Message from the Principal

 Dear Parents,

On behalf of our entire Waynesboro Primary family, I want to take this opportunity to welcome you to another exciting school year.  For many, this will be the first year that your child attends school.   First, I want to assure you that your child could not be in a better place to begin his/her educational journey.  We value our diversity and believe that each child is uniquely special.  Our faculty is committed to providing a warm, inviting, and safe classroom for your child.  We will work diligently to ensure that your child be given every opportunity to succeed academically.

I do ask for your help and support.  We are entering this school year in an unprecedented manner.  It will be more important than ever to maintain a close relationship with our school and your child’s teacher as our students will be  learning from both hybrid (A/B)  and virtual settings.  To ensure that we have open lines of communication, each classroom will be using Class Dojo and Blackboard Connect.  Your child’s teacher will be providing you with needed information to get you started with these programs.  

Students who will attend on the A/B schedule will receive planners.  Our distance learning students will receive planners upon request and will be distributed through parent pick-up.  Effective use of the planner can be an excellent means for added communication, assignment record keeping, and calendar information.  It also contains a concise description of our schools policies and procedures.   Daily review of this information is vital to effective communication and active participation is class, school, and community activities.  

Lastly, I encourage you to establish a positive relationship with your child’s teacher and be an active participant in the distance learning activities.     

Again, welcome to Waynesboro Primary.   If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 706.554.5125 or sadkins@burke.k12.ga.us.  

Sincerely,

Sam Adkins

Principal

This parent/student planner handbook has been prepared for you through the efforts of the Burke County Board of Education and the administration of Waynesboro Primary.  It is a guide to the policies and procedures of Waynesboro Primary.  It is not intended to be an exhaustive document of all policies and procedures, but to be used as a resource that provides you with some of the most frequently asked questions that you may have.  

The Burke County Board of Education/Burke County Public Schools does not discriminate in matters affecting employment, admission, treatment, or access to its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex/gender, disability or age.  The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies:

James D. Hyder, Jr.

General Counsel

Burke County Board of Education

789 Burke Veterans Parkway

Waynesboro GA 30830

706-554-5101

Mission Statement:

Our mission is to ignite a passion for learning that leads to excellence.

Vision Statement:

Each student leaves equipped for a world of possibilities.

Belief Statements:

At Waynesboro Primary, we believe:

Our students are our first priority.

All students can learn when actively engaged.

Building positive relationships is vital.

Maintaining a safe and positive learning environment is essential.

Everyone deserves respect.

Education is a shared responsibility.

It is our desire that all parents, students, community stakeholders embrace our belief statements.

Parents Right to Know

As a parent of a student at Waynesboro Primary, you may request information about the professional qualifications of your child’s teacher(s).  The following information may be requested:  (1) certification, (2) college major/graduate certification or degree held by the teacher, and (3) qualifications of the paraprofessional services provided.  If you wish to request information concerning your child’s teacher qualifications, please contact the Principal at 706.554.5125.  

COVID-19 Disclaimer

The contents of this parent-student handbook contains information that may be revised at any point throughout the school year.  The expressed policies, procedures, operations, and instruction are subject to change as they relate to COVID-19.

Waynesboro Primary Academic Calendar 2020-2021

A detailed events calendar may be found on the BCPS App and WPS website

Waynesboro Primary Daily Schedule

                    7:30                                        Personnel Sign-In

                     7:35        Student Drop-Off / Students Report to Classrooms

        8:00        School Day Begins

        8:05        Tardy Bell

        2:30        Cut-off Time for Student Pick-Up

        2:50        Pre-K and Kindergarten Dismissal

        2:55        First Grade Dismissal

        3:00        Second Grade Dismissal

        3:30        Personnel Sign-Out

Section 1 – Attendance

It is no surprise that regular school attendance optimizes the opportunity for academic success.  Attendance policies are set forth as a means to ensure student attendance and to give our students be greatest opportunity to learn.  It is highly encouraged that parents monitor student attendance through the electronic platform used by our school district or contact the teacher.   In order for promotion, students must be present no less than 165 out of 180 school days.  Students new to WPS after the school year begins must be present 90% of the days he/she is enrolled.   A student is considered present if he/she arrives at school by 8:05 AM and remains until 11:30 AM.  Likewise, a student is considered present upon arriving prior to 11:30 AM and remains until 3:00 PM.  

Absences

Normal reasons for absences include, but are not limited to: (1) personal illness, (2) serious illness and/or death in the immediate family, (3) doctor’s appointment, (4) a court order, (5) celebration of religious holidays, (6) hazardous conditions that render it dangerous or impossible to travel,  (7) military-related, and (8) school or education related trips with the prior approval of the Principal.

When your child returns to school after an absence, parents must provide a valid written excuse to his/her teacher for the reason(s) he/she was absent.  

If a student is absent three or more consecutive days and the parent cannot be reached nor has been in communication with the school, the absences will be referred to the appropriate school counselor and documentation submitted to the district attendance officer.   When a student has missed a total of five days, a letter will be sent to the parents.  The social worker/attendance officer may make a court referral at the sixth absence.  In cases of suspected neglect, the social worker/attendance officer should also make a referral to DFACS.  Prior to any action to commence judicial proceedings the social worker/attendance officer shall notify the parent /guardian by certified mail return receipt requested.

Separate letters shall also be sent home when the student has missed ten days of school.  An additional letter shall be sent home when the student has missed fifteen days.  Each letter shall inform the parents or guardians that if the student is absent from school more than 15 days, the student may be in danger of promotion. 

In the case of personal illness or if attendance in school endangers a student’s health or the health of others, the Principal may require appropriate medical documentation upon return to school for the purpose of validating that the absence is an excused absence. With proper verification a student may be eligible for hospital/homebound instruction.  

Attendance Appeals

Any student who is denied promotion due to excessive absences may make a written appeal to the Principal provided seventy five percent of the absences have been excused absences according to the guidelines of this policy and provided the student meets other promotion criteria.  The appeal shall be made in writing to the Principal, within ten days of the end of the school year.  The Principal will assemble an Appeals Committee. The committee will determine if promotion will be awarded and will provide written notification to the parent.

Tardy

At WPS, a student is considered tardy if he/she arrives after 8:05 AM or leaves before school prior to dismissal at 3:00 PM.   Please note that leaving early and coming to school late are both deemed tardy.  If a student arrives late or leaves early, the parent must report to the front office and electronically sign-in/out.  

On the fifth and subsequent tardy in a nine-week grading period, inquiries will be made to the parent to determine the reason for the tardies.  If ten unexcused tardies are accumulated, a referral will be made to the district social worker/attendance officer.  Excessive tardies could result in a referral to the Juvenile Court if deemed appropriate.  The Principal reserves the right to determine what is excessive and warrant any additional measures.  

Withdrawal

When a student no longer plans to attend WPS, the following procedures will assist in the withdrawal or transfer process:  (1) the parent/guardian must complete an official withdrawal request, (2) teachers, media specialists, bookkeeper, and Principal must sign the withdrawal request, (3) and all property of WPS must be returned.  Student records will not be released to the receiving school until all items above have been completed.  

Upon withdrawing, the receiving school will request your child’s official records.  At such time, WPS will release and forward all student records to the school making such request.  Student records shall not be released to the parent upon withdrawal.  

Section 2 - Instruction

Classroom Interruptions

It is the full intent of WPS to provide the maximum amount of instructional time throughout the school day.  Classes will not be interrupted via intercom announcements, etc. unless it is an emergency.  Packages or messages of any type will not be given or delivered to staff or students during instructional time.  Visitors will not be allowed to interrupt classes or interfere with instruction.  Parents are always welcome and encouraged to visit WPS and observe their child’s class.  Permission to visit a classroom must be scheduled in advance and approved by the Principal.  

Grading System

Students in grades K-2 will receive a performance based evaluation of their mastery of grade level standards. The following symbols will be used:

 √ - satisfactory, meets/exceeds standards

+ - making/in progress

 * needs improvement / does not meet standards.  

The purpose is to provide timely feedback to parents and students as to how your child is progressing toward mastering standards.

Homework

Homework is an important component of our academic program.  Homework is intended to reinforce the concepts that are currently being taught in the classroom.  As parents, we encourage you to help your child with his/her homework as the time spent together can be worthwhile and beneficial.  However, we do ask that you do not complete the assignment(s) yourself.  Please review the completed homework with your child to ensure that it is completed and that he/she has an understanding of the completed work.   If your child has any difficulty in completing the assignments or does not have an understanding of the concepts, please schedule a parent conference with his/her teacher.  Please provide a consistent location that is conducive to study and learning.   Homework is not intended to introduce new concepts not yet taught.  Homework is not to be used for disciplinary measures.  

Hospital Homebound

Students are eligible for hospital/homebound services upon submitting a completed medical referral signed by a licensed Georgia physician.  The referral must include a statement by the physician explaining the reason for the request and that the student will be absent a minimum of ten (10) consecutive school days and that the student is able to participate in normal educational instruction.  Students are not eligible for homebound services if the absence is due to communicable disease, non-complicated pregnancy, or if the Principal deems any requested service(s) to be inappropriate.  If approved for homebound services, a certified teacher will provide instructional services.  These services may be provided in the home or hospital, either individually, or in small group settings.    An adult must be present during each homebound instructional period.  

Learning Technology

Computer Labs

The computer labs at WPS are designed to extend the learning that is taking place in the classroom by giving all students the opportunity to utilize computer-assisted learning for remediation and/or enrichment.  Students will receive computer-based learning in both reading (MyLexia) and math (i-Learn).  While in the lab, the lab facilitator, teacher, and paraprofessional are present to provide individual or group assistance.  The computer lab is an instructional tool and is viewed as an extension of the classroom.  Students will be issued earbuds for use in the labs.  However, students can bring their personal earbuds or headphones.  If broken, the student is responsible to purchase a new pair.

Personal Devices

Students may not bring personal devices from home; however, they will use various types of school provided learning technology during the instructional day.   This includes but is not limited to i-pads, desktop computers, chromebooks, and activiboards.  The student use of technology is highly encouraged at WPS.  The more exposure students have to learning technology at home only helps in their understanding and familiarity of devices used at school.  

Media Center & Procedures

The Media Center is a learning resource for all students and available for teacher and student use before, during, and after school.   Students may use the Media Center to work, read, or check out materials.   Reference books, magazines, videos, and books for leisure reading are available.   Classes are scheduled to come to the Media Center to check out materials and to participate in class and reading activities.  

Students are responsible for the care of any/all materials checked-out.  Parents/guardians are financially responsible for all materials checked-out.  Materials returned late will be assessed a late fine and any lost or damaged book will be assessed at the replacement cost.  

Progress Reports

Progress reports are issued at the mid-point of each grading period.  The purpose of the progress report is to provide a measure of standard mastery in each content area.  It is not a final grade, but a status report of progress being made.  Continual monitoring of academic progress is highly encouraged throughout each grading period.  

Promotion/Retention

Promotion for students in grades K-2 will be determined by a specific grade-level promotion rubric adopted by the Burke County Board of Education.   Below are the promotion rubrics for grades K-2.

Report Cards

Report cards are provided to every student and the end of each nine-week grading period.  For the 2020-2021 school year, grading periods 1 and 2 will be reduced to eight-weeks each due to starting school later than planned.  Report cards are sent home with students.  Report cards are the primary level are not “grade” based, but rather an instrument to monitor the progress students are making in mastering the grade level learning targets, goals, and expectations.  Please review the student progress reflected on the report card.  Please contact the teacher and schedule a teacher conference if there are any questions or concerns.  

Section 504 Plans

A 504 plan may be collaboratively developed for a student at any time during the school year if deemed necessary.  A 504 plan will be developed if it is determined that a student has significant impairment that affects his/her education.  A 504 plan may be short or long term, based on the need.  A Section 504 plan is not under the mandates of special education; however, a student with disabilities may also have a 504 plan based on a specific need.

Summer Program

A Summer program is provided each summer for students who have not mastered the standards taught during the school year.  The Summer program at WPS is a four week, twenty-day program, typically during the month of June.  Participation is limited to those students identified as most at-risk as defined by Title 1 parameters.  Parents will receive written notification near the end of the regular school year inviting their child to summer school.  Please note that the Summer program is not intended for students who will be retained the following school year. 

Teacher Conferences

Teacher conferences are highly encouraged as they provide a positive means for communication between parents and teachers.  Continual monitoring of student progress is paramount in academic success.  To ensure the availability and productivity of a parent conference, please schedule a conference in advance.   To request a parent conference, please contact the teacher, office, or school administration.  The conference will be scheduled with the teacher and confirmed with the parent.   Parent conferences may be held before school, during the teacher planning period, or after school.  Teacher conferences may not be held during instructional time.  At no time will a parent be allowed to visit a classroom during instruction or unannounced.  

Each semester, time is allocated district-wide for parent conferencing.  Scheduling a parent conference during this time is highly encouraged as well.  In order to provide ample opportunity to schedule conferences, students will be released one-hour early each day.  Please refer to the current school year academic calendar, review the specified dates, and make plans to schedule a conference with your child’s teacher.    

Section 3 – Operations

Counseling Services

The WPS Counseling Department provides student support through an array of services that are aimed to assist students and their families.   Parents are encouraged to seek assistance from the Counseling Department in the areas of: (1) academic matters, (2) interpersonal matters and/or conflict resolution, (3) bereavement (4) hygiene, (5) family matters including divorce, separation, (6) anger control, (7) daily student attendance and (8) any other issue/concern that impacts the overall success of the student.  Counseling services may be conducted in individual and/or group settings.  The counselors are mandated reporters for any issue that is deemed detrimental to a student.  In the event of an urgent or emergency situation, immediately contact the Counseling Department or the Principal.  

The counselors also provide scheduled classroom instruction and guidance on various topics and coordinate the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program.

Emergency Drills

WPS views school and student safety as a vital component of effective school operations.  WPS is guided by a Readiness and Emergency Management plan known as the REMBC.  WPS is dedicated as well to ensuring that our students, faculty, and staff are housed in a safe environment.  In order to maximize the operational effectiveness of our REMBC, emergency drills are scheduled and conducted throughout the school year.  Students will participate in emergency drills to include fire, severe weather, school lock-down, and evacuation.  

Field Trips / School Sponsored Activities

Field trips are permissible if the purpose of the trip is aligned to current instructional and content standards.  Trips are restricted to in-state travel and preferred travel within close geographic proximity to WPS.  Students attending field trips must meet all requirements for participation.  Such requirements are discretionary by the teacher and may include daily attendance, academic progress, and behavior.

School-sponsored activities are under the direction and supervision of the school administration.  The same student rules and regulations will govern students’ behavior at these activities as during school hours.  Students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately at any and all school- sponsored activities.  School-sponsored activities include, but are not limited to community service projects and incentives/celebrations.  All students will be required to dress appropriately when attending any school-sponsored function.  The Principal or designee will determine appropriate dress, rules, and any attendance policy that may govern each school sponsored activity.

Medication at School

Medication may be administered to students while at school.  Students who need to receive medication at school must have on file a completed Medical Authorization and Release form.  This form is provided to all students at the beginning of each school year.  It is also available upon request from the School Nurse or front office.  Only the School Nurse or Principal’s designee may administer medication in compliance with the following policies and procedures; (1) all medication must be presented in the originally prescribed bottle or package with legible medication name, proper dosage, and time (2) written instructions signed by the parent must be provided to include the time the medication is to be administered, list of any possible side effects, the duration that the medication is to be administered, and the name of the prescribing physician.  

The School Nurse or designee will maintain a detailed record of all medication administered.  All medications will be secured and kept away from student access at all times.  Any unused medication shall be returned to the parent/guardian.  At no time shall any medication be transported to/from home via the student.  

It is the parent’s responsibility to assume responsibility of informing WPS of any change in your child’s health or change in medication.  The Principal retains the right and discretion to reject requests for the administration of medication as deemed necessary.  

Moment of Silent Reflection

The beginning of each school day shall begin with a moment of silent reflection.  This moment shall last no longer than sixty (60) seconds and shall not be conducted as a religious exercise but as a moment of silent reflection upon the anticipated activities of the day.  

Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO)

WPS has an active and supportive PTO.  Evening meetings are scheduled during the school year to include a business session and a student grade-level performance.  For more information on being an active member of the PTO, please contact the school office at 706.554.5125.

Parental Involvement

One of the major keys to the success of our students is the level of direct and positive parental involvement.  Maintaining open lines of communication with the school administration and teachers is paramount.  Attending and participating in school activities is encouraged.  Modeling support for the mission and vision of WPS shows commitment to the endeavors of our school.

The Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is comprised of parents, community members, and school personnel.   PAC meetings are scheduled quarterly during the school year.  At PAC meetings, members are given updates and insights as to the events, progress, and goals for WPS.  Input is sought from PAC members for continuous school improvement.  For more information about the work of the PAC or your interest in participating, please contact our school office at 706.554.5125.

Photographs (Student)

Throughout the school year, individual students, classroom activities, and/or school events will be photographed for public relations purposes.  Photographs may be used for, but not limited to, newspaper articles, school/district web sites, and other school events.  Any request that a student not be photographed, must request such in writing to the Principal.  Otherwise, it is an assumed permission that students be included in any/all photographs.  

Property Damage

Maintaining our school building, grounds, and property is of utmost importance.  Students responsible for defacing or damaging school property shall be required to make full restitution for costs associated with repair, replacement, or labor.  

Sales / Fundraising

Outside sales or solicitation shall not be permitted.  Students shall not conduct any form of sales or solicitation without the prior approval of the Principal. Items not receiving prior approval will be confiscated.  Pre-K students will not be allowed to participate in school fundraising activities.  

School Instructional Hours

The daily instructional hours are 8:00AM – 3:00PM.

School Nutrition / Cafetorium Policies

Students shall receive a breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack as part of the daily school nutrition program.  All school nutrition meals and snacks meet all dietary requirements.  Students who choose to bring their lunch may purchase milk or juice.  Glass containers are not permitted in the building.  Students shall not be permitted to receive take-out lunches brought to them during their assigned lunch time.  The only meals permitted in the Cafetorium are school nutrition meals and lunches brought from home.   Fast food, meals from restaurants, bottled drinks, etc. in their original containers or bags are not permitted in the Cafetorium.  Parents are not permitted to bring lunches of that nature to school for students.  As students receive their lunch, they will validate their lunch selection by entering a four (4)-digit school identification code in the lunch line.  This code will be issued by the school nutrition staff at the beginning of the school year or upon entering WPS.  Pre-K students will begin entering their school codes second semester.  

Student Accidents

Student safety is important.  Precautions are taken to ensure the safety of every student at WPS.   In the event of a minor accident (scratch, scrapes, etc.) that requires first aid, the student shall be brought to the School Nurse, who will access the injury, and provide any first aid treatment as deemed appropriate.  The parent shall be contacted.  In the event of an emergency situation, the Principal or designee shall contact the parent or guardian immediately.  If the parent or guardian cannot be reached, the emergency contact(s) will be notified.  

Student Release

Students will only be released to those adults who are listed on the approved pick-up list located on the Student Registration Form.  The person who registers the student and signs the registration form has full authority to make any revisions to the approved pick-up list at any time during the school year.  The only exception to this policy is revisions made via court order.  In such case, documentation of such must be presented to the Principal for review and subsequent approval.  

Any person on the approved pick-up list is to report to the front office and electronically sign the student out.  Proper identification may be requested as deemed appropriate before the student is released.

In the event that changes need to be made to the approved pick-up list, the parent who signed the student registration form must make those changes in person.  Changes cannot be made over the phone or any electronic means.  All changes must be made in person.  

Student Searches

To ensure student and school safety, students may be searched by school administration if deemed there is reasonable suspicion that a student possesses any item that could endanger the student in question, other students, staff, or school.  In the event of a student search, the parent/guardian will be notified.  Any/all student searches will be conducted by a school administrator with a witness.

Student Sign In / Out

Parents are required to sign your child in/out electronically in the front office.  

Arrive Late 

In the event that your child arrives late to school, parents are required to electronically sign-in your child in the front office.  Your child will receive a late pass and be allowed to go to his/her classroom.  Parents are free to walk your child to his/her class.

Leave Early

From time to time, it is necessary to leave school early.  In the event that you must sign your child out, the same procedure is used.  Parents must report to the front office, electronically sign-out your child, and his/her teacher will escort your child to the front office.  

Please be reminded that a 2:30 PM rule will be enforced.

For example, after 2:30 PM, if your child is a car rider, he/she will be dismissed at the scheduled  dismissal bell.  Parents are to remain in the car rider line and wait to receive your child.  This procedure, at times, may not be as convenient as you would prefer, however, to ensure that over 1,000 students are dismissed safely and that our dismissal procedures for car rider lines, etc. operate efficiently, we ask that you abide by this procedure.  

Please be reminded that the Principal has the right to deny the release of any student if deemed appropriate for the safety, health, or welfare of the student in question.  

Transportation

All Burke County Public School students are provided the opportunity for transportation to and from school.  For additional information, please contact the Transportation Department at 706.554.2859.  

Designated Stops

All bus routes are based on designated stops.  Students must be at the designated bus stop waiting for their bus, when the bus arrives each morning.  Students are required to be at the bus stop five (5) minutes before the scheduled arrival time.  The driver will not be able to wait for students who are not at the stop when the bus arrives, except in inclement weather.  The driver will not stop twice at any designated stop.  Students are required to be at the stop when the bus comes through the first time to load the bus. Students that are not at their designated stop will be left and must be transported by a parent or guardian to school.

Bus Rules:

Students must take their seats promptly after boarding the school bus and remain seated while the bus is in motion or if the bus is delayed on the road.  Students must also remain seated when other students are loading and unloading.

Students must keep their feet and all other personal possessions out of the isle.  

Students should not open windows without the permission of the school bus driver.  If windows are opened, students should not extend any part of their body outside the windows.  

Students should not throw objects on the bus or out the bus windows at any time.  

Students are not permitted to eat, drink, or chew gum on the bus.  Any food or drinks should be stored away before entering the bus.  Any food or drinks consumed on the bus will be confiscated, and the student will be reported to the disciplinary administrator.

Students are not permitted to possess tobacco, alcohol, or drugs on the school bus.  Students are not permitted to have or operate electronic devices on the bus.  

Profanity, obscene gestures, screaming, and excessively loud talking are never permitted.

Students shall not possess, handle, or transmit any type of weapon or object that could be considered a weapon while on the bus or at the bus stop.

Students are prohibited from using mirrors, lasers, flash cameras or any other lights or reflective devices that might interfere with the school bus driver’s operation of the bus.

The driver is in charge of the bus and all students aboard.  Students must obey the driver and/or the bus monitor promptly.

Students must ride the bus assigned to them by school officials.

Students shall not cause any damage to the bus.  Persons causing damage will be required to make full restitution of the damaged property and be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.

Students are not permitted to exit the bus except at his/her scheduled designated stop without written permission from a parent and/or the school official.

Students must not touch the emergency door, fire extinguisher, or other bus equipment unless instructed to do so by the bus driver.

Visitors

All visitors must enter the main entrance and report immediately to the front office.  After 8:05 AM, the main entrance and all exterior doors are locked.  Entry to the building must be done electronically by “buzzing” the front office from an exterior key pad.  The office staff will then grant entrance into the building.  Please be reminded that this entrance is under video surveillance.  Sex offenders registered with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are not allowed beyond the front office.  Any person found on school grounds who is not authorized to be present is considered trespassing and will be treated accordingly by campus security.  The Principal reserves the right to refuse admission to visitors when it is deemed inappropriate or when such visitors will jeopardize the safety and/or integrity of the school.  

Section 4 – Student Discipline

All students are governed by the Code of Conduct for Burke County Public Schools.  

It is a violation of the Burke County Public Schools Student Code of Conduct for a student to commit any of the acts listed at Rules 1 through 36 on any school campus or property, at a school bus stop, on a school bus, or at any school function or event whether on school property or elsewhere.  Off campus behavior that could result or does result in a criminal charge against the student and which makes the student’s presence at the school a potential danger to persons or property, or which reasonably might result in a disruption of the educational process if the student were returned to school, is a violation of the associated Code of Conduct Rule describing that behavior.  Each Rule is defined as a Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 infraction, as detailed on the attached chart.  

The consequences for a Rule violation should be assigned such that the degree of discipline will be in proportion to the severity of the behavior and the previous disciplinary history of the student.  Suspension over 6 days or expulsion should generally be reserved for the most severe infractions that threaten school safety.  A student who is determined to have violated Rules 25, 26 or 28 shall be expelled for not less than one calendar year, however, the hearing panel, superintendent or local board of education may modify such one-year requirement on a case-by-case basis.  

Level 1:  Warning; parent conference; in school suspension (ISS).

Level 2:  Up to 5 days out of school suspension (OSS); For Rule 8, Fighting: up to 10 days OSS.  

Level 3:  Up to 10 days OSS; referral to Disciplinary Tribunal for recommendations of OSS from 11 days up to permanent expulsion.  

For Rule 29, Bullying: “Bullying” means:

(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:

(a) Causes another person substantial physical harm within the meaning of Code Section 16-5-23.1 or visible bodily harm as such term is defined in Code Section 16-5-23.1;

(b) Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student's education;

(c)  Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or

(d) Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.

The term “bullying” applies to acts which occur 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. The term also applies to acts of “cyberbullying” which occur through the use of electronic communication, whether or not such electronic act originated on school property or with school equipment, if the electronic communication (1) is directed specifically at students or school personnel, (2) is maliciously intended for the purpose of threatening the safety of those specified or substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school, and (3) creates a reasonable fear of harm to the students' or school personnel's person or property or has a high likelihood of succeeding in that purpose. For purposes of this definition, electronic communication includes but is not limited to any transfer of signs, signals, writings, images, sounds, data or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photo electronic or photo optical system.

Third offense of Bullying:  For students in K to 5 – up to 10 days OSS

Four or more offenses: 10 days OSS and Tribunal referral.  

Assignment to the Burke County Alternative School or Burke County Life Center may be imposed by the Tribunal in any case referred to it where there is no mandatory minimum sentence imposed by Georgia law.

When mandated by Georgia law, certain behaviors should be reported by the building administration to law enforcement or other appropriate authorities.

A student who has been placed on any form of out-of-school suspension (“OSS”) is not allowed on any Burke County campus for any reason during the period of his or her suspension.  (See Rule 19, Level 2.)

The Georgia General Assembly requires that school systems encourage parents, guardians and other persons in charge of students to inform them of the consequences, including potential criminal penalties, of underage sexual conduct and crimes for which a minor can be tried as an adult.

Student Name  ________________________________      Teacher ___________________________               Grade _______        

September 8, 2020

Dear Parents/Guardians:

The laws of the State of Georgia and local BCBOE policies allow corporal punishment (spanking) to be administered by school personnel to students unless the parent or guardian of a student notifies the school system in writing that the student is NOT to receive corporal punishment.  A copy of Policy JDA, by which corporal punishment is administered, is available on the district website.  

Please check whether or not you want your child to be subject to receiving corporal punishment. Please complete all the requested information and return it to the student’s homeroom teacher by August 9, 2019.  If you do not sign and return this letter to the student’s homeroom teacher by the requested date, your child will be subject to receiving corporal punishment under the terms of the BCBOE Policy JDA.  

Sincerely,

Sam Adkins,

Principal

(Please check one below)

_____ I do want my child to be disciplined at school with corporal punishment.

_____ I do NOT want my child to be disciplined at school with corporal punishment.

Parent Name  _________________________________       Signature__________________________             Date_________

September 8, 2020

Dear Parent / Guardian,

Your child has been provided a copy of the WPS Parent-Student Handbook which is located at the front of his/her planner.  It is a guide to the policies and procedures of Waynesboro Primary.  It is not intended to be an exhaustive document of all policies and procedures, but to be used as a resource that provides you with some of the most frequently asked questions that you may have.  An electronic version is also available on our school website.

Please review the policies and procedures contained in the handbook with your child to ensure that together, we have a smooth, enjoyable, and successful school year.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our school office at 706.554.5125.

Sincerely,

Sam Adkins,

Principal

“I acknowledge that I have received a copy of the WPS Parent-Student Handbook.  I have reviewed the contents of this handbook and have shared this information with my child and will ensure that my child abides by the policies and procedures set forth at WPS.”

“I further acknowledge that photographs of students, classroom activities, and school events will be taken.  By signing below, I grant permission for my child’s photograph to be taken for school-related purposes.  If I request that my child’s photograph not be taken, I will present my request in written form to my child’s teacher.”

Student Name: ______________________________             Grade: _______     Teacher:________________________

Parent/ Guardian Signature: _________________________________________        Date: _________________