Page 31 - Atlanta Public Schools Student Handbook

returned to the student at the end of the school day. Unless otherwise directed, upon dismissal, the student should report to the campus main administrative office to retrieve their seized/confiscated item.
(5) The phone will be confiscated, and the student will lose the privilege of possessing a cellular telephone or PED on school property for one calendar year. Written notice will be mailed to the parent/guardian, and the telephone or device will be returned only to the parent/legal guardian who must schedule a conference at the school to retrieve the item.
(6) If the seized item is illegal, contains anything illegal, suspected of being illegal or containing anything illegal, the item will be turned over to the Campus Police or Jurisdictional Law Enforcement Agency. In
the event that law enforcement does not take possession of the seized item, and the seized item is otherwise prohibited on campus, is related lo a violation of the Code of Conduct, or is suspected to be in violation
of the Code of Conduct, the item may be altered/destroyed/disposed of by School Administration or Superintendent designee. No item or portion of an item that is illegal or suspected of being illegal will be returned to any student, parent/guardian, or other individual. Atlanta Public Schools is not responsible for the return of any item that is taken, seized, or confiscated by law enforcement
(7) No vaping cartridges, cigarettes/tobacco products, food, candy, beverages or other item that can be ingested, consumed, or inhaled will be returned to any student, parent/guardian, or other individual. All
such items will be destroyed by School Administration or Superintendent designee. With regard to vaping cartridges, if the cartridge cannot be separated from the battery/charging device, the entire item is subject to destruction.
(8) Any seized/confiscated item that is not retrieved within 90 calendar days is subject to destruction/disposal by School Administration or Superintendent designee. No notice will be provided to parties prior to destruction.
(9) Students are encouraged to leave any item of value at home and not bring any such item onto campus. Students are solely responsible and liable for any item they bring onto and/or possess on campus. Neither Atlanta Public Schools, the Board of Atlanta Public Schools,
nor any employee, agent, or representative of Atlanta Public Schools
is responsible for any item a student brings onto or possess while on campus. The School District will not reimburse a student for damage, alterations, and/or destruction of any item they bring onto campus that is seized/confiscated by a District employee or a law enforcement officer.
Chronic-Disciplinary-Problem Students:
A “chronic-disciplinary-problem student’ is defined by law as a student who exhibits a pattern of behavioral characteristics which interfere with the learning process of students around them and which are likely to recur. Any time a teacher or principal identifies a student as a chronic disciplinary-problem student, the principal shall inform the parent/ guardian of the student’s disciplinary problem. Notification should be by either first-class or certified mail (with return receipt requested) and a telephone call.
The principal should invite the parents/guardians to observe their child in a classroom situation. Also, the principal and at least one parent/guardian will meet to develop a disciplinary and behavioral correction plan.
Before such a student returns lo school after suspension or expulsion, the principal/designee of that school and at least one parent/guardian will meet to develop a disciplinary and behavioral correction plan. At the discretion of the principal, a teacher, counselor, or other person may attend the conference.
The principal will note the conference in the student’s permanent file. Failure of the parent/guardian to attend shall not preclude the student from being readmitted to the school.
The school system may, by petition to the juvenile court, proceed against a parent/guardian of a chronic-disciplinary-problem student if school system personnel believe the parent/guardian has willfully and unreasonably failed to attend a conference requested by a principal..
Disciplined Students on Campus:
Students who are suspended or expelled are not allowed on school grounds to participate in regular school activities, extracurricular activities, athletic participation, and other school events. Students assigned to alternative school may not return to their home school or any other APS school to participate in school events without permission of the principal. Failure to adhere to this rule can result in the student receiving additional disciplinary charges and/or an increased disciplinary response.
Teacher Reporting
Teachers are required to file a report within one school day, with the principal or principal’s designee if they have a student that has exhibited behavior that repeatedly or substantially interferes with the teacher’s ability to communicate effectively with the students in their class or with the ability of such student’s classmates to learn, where such behavior is in violation of the Student Code of Conduct. The principal or the principal’s designee will, within one school day after receiving such a report, send to the student’s parents/guardians a copy of the report and information regarding how the student’s parents/guardians may contact the principal or the principal’s designee. For additional information visit https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-20-education/ga-code-sect-20-2-738
Removing Disruptive Students from the Classroom:
The Superintendent and principals shall, and do, fully support the authority of every teacher in their school(s) to remove a disruptive student from their class pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 20-2-738. The principal or the principal’s designee will respond when a student is referred by a teacher by employing appropriate discipline management techniques that are consistent with District policy, procedure and guidelines
Teacher Removal of Disruptive Student:
When a student is removed from the regular classroom, a conference
will be scheduled within three school days between the student’s parent/ guardian, the teacher, and the student. During the conference the administrator will explain the grounds for the student’s removal from class and give the student the opportunity to explain their behavior. After the conference, the principal will notify the student and parents/guardians of the consequences of the Student Code of Conduct violation.
For a student with disabilities, including those with IEPs or 504 plans, the removal from class must be consistent with state and federal laws and regulations regarding students with disabilities. School staff should refer to additional processes maintained by the Office of Student Discipline for more information regarding implementation of the Removal Process.
NOTE: For the purpose of this policy, the term “repeatedly or substantially” shall be defined as a minimum of three incidents.
Reporting to Law Enforcement:
In addition to discipline of students by APS, student conduct may be reported to appropriate law enforcement authorities, including pursuant to O.C.G.A. 20-2-1184. Some Student Code of Conduct violations
may also result in criminal charges. School disciplinary action will
be independent of any criminal or juvenile court decisions. When it comes to the attention of APS that an offense has occurred which may constitute criminal behavior, the officials and employees of Atlanta Public Schools will cooperate with the police and other investigative agencies in providing and sharing information about the student to the degree
that the official or the employee deems necessary and/or is governed by law. As required by the Georgia Legislature, APS encourages parents/ guardians to inform their children of the consequences, including potential criminal penalties, of underage sexual conduct and crimes for which a minor can be tried as an adult.
Discipline of Students In Pre-K Through Third Grade:
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. 20-2-742: Students in Pre-K through 3rd grade will not be expelled or suspended from school for more than five consecutive or cumulative days during a school year without first receiving a multi- tiered system of supports, such as response to intervention. ‘Multi-tiered
29