OR 7. When a student is at least 12 years of age and is serving as a page in the Georgia General Assembly (to be considered as present by the school in which he/she is enrolled for the days missed from school for this purpose). All other absences shall be considered unexcused. Teachers will carefully document excused and unexcused absences. Tardies and early dismissal from school will result in absences. Any student missing one third or more of a class period will be counted absent for that class period. 8. When a student is visiting with a parent who is in the military and is on leave from deployment or whose deployment is immanent (not to exceed five days). Any student who has been absent from school shall present a satisfactory written excuse to the principal or a designee within three (3) school days of returning to school. After three (3) school days, absences not accounted for with a legitimate excuse will be on record as unexcused. At the discretion of the principal, assistant principal or attendance officer, a student who is absent for three or more consecutive days due to personal illness or serious illness in the immediate family may be required to present a physician's statement, a statement from the Gordon County Health Department or a statement from the School Social Worker of the Gordon County Schools in order for the absences to be excused. Written excuses from physicians or other healthcare providers shall document the date of the absence(s) and verify the medical necessity of the absence. After seven (7) cumulative absences or five (5) unexcused absences, justification for absences shall be documented via a valid medical excuse bearing the date of the absence(s) and specifically stating that such absence was medically necessary. The school attendance officer, social worker, or designee has the authority to waive this requirement on a case-by-case basis. Each parent, guardian, and student shall be informed of this provision at the beginning of each school year or upon enrollment. Students who have excused absences will be allowed to make up all work missed during such absence. It is each student's responsibility and obligation to obtain the assignments within 3 school days and complete the work as directed by each teacher. Completion of make up work must not exceed a reasonable time from the date of the missed work. Students who have been suspended from school will be allowed to make up only nine weeks or semester final exams. A student may be allowed to make up any work missed during an unexcused absence if the student appeals to the principal, assistant principal, or attendance officer and is determined that the absence in question is a justifiable unexcused absence which warrants such consideration. Tardies and Early Dismissals Legitimate reasons for tardies and early dismissals are the same as those for absences. Since tardies and early dismissals represent a loss of instructional time for students, five tardies and/or early dismissals shall be considered one absence for the purposes of invoking sanctions for non-attendance as provided for in this policy and related procedures. A student who has no full day absence recorded during the school year may be considered for a perfect attendance awards if the student has 10 or fewer tardies or early dismissal during the same period. In order to be included in the daily count, students must be present at school for a portion of the school day equal to or greater than one-half of the school day as measured from the morning tardy time to the first dismissal time. When there is cause necessitating an individual student to be dismissed from school for a portion of the school day, the student shall be released from school only to the parent(s), legal guardian, or to other persons properly identified and authorized by the parents by written notice unless such advanced notice is impossible due to an emergency situation. In such an emergency, the school shall use due diligence to verify authenticity of the request. Gordon County Schools Date Adopted: 8/13/1985 Last Revised: 6/12/2006 Notification Absences and Excuses Protocol for all students subject to the compulsory attendance laws of Georgia: Notification Each school year, each parent/guardian of record and students 10 years of age or older (as of September 1) shall be given notification of the procedures outlined in this administrative regulation. Signed receipt of such notification shall be maintained by the school. Returning required registration forms and keeping the school informed of changes in contact information is a parental responsibility. As used in this administrative regulation, two documented attempts by the school to contact parents and/or students shall constitute sufficient notification. Excuses for Absences Absences from school are considered excused upon presentation of a written statement verifying lawful justification for the absence within 3 school days of the student's return to school. After seven (7) cumulative absences or five (5) unexcused absences, a valid medical excuse bearing the date of the absence(s) and specifically stating that such absence was medically necessary. Unexcused Absences An excuse note shall be brought to the school upon the student's return from any lawful absence from school. If an excuse note is not received by the school within 3 school days of the student's return to school, the absence(s) shall be recorded as unexcused. These steps are to be followed in cases of excessive accumulated unexcused absences: Step One: After five (5) absences within an academic year, exclusive of excused days, the school will notify the parent, guardian, or person who has control or charge of a child of possible consequences. After two reasonable attempts by the attendance officer or designee, a certified letter shall be sent, returned receipt requested, advising the parent, guardian, or person who has control or charge of the student that sufficient notice has been served and further unexcused absences constitute violations of law. After five (5) unexcused absences, no absence shall be recorded as excused without a valid medical excuse bearing the date of the absence(s) and specifically stating that such absence was medically necessary. Step Two: After seven (7) absences within an academic year, exclusive of excused days, the school social worker or designee will consult with the parent, guardian, or person who has control or charge of a child via first class mail. Should attempts to make personal contact fail, a letter requesting a conference shall be sent to the parent or guardian. For students 14 years of age or older, this notice shall include information on the Teenager and Adult Driver Responsibility Act (TAADRA) which provides for revocation or denial of driver's licenses of students who accumulate ten (10) or more absences within a semester, exclusive of excused days. Step Three: After twelve (12) absences the attendance officer, school social worker or designee shall develop an attendance improvement plan. Through school-based case management attendance shall be monitored. Step Four: After reaching Step Three, if absenteeism continues or recurs within an academic year, the attendance officer or social worker will consider revision of the attendance improvement plan and/or referral to appropriate agencies. For Students Age 14 and Older The Teenager and Adult Driver Responsibility Act (TAADRA) provides for revocation or denial of driver's licenses of students who accumulate ten (10) or more absences within a semester, exclusive of excused days. Consistent with the Act and related state policies and procedures, the school shall submit information to state authorities and/or deny Certificates of Attendance regarding students whose unlawful absences render them ineligible for a Georgia driver's license.
Gordon County Schools Date Issued: 8/13/1985 Last Revised: 4/11/2005
The Gordon County Board of Education operates on the philosophy that all students have the right to learn. Additionally, the Board believes that students should be responsible for their behavior. To do so, each student must be in a school climate that is satisfying and productive, one that is without disruptive behavior by any student infringing upon the rights of others. The Board of Education shall approve the student codes of conduct which include rules and procedures based on local and state laws and policies. The student disciplinary rules and procedures shall be developed by the administration with input where appropriate from students and parents and approved by the Board of Education. These rules shall be age appropriate, shall delineate standards of behavior, and shall provide for progressive dispositions where appropriate. The code of conduct shall be distributed to each student upon enrollment, to parents/guardians through the best means available given the grade level of the student, and shall be available in each school and classroom. To promote better discipline, school personnel are encouraged to use preventive measures such as, but not limited to, conferences, counseling, and Student Support Team referrals. Misbehavior governed by the code may occur during school hours, outside school hours, on school grounds or campus, off school grounds or campus, at school-sponsored activities whether on or off school grounds/campus, and/or on school-sponsored transportation. Disposition or disciplinary action taken is intended to show the student how he/she has ownership of the problem, to help the student formulate ways to prevent the problem from recurring, and to inform the parents of the misconduct. The administration is authorized to use a variety of corrective measures including, but not limited to, student and/or parent conferences, mediation, detention of the student with a teacher or administrator, in-school suspension, or out-of-school suspension to provide for a safe learning environment. Serious behavior problems, which could result in long-term suspension or expulsion, require a hearing before the Disciplinary Tribunal Panel appointed by the Superintendent and/or designee as specified in Georgia Code �20-2-753 ?759. Student behavior which violates state or federal laws as specified in O.C.G.A. �20-2-1184 will result in a report being filed with the appropriate police authority and district attorney. Teacher Authority Over Discipline The Gordon County Board of Education supports the efforts of teachers and administrators in creating a school climate in which students can learn and teachers can teach. A teacher shall have the authority, consistent with board policy, to manage his or her classroom, discipline students, and refer a student to the principal or designee to maintain discipline in the classroom. Any teacher who has knowledge that a student has exhibited behavior which violates the student code of conduct and repeatedly or substantially interferes with the teacher?s ability to communicate effectively with the students in the class or with the ability of such student?s classmates to learn shall file a report of such behavior with the principal or designee. The principal and teacher shall thereafter follow the procedures set forth in Georgia law, specifically O.C.G.A. �20-2-737-738. The Superintendent and/or designee shall develop procedures for implementation of this policy and this state law at both the system and school levels. Gordon County Schools Date Adopted: 1/15/1988 Last Revised: 4/11/2005
Modesty, neatness, and good taste are stressed in all Gordon County Schools. There is a direct relationship between dress, grooming, conduct and success in school. Attire that distracts from the learning environment is not permitted. The school administration will provide students and parents a copy of the dress code policy and regulations each year through the school handbook and system-wide calendar. The school administration has the authority to make the final judgement as to what is neat, appropriate, and in good taste. Further, the administration has the authority to take any action necessary to remedy the situation, including but not limited to, sending the student home. Grades Pre-K-5 Students are expected to dress appropriately. Appropriate shall be defined as neat and in good taste. Clothing that is distracting to the learning environment will be dealt with by the school administrator. As the elementary students mature, the building administrator will discuss appropriate dress with students. Beach flip-flops are not permitted for safety reasons. Grade 6-12 Student�s attire should be neat and in good taste and should not be distracting to the learning environment. Girls Skirt/Dresses/Tops/Pants/Shorts 1. SKIRTS and DRESSES must reach the top of the knee. Backless or strapless dresses or shirts are not permitted. 2. TOPS may have sleeves or be sleeveless. Regardless of the type of top, the area from the neck to the shoulder must be covered. No tank tops or low cut necklines are permitted. Collared shirts and blouses or t-shirts with appropriate writing may be worn. See-through clothing that exposes under garments is not permitted. Mid-drifts must be covered while standing, walking, or sitting. 3. PANTS, jeans, slacks, capris are appropriate. No sleepwear, loungewear type garments are permitted. 4. SHORTS must reach the top of the knee. 5. SHOES must be worn. No house/bedroom shoes or beach flip-flops are permitted. 6. Athletic jerseys, cheerleading uniforms with warm-up pants are appropriate. 7. Garments with holes or tears are not permitted Boys Pants/Shirts 1. SHORTS and PANTS must reach the top of the knee and must always be on the natural waistline with no sagging. Some type of a belt must be worn. 2. SHIRTS must have sleeves. No tank tops. 3. Garments with holes or tears are not permitted. 4. Sleepwear or pajama bottoms are not permitted. ALL STUDENTS 1. HEADGEAR: No head coverings, hats, caps, sweatbands, do-rags, or bandannas are permitted. 2. BODY PIERCING AND TATTOOS should be covered in compliance with the dress code. Earrings are allowed; however for safety reasons facial piercing is not allowed. 3. JEWELRY such as heavy chains and spikes are not allowed. 4. Apparel with any reference to alcohol, drugs, tobacco, sexual or vulgar remarks, racist, or any kind of gang affiliation is not permitted. CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATING THE DRESS CODE WILL BE UNIFORM AMONG THE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS AND EXPLAINED IN THE SCHOOL CALENDAR AND INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL HANDBOOKS. Gordon County Schools Date Issued: 3/8/2004 Last Revised: 4/11/2005
|
