Page 23 - Atlanta Public Schools 2022/2023 Student Handbook + Planner

specified in policy IFH and in administrative regulations issued by the Superintendent for an APS high school diploma or a special education diploma. Students with disabilities whose Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) indicate that they are unable to meet these requirements shall be allowed to participate in graduation exercises and ceremonies.
Students must satisfy the requirements established for their graduating class, which is determined by the date of enrollment in the 9th grade. For additional information, please contact your school counselor. Information also may be obtained by visiting www.atlantapublicschools.us.
Graduation Ceremony
Student participation in the graduation ceremony is a privilege and not a right. Therefore, the principal may prohibit a student’s participation if the student is found to have violated any provision of the Code of Conduct. Participation in the graduation ceremony is voluntary; therefore, a graduation fee or senior dues may be charged to cover associated costs. However, students will be given written notification of this fee and description of costs at the beginning of the school year in which they are to participate in the graduation ceremony.
Valedictorian/Salutatorian
Each traditional high school, including individual small schools comprising educational complexes, will designate a valedictorian and salutatorian for each graduating class.
Valedictorian: The student who has earned the highest class rank in the graduating class and who has met the eligibility requirements specified below.
Salutatorian: The student who has earned the second-highest class rank in the graduating class and who has met the eligibility requirements specified below.
Eligibility
• The eligible student will have been enrolled in the school from which they will graduate by the end of the first semester of their junior year.
• The eligible student will have transferred five or fewer units from a school or program that is not accredited in accordance with state board rule 160-5-1-.15 Acceptance of Transfer Credit and/or Grades and IHA-R(1) Grading Systems – Grading Expectations.
• The eligible student will have a weighted numeric grade-point average of 90 or above.
• Students selected as valedictorians and salutatorians must complete all requirements for graduation by the end of the second semester
of their senior year. Students who have been selected but fail to complete all requirements for graduation by the end of the second semester for any reason shall become ineligible, and the next eligible candidate will be selected as the valedictorian or salutatorian.
Selection
• Class rankings to determine the valedictorian and salutatorian will be generated based on grades earned by the end of the first semester of the senior year.
• Class ranking is established based on the weighted numeric grade-point average calculated in accordance with policy IHC, Class Rankings.
• The official class ranking list will be the student information system- generated ranking of the weighted numeric grade-point averages of all eligible students in the graduating class.
• Co-valedictorians and co-salutatorians will be identified if there is an exact grade-point average tie for either the highest or second-highest class rank. See Administrative Regulation IHC-R(1).
Parent and Student Resources
Campus Portal For Parents
Parents/guardians of students in grades K-12 have access to class schedules, attendance records and grades through Campus Portal
for Parents (CPP) which is an easy-to-use, secure communications tool. Additionally, CPP enables parents/guardians to verify household information, including their email address, home address and telephone numbers. Contact your child’s school to get your CPP activation key or visit www.atlantapublicschools.us for more information.
Family Engagement
Pursuant to Policy LEBA, the Atlanta Board of Education believes that attentive, engaged, and empowered families are a key to the success of our students and our system. In order to achieve our mission, APS must foster an environment in which parents/guardians and other caregivers have the opportunity to be active participants in the life of our schools, and family engagement should be an integral part of the work of every district staff member. To achieve this goal, the Superintendent shall:
• Recruit, develop, and retain employees who believe that all parents/ guardians and caregivers love their children, want what is best for them, and are responsive to their needs;
• Cultivate a safe, welcoming, and caring environment for students and their families;
• Demonstrate an attitude of partnership through regular, two-way communication with families that is respectful, accessible, and culturally relevant;
• Support families in understanding the strengths and needs of their children and in fostering students’ lifelong relationship with learning; and,
• Empower families as advocates by valuing their voices in decision- making about their children and their schools.
For more information on the Office of Family Engagement, contact Director of Family Engagement, Keasha Copeland, at keasha. copeland@atlanta.k12.ga.us or 404-802-2802.
Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Most schools have a parent teacher organization — either a PTA (which is part of the national Parent Teacher Association) or a PTO (which
is an independent parent teacher organization). Through initiatives
and activities sponsored by these groups, parents/guardians work
with faculty to enhance the school environment and improve student achievement. At most schools, membership drives begin at the start of the new school year and activities are scheduled throughout the year. Contact your child’s school for information on who to contact about membership, meetings, dues, and upcoming activities.
School Governance (GO) Teams
GO Teams work with school leadership and the community to help determine the long-term direction of the school, design innovative solutions to increase student achievement, and serve as school ambassadors to the local community. GO Teams operate under the control and management of the Atlanta Board of Education and will follow Board policies and procedures unless a waiver is granted.
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