Page 25 - Atlanta Public Schools Student Handbook

will assist the grievant in completing the written Request for Hearing.
Hearing Request (must include the following):
• The name of the student.
• The address of the residence of the student.
• The name of the school the student is attending.
• The decision that is the subject of the hearing.
• The requested reasons for review.
• The proposed remedy was sought by the grievant. The name and
contact information of the grievant
For more information regarding Section 504 use this link Section 504 Ed.Gov or if you have questions or need additional assistance, please contact the Atlanta Public School District’s Section 504 Coordinator:
Deanna Rogers, District 504 Coordinator
Atlanta Public Schools | Department of Exceptional Education Ph: 404-802-2702 Fax: 404-802-1602
Email: dtrogers@atlanta.k12.ga.us
Seclusion or Restraint of Students
In support of student success and wellbeing, APS is dedicated to providing students with effective and safe learning environments.
Pursuant to state board rule, APS expressly prohibits the use of the following by any of its employees:
• Seclusion;
• Prone restraint;
• Mechanical restraint;
• Chemical restraint; and
• Physical restraint, except in those situations in which the student is
• an immediate danger to themselves or others and the student is not
responsive to less intensive behavioral interventions including verbal directives or other de-escalation techniques.
Physical restraint is expressly prohibited in Atlanta Public Schools:
• As a form of discipline or punishment,
• When the student cannot be safely restrained, and/or
• When the use of the intervention would be contraindicated due to the
student’s psychiatric, medical, or physical conditions as described in the student’s educational records.
Nothing in this policy shall be construed to interfere with an APS employee’s authority to
• Implement time-out or any other classroom management technique or approach, including a student’s removal from the classroom;
• Take appropriate action to diffuse a student fight or altercation;
• Use their discretion to take necessary actions to protect students or others from imminent harm or bodily injury.
Nothing in this policy should be construed to impose ministerial duties
on individual employees when acting to protect students or others from imminent harm or bodily injury.
Nothing in this policy should be construed to interfere with the duties of law enforcement or emergency medical personnel. Parents/guardians shall be notified when students are removed from the school setting by emergency medical or law enforcement personnel. See Policy JGF (2).
For more information, visit www.atlantapublicschools.us and review the Seclusion or Restraint of Students Board Policy JGF (2). For more information, please contact Ms. Anne Dirden, Director of Exceptional Education at acdirden@atlanta.k12.ga.us or 404-802-2611.
Student Bullying Incident Reporting
In an effort to minimize bullying in the school environment, which includes on school property, at a school-sponsored event, on a school bus, or on an electronic device accessed on school property or at a school event, the APS Office of Student Discipline has created a process whereby a student, parent/guardian, staff member, or bystander may report instances of bullying for further review and investigation.
The bullying incident can be reported electronically by visiting the Office of Student Discipline’s website: www.atlantapublicschools.us/discipline, or a paper copy can be downloaded from the website. If you would like to be provided with a paper copy, please contact the Office of Student Discipline 404-802-1951.
All bullying reports are confidentially maintained in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. 20 U.S.C. § 12329.
Organizational Ombuds
The Office of the Organizational Ombuds is committed to supporting student success by serving as a neutral, confidential, and informal resource for district and community stakeholders. The Organizational Ombuds team works to create inclusive and just conditions for all students through:
• Informal resolution of stakeholder concerns;
• Policy Analysis.
• Resource referrals and collaboration; and
To contact the Organizational Ombuds Office or to learn more about resources visit: https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/Page/66645
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