Page 19 - Atlanta Public Schools Student Handbook

General Information
Compliance With Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Rules In Athletics
APS complies with the rules of the GHSA regarding eligibility and other athletic issues. Please visit www.ghsa.net for more information.
Gender Equity In Sports
Grievances may be brought only by the affected student or by the affected student’s parent/guardian and shall proceed as discussed at www.atlantapublicschools.us/titleix and in Policy IDF, Interscholastic Athletic Activities.
Student Accident Insurance
Limited Student Accident Insurance Plans are available through the Benefits and Risk Management Department. This limited plan may help pay for medical bills associated with an accident on an “excess” basis and may only pay for medical services that are not paid for by your current insurance according to the schedule of benefits. Please respond within 30 days of the start of school. Parents/guardians interested in enrolling must note the following:
• Obtain the Student Accident Insurance Coverage Enrollment Form from the building principal.
• Complete the 2025-2026 online application. The online option permits payment by credit/debit card.
For additional information about Student Accident Insurance, please contact Charlie Eisenbies Assistant Vice President, Gallagher Special Risk Direct 617-769-6458 Mobile 781-264-2687 Fax 617-769-6417 Charlie_Eisenbies@ajg.com www.gallagherstudent.com www.ajg.com
Field Trips
No student shall be barred because of lack of funds from participating in trips planned as part of the general instructional program that occur during the school day. All requests for financial participation in such field trips shall be optional and shall in no way affect a student’s ability to participate. This policy applies to all school-sanctioned field trips, regardless of the mode of transportation, including those sponsored
by schools, by parent groups or by community partners. Fees may be required for participation in excursions planned as enrichment activities outside of the regular school day, however, reasonable efforts shall be made to raise funds to assist students who are not able to pay the fees due to financial hardship. See Policy IFCB.
Clubs, Organizations & Extracurricular Activities
Students attending regularly scheduled club meetings must follow the rules established by their school. Clubs will meet on a scheduled basis so as not to conflict with academic instruction. Sponsors or coaches may establish standards of behavior—including consequences for misbehavior—that are stricter than those for students in general. If a violation is also a violation of school rules, the consequences specified by the Student Code of Conduct or by local policy will apply in addition to any consequences specified by the organization’s standards of behavior. The school system may charge fees for extracurricular activities. Such charges shall not be made a condition of participation or credit in an instructional program. Fees for extracurricular activities that may be charged to students include, but are not limited to, the following:
Gate admissions, Student publications, Graduation fees if participation is not required, Activity fees and Parking For more comprehensive guidelines, please refer to Policy JHC and Regulation JHC-R(1).
Cancellation of School
In the event of severe weather or other emergencies, official information about school closings will be broadcast on Atlanta area radio and television stations. Parents/guardians should be aware that severe weather or other emergencies could cause school to be canceled
during the school day and should plan accordingly. APS works closely with local television and radio media outlets to inform the public when school closings occur. The following media outlets will provide up-to-date information to the public in the event of a school closing or if the student day must be shortened due to emergency conditions: WSB radio and local television WSB (ABC), WGCL (CBS), WAGA (FOX), and WXIA (NBC) are the official stations for APS announcements of school closure.
Emergency Procedures:
Evacuations, Shelter-In-Place & Other Protective Actions
All APS facilities have an emergency operations plan. The specifics of each plan differ for each location. Students, teachers, and other district employees will participate in training and drills of emergency procedures. When emergency announcements are made or the fire alarm is sounded, students and visitors must follow the direction of teachers or other campus staff in charge quickly, quietly, and in an orderly manner.
Child Abuse
All APS employees and volunteers are mandated reporters and must report suspected abuse or neglect. The school social worker is the designated reporter to DFCS for APS. In accordance to Georgia code § 19-7-5, all DFCS reports must be made immediately, but no later than 24 hours from the time there is reasonable cause to believe that suspected child abuse has occurred.
Reports made in good faith may include:
• Suspected physical, emotional, or sexual abuse • Suspected neglect
• Inappropriate conduct by school staff
Students, parents, or friends can report directly to DFCS Child Protective Center at 1-855-GACHILD (1-855-422-4453)—available 24/7. Third party reports of abuse can be shared with the school’s administrator or school social worker, as well as APS Social Work Services at 404-802-1927 or 404-802-1928.
Note: DFCS may interview a student at school without parent notification. APS staff cannot share details of reports with parents.
Driver’s License/Certificate Of Attendance
The Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act requires that students must satisfy school attendance requirements in order to receive and maintain a Georgia driver’s permit or license. There is a $5.00 fee for all Certificates of Enrollment. Students should submit their request for
a Certificate of Enrollment at least two weeks prior to the date needed. For additional information, contact the school office. During the summer months, Certificates of Enrollment are issued by the Department of Student Relations, 130 Trinity Avenue, Second Floor, Atlanta, Georgia 30303; 404-802-2233.
Driving And Parking on School Campus
Parking on school grounds is not a right, it is a privilege, which can be revoked. Students who drive to school must follow all safety rules and procedures established by the principal, including obtaining a parking permit if required. Violation of the rules, regulations, and policies
of the Board of Education and/or the school concerning driving or parking a vehicle on school campus can result in suspension or expulsion from school, revocation of parking privileges, and/or having the vehicle towed away at the driver’s expense. While a student’s vehicle is on school property, the principal and their designee have the right to search the vehicle without obtaining permission of the student. If you disagree with the school’s ability to search your vehicle, do not park on school property.
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