Student and Parent Handbook 2023-2024

Including School Calendar, Student Code of Conduct, Rights, Etc.

Every child, every day, without exception! 

CATOOSA COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

PO BOX 130

307 CLEVELAND STREET

RINGGOLD, GA 30736

District Administration

Superintendent                                 Chance Nix                 706-965-2297

Assistant Superintendent                 Dr. Melissa Butler        706-965-0653

Director of Operations                        Chris Lusk                        706-935-0678

Director of Finance                         Austin Carter                 706-935-0647

Director of Human Resources                 AJ Daniel                 706-965-8563

Director of Elementary Education          Gina Haynes                 706-935-0650

Director of Special Education                   Amanda Oxford                 706-965-4052

Director of Student Services                 Vince Phillips                706-935-0708

Director of Technology                 Becky Purcell                706-935-0637

Director of Transportation              Dr. Mike Rich/Geoff Rhodes        706-965-2913

Director of CTAE                        Mark Pierce                706-935-0686

Catoosa OnLine Academy                  Dr. Lisa Logan                706-935-0675

College and Career Academy                CEO Marissa Brower        706-935-0640

College and Career Academy                  Mark Pierce                         706-935-0686

Communications Specialist                 Marissa Brower                706-935-0640

Communities in Schools                 Penny Mahon                706-858-0529

Coordinator of Student Diversity         Eric Coney                706-965-2297

Partnership Program                          Buffy Hemphill                               706-965-6464

School Nurse Coordinator                  DeniseSelf                          706-965-2297

School Nutrition Coordinator                 Chef Michael Brown          706-965-2414

SSW/Homeless Liaison                 Dr. Melissa Holcombe       423-605-3071

School Social Worker                 Sue Mason                706-935-0668

School Social Worker                 Miriah Carroll                 423-619-0221

School Social Worker                 Dale Wallace                423-619-0839

School Social Worker                  Christy Hinerman        706-965-4052

ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND CONSENT FORM

Catoosa County School System

Name of Child _____________________________           

Child’s Date of Birth ________________________

Name of School ____________________________

This handbook was developed to communicate important information to students and parents regarding the rules and procedures of the Catoosa County School System. We ask that you read it and thoroughly discuss its contents with your child(ren). Also, keep it handy so that you can refer to it throughout the school year when questions arise. Please complete the information below and return to your child’s school within the first five days of school. Thank you for your cooperation.

My signature below acknowledges that I have received a copy of and consent to follow the Catoosa County School System Student Code of Conduct and to the authorizations set forth in this handbook that include the following items:

1. Teacher Authority
2. Student Organizations
3. Student Dress Code
4. School bus rules and procedures
5. Discipline Offenses and Dispositions
6. Georgia Compulsory School
7. Attendance Law
8. Professional Qualification
9. Notice of Health Information Practices
10. Directory Information
11. Notice of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
12. (FERPA) Rights under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
13. Rights prohibiting discrimination
14. Electronic Device Use Policy

By signing below, you recognize that you have a business relationship with the Catoosa County School System. As such, you acknowledge that the system may contact you by electronic, telephonic, or other communication methods unless or until you opt to discontinue such communication.

Signature of parent/guardian            

Signature of student         

1. If you do not want your child to receive services or screenings from the school nurse or public health nurse.

2. If you do not want your child’s name, student publication or picture to be in an internet depiction, newspaper, or a television news video story.

3. If you do not want any Directory Information (p.49) released on your child. For high school parents, this includes information to college and military recruiters. The school system cannot guarantee that your child’s name or picture will not be published when obtained by other means.

4. If you do not want your child to participate in any school system confidential surveys during the school year that provides information on school safety, tobacco, alcohol, and drugs.

5. If you do not want your child to participate in clubs or organizations started during the school year.

6. If you do not want your child to participate in sex-related information taught or discussed.

7. I hereby certify that I have read and understand the Catoosa County School District Standards for Acceptable Use of the Internet and Electronic Device Use. As a user of the Internet and Electronic Device Use at this school/building, I hereby agree to comply with the Standards for Acceptable Use of the Internet and Electronic Devices. I will use the Internet and Electronic Devices in a responsible fashion while honoring all rules and restrictions. I understand that any violation may revoke my access privileges or invoke disciplinary action and/or appropriate legal action.

8. Unless otherwise indicated, your child will have a CCPS G Suite account. This G Suite account may allow students to access age-appropriate material as determined by district staff and principals. For additional information regarding the privacy policies for G Suite for Education please visit https://workspace.google.com/terms/education_privacy.html

9. As the parent or guardian of the above-named user, I hereby certify that I have read and understand the Catoosa County School District Standards for Acceptable Use of the Internet and Electronic Devices. I understand that this access is designed for educational purposes and that my student’s school and the School District have taken available precautions to control controversial material. However, I also recognize it is impossible to restrict access to all controversial materials, and I will not hold Catoosa County School District responsible for materials acquired on the Internet. Student use of videoconferencing or school property for classwork constitutes assent by the parent and student that no person, other than a teacher or other authorized district or school staff, will: record audio or video conferences among students and/or teachers; nor will any person post any portion on the internet; nor store or share recordings digitally or in any other form. With that understanding, I hereby give permission to the Catoosa County School District to provide Internet and electronic device access to my student. I further agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Catoosa County School District, its employees, and agents, from any and all claims arising from or related to my child’s use or misuse of the Internet and electronic devices, and waive any and all claims I may have against the District for such use or misuse.

10. Participation in extracurricular activities, including sports: Participation in extracurricular activities or sports is a privilege, and there is no right to participate in such activities. Student participation in such activities includes a responsibility by the student to represent the school in those activities. Student roles as representatives of these programs make conditions on that student’s out-of-school actions and speech connected to the needs of the program to foster respect for the school, coaches, teachers, teams, team members, and opponents when engaging in on-campus and off-campus activities whether during the school year or during school breaks. For this reason, general rules of conduct, including the standards of conduct prohibiting crime, harassment, hazing, and profanity shall apply year-round to all students who begin to participate in any year, phase, season, or portion of an extracurricular activity. Individual rules of conduct may be adopted with more specific standards for each team or participant, and any enforcement or challenge thereto requested which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

I/We have read and fully understand the terms and Conditions of the Catoosa County Public Schools Electronic Device Use Policy(ies). I/we give permission for said student to publish and communicate information and for said student’s photograph or publication to appear on the Internet.

If you do not agree with or have objections (for religious, ethnic, or any other reasons) to any policy(ies) in this handbook you must email the principal, stating and explaining each objection.

Important Information

VISION STATEMENT

Catoosa County Public Schools will prepare every child to reach their full potential, so they graduate prepared to be good citizens and leaders of the future.

MISSION STATEMENT

Catoosa County Public Schools is a student-focused learning community, where excellence is expected from staff and students, every day, without exception.

Any student under the age of 18 will lose or not be issued a driver’s license/permit for one year for the following reasons:

1. Dropping out of school without graduating and remaining out of school for ten consecutive days.
2. Being referred to a disciplinary tribunal and/or found in violation of one of the following offenses:

1. Threatening, striking, or causing bodily harm to a teacher or other school personnel.
2. Possession, distribution or involvement in a serious drug or alcohol situation on school property or at a school-sponsored event.
3. Possession or use of a weapon on school property or at a school-sponsored event.
4. Any sexual offense prohibited under Georgia Law.
5. Causing substantial physical or visible bodily harm to or seriously disfiguring another person, including another student.

STUDENT INSURANCE

Insurance can be purchased throughout the year. All students participating in extracurricular activities must be covered by an insurance plan.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• SYSTEM CODE OF CONDUCT        10
• TEACHER AUTHORITY O.C.G.A 20-2-737; 738        13
• STUDENT DRESS CODE (BOARD POLICY JCDB)          17
• DISCIPLINARY TRIBUNAL          21
• SEXUAL HARASSMENT          23
• BULLYING          24
• MEDICATIONS          25
• DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION and 504 STUDENTS        29
• SCHOOL BUS RULES          31
• DISCIPLINE OFFENSES AND DISPOSITIONS          32
• ATTENDANCE           47
• GENDER EQUITY IN SPORTS          50
• ENROLLMENT PROCEDURES                                                                                      52
• SCHOOL MEAL PRICES          54
• NOTICE OF PRIVACY POLICIES          55
• DIRECTORY INFORMATION         57
• NOTICE TO PARENTS/GUARDIANS AND ELIGIBLE STUDENT OF RIGHTS           58

UNDER THE FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT                         

• NOTICE OF RIGHTS OF STUDENTS AND PARENTS UNDER SECTION 504        59
• ELECTRONIC DEVICE USAGE        65
• WATER SAFETY INFORMATION        71
• NOTIFICATION OF ONLINE OPTIONS                                                                        72

The Catoosa County School System is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in relation to race, sex, religion, national background, age, marital status, and handicaps. Respect for the dignity and worth of each individual shall be paramount in the establishment of all policies by the Board and in the administration of those policies by the administration.

System Code of Conduct

The purpose of the code of conduct is to provide students of the Catoosa County School System an effective and safe learning environment. The code contains information for school personnel, students, and parents. It provides an outline of expected behaviors and the consequences related to various violations.

Philosophy

Discipline, or the lack of discipline, is learned. In those schools that seem to have the best discipline, faculty, and staff members consciously strive to create a positive climate with established school practices. These practices help teach students to think for themselves, to accept responsibility for themselves, to respect themselves and each other, school district employees, the property of others and contribute to the positive and safe climate within the school. Students also are taught to behave appropriately even when no adults are present and no rules to tell them what to do. It is likewise recognized that when discipline problems occur they may most constructively be dealt with by encouragement, praise, and emphasis upon the child's desirable characteristics. Conflict resolution and peer mediation are effective forms in teaching self-discipline and self-control.

The Catoosa County Schools’ Code of Conduct outlines areas of student expectations and consequences for violations of the Code. Procedures have been established system-wide to strengthen the school system's philosophy to provide a safe and orderly environment in which teachers can teach and students can learn.

OCGA 20-2-735

In addition, the Catoosa County School System recognizes that standards of conduct that are arrived at fairly established forthrightly, and administered in a reasonable manner have the potential of helping to create a positive and orderly learning climate for students. In all cases, discipline should reflect the age/grade appropriateness of the student, be progressive in nature, involve the parent(s), and provide student support services.

Expected Behaviors for all Catoosa County Schools’ Students:

• Demonstrate respect for self and others.
• Demonstrate courtesy to others.
• Behave in a responsible manner.
• Attend school and class regularly.
• Be prepared for class.
• Take the course of study seriously.
• Dress appropriately as provided by the Catoosa County Schools’ Dress Code.
• Cooperate with school officials.
• Respect others' property.
• Avoid violation of the student code of conduct.
• Participate fully in the learning process. Students need to report to school and class on time, be prepared for class with appropriate materials, attend all regularly scheduled classes, remain in class until excused or dismissed, pay attention to instruction, complete assignments to the best of their ability, and ask for help when needed.
• Avoid behavior that impairs their own or other students’ educational achievement. Students should know and avoid the behaviors prohibited by this code, take care of books and other instructional materials, and cooperate with others.
• Show respect for the knowledge and authority of teachers, administrators, and other school employees. Students must obey reasonable directions, use acceptable and courteous language, avoid being rude, and follow school rules and procedures.
• Recognize and respect the rights of other students and adults. All students should show concern for and encouragement of the educational achievements and activity participation of others.

The System Student Code of Conduct is published in the Catoosa County Board Policy Manual with copies located in the school principal's office and the school media centers. The Student Code of Conduct is reviewed annually in conjunction with the system, school personnel, students, parents, and the community. This review is a collaborative effort to ensure the input of all stakeholders of the school and community. The Code of Conduct represents the standard of expectation for students by the school system and community in order to provide a safe learning environment for the school system’s educational mission.

A student handbook, which contains the system-wide Student Code of Conduct is given to each student and a copy will be located in each media center, administrative office, counselor’s office, and classrooms.

Elementary schools’ Student Code of Conduct supports the expectations and intent, and legal requirements of the System’s Student Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Policies. However, it is written so that students in Grades K – 5 are able to understand the standards of expectation for students’ behavior within the system. Accordingly, the Code of Conduct may be varied from (with the consequences to be as either severe to the student or less severe to the student) in dealing with elementary students depending on the student’s age, maturity, and understanding of the conduct and consequences.

It is the intent of the Catoosa County Board of Education to enforce these codes of conduct and to maintain an orderly learning environment in the schools. Teachers enforcing these regulations will have the support of the Board and administration. The behavior of students will be in conformance with system-wide code of conduct. Failure to conform shall subject a student to disciplinary action with consideration of student’s age and grade, will be progressive in nature, provide for parent involvement, and include a process of student support services within the school or within the community.

Dissemination to Parents and Students

Parents and students will be provided a Handbook of the System’s and School’s Code of Conduct at the beginning of each school year OR when a student is enrolled during the school term. Failure to comply with all necessary and required parts of the enrollment, which include signing for the handbook, may result in a student being removed from school until all requirements for entrance are completed. (Signatures are not given to indicate agreement, only receipt of the expectations established by the Board of Education for student behavior and conduct as required by Georgia law: 20-2-735, 20-2-736.)

Please keep this information in an easily accessible area. If any item needs clarification, please contact the school administrator.

VIOLATIONS OF STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

Students that are involved in the same incident or in a similar incident from time to time shall be entitled to equal protection under the rules and regulations of this school district. However, such students need not necessarily receive the same disciplinary treatment (whether imposed as punishment or as measures to protect the other student, school mission, or for other reasons) for the same offense.

For example, disciplinary treatment for the same or similar offense may differ in such instances when discipline for one or more students would serve an important objective(s) of the school mission and the discipline is imposed to substantially achieve that objective. Also, disciplinary treatment for the same or similar offense may differ when the school balances the need for similar treatment, with the need to punish a student(s) or to protect other students or the mission of the school.

When balancing such matters the person or entity (e.g. principal, teacher, Tribunal, Board, etc.) administering such discipline may take into consideration the prior record of discipline of the student(s), the involvement and the extent of involvement of the student(s) (e.g. the degree of active participation or culpable behavior of the student(s) involved in the offense, whether the student(s) brought contraband to a school related activity, whether the student(s) used the contraband, whether the offense was accompanied by substantial planning by some student(s), reasonably knowing that it would violate school rules, whether the offense was completed or attempted, the age or grade level of the student(s), the academic record of the students, whether the students are engaged in voluntary or mandatory school activities (extra-curricular activities, out of county resident, etc.), whether the offense is a crime under the laws of the State of Georgia, the degree of potential harm or risk of harm to other students caused by the act of one or more students, as compared to the actions of others, or any other factors that serve an important objective(s) of the school.

TEACHER AUTHORITY O.C.G.A 20-2-737; 738.

A teacher shall have the authority, consistent with Board Policy, to manage his or her classroom, discipline students, remove a student temporarily from the classroom, and refer a student to the principal or his designee to maintain discipline in the classroom. Any teacher who has knowledge that a student has exhibited behavior, which violates the student code of conduct and repeatedly or substantially interferes with the teacher’s ability to communicate effectively, with the students in his/her class or with the ability of student’s classmates to learn, shall file a report of such behavior with the principal or his designee. The principal shall meet with any student removed from the classroom by a teacher before the end of the day to explain the reason for removal. Within one day after receiving such a report from a teacher, the Principal will send to the student’s parents or guardians a copy of the report and a request to schedule an immediate conference. During this parent conference, the principal will share all of the information resulting in the student being removed from the classroom and will discuss the procedures required to resolve the situation.

COMPREHENSIVE CHARACTER EDUCATION PROGRAM O.C.G.A. 20-2-145

The System’s Student Code of Conduct is based upon the foundation of its Character Education Program in Grades K – 12, which includes the opportunity for parental and community involvement in establishing the outcomes of the character education program. The code of conduct establishes and permits practice of respecting oneself and others, tolerance, cooperation, honesty, and fairness. [See character education curriculum]

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT AND RESOLUTION; CULTURAL DIVERSITY TRAINING PROGRAMS. O.C.G.A. 20-2-739

The student code of conduct encourages conflict resolution opportunities and training for students. Peer mediation and mentoring programs are provided for students by teachers, counselors, and administrators. Cultural diversity education and training are incorporated within the curriculum of the schools. Tolerance and respect for others are primary factors in the intent of the code.

DUE PROCESS

Due process will include appropriate hearings or reviews. In all cases, the rights of students will be ensured and protected to have an opportunity to, be heard or have meaningful input, and to challenge allegations. REF: JAA, JCE, JCEB.

STUDENT'S RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A student has full rights and citizenship as defined by the Constitution of the United States and assumes the responsibility to take positive actions relative to this Constitution, the law of the State of Georgia, and the policies, rules, and regulations of the school and the Catoosa County Board of Education. REF: JAA, JCE, JCEB.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

All student organizations must follow guidelines and procedures governing the creation and operation of such organizations and groups in accordance with the policies of the Catoosa County Board of Education. REF: JHC, JHCC. See parent signature, page number 5, regarding club participation. Participation in clubs and organizations will require parental permission.

STATEMENT ON ELEMENTARY (K-5) STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT VIOLATIONS

When an elementary student is in violation of the Student Code of Conduct, the disposition will be age and grade-appropriate. Accordingly, the Code of Conduct may be varied (with the consequences to be as either as severe to the student or less severe to the student) in dealing with elementary students depending on the student’s age, maturity, and understanding of the conduct and consequences.

Glossary of Terms

1.  Expulsion

Is the removal of a student from the school system beyond the current school semester or permanently by action of the Disciplinary Tribunal or the Board of Education. Students expelled from the school system are not permitted on any school campus or at any school-sponsored event.

2.  Alternative Educational Placement

An alternative educational placement may be considered for students who are severely disruptive to the educational and instructional environment of the school. The AEP, may also be used when student(s) have major or multiple violations of the Student’s Code of Conduct and it is beneficial to the student and to the educational mission of the school to reassign a student(s) to an isolated, individual oriented program, rather than to suspend or expel such student(s) from school.

3.  Out-Of-School Suspension

1. Long-Term Suspension Removal of a student from the school campus and exclusion from all school-sponsored activities for more than ten (10) school days, but not beyond the current school semester, by action of the Disciplinary Tribunal or the Board of Education. Students on long-term suspensions are not permitted on any school campus or at any school-sponsored event.

2. Short-Term Suspension Removal of the student from the school campus and exclusion from all school-sponsored activities for not more than ten (10) school days by school administration. Students may be suspended for an accumulation of offenses, as well as a MAJOR offense(s). Students suspended may make up those tests and assignments that the teacher determines will have an impact on the student’s final grade and mastery of course content. Assignments that the teacher does not require to be made up will not count toward a student’s final grade. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements to make up work within five (5) school days upon return to school. Students on short-term suspension are not permitted on any school campus or at any school-sponsored event. 

3. Permanent Expulsion – Removal of the student from all public school property and activities or events.

4.  In-School Suspension (Alternative Education Placement)

Is the removal of a student from class or classes and assigned to a designated supervisor. Students assigned to In-School Suspension are not permitted on any school campus after school hours or at any school-sponsored events unless they have administrative or handbook approval. During In-School Suspension, teachers will provide classwork for the student and the student will keep up with classwork. The student shall be marked present in each class when in attendance in ISS. ISS begins the day the student enters the program. Students who participate in extracurricular activities may practice while in ISS. On the last day of ISS, students may participate in extracurricular activities if the coach/sponsor agrees.

Elementary In-School Suspension (Alternative Education Placement): for major and or serious misconduct or repeated or accumulated violations of the student code of conduct. This may include, but not be limited to: restriction from school programs and special assemblies; full day In-School Suspension of up to ten (10) days; suspension from school for up to ten (10) days; development of a written or graphic representation that reflects understanding of the specific misbehavior, the nature of the expected behavior, and the related characteristic traits; participation in a school service project.

5.  The Gateway Program

The Gateway Program’s defined goals are to provide school placement rather than

Out-Of-School Suspension for the most SEVERE or MAJOR and repeated chronic disruptive students. Placement will be upon the recommendation of the Disciplinary Tribunal. The Tribunal will stipulate the assignment and length of duration in the program for the student.

Focus will be on English, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and self-discipline. This includes but is not limited to: individualized instruction (which includes objectives of the GA Standard of Excellence which enables a student to transition back to their home school and earn credit), intervention strategies, and the opportunity to transition back to the general or career education program, or other educational programs. In cooperation with the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Gateway Program may be used to transition adjudicated students back into an appropriate educational placement. DJJ should give timely notice to the Director before requesting such placement.

Special Education students covered by IDEA may be assigned to the Gateway Program upon recommendation of the Disciplinary Tribunal to the student's IEP Committee which includes the Director of Special Education or designee and/or Director of Student Services. In all cases, the student’s IEP services will be continued as determined appropriate by the student’s IEP Committee.

6.  Detention

Is a requirement that a student must report to a specified school location, to a designated teacher, or school official for a specified length of time. Detention may require the student's attendance before and/or after school, or during student break time (recess), during school programs, or extra-curricular activities.

7.  Major Offense

Major offenses are those violations of the student code of conduct in which expectations should exist that the disposition may be more severe than certain other offenses. Major Offenses shall be construed to include, but not be limited to, the following offenses: Drugs, Alcohol, Violence, Weapons, Assault/Battery on School System Personnel, Sexual Harassment, Bullying, Fireworks/Pyrotechnics, Terroristic Threats, Leaving Campus, Illegal Activities off Campus, Refusal to be Searched, Misuse of School Computers.

8.  Student Dress Code

It is the desire and intent of the Catoosa County Board of Education in adopting this dress code to create a SAFE environment in our schools that is conducive to learning and free of potential distractions or DANGER. This code allows school administrators the right to make adjustments to the code as necessary to maintain a safe learning environment.

It is our belief that schools were created to be centers of learning, which necessitates discipline by the individual student in all areas such as language, behavior, dress, and attendance.

STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO WEAR CLOTHING THAT IS CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE FOR SCHOOL AND WHICH WILL NOT CAUSE DISRUPTION TO CLASSROOM OR SCHOOL OPERATION.

This code is designed to be a guide and is by no means all-inclusive. An article of clothing is not approved simply because it is not listed herein. The school administration at each school reserves the right to evaluate items of dress, which would be substantially likely to interrupt the learning process within the classroom or school.

DRESS CODE

1. All school attire shall be worn appropriately. All pants, jeans, shorts, and other school attire should be pulled up to the student’s waist and not drooping below the beltline area, so as to cause a distraction or safety hazard. Shirts and blouses should be worn to cover the midriff at all times and no inappropriate writing or pictures are allowed on any item of clothing.

2. The following will be permitted:

1. Shirts and Tops: Preferably, all shirts/tops/blouses will be polo-style or button up the front and have a collar; however, non-collared shirts will also be acceptable. Blouses/tops must have a modest neckline and be long enough to cover the midriff at all times.

2. Pants: Acceptable pants are REGULAR FITTING dress pants, khakis style (cotton twills), flannel, and denim pants. All pants must be pulled up to waist level, with the belt line visible, not drooping below the belt line area as to cause a distraction or danger to the student.

3. Dresses/Skirts: Should be worn mid-thigh length and worn appropriately. Dresses should have a modest neckline and be appropriate for a school setting.

4. Outerwear: The length of outerwear must meet the fingertip rule. (General rule: the length of the garment must not exceed the length of arms extended beside the body) Jackets, pullovers, and sweatshirts will be permitted at the above-mentioned length unless notice is given to the student before it is prohibited.

3. Irrespective of any language in this policy, the following will not be permitted unless authorized by an administrator:

1. Hair, clothing, patches, or other items that display, symbolize or are identified with gangs, gang membership, or cults.

1. Example: Gang-related symbols such as, but not limited to, ‘flaming cross’, swastikas, forks, KKK, UNLV, skulls, and crossbones.

2. In the event of new symbols identified or related to gang(s) or gang conduct, then the student will be given notice that it will be prohibited. No actual disruption needs to occur prior to prohibiting the display or wearing of the symbol(s) if the symbol has the potential to create the disruption.

3. In ALL circumstances, the intent to protect the instructional environment will be primary. A student and/or parents may request a conference with the school administrator if there is a disagreement as to whether the item may be displayed or worn.

2. Hair, clothing, patches, or other items that display the advocating of illegal activities, words, colors, or scenes that are substantially likely to cause disruption, including but not limited to clothes with patches, hair or other items containing or displaying any of the following:

1. Example: Hair must be worn in such a way, that would not be a disruption to the learning environment, or worn in such a way that covers the eye/eyes.
2. Racial slurs or sexually suggestive comments.
3. Cursing, vulgar or other inappropriate language (Ex: “SOB”).
4. Guns or other weapons.

3. Clothing, patches, or other items that display ethnically or culturally offensive words, signs, or symbols.

4. Holes, cuts or frays, or tears in clothing above mid-thigh, except those caused by normal wear at school on the same day that the holes are present.

5. Tongue jewelry or body piercing that includes excessive ear/nose piercing.

6. Jewelry that dangles, so as, to create a safety hazard to the wearer or could be used as a weapon.

7. Hats, hoodies, skullcaps, and bandanas (except those worn in sports, dramatic or theatrical presentations which are part of a school or class-sponsored activity.)

8. Tank or tube tops, muscle shirts, or other clothing that exposes the skin to such an extent that such exposure may cause disruption to a learning environment.

9. Excessively clinging clothing, such as unitards - unless covered by outerwear that is mid-thigh length and is otherwise allowed under the dress code policy.

10. Short shorts. (Shorts must be modest length at mid-thigh or below).

11. Sunglasses inside the building.

12. See-through (mesh) shirts or sheer clothes.

13. Clothing that represents:

1. Illegal drugs, alcohol, and other contraband.
2. Tobacco
3. Suicide
4. Death
5. Gangs or symbols related to, or identified with, gangs.

14. Oversized clothing of any type, to include but not limited to wide-leg and/or sagging pants, oversized shirts, or other garments that may be determined could conceal dangerous articles or items, are not permitted and may result in the student being removed from the school environment until proper clothing is worn.

15. Furthermore, other articles of clothing or style of grooming substantially likely to be disruptive to the instructional program, or to the school's orderly environment, and safety are prohibited. The school administrator has the authority to make the final judgment as to what is neat, appropriate, and in good taste. Proper footwear shall also be worn and should be made of materials that promote safety of movement in and around the school.

4. If circumstances arise, which would require an exception to this dress code, a student or parent must request a conference with the school administration for a determination to be made BEFORE the item is worn to school. An administrator will make the decision to determine if the clothing, or article of clothing, is appropriate. If particular school circumstances (for example, peculiar activities at a school, problems particularly associated with a school, very young age students at a school, or issues particularly associated with a student or group of students) warrant deviations from this policy, the principal of such school may add to or delete from the specific requirements of this policy to meet the extenuating circumstances.

5. Elementary (K-5) Dress Code – Elementary students should wear appropriate clothing for school that would also allow them to participate safely in all daily activities.

9.  Saturday School

Students guilty of certain offenses will be assigned Saturday School, which will be held at a designated area. Students and parents shall be responsible for transportation to and from school. The hours for students shall be 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and a student will not be admitted if he/she is tardy. For the safety of the students, parents transporting their child need to make sure he/she is admitted to Saturday School before leaving campus. Saturday School shall be served within the next two Saturdays after the offense has occurred unless the administrator approves an extension.

While in Saturday School all students must be engaged in activities pertaining to their own academic growth and development or activities that may be of service to the school. Inappropriate activities during Saturday School may result in parents being notified to pick up the student early. Failure to appropriately complete Saturday School will be considered failure to accept disciplinary action and will be dealt with accordingly.

10.  Chronic Disruptive Student

A chronic disciplinary problem student who exhibits a pattern of behavior characteristics, repeated misbehaviors that violate the student code of conduct, which interfere with the teacher’s ability to teach, the learning process of the student and/or students around him or her which are likely to recur. (O.C.G.A. 20-2-764, 765, 766).

Reasonable attempts will be made by the student’s teacher, school counselor, and school administrator to assist the student and his/her parents to correct the violations that are repeated disruptions to the learning environment of the classroom or school.

There will be notification of parents or guardians that a student’s behavior is chronic in disrupting the learning process of the classroom or school. Parents may be invited to observe the student in the classroom, participate in conferences and help to develop and implement a progressive plan to correct the behavior of the student. Conference participants may include the teacher or (Team), counselor, administrator, and parent(s). Others may be included if they can contribute to the benefit of the student or school’s plan of correction of behavior.

11.  Behavioral Correction Plan

A behavioral correction plan will be developed for any student that the school administrator has found necessary under the Student Code of Conduct to suspend Out of School before they can re-enter the school. The plan will be developed with input from the student, parents, teachers, and administrators. The plan will become part of the student's school records.

12.   Make-Up Work While On Out-Of-School Suspension/Expulsion

Absences while under suspension or expulsion are not excused and the student cannot receive credit for schoolwork missed at that school. Suspended students may be required to make up those tests and assignments that the teacher determines will have an impact on the student’s final grade and mastery of course content. Assignments that the teacher does not require to be made up will not count toward a student’s final grade. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements to make up work within five days upon return to school if permitted by the school administration or disciplinary tribunal. Students suspended or expelled are not allowed on any campus or permitted to attend any functions of a Catoosa County school unless approved or required by the Disciplinary Tribunal.

13.   Disciplinary Tribunal

The Disciplinary Tribunal shall be given authority by the Catoosa County Board of Education to implement discipline policies for any offense concerning any breach of the Code of Conduct outlined in Discipline Policies and Procedures adopted by the Catoosa County Board of Education. The Tribunal hears evidence presented by the school system, the student, and parents when the local school refers the student. The Tribunal has the authority to make decisions ranging from returning the student to the school or recommending permanent expulsion of the student. This Tribunal shall have a minimum membership of a hearing officer and two administrators. The hearing officer shall be the Director of Student Services or other appointee of the Superintendent. The Tribunal shall be appointed by, and called at, the pleasure of the hearing officer.

Prior to or during the Hearing a written agreement resolving the offense may be made. If such an agreement is made it shall be either fully announced to the Hearing Officer or to the Tribunal and be documented on a Waiver form. The settlement must be signed by the principal, the student, and at least one parent and filed with the Tribunal Hearing Officer.

Waiver of Right to Attend Disciplinary Tribunal – Parents may sign a waiver if they cannot attend or do not elect to attend the Tribunal hearing. In the event that a parent or student does not attend the hearing, it may proceed as scheduled if notice has been given.

The Disciplinary Tribunal shall have the authority to

1. An attempt to contact the victim’s parents prior to entering into an agreement shall be made.

2. Recess or reschedule the hearing if additional witnesses or information is needed.
3. Suspend the student to the Board of Education.

4. Suspend the student for more than ten (10) days to the In-School Suspension Program.

5. Suspend the student to the In-School Suspension Program pending a hearing by the Board of Education.

6. Place a student in an Alternative Educational Placement, Long-Term Suspension, or the Gateway Program located at the Catoosa Performance Learning Center.

7. Place the student on probation for the remainder of the school year.

8. Return the student to school.

9. Remove the student from the school system beyond the current school semester, or for the balance of the school year.

10.  Deny the student the right to participate in any school activities.

11.  Administer any other justifiable and reasonable discipline.

12.  Any combination of the above.

The students, parents or guardians, and school shall be made aware of their right to appeal the decision of the Disciplinary Tribunal to the Board of Education. Any appeal of the Tribunal's decision to the Board of Education must be filed in writing to the Superintendent of Schools within twenty (20) calendar days after the hearing of the Disciplinary Tribunal. All parties shall have the right to be represented by legal counsel at any such appeal and during all subsequent proceedings. O.C.G.A. § 20-2-755

The local Board of Education shall review the record and shall render a decision in writing within ten days, excluding weekends and public and legal holidays provided for in OCGA

§1-4-1, from the date the local Board of Education receives the notice of appeal.

The Board may take any action it determines appropriate, and any decision of the Board shall be final. All parties shall have the right to be represented by legal counsel at any such appeal and during all subsequent proceedings. O.C.G.A. §, 20-2-754

A record or tape of the hearing shall be filed in the system’s county office. All actions of this Tribunal shall be reviewed by the Catoosa County Board of Education.

14.   Time Periods For Discipline

Disposition for offenses shall be on an annual basis unless a serious offense occurs near the end of a school year, in which case disposition could be carried over to the next school year. Disposition of discipline charges must be satisfied before a student can be admitted or readmitted to any Catoosa County School.

The Catoosa County School System also recognizes discipline administered by other schools or school systems and will not admit a student until discipline charges by the other school or school system have been satisfied if it was an offense for which suspension or expulsion could be imposed in the enrolling school. REF: O.C.G.A. § 20-2-751.2.

15.  Catoosa Attendance Review Team

The Attendance Review Team is a collaborative made up of community agencies that include the Department of Family and Children Services, Department of Juvenile Justice, Mental Health, Communities-in-School, and the school system. The team reviews referred students and their parents to determine and remove barriers that prohibit good school attendance. The Catoosa County Attendance Review Team (CART) meets twice a month at a designated place. When a referral is made by the school, parents will be notified by a letter delivered to their home by the Sheriff’s Department and/or US Postal Service.

16.  Law Enforcement/Department Of Juvenile Justice, Juvenile Court, And/Or

Superior Court

The Catoosa County School System works cooperatively with law enforcement, the Department of Juvenile Justice, Juvenile Court, and the Superior Court. In instances of misbehavior, which are also illegal, law enforcement, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Juvenile Court, or the Superior Court will be involved. The decision as to whether a complaint will be filed with Juvenile Court or Superior Court will be made by the school administration in consultation with the Director of Student Services.

If a student has been to Juvenile Court or Superior Court and is on probation, and involved in a court-supervised treatment plan, the school system will cooperate with the Department of Juvenile Justice. This may include discussion in determining the appropriate school placement and consequences for future violations of the school system’s code of conduct. The school system will assist and work closely with the Judicial System when students who are mentally challenged are or may be adjudicated.

17.  Searches

The U.S. Supreme Court holds that a student may be searched by a school official when there exist reasonable grounds for suspecting that the search will turn up evidence that the student has violated, or is violating, either the law or the rules of the school. A drug screen may be required of a student(s) by a school administrator. The school has not relinquished control of lockers, desks, or school grounds and reserves the right to inspect or search the lockers, desks, or any vehicles on school grounds, or student book bags without prior notice to the students or parents. Metal detectors and drug or weapon sniffing dogs may be utilized at school or at any school function, including activities that occur outside normal school hours or off the school campus at the discretion of administrators. The purpose(s) of such inspection could be to detect health or safety problems, or violations of the school’s code of conduct.

When the administration has reasonable cause to believe that weapons are in the possession of students, when there has been a pattern of weapons found at school, or when violence involving weapons has occurred at the school, the administration is authorized to use stationary or mobile metal detectors in accordance with procedures approved by the Board. Any search of a student's person as a result of the activation of the detector will be conducted in accordance with the policy on personal searches and in private. However, we will not be required to contact you prior to any questioning or search of their person or property.

18.  Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment: unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other inappropriate oral, written or physical conduct of a sexual nature when made by a member of the school staff to a student or when made by any student to another student or when made by any student to another person on school property or a school event, constitutes sexual harassment when:

13. A school employee conditioning education benefits on participation in unwelcome sexual conduct (i.e., quid pro quo.)
14. Unwelcome conduct that a reasonable person would determine is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the school’s education program or activity.
15. Sexual assault (as defined in the Clery Act), dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking as defined in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

Sexual harassment, as defined above, may include but is not limited to the following:

1. Verbal harassment or abuse
2. Pressure for sexual activity
3. Repeated remarks to a person with sexual or demeaning implications
4. Unwelcome touching
5. Suggesting or demanding sexual involvement accompanied by implied or explicit threats concerning one’s grades, jobs, etc.

Students must report such an incident in writing to a school official, administrator, counselor, or teacher. Contact information for Title IX Coordinator is included and on the CCPS website.

19.  Bullying

In accordance with O.C.G.A. 20-2-751.4, bullying means an act that occurs on school property, on school vehicles, at designated school bus stops, or at school-related functions or activities, or by use of data or software that is accessed through a computer, computer system, computer network, or other electronic technology of a local school system, that is:

1. Any willful attempt or threat to inflict injury on another person, when accompanied by an apparent present ability to do so;
2. Any intentional display of force such as would give the victim reason to fear or expect immediate bodily harm; or
3. Any intentional written, verbal, or physical act, which a reasonable person would perceive as being intended to threaten, harass, or intimidate, that:

1. Causes another person substantial physical harm within the meaning of O.C.G.A. 16-5-23.1 or visible bodily harm as defined in O.C.G.A. 16-5-23.1;
2. Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education;
3. Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or
4. Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.

Upon finding a student has committed three (3) violations of this anti-bullying policy the student will be referred to a Tribunal for assignment to an alternative school placement.

Students should immediately report such incident(s) to a school official, administrator, counselor, or teacher.

20.  Student Support Team

The Student Support Team (SST) is a process to improve the instructional delivery of services to students and serves as a resource for teachers and other educators in the delivery of these services. The Georgia Board of Education defines the SST as an interdisciplinary group that addresses the needs of students having problems in school through a six-step process.

These steps Include (1) identification of needs; (2) assessment, if necessary; (3) education plan: (4) implementation; (5) follow-up and support; and, (6) continuous monitoring and evaluation. The SST may suggest behavior intervention strategies to be considered for students. Documentation of this process that includes dates, persons present, and minutes must be a part of the student’s school record.

The SST shall consist of the principal or designee, a special education teacher, and at least one regular classroom teacher. The regular classroom teacher shall be in addition to the referring classroom teacher. At the middle and senior high schools, the counselor shall be a member of the SST. The team may also include assistant principals, school social workers, and the child’s parents.

21.  School Safety Zone

"School Safety Zone" means in, on, or within 1,000 feet of any real property owned by or leased by any public or private school, or school board and used for elementary or secondary education and in, on, or within 1,000 feet of the campus of any public or private technical school, vocational school, college, university, or institution of post-secondary education.

22.  Medications

All medications must be brought to the school office, in the original pharmaceutical container clearly labeled as to the name of the student, name of the medication, the appropriate dosage, and time for each dosage. A parent, legal guardian, or designated adult is responsible for transporting medications to and from school. A medication authorization form must be signed by the parent or guardian, and on file in the school office. A medication log will be kept by the school which indicates dates, times, personnel administering medication. Medications will be kept secure at all times, administered and monitored, in the presence of school personnel.

New legislation authorizes student self-administration of prescription asthma medication and an emergency Epinephrine (EpiPen) at school, thus relieving the school district and school employees of any liability in connection with such administration. In order for a student to keep an asthma inhaler or EpiPen in his/her possession, the guidelines require (1) written authorization from a parent or legal guardian (2) a written physician’s statement detailing the name and purpose of the medication, prescribed dosage, and time(s) or special circumstances for administration of the medication and (3) written authorization from the parent(s) or guardian(s) for the school to seek emergency medical treatment for the student, when necessary and appropriate. Parents wanting their child to have possession of their asthma medication or EpiPen at school, or want the school to store the EpiPen for a student who is unable to self-administer because of age or other reasons should request the appropriate form from the school office or school nurse.

Non-Prescription Drug – Over-the-counter drug not authorized by a registered physician and not prescribed for the student. Parent/Legal Guardian or Designated Adult is responsible for transporting any non-prescription medication to the office and must complete and sign a medication authorization form to permit school personnel to administer medication. (Medication Policy of the Board will be strictly enforced).

A medication authorization form must be signed by the parent or guardian, and on file in the school office.

Prescription Drug – Use of a drug (medication) authorized by a registered physician and prescribed for the student. Parents must inform the school by filling out a medication form to permit school personnel to administer the medication. (Medication Policy of the Board will be strictly enforced).

23.  Transmission and/or distribution

               The passing of any substance, article, or weapon to another person,                 directly or indirectly.

24.  Bus Misconduct

             Failure to comply with the rules of bus safety as defined by the      

       Catoosa         County Schools Board of Education.

25.  Bus Suspension

                A school administrator suspends a student from the bus for a specified

          period of time. The student is expected to attend school and the parents are responsible for providing transportation to school.

26.  Disciplinary Probation

        A student found guilty of certain offenses may be placed on probation by the local school and/or the Disciplinary Tribunal. Probation is a trial period during which a student violating school and or school system rules is subject to further disciplinary action.

27. Insubordination/Disobedience

          Failure of a student to comply with a reasonable direction or instruction by school personnel.

28. Disrespect

      Responding in a rude and impertinent manner.

29. Disruption

      Behaving in a manner that interferes with educational/instructional activities.

30. Harassment/Intimidation/Verbal Abuse

      Disturbing another person by consistently pestering or tormenting the person in the classroom, on the school bus, or elsewhere on school property or at a school-related activity.

31. Profanity/Vulgarity

      Writings, speech, or gestures that convey an offensive, obscene, or sexually suggestive message.

32. Tardiness

      Failure to be in an assigned place at the assigned time without a valid excuse.

33. Truancy

                 The student is out of school without permission or a valid excuse.

34. Arson

      Intentionally starting or attempting to start any fire or combustion.

35. Assault

      A verbal threat to or any attempt to physically harm someone without actually touching him/her.

36. Battery

      A beating or other wrongful physical violence or constraint without a person’s consent.

37. Bomb/Explosive

      A device containing combustible materials and a fuse.

38. Burglary

      Unauthorized entry into a school district building (unoccupied) with the intent of committing a felony when the building is closed to the students and public. [seeTheft]

39. Disorderly Conduct

      Behaving in a violent or seriously inappropriate manner, which disrupts  the educational process.

40. Drug/Alcohol/Chemical Offense

      Any controlled substance or alcohol; includes possession of or any transfer of a prescription drug or any substance represented or believed to be a drug, regardless of its actual content.

41. Extortion

      Use of threats or intimidation to demand money or something of value from another [no weapon used].

42. False Fire Alarm

      Reporting a fire to school or fire officials or setting off a fire alarm without a reasonable belief that a fire exists.

43. Felony

      Any offense punishable as a felony under Georgia or Federal Law.

44. Gambling

      Playing any game of skill or chance for money or anything of value.

45. Loitering/Trespassing

      Entering any school property or school facility without proper authority (includes student entry during a period of suspension or expulsion).

46. Robbery

      Taking property from a person by force or violence, or threat of aggression.

47. Sexual Assault/Offenses

      Intentional sexual contact of a harmful or offensive manner.

48. Theft/Larceny

      Unlawful taking and carrying away of property belonging to another person (while the building is occupied) with the intent to deprive the lawful owner of its use [see Burglary]

49. Vandalism/Graffiti

      The willful or malicious destruction or defacement of public or private property.

50. Weapon

      An article or implement that can cause bodily harm. This includes guns, knives, razors, clubs, nunchakus, or any other objects intended to be used to inflict bodily harm.

51. Unsafe School Choice Option 

      The process of allowing students who attend a persistently dangerous public school or students who become victims of a violent criminal offense while on the property of a public school in which they are enrolled to transfer to a safe public school.

52. Violent Criminal Offense

      For the purpose of implementing the Unsafe School Choice Option, the following offenses are identified as a violent criminal offense: aggravated battery, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery, aggravated sodomy, armed robbery, first-degree arson, felony drug charge, felony weapons charge, kidnapping, murder, rape, voluntary manslaughter, or a severe terroristic threats. The definitions for these offenses are found in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, Title 16. See GA Comp. Rules and Regs. 1`60-4-8-.16.

53. Persistently Dangerous School

      A school that has been identified as dangerous based on yearly discipline tribunal records related to certain criminal offenses including, but not limited to, drug and weapon offenses, as defined by state law.

54. Breaks

      Breaks may be withheld from students for disciplinary or academic reasons if prior notice of such is provided to the students.

55. No Pass No Play

      Georgia High School Association (GHSA) covers Catoosa County High Schools in Competitive Interscholastic Activities. Competitive Interscholastic Activities (IDE(2)) covers the Catoosa County Middle School in Competitive Interscholastic Activities.

56.Plagiarism

     Plagiarism is not allowed. If there is any doubt as to whether material presented has plagiarized another source(s), the burden is on the student to check with the teacher with which the materials are being presented. Cheating is a serious offense and will be handled with serious consequences.

57. Animals

      Prior to any person bringing or allowing any animal or animals on school property, such person must obtain approval by the principal of the school (or campus) in question to do so.

58. Threats

      In partnership with local law enforcement, if you witness or receive a threat or anything that could be perceived as a threat to a Catoosa County School or toward an individual, that may take place during school or a school event, you are to immediately report it to a school administrator and/or law enforcement. The further distribution or dissemination of any such threat could result in legal penalties against you.”

DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION and 504 STUDENTS

Based on the 2004 Reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, any student with an IEP or 504 plan who is removed from an educational setting for more than ten days must continue to have access to participate in the general curriculum and to receive IEP or 504 services. In addition, a student with an IEP or 504 plan in this circumstance must have a functional behavioral assessment either completed or updated, and a behavioral intervention plan developed or revised so as to prevent the behavior that caused the removal from the setting from recurring.

Manifestation Determination:

The relevant members of the IEP or 504 teams must make a manifestation determination within ten days of the decision to remove a student from the current educational placement. The team must consider all relevant information as determined by the parents and the local system. There are two questions when considering manifestation of disability: (1) was the behavior directly related to the child’s disability(ies) and (2) did the local system fail to implement the IEP or 504 (especially the behavior intervention plan) and if so, was the failure to implement the cause of the conduct violation. When these questions are considered and answered with all relevant information, a manifestation determination can be made.

Special Circumstances:

Students may be removed to an interim alternative educational setting for up to 45 school days when behaviors occur that involve weapons, illegal drugs, or serious bodily injury. Serious bodily injury must have been inflicted on another person, not just threatened. The definition for serious bodily injury comes from 18 U.S.C.A. § 1365 and must involve (a) a substantial risk of death, (b) extreme pain, (c) protracted and obvious disfigurement, or (d) protracted loss of impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty. School personnel may remove the student for one of these causes, but it is still the IEP or 504 team that determines the new setting for the student.

Placement During Appeals:

If an appeal is requested (due process request) of the placement decision for an interim alternative setting or a manifestation determination, then stay-put for that appeal is the interim alternative setting except in circumstances where the school and the parent agree or the student’s behavior presents a serious and immediate threat to the safety of the student or others that can not be mitigated by other means. The student shall be returned to his or her IEP or 504 placement upon expiration of the interim placement or the end of the hearing disposition placement, whichever later occurs. Each step regarding the discipline of a special education or 504 student should be thoroughly documented. The Director of Special Education, Coordinator of 504 Plan, or Director of Student Services should be called if questions or problems arise.

In the event the student being brought before the Catoosa County Board of Education or the tribunal is identified as having a disability or is receiving special education services from the school system, procedures shall be modified in accordance with the requirements of state and federal laws. The Director of Student Services and Director of Special Education (or designee) shall be consulted and appropriate steps taken pursuant to the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 2004 (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973/2008 Reauthorized. This process will be followed to provide guidance to the student’s IEP or 504 Team in order to determine an appropriate placement for the student and to ensure that all of the student’s procedural rights are protected.

School Bus Rules

Good student behavior on the bus is very important for the safety of everyone. Each day thousands of students are transported in our system to and from school and their safety is PRIORITY. While waiting for the bus, students should wear bright clothing and wait at least twelve (12) feet back from the road. Students should be at the bus stop 10 minutes prior to the scheduled bus arrival time and be visible to the bus driver. Horseplay at the bus stop is very dangerous.

The use of cell phones, electronic devices, tablets, cameras or laptops may be used by students on or near school buses as directed by the bus driver present on the bus. It is the intent that such devices generally be allowed to be operated when students are riding on a bus for longer periods of time but may be prohibited from being operated when a student is getting fairly close to their bus stop, exiting a bus, or crossing a road or street in connection with the student’s bus ride.

1. Talk in a quiet tone. Silence is expected at all railroad crossings.
2. Be courteous. No fighting or horseplay. Food and drink must be finished before boarding the bus.
3. Pick up all materials before leaving the bus.
4. Cooperate and follow the directions of the driver at all times.
5. Smoking, tobacco products, profanity, and dangerous items are prohibited on the bus.
6. Stay seated at all times.
7. Keep head, hands, and feet inside the bus.
8. No objects are to be thrown into, out of, or inside the bus.
9. Sit in the assigned seat, if applicable. The bus driver is authorized to assign seats at any time on the bus.

Non-Compliance with the above safety regulations may result in loss of bus riding privileges.

ATTN: Parent/Guardian of students pre-school – second grade: An Adult must be visible to the bus driver before the student will be allowed to get off the bus. If an adult is not visible, student(s) will be returned to school. 

Primary/elementary students are not allowed to stay on the bus during middle/high routes in the afternoon. (*Please note that children under the age of 13 are not allowed to be babysitters to younger children per Georgia DFCS guidelines)

State of GA guidelines administered through the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) relating to children without adult supervision state:

*Children under 8 years old should never be left alone, even for short periods of time.

*Children between the ages of 9 and 12, based on level of maturity, can be left home alone for brief periods of time.

*Children 13 and older can generally be left as babysitters, with the exception of children in foster care. However, it is not recommended that 13-year-olds babysit infants, small children, or children requiring special attention due to medical conditions. Children 15 and older can be left home alone overnight, depending on their level of maturity. ALL transportation changes, including riding the bus to a different address other than the normal address, must be submitted in writing to the school office for verification and administrator approval. Students will not be allowed to get off the bus at a different location without a note approved by the school office.

Parents should contact the Transportation Office at 706-965-2913 if there is a problem or concern. It is not appropriate to discuss problems or concerns with the driver while he/she is on the bus or at a bus stop. It is against the law for a parent/guardian or any person (not legitimately scheduled) to step on a bus to address the driver or to use vulgar or profane language directed toward the driver or in the presence of students.

Bus routes, including approximate morning pick-up times and afternoon school bell times, are available at each school and the Transportation Office.

Guidelines for Student Misconduct

GRADES PRE-K through 12

Administrators may use discretion when administering student discipline for any offense depending on the circumstances and consistent with BOE policy, federal, and state law.

Failure to attend Saturday School will result in re-assignment of Saturday School, and additional consequences.

References to statutes, other laws, or policies are made for reference only and are not necessarily the binding authority for any certain provision of the Student Code of Conduct.

Prior to any person bringing or allowing any animal or animals on school property, such person must obtain approval by the principal of the school (or campus) in question to do so.

In partnership with local law enforcement, if you witness or receive a threat or anything that could be perceived as a threat to a Catoosa County School or toward an individual, that may take place during school or a school event, you are to immediately report it to a school administrator and/or law enforcement. The further distribution or dissemination of any such threat could result in legal penalties against you.

GRADUATES WITH HIGHEST HONORS PROGRAM

The criteria for Graduates with Highest Honors are reviewed, annually. Graduates from Catoosa County High Schools will be recognized as Graduates with Highest Honors if the following criteria are met:

1. The Graduates with Highest Honors program of study requires that students achieve at least 28 credits for graduation. Of those 28, 6 units must be in courses designated as Honors or Advanced Placement. Any academic dual enrollment course counts as Honors level. One full-credit non-academic from a technical college may count as Honors level.

2. The graduate must maintain a 90 or higher cumulative numeric grade point average in the Hope core classes. The HOPE scholarship courses are the core classes; these include any course designated as English, mathematics, social science, science or foreign language, whether taught through traditional or virtual instructional delivery methods. Common mathematical rules of rounding will apply; cumulative numeric grade point averages will be rounded as follows: An 89.5 – 89.99 will be rounded to a 90; an 89.49 will be considered an 89.

3. Cumulative numeric grade point averages will be computed after the 3rd Nine Weeks grading period, including those grades in the computation. Courses taken through virtual instructional delivery methods, including those in the Catoosa Online Academy and any online courses (free or paid by student) where credit is to be issued on the transcript, will have grades computed at 3rd Nine Weeks by using the progress report grade rather than quality of work grade. All grades, including those received from dual enrollment courses, will be calculated with a maximum score of 100. Class Rank will be determined at this time. Students achieving Graduate with Highest Honors will wear school-designated academic honor regalia during the graduation ceremony.

4. The student with the highest numerical average from the category “Graduates with Highest Honors” after the 3rd Nine Weeks of the senior year will be recognized as the Valedictorian of the senior class. The student with the second highest numerical average from the category “Graduates with Highest Honors” after the 3rd Nine Weeks of the senior year will be recognized as the Salutatorian of the senior class.

5. Foreign Exchange students who attend for only the senior year are not eligible for Graduates with Highest Honors; Home School students or student transfers from a non-accredited high school are not eligible for Graduates with Highest Honors unless all challenge tests have been met, and the student has attended a Catoosa County High School the entire senior year.

6. Student transfers from an accredited high school must attend Catoosa County Public Schools their entire senior year to be eligible for Valedictorian or Salutatorian status. If the student does not attend his/her entire senior year, he/she may still be eligible for Graduates with Highest Honors status, provided all criteria are met.

7. Students that complete the requirements for high school prior to their senior year are eligible for Graduates with Highest Honors. Their cumulative numeric grade point average will be calculated against their walking class for Graduates with Highest Honors, Valedictorian, and Salutatorian.

8. There will be no other designation of class rank for recognition purposes at the school level other than the 12th grade year, using the procedures in place for Graduates with Highest Honors.

9. Grades for high school courses earned prior to a student-starting grade 9 will NOT be averaged in the GPA for graduates with Highest Honors. This also includes the grades posted on the transcript for credits earned through the state “Test Out” option with the End of Course assessment, if that option was utilized prior to the start date of grade 9.

FINAL EXAM EXEMPTIONS

Grade Exemption for Finals in Middle School and High School Semester finals based on attendance in each class period:

Middle School Student can be exempt from finals if:

• 3 unexcused absences with an A
• 2 unexcused absences with a B
• 1 unexcused absence with a C

High School Student can be exempt from finals if:

• 3 unexcused absences with an A
• 2 unexcused absences with a B
• 1 unexcused absence with a C
• 0 unexcused absences with a D

GRADING SYSTEM

The Catoosa County Grading Scale is as follows:

A        90-100

B        80-89

C        74-79

D        70-73

F        Below 70

Grades are reported using the following classifications:

Kindergarten: ND = Not Demonstrated, EM = Emerging, PR = Progressing, MS = Meets Standards, EX = Exceeds, S = Satisfactory, N = Needs Improvement, or U = Unsatisfactory

First grade: Reading, language arts and math use 1 = Does Not Meet, 2 = Meets Standards, 3 = Exceeds in Reading, Language Arts and Math. Other subject areas use S = Satisfactory, N = Needs Improvement, or U = Unsatisfactory

Second grade: Reading, language arts, and math use the above letter designation in the above grading scale. Other subject areas receive S, N, or U.

Third through fifth: Reading, language arts, spelling, math, science, and social studies use the above number grades and scale. Other areas receive S, N, or U.

Sixth through Twelve: Use the numerical grades in all subjects.

CCPS does not weight grades based on the level of courses taken. The Weighted Cumulative GPA listed on a high school transcript is a numerical average based upon the amount of credit awarded for the class (0.5 or 1.0 units of credit), and on a 100-point scale. The Unweighted Cumulative GPA listed on a student transcript is based on a 4.0 scale.

GRADUATION PROCEDURE

Promotion/Retention:

The promotion and retention requirements can be found at:

https://www.catoosa.k12.ga.us/PromotionRetention

ATTENDANCE

The primary objective of Catoosa County Public Schools is to help prepare students for life and to teach them how to get along with others in society. One career objective for all students is good attendance and prompt arrival to school and/or class.

All parents want their children to get the most from their school experience. As a parent, you know that what your child learns in school will help determine what they become or what they will do when they become adult members of the community.

In order to learn as much as possible your child needs your help. It is essential to attend school regularly to profit from what is offered. You can help by making sure that your child is in school when he/she should be and that he/she is not tardy and remains in school for the entire day.

The school realizes that occasionally it may be necessary to schedule dental or doctor appointments during the school day. This should be kept to a minimum and you should make every effort to schedule these appointments outside the regular school day. When students are tardy to school because of dental or doctor appointments they must bring a note from the dentist or doctor's office indicating the time of their visit. Students will only be excused for the time of the office visit unless otherwise stating that they are physically unable to be in school.

Students will not be allowed to check out for personal non-emergency reasons by phone. Students who check out for personal non-emergency reasons violate the school board policy and the State of Georgia attendance laws. Parents or legal guardians may come to the school to pick up their child(ren). Only those listed on the enrollment form will be permitted to pick students up at school. Students checking out for non-emergency reasons will only be permitted to leave between classes. Students with verified, state-approved excuses may check out. State-approved excuses for checking out are the same as those listed for excused absences.

To encourage and reward good attendance Catoosa County Public Schools offer several rewards and incentive programs to individuals and groups within the schools.

GEORGIA COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAW states that:

"Every parent, guardian, or other person residing within this state having control or charge of any child or children between their sixth and sixteenth birthdays shall enroll and will send such child or children to a public school, a private school, or a home-study program that meets the requirements for a public school, a private school, or a home-study program; and such child shall be responsible for enrolling in and attending a public school, private school, or home-study program that meets the requirements for a public school, private school, or home-study program under such penalty for noncompliance with this subsection as is provided in Chapter II of Title 15, unless the child's failure to enroll and attend is caused by the child's parent, guardian, or other person, in which case the parent, guardian, or other person alone shall be responsible; provided, however, that tests and physical exams for military service and the National Guard and such other approved absences shall be excused absences." O.C.G.A.

§20-2-690.1

Students may be temporarily excused from school when:

1. Personally, ill and when attendance in school would endanger their health or the health of others.
2. A serious illness or death in their immediate family necessitates absence from school (immediate family of students is defined as parents, guardian(s), grandparents, siblings, and other adults living in the home).
3. Mandated by order of governmental agencies, including pre-induction physical examinations for service in the armed forces, or by a court order.
4. Celebrating religious holidays.
5. Conditions render attendance impossible or hazardous to their health and safety.
6. Registering to vote or voting for a period not to exceed one day.

Attendance Policy

5 days per semester may be excused by parent notes(Unless the student is under a Catoosa County Attendance Review Team Contract); Court appearances, Doctor/Nurse notes for absences are accepted; Administrators may use discretion in special circumstances; Students volunteering as a Poll Officer during primary or general election will be excused.

If your child is absent because of any of the above reasons, call the school to report why your child is absent and when the child will return to school. All students must present a written excuse from a parent or doctor upon return to school. Students who are absent from school will not be permitted to participate in extracurricular activities on the day absent. All doctor notes should be specific regarding dates when students are physically unable to attend school. The elementary and middle schools will require doctor notes for excessive absences. The school, and or school counselor or school social worker may investigate excessive absences if they believe the situations warrant such an investigation to promote the education, health, and safety of the student.

Dental excuses will only be accepted for the time of the appointment. Dental appointments requiring more than a reasonable amount of time will necessitate a dentist's note stating what was required. When your child does return to school, please send a note, signed by one of the parents, explaining the cause of the absence.

When a parent finds it necessary for a student to be out of school for a ‘justified’ reason based upon circumstances, a prior written request may be submitted to the school administration for consideration. While the absences may be unexcused, the administrator may grant permission for work to be made up that would affect a course/subject grade for passing.

NOTE: FOR STUDENTS EXCUSED AS ABSENT, THE NUMBER OF DAYS ALLOWED TO MAKE UP WORK WILL BE EQUAL TO THE NUMBER OF DAYS ABSENT. EXAMPLE: TWO DAYS ABSENT = TWO DAYS TO Complete MAKE-UP WORK.

The Catoosa County Attendance Review Team will accept referrals from schools on students who have excessive absences, tardiness, or truancy issues. The community team investigates barriers that may prevent good school attendance. This community collaborative is composed of social agencies that routinely provide services for families and children within our County. Catoosa County Schools appreciates this service provided to our schools, students, and families. Notifications will be delivered by USPS Mail and letters delivered by the Sheriff’s Office.

If extended absences are necessary, hospital/homebound instruction is available for students that meet the criteria. Please contact an administrator or school nurse to receive the information on Homebound Services. These forms must be submitted to the Director of Student Services for approval. This program is not set up as a replacement for an education.

“Students in foster care shall be counted present when they attend court proceedings relating to their foster care.” If you have any questions or concerns about school attendance, please talk with your school’s principal or call the Catoosa County School Office at 706-965-2297. Students volunteering as Poll Officers will be excused during primary or general elections.

STUDENT SERVICES

School Nurses

Nursing services are available within the Catoosa County School System. These nurses are either Registered Nurses and/or Licensed Practical Nurses employed by the Catoosa County School System. School Nurses may provide health-related education, health screenings, emergency care, medication dispensing coordination, and assistance with student care issues.

Nursing services are available to all students by exception. If you do not wish for your child to receive services from the school nurse, please notify your child’s school administrator in writing of your objection.

School Counselors

School counselors are available in all Catoosa County Schools. School counselors provide classroom instruction in conflict mediation, peer mediation training, career guidance, and large and small group counseling on topics that can relate to school success.

School Social Workers

School social workers will provide assistance to schools, students, and their parents to enable students to be successful in school. They will serve as liaisons between the school, student, and parents to services and agencies within the community.

GENDER EQUITY IN SPORTS

State Law prohibits discrimination based on gender in athletic programs of local school systems (Equity in Sports Act O. C. G. A. 20-2-315). Students are hereby notified that Catoosa County Schools do not discriminate on the basis of gender in its athletic programs. The sports equity coordinator for this school system is the Director of Student Services, P.O. Box 130, Ringgold, GA 30736. 706-965-2297. Inquiries or complaints concerning sports equity in this school system may be submitted to the sports equity coordinator.

McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act

Families in transition are defined as lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. Examples are families doubled up due to economic reasons, living in hotels or campgrounds, or living in emergency shelters. Students not living with a parent or guardian may also be considered in transition. Services available for students in transition include immediate enrollment/enrollment assistance, assessment for remaining in the school of origin and transportation assistance, free school meals, referrals for tutoring and counseling, school supplies, testing fees, field trips, and graduation apparel. For more information, please contact the McKinney-Vento homeless liaison, Dr. Melissa Holcombe at 423-605-3071.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS – DISSEMINATION ON 8/7/23

In compliance with the requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act, Catoosa County Public Schools would like to inform you that you may request information about the professional qualifications of your student’s teacher(s) and/or paraprofessional(s). The following information may be requested:

Whether the student’s teacher has met State qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction;

• Whether the student’s teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which State qualification or licensing criteria have been waived; and
• Whether the student’s teacher is teaching in the field of discipline of the certification of the teacher.
• Whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.
• You will receive this notification if your child is placed in a classroom with a teacher that does not meet professional qualifications for more than four consecutive weeks. These notifications may be provided in multiple languages.

If you wish to request information concerning the professional qualifications of your child’s teacher and/or paraprofessional, please contact the school principal or the Director of Human Resources (706-965-8563).

Enrollment Procedures for Students Transferring From Home Schools or Non- Accredited Schools:

The transferring student should provide previous school records on attendance and the annual progress assessment in each required subject area from the home school or non-accredited school (Required by O.C.G.A.§20-2-690, Paragraph C, Item 8).

Information concerning accreditation will be needed to determine if the coursework credit for high school courses may be accepted without placement tests. Procedures for placement tests for students transferring from non-accredited school situations must be followed; students must be enrolled prior to taking any placement tests. Credit will be given only for coursework in which comparable courses are offered as part of the public school curriculum. Students who wish to graduate from high school must be enrolled in the school system during their entire senior year. Please consult with a school counselor to discuss other procedures concerning enrollment into Catoosa County Public Schools from home school and private, non-accredited school situations.

ENROLLMENT PROCEDURES

Enrollment and School Transfers – All enrollments and school transfers are made through the Central Enrollment Center at 108 High Street, Ringgold, GA.

Enrolling Parent - Only the primary custodial parent/guardian may enroll a student in school. That parent must show that he/she is a legal resident of Catoosa County by producing two approved documents* in the name and current address of the custodial parent/guardian. A residency affidavit is available for parents unable to produce two approved documents. The enrolling parent, who serves as the primary contact for the school, will designate emergency contacts and provide medical information.

Health Forms – The following health forms are required for enrollment. In certain situations, parents may be given thirty (30) days to acquire the appropriate health records.

• A Georgia Immunization Form 3231 is required for enrollment.
• A Hearing, Vision, Dental and Nutritional Screening Form 3300 is required for all students enrolling in a Georgia school for the first time.

Proof of Residency – Legal proof of residency is required for enrollment and any address changes. To prove residence, the following are required:

• Photo ID of the custodial parent.
• Two approved documents* in the name and current address of the custodial parent (or notarized residency affidavit).

NOTE: List of approved documents is posted on the CCPS Enrollment Center’s Web Page

Address Changes– Any time there is an address change, the parent is responsible for providing the new address and proof of residency. The Transfer and Change of Address Form is available on the school district website.

If the new address is:

• Still in the same school zone, the change of address form and proof of residency should be submitted to the school’s registrar.
• In a different school zone but the student wishes to remain at the current school, the principal should be contacted for permission to remain at the school as an out-of-zone student. If permission is given, the Transfer and Change of Address Form and proof of residency may be given to the school registrar. See section on out-of-zone procedures in the following section.
• In a different school zone and the student will be changing schools, the Transfer and Change of Address Form and proof of residency should be brought to the Central Enrollment Office where the transfer will be completed.

Out-of-Zone Enrollment – Grades K-12 Parents may request out-of-zone enrollment in any school by completing an Out of-Zone Transfer Request Form and submitting it to the principal of the requested school. Principal approval may be granted if the grade/program has space available and if the student has acceptable behavior, attendance, and academic performance. The Out of Zone Transfer Request Form is available at the Enrollment Center or any school office. Parents of all students who are accepted as Out of Zone students in any school must provide transportation to and from school.

Should a student move out of zone for his/her current school placement, it is the parent’s responsibility to immediately contact the school principal for permission to remain at the school as an out-of-zone student for the remainder of the school year or for the remainder of grade levels in that school.

Out-of-County Enrollment – New out-of-county students are not accepted in Catoosa County Schools. Should an enrolled student move out of the county, it is the parent’s responsibility to immediately contact the school principal for permission to remain at the school as an out-of-county student for the semester, year, or school completion. Out-of-county tuition is required before permission is granted.

Out-of-State Enrollment – New out-of-state students are not accepted in Catoosa County Schools. Should an enrolled student move out of state during the year the student is required to withdraw. In specific cases, a student may be allowed to complete a school year as an out-of-state student by gaining School Board permission and paying out-of-state tuition. To inquire about this, please contact the Central Enrollment Office.

It is the responsibility of the parent to maintain accurate residency information at all times. At any time that the school discovers a student has moved out of county or state and has not obtained permission from the principal and provided residency proof, the student may be withdrawn.

Custody Change - Any time custody changes for a student the Change of Custody Form must be completed and submitted with a copy of the current custody papers and a valid driver’s license. If the student will remain in the same school, the forms should be provided to the school registrar. If, as a result of custody change there is an address change, refer to “Address Changes” above.

For any questions concerning enrollment, please contact Enrollment Coordinator

706-935-0639

The Superintendent has the right to assign or transfer any student to any school or any school program, including but not limited to the Catoosa PLC or Catoosa Online Academy. The Superintendent may act in this regard under the totality of the circumstances; considering any potential hardship to the student, to other students, to the staff, and whether the student’s presence at school would be a potential danger to persons or property at the school, and which disrupts the educational process. The Superintendent’s actions, in this regard, may be made independent of any action or inaction by a principal, disciplinary tribunal, or other staff member.

SCHOOL MEAL PRICES 2023-2024

Special Events - Visiting Adult Lunch $5.00

To apply online for free/ reduced lunch:

www.lunchapplication.com

To pay for a meal online: https://www.k12paymentcenter.com

Child Nutrition Office: 706-965-2414

NOTICE OF PRIVACY POLICIES

CATOOSA COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM-BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHOOL NURSE

P.O. BOX 130, RINGGOLD, GEORGIA 30736 965-2297

Notice of Health Information Practices

THIS NOTICE OF HEALTH INFORMATION PRACTICES DESCRIBES HOW INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

Introduction

It is important to us that you understand what information we collect about your child and how it is used. We want you to know that we limit the collection and disclosure of information to only that which we believe is necessary to serve your child and administer our business. This notice is effective April 15, 2003, and applies to all protected health information as defined by federal regulations.

Understanding Your Health Record/Information

Each time your child visits the school health clinic a record of his/her visit is made. This record contains your child’s symptoms, examination, and test results, diagnoses, treatment, and a plan for future care or treatment. This information, often referred to as a health or medical record, serves as

1. A basis for planning the care and treatment.
2. A means of communication among the many health professionals who contribute to the care of the student.
3. A legal document describing the care your child received.
4. A way that you or a third-party payer can verify that services billed were actually provided.
5. A tool for educating health professionals.
6. A source of data for our planning.
7. A tool with which we can assess and continually work to improve the care we render and the outcomes we achieve.

Understanding what is in your child’s record and how the health information is used helps you to ensure its accuracy. You can better understand who, what, when, where, and why others may access your child’s health information. It allows you to make more informed decisions when authorizing disclosure to others.

YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION RIGHTS

Although your child’s health record is the property of the Catoosa County School System, the information belongs to you. You have the following rights:

1. To receive a paper copy of this notice of information practices upon request.
2. To inspect and/or receive a copy of the health record.
3. To amend the health record
4. To receive an accounting of disclosures of the health information.
5. To request communications of the health information by other means or at other locations.
6. To request a restriction on certain uses and disclosures of the information.
7. To revoke your authorization to use or disclose the health information except to the extent that action has already been taken.

Our Responsibilities

The Board of Education is required to:

1. Maintain the privacy of your child’s health information.
2. Provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices regarding information we collect and maintain about your child.
3. Abide by the terms of this notice.
4.  Notify you if we are not able to agree to a requested restriction.
5. Agree to reasonable requests from you to deliver health information in other ways or at other locations.

We reserve the right to change our practices and to make those changes effective for all protected health information we maintain. Should our information practices change, we will post the revised notice in our facility and provide you with a copy on request. The school system is hereby authorized to obtain student health records from all medical providers subject to the requirements under HIPAA to protect the confidentiality of these records under applicable regulations, and the signature of the parent/guardian to the “Acknowledgment and Consent” form provides such authorization.

We will not disclose your child’s health information without your permission except as described in this notice unless your child has a health emergency in which that information is needed, or as otherwise allowed under HIPAA. We will also discontinue disclosing the health information after we have received a written revocation of the authorization unless the information is to be disclosed pursuant to a subpoena, court order, or in connection with a legal proceeding.

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with the Catoosa County School System or the Office for Civil Rights.

DIRECTORY INFORMATION

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a Federal law, requires that the Catoosa County School System, with certain exceptions, obtain your written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from your child’s education records. However, Catoosa County School System may disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without written consent, unless you have advised your child’s school to the contrary in accordance with school procedures.

The primary purpose of directory information is to allow the Catoosa County School System to include this type of information from your child’s education records in certain school publications. Examples include:

• A playbill, showing your student’s role in a drama production
• The annual yearbook;
• Honor roll or other recognition lists, including awards, honors, etc.
• Graduation programs; and
• Sports activity sheets, such as for football, showing weight and height of team members.

Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can also be disclosed to outside organizations without a parent’s prior written consent. Outside organizations include, but are not limited to, companies that manufacture class rings, photograph students or publish yearbooks, and trusted educational service providers. Contact the principal of your child’s school if you have any questions about any organizations that receive this information. In addition, two federal laws require local educational agencies receiving assistance under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (high schools) to provide military and college recruiters, upon request, with three directory information categories – names, addresses, and telephone listings – unless parents have advised the school system that they do not want their student’s information disclosed without their prior written consent.

If you do not want the Catoosa County School System to disclose directory information from your child’s education records without your prior written consent, you must notify your child’s school in writing. The Catoosa County School System has designated the following information as directory information:

• Student’s name
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
• Address, Telephone listing
• Weight and height of members of athletic teams
• Photograph
• Degrees, honors, and awards received
• Grade level

NOTICE TO PARENTS/GUARDIANS AND ELIGIBLE STUDENT OF RIGHTS UNDER THE FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT

Under The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g) (the “Act”), you have a right to

1. Inspect and review, within 45 days of a request, the education records of a student who is your child, or in the case of a student who is eighteen (18) years of age or older, or those who are emancipated, your own education records. Parents or eligible students should submit to the (appropriate school official) a written request identifying the record(s) they wish to inspect. The (appropriate school official) will make arrangements for access and provide notice of such arrangements.

2. Request the amendment of the student’s education records to ensure that they are not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy or other rights. To request the school district to amend a record, parents or eligible students should write to the school principal, specify the part of the record they want changed and specify why it is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy or other rights. If the district decides not to amend the record, it will notify the parents or eligible students of the decision and inform them of their right to a hearing. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided with the notification of the right to a hearing.

3. Consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that the Act and the regulations promulgated pursuant to the Act authorize disclosure without consent. One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is to a school official with legitimate educational interest. A school official is a person employed by the district as an administrator, supervisor, instructor or support staff member; a member of the school board; a person with whom the district has contracted to perform a specific task (such as attorney, auditor, or therapist): or a parent or student serving on an official committee (such as a disciplinary or grievance committee). A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an educational record in order to fulfill his/her professional responsibility. Upon request, the school district forwards educational records without prior consent to another school in which the student seeks or intends to enroll. A second situation where information is disclosed is where investigation results and discipline imposed are provided to students or parents in the same school where a bullying, violent act, harassment, or assault has taken place.

4. File with the United States Department of Education a complaint under 20 C.F.R. 99.64 concerning the alleged failures by the Catoosa County Board of Education to comply with the requirements of the Act or the regulations promulgated thereunder. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-4605.

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Notice of Rights of Students and Parents Under Section 504/ADA

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, commonly referred to as “Section 504” is a nondiscrimination statute enacted by the United States Congress for the purpose of prohibiting discrimination and assuring that disabled students have educational opportunities and benefits equal to those provided to non-disabled students. The Americans With Disabilities Act “ADA” was enacted to create standards addressing discrimination against individuals with disabilities. It is the purpose of both the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act to provide a coherent framework and consistent and enforceable standards for the elimination of discrimination against persons with disabilities. The federal regulations implementing Section 504 are found in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 34 CFR Part 104; parents and/or students have the following rights:

1. the right to be informed by the school system of your 504 rights under the CFR:

2. the right to an appropriate education designed to meet his or her individual educational needs as adequately as the needs of non-disabled students;

3. the right to free educational services except for those fees that are imposed on non-disabled students or their parents; insurers and similar third parties are not relieved from an otherwise valid obligation to provide or pay for services provided to a disabled student;

4. the right of the student to participate in an educational setting with non-disabled students to the maximum extent appropriate to his or her needs;

5. a right to facilities, services, and activities that are comparable to those provided for non-disabled students;

6. a right to an evaluation prior to a Section 504 determination of eligibility;

7. the right to not consent to the school system’s request to evaluate your child for eligibility for services under Section 504;

8. the right to ensure that testing and other evaluation procedures conform with the requirements of 34 CFR 104.35, including the requirements of test validation, administration, and areas of evaluation;

9. the right to ensure that the school system will consider information from a variety of sources, including aptitude and achievement tests, grades, teacher recommendations and observations, physical conditions, social or cultural background, medical records, and parental recommendations;

10. the right to ensure that placement decisions are made by a group of persons, including persons knowledgeable about your child, the meaning of the evaluation data, the placement options, and the legal requirements for the least restrictive environment and comparable facilities;

11. if your child is eligible under Section 504, your child has a right to periodic reevaluations, to a free appropriate public education which may include general education, special education, and/or related aids and services.

12. the right to notice prior to any action or inaction by the school system regarding the identification, evaluation, or placement of your child;

13. the right to examine relevant records, as well as the right to obtain copies of school district records at your expense;

14. the right to an impartial hearing by an impartial hearing officer who is not a current employee of the school district with procedural safeguards with respect to the school system’s actions or inactions regarding your child’s identification, evaluation, or educational placement, and with the opportunity for parental participation in the hearing and the opportunity of representation of the student by an attorney;

15. the right to receive a copy of this notice and a copy of the school system’s 504 grievance and hearings procedure upon request and you are noticed that is on the school system’s public website;

16. if you disagree with the decision of the impartial hearing officer, you have a right to a review or appeal of that decision by filing a lawsuit in a court of competent jurisdiction, and;

17. the right to, at any time, assert claims of discrimination with the United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil rights.

Various policies governing the procedures used in Section 504 matters are found in the Catoosa County Board Policy Manual, which can be found online at the school board’s public website (www.catoosa.k12.ga.us) or in paper form at the county office of the School Board on Cleveland Street in Ringgold. Those policies include but are not limited to: “Procedures for Conducting Section 504 Evaluations and Writing Section 504 Plans,” and “Section 504/ADA Grievances and Hearings.” An impartial hearing will be conducted by the following entity: a disinterested member of the state bar of Georgia. For information about Section 504 contact your local school 504 coordinator or District 504 Coordinator at 706-935-0639.

Catoosa County Public Schools

May 2, 2023

Dear Parent/Guardian:

As the parent of a student who receives special education in our school system, we wanted to let you know about your options to exercise public and private

school choice. Under a state law passed by the Georgia State Legislature in 2007, parents of students who receive special education may request to transfer

their child to a private school or another public school in Georgia.

Private School Choice Option (See Georgia Department of Education website for more information)

If you are interested in transferring your child to a private school in Georgia, you may be able to take advantage of a Georgia Special Needs Scholarship.

These scholarships provide funding that can be used to offset tuition costs at participating private schools in the State of Georgia. For more information

on the application process, please visit the Georgia DOE website at www.doe.k12.ga.us.

Parental Right to Choice (Deadline to Apply – August 18, 2023)

Under the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship (GSNS) law passed in 2007 (O.C.G.A. § 20‐2‐2113), parent(s)/guardian(s) whose child meets the Georgia

Special Needs Scholarship eligibility criteria now have the right to request a public school transfer to:

•  Another public school within their district of residence; or
•  Another public school district outside their district of residence; or
•  One of the three state schools for the blind or deaf; or
•  A private school authorized to participate in the GSNS Program. Funds received through the GSNS Program can only be used to pay for tuition and

fees at a private school authorized by the State Board of Education to participate in the program.

This form must be completed and sent directly to the school system you want your child to attend. Parent(s)/guardian(s) should contact the school

system’s office to find out to whom the form should be sent and any deadlines involved in making the request.

2023‐2024 Georgia Special Needs Student Scholarship Eligibility Criteria

The Georgia Special Needs Scholarship (GSNS) Program is a parental choice program for special needs students attending Georgia public schools who are

served under an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The following provides information regarding eligibility and the different choice options available

under the GSNS Program. The GSNS web page http://www.gadoe.org/External‐Affairs‐and‐Policy/Policy/Pages/Special‐NeedsScholarship‐Program.aspx also has important information regarding the GSNs Program.

Parents of students continuing in the private school choice option must read the Continuing Participation document posted on the web page for the

requirements of continuing eligibility in the private school choice option.

In order to qualify for the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program a student must meet the following requirements:

• Student Eligibility Criteria 1‐ A student have must a parent/guardian who currently lives in Georgia and has been a resident for at least one

calendar year.

• Student Eligibility Criteria 2‐ A student was enrolled and completed the entire school year in a Georgia public school in grades kindergarten

through twelfth prior to transfer of private school

• Student Eligibility Criteria 3‐ A student was reported attending a Georgia public school by a school district(s) during mandatory student counts

conducted in October and March of the qualifying year.

• Student Eligibility Criteria 4 ‐ A student does not need to have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for the entire school year to qualify for the GSNS Program. A student must have received special education services at some point during the school year through an IEP. A student must be reported by a school district(s) in either the October OR March student counts OR in final student record as a student receiving special education services by the end of the school year.

Transfers Within A School System

A school system considering a transfer between schools must evaluate the request based on capacity at a requested school(s) and the availability of a

program at a requested school(s) which is aligned with the student’s IEP. Capacity is defined in two ways:

• Capacity of the school building based on established health and safety provisions; and
• Class‐size capacity by grade and subject, based on state law and rule.

Transfers Out of a School System

A school system considering a request for a transfer into its school system has the authority to approve or deny a public school transfer request for any

reason. A school system considering a transfer can deny a request even if there is capacity and a program available that is aligned to the student’s IEP

within its system. If a request is approved, a school system can charge parent(s)/guardian(s) for the costs of educating a student from outside its school system.

Transportation under this public school choice option is the responsibility of a parent. Funds received through the Special Needs Scholarship Program

cannot be used to offset the costs of out of district tuition, charter schools, or other options available under public school choice.

Once a transfer request has been approved by a school system, the student must be allowed to complete all grades at a school. The school system can

report the student for FTE purposes.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact me at 706‐965‐4052.

Sincerely,

Amanda Oxford

Amanda Oxford

Special Education Director

RIGHTS PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION

The Catoosa County Public School District does not discriminate in its education and employment programs on the basis of religion, age, race, color, national origin, gender, marital or parental status, and disability. This district complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) lf 1990. Inquiries regarding Title VI, Title IX, 504, and ADA, may be made to the people listed below: