Page 29 - Atlanta Public Schools 2022/2023 Student Handbook + Planner

Scope
The student Code of Conduct shall be distributed electronically or, for students/parents/guardians that request or require it, a hard copy will be provided to each student each school year and/or upon enrollment of each new student.
The parents/guardians shall acknowledge receipt of the Code of Conduct using the electronic acknowledgement form in the Infinite Campus parent portal. A parent/guardian who does not acknowledge receipt of the Student Code of Conduct shall not be released of any responsibility with respect to the information contained within the Code. The Student Code of Conduct shall be available in the school office.
Students who commit an infraction will receive a disciplinary
response. Disciplinary action and the length of the assignment will be progressive and will draw on the professional judgment of teachers and administrators and on a range of discipline management techniques, including positive behavior interventions and restorative practices.
If a student/parent/guardian is uncertain as to the interpretation of the student Code of Conduct they should contact The Office of Student Discipline at 404-802-2239.
Disciplinary action will be related, but not limited, to the seriousness
of the offense, the student’s age and grade level, the frequency of misbehavior, the student’s attitude, whether the student was acting in self-defense, the effect of the misconduct on the school environment, intent or lack of intent at the time the student engaged in the conduct, and requirements of law. As such, disciplinary responses may differ on a case by case basis.
Any and all violations of the Code of Conduct will be part of a student’s disciplinary record and may be used in a student disciplinary hearing pursuant to APS’s progressive discipline process.
The Student Behavior Code provides examples of offenses that may occur and is not intended to include all offenses for which disciplinary action may be taken as it is not possible to identify every behavior which might result in disciplinary consequences.
Location Of Violations:
Except as otherwise provided herein, the following code provisions apply to offenses that students commit while on school property or while using school technology resources at any time.
School property includes, but is not limited to:
• The land and improvements which constitute the school
• Any other property or building, including school bus stops, any
school function, event, or activity
• Any bus or other vehicle used in connection with school functions
and activities, including but not limited to, buses leased by APS and privately owned vehicles used for transportation to and from school activities
• Personal belongings, automobiles, or other vehicles located on school property
• Off-campus locations if the behavior meets the definition of an off- campus behavior violation or directly affects the safety and welfare of the school community or the orderly mission and function of the school
• En route to the student’s home from school (Prior to imposing
discipline regarding incidents occurring en route from school, school
administration should consult with the Office of Student Discipline)
• School computers/devices issued to the student, computers/devices
owned by APS, school technology resources wherever located including, but not limited to, all distance learning platforms, websites, and programs.
Investigation Of Misconduct:
When a Student Code of Conduct violation is reported or suspected, the principal or designee will determine whether the charge or complaint has a basis in fact and whether an investigation is warranted and, if so, will instruct appropriate personnel to conduct an investigation. The investigation may include, but is not limited to, an interview with the charged student(s), interviews with victim(s) and identified witnesses, if any, and interviews with others who might have relevant information. Written statements should be requested from all individuals who are interviewed. Video surveillance, if available and relevant, should be reviewed and secured. School police and other support staff may be utilized for their expertise as determined by the circumstances of the matter. If the local school administration is uncertain as to the interpretation of the Code of Conduct, they are to contact the Office of Student Discipline.
At an appropriate time during or after the investigation, the parent/ guardian will be notified. However, if the incident involves an injury or similar situation, appropriate medical attention should be provided, and the parent/guardian should be notified immediately. The principal or their designee should also immediately inform parents/guardians when students are removed from the school setting by emergency medical or law enforcement personnel.
The determination of whether or not a student has violated the Student Code of Conduct will be made based solely on a preponderance of
the evidence. In other words, it is more likely to be true than not true, based on the evidence, that the student did violate the rule. Once it
has been determined that a rule(s) was violated, the administrator will follow the progressive discipline process. Repeated level 2 disciplinary violations and Level 3 violations may result in a student being referred to a disciplinary hearing.
Searches: In accordance with APS administrative regulation JCDAF-R(1), school officials may search a student if there is reasonable suspicion the student is in possession of an item that is illegal or against school rules. Student vehicles brought onto any APS campus, student book bags, school lockers, desks, and other school property are subject to inspection and search by school authorities at any time without further notice to students or parents/guardians. Students are required to cooperate if asked to open book bags, lockers, or any vehicle brought on campus. A student’s refusal to cooperate with a search could result in a decision by the school administrator to involve the school resource officer or local law enforcement. Students who disrupt or refuse to cooperate with general or reasonable suspicion searches may be referred for disciplinary action. Alternative schools may use specialized searching procedures and criteria as allowed by law and as designated by the alternative school.
If a search yields illegal or unauthorized materials, such materials should be turned over in person to an APS Police Department school resource officer.
APS assumes no liability for the theft, loss, or damage of mobile telephones, PEDs, unauthorized materials/objects/contraband possessed by students on school property or held by school officials
27