Page 31 - Atlanta Public Schools 2022/2023 Student Handbook + Planner

during the confiscation period. APS employees will not be responsible for searching for lost or stolen mobile phones or other PEDs.
Students shall not use, display, or turn on cellular phones, or PEDs during instructional time, class change time, or breakfast/lunch. The principal shall determine specific times on campus if and when electronic devices may be used for instructional purposes.
Additionally, if a student uses a mobile phone or other PED in the commission of any violation of the Rules contained herein, the
device may be confiscated, and the student may lose the privilege of possessing a mobile phone 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 it.
Disciplinary actions for students whose parents/legal guardians have completed the Parental Consent & Acknowledgement Form are as follows:
• First violation: Verbal warning.
• Second violation: The device will be confiscated 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.
• Third violation: The device will be confiscated and will result in the student’s loss of the privilege of possessing a mobile telephone or
PED on school property for one semester. 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.
• Fourth (or more) violation: 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.
Disciplinary actions for students whose parents/legal guardians have not completed the Parental Consent & Acknowledgement Form are as follows:
• First violation: The device will be confiscated, 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. The parent/ legal guardian will be given the opportunity to complete the Parental Consent & Acknowledgment Form at the first conference. Should
a parent/guardian choose not to complete the Parental Consent & Acknowledgement Form, further disciplinary actions against the student may be warranted for subsequent violations.
• Second violation: The phone or device will be confiscated and
will result in the student’s loss of privilege of possessing a mobile telephone or PED on school property for one semester. Written notice will be mailed to the parent/guardian, and the cellular telephone or PED will be returned only to the parent/legal guardian who must schedule a conference at the school to retrieve the item.
• Third violation: 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.
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 to 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.html
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.
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