2017-18 STUDENT HANDBOOK - gcsnc.com

1 2017 -18 STUDENT HANDBOOKMESSAGE FROM Guilford County Schools .. 1 GUILFORD COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION AND CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION .. 2 I. INTRODUCTION ..3 II. DEFINITIONS .. 6 III. GENERAL PROVISIONS ..8 IV. IMPLEMENTATION .. 9 V. PROCEDURE FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS AND APPEALS .. 9 VI. MAINTENANCE OF DISCIPLINARY RECORDS, EXPUNGEMENT ..11 VII. DISCIPLINARY MEASURES ..12 VIII. EXPULSION OF A GUILFORD COUNTY STUDENT ..14 IX. VIOLATIONS OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT ..22 Rule 1: Trespassing Rule 2: Attendance Rule 3: Cheating Rule 4: Inappropriate or Lewd Interpersonal Behavior Rule 5: Use of Tobacco Products Rule 6: Noncompliance with Directives from Principals, Teachers and Other School Personnel Rule 7: Bus Misbehavior Rule 8: Insulting, Abusive, Harassing, Profane, Obscene or Seriously Disrespectful Words, Acts of Touching, Gestures, Signs, Verbal Threats or Other Acts Rule 9: Gambling Rule 10: Forging Notes/Documents Rule 11: Open Lunch Compliance Rule 12: Arson or Making or Possessing Explosive or Incendiary Devices Rule 13: Unjustified Activation of a Fire or Other Alarm System Rule 14: Fighting Among students Rule 15: Extortion Rule 16.

2 Theft or Destruction of School or Personal Property Rule 17: Robbery, Burglary, Taking or Destroying Property, Using Violence or Threat of Violence Rule 18: Incidents of Aggressive Physical Action Rule 19: Threats or Actions of Assault Against Adults Rule 20: Physical Assault Upon a STUDENT TABLE OF CONTENTS Rule 21: Possession of a Firearm Rule 22: Possession of a Dangerous Weapon or Other Instrument Rule 23: Disruption of School Rule 24: Possession, Use, Sale, Delivery or Distribution of Marijuana, Narcotics, Stimulants, Alcoholic Beverages, and Any Other Unauthorized or Illegal Substances or Drug Paraphernalia Rule 25: Gang Activity or Gang-related Activity Rule 26: Violations of North Carolina Criminal Statutes Rule 27.

3 Prohibitions on the Use of Cellular Phones and Other Electronic Devices Rule 28: STUDENT DressX. students WITH DISABILITIES ..40 XI. STUDENT ASSIGNMENT ..40 XII. students IN TRANSITION ..45 XIII. SELECTED PROCEDURES AND ADOPTED POLICIES ..47 Sexual Harassment of students (GAMAA) .. 47 Registered Sex Offenders students (JBCD) .. 52 Sexual Harassment by students (JCDAE) .. 53 STUDENT Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination Free Environment (JCDAD) .. 55 Drug and Alcohol Free School Environment (JCDAC) .. 57 Acceptable Use of Electronic Transmission Capabilities (EFE/EFE-P) .. 58 Field Trips (IFCB) .. 64 Children with Disabilities/Special Needs ..66 Grading and Reporting STUDENT Progress (IHA) .. 67 Graduation Requirements (IHF).

4 69 Early Graduation .. 71 STUDENT Accountability Standards, K-12(IKEA/IKEA-P) .. 71 Attendance Policy K-12 (JBD) .. 81 STUDENT Dress Code (JCDB/JCDB-P) .. 87 Grievances - students /Parents (JCE) .. 89 Administration of Medications to students (JGCD/JGCD-P) .. 98 School Nurse .. 103 Diabetes .. 103 Secret Societies (JHCAA) .. 103 STUDENT Records (JR) ..103 Military Recruitment .. 121 School Health Education Program: Reproductive Health and Safety Education .. 121 Summary of Testing Procedures by Testing Program .. 121 students Participating in Extracurricular Activities (JH) .. 128 STUDENT Participation in Interscholastic Activities (JI) ..131 Visitors at School Sponsored Activities (KM) ..135 XIV. OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

5 136XV. APPENDIXAPPENDIX A Verification of Review and UnderstandingAPPENDIX B Parent/Guardian Verification of Receipt and ReviewAPPENDIX C Memorandum of Disciplinary ActionAPPENDIX D Expungement of Long-term Suspensions or ExpulsionsAPPENDIX E Harassment, Bullying Or Discrimination Reporting FormParent Consent and Photo Release COUNTY SCHOOLS CALENDAR STUDENT HANDBOOK 1 GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSDear GCS students and families: Welcome to the 2017 -18 school year. We are excited to have you back in the classroom and ready to learn. This HANDBOOK provides a selection of policies that are pertinent to all GCS students and parents. Please review the document as it may address any questions you have about grades, field trips, STUDENT assignment, health, safety and discipline.

6 All of our board policies are available in full on our website at Our mission is to prepare each STUDENT to be college- and career-ready, and we are proud of the many achievements made by our students and staff. Parents are a key part of that success, and I invite you to remain an active participant in your child s education. Together, we can soar to greatness. In the interest of all children, Dr. Sharon L. Contreras, Superintendent Guilford County Schools2 GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSSTRIVING. ACHIEVING. N Eugene St. Greensboro, NC 27401 Phone (336) 370-8100 Guilford County Board of EducationDistrict 1 T. Dianne Bellamy SmallDistrict 2 Anita SharpeDistrict 3 Pat Tillman District 4 Linda WelbornDistrict 5 Darlene Garrett District 6 Wes CashwellDistrict 7 Byron GladdenDistrict 8 Deena A.

7 HayesAt-Large Alan W. DuncanDr. Sharon L. ContrerasSuperintendentCentral Office Administration Dr. Nora Carr, Chief of StaffDr. Nakia Hardy, Chief Academic OfficerAngie Henry, Chief Financial OfficerScott McCully, Chief Operations OfficerDr. Shirley Morrison, Chief Human Resources Officer STUDENT HANDBOOK 3 STUDENT DISCIPLINE GRADES K-12 INTRODUCTIONG uilford County Schools (GCS) is committed to maintaining effective discipline in order to establish positive learning environments that ensure that every STUDENT has the maximum opportunity to receive appropriate education. GCS recognizes that establishing order and maintaining discipline in the school setting can be achieved only through the cooperative efforts of school personnel, students and parents/guardians.

8 State law addresses the responsibilities of teachers and principals as follows: It shall be the duty of all teachers, including STUDENT teachers, substitute teachers, voluntary teachers and teacher assistants when given authority over some part of the school program by the principal or supervising teacher, to maintain good order and discipline in their respective schools. ( 115C-307) The principal shall have the authority to exercise discipline over the pupils of the school under policies adopted by the local board of education in accordance with through ( 115C-288)Discipline: A Cooperative Effort In addition to meeting the requirements of the law, the district expects all school personnel to promote effective instruction and discipline through fair and non-discriminatory treatment of all students , to display an attitude of respect for all students , to initiate cooperative working relationships with all students and parents/guardians, and to seek parental/guardian input in planning and implementing discipline plans.

9 It is the responsibility of all school personnel to consistently and impartially enforce the rules and regulations of the school and classroom while protecting the constitutional due process rights of the students . students are encouraged and expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is conducive to effective learning and that respects the personal, civil, and property rights of all members of the school community. students are expected to know and to follow the rules and regulations of the school and each classroom teacher. If a STUDENT has a complaint or concern, he/she is encouraged to discuss the problem with school personnel and parents/guardians and to seek changes in an orderly, responsible manner. Parents/guardians are encouraged to maintain regular communication with school personnel concerning their child s academic progress and conduct, to attend conferences scheduled at a time mutually convenient for all concerned, 4 GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLSand to bring to the attention of school personnel any concern or problem that affects the education of their child.

10 Parents/guardians are also expected to know and to encourage their child to follow the rules and regulations of the school and each classroom teacher. To facilitate and promote cooperation between students , parents, and school personnel, the administration has established system-wide standards for the proper conduct and behavior of students in the Guilford County Schools. The HANDBOOK also sets out procedures for enforcing the Code and rights and responsibilities of students and parents in the event a disciplinary issue arises. This Code will be published annually in the STUDENT HANDBOOK . From time to time the practices and procedures change during the year. The HANDBOOK is a guide. Updates to the HANDBOOK and Code should be available at school sites and the administrative offices, in addition to our policy website.