Progressive Discipline Matrix
CODE OF CONDUCT
The purpose of the Code of Conduct is to provide students with an effective and safe learning environment.
Expectations
Each student is expected to:
- Behave in a responsible manner at school and at all school-related functions on or off campus.
- Demonstrate courtesy and respect for others.
- Attend all classes regularly and on time.
- Prepare for each class, take appropriate materials to class and complete assignments.
- Obey all District and School rules and cooperate with school staff and volunteers in maintaining safety, order, and discipline.
Behavior Code
The Behavior Code governs students’ conduct on school grounds; off school grounds at a school activity; off school grounds at a non-school activity, but where the misconduct leads to a disruption on school or any other violation of the Student Code of Conduct and en route to and from schools, or any school-sponsored activity, on the bus, and at the bus stop.
Parents and students should carefully review ALL information contained in the Code of Conduct. Students are subjected to disciplinary action for engaging in or attempting to commit any of the prohibited behaviors listed in the Code of Conduct.
PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE MATRIX
Level I
| Level I | Description | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Being in an unauthorized area without permission. | Students being in unauthorized areas or during inappropriate times. For example, walking in hallways during lunch tracks or being in classrooms with no adult supervision. |
A Four Step Referral Process: Step 1: Warning Step 2: Contact Parent/Guardian Step 3: Assign Detention at Lunch or After School Step 4: Refer to Admin via Portal moves to Level II |
| Unauthorized sites | Inappropriate physical contact between students, including, but not limited to inappropriate displays of affection or inappropriate touching. For the purpose of this rule, inappropriate physical contact does not include fighting. | |
| Unauthorized use of cell phones, headphones, beats, ipods etc. in classroom | Student is using a cell phone or headphones in a classroom that the teacher has explained they are not allowed unless given permission. Teacher has the right to take up all cell phones during instructional time. If the student refuses to give up their phone then they are subject to a referral for insubordination. | |
| Unauthorized use of cell phones, headphones, beats, ipods etc. in classroom | Student is using a cell phone or headphones in a classroom that the teacher has explained they are not allowed unless given permission. Teacher has the right to take up all cell phones during instructional time. If the student refuses to give up their phone then they are subject to a referral for insubordination. |
1st time- Teacher discretion Tell them to put phone away, take up phone give back at end of class or turn in to the front office. Students can pick up the phone at the end of the day. 2nd- take to office,, admin call home, parent picks up phone 3rd - Take to office parent pick up full day ISS 4th - no phone allowed at school |
| Unauthorized items at school | Skateboards, roller skates, Heely, or any item that may be dangerous to the student population |
Step 1: Warning. keep item in front office Step 2: 2nd violation keep in office parent pick up Step 3: 3rd violation same as 2nd plus ISS |
| Selling Items at School | You are not allowed to sell any items at school unless approved by an administrator | Admin Discretion |
| Unauthorized use of headphones in Hallways | Student is using headphones, airpods, ipods, beats etc…bring to office with name | |
| Cheating | Student is cheating on academic assignments or tests | |
| Insubordination | Student refuses to follow directions | |
| Harassment | Using language on a mobile device or a verbal conversation threatening any type of harm to another student or telling a student they will meet up with them after a threat or name calling in a text or verbal, using language or pictures that is inappropriate to make fun of another student. This includes any behavior such as pushing or shoving another student. | |
|
Tardy to School -Late to class |
Student arrives to school after the tardy bell - Student arrives to 2nd, 3rd or 4th after the tardy bell |
3 “Free” 4-6 Lunch Detention 7-9 PM Detention 10 +ISS |
|
Dress Code violations |
All clothing must fit modestly and provide appropriate coverage and length. Shoes should be safe for the school environment. Care must be exercised to avoid distractions caused by tattoos, piercings, and unnatural hair colors and styles. |
Referral Process: Step 1: 2 Warnings Step 2: 3rd violation Lunch Detention Step 3: 4th violation ISS |
Level II
| Level II | Description | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Classroom Disruptive Behavior Step 4 | Behavior detrimental to learning, which includes conduct that disrupts the learning environment and insubordination. Insubordination includes but not limited to teacher instructions or refusing to work. |
1-3 Days ISS Admin Discretion |
| Disrespect | Being disrespectful or insubordinate to school personnel or school volunteers. | |
| Inappropriate use of phone at school or technology/websites | Videoing other students at school, posting videos, pics etc. on social media at school, accessing websites for cheating or obtaining confidential information of faculty and students | |
| Inciting Disruptive Behavior | Inciting, encouraging, counseling or advising others to engage in prohibited behavior that violates the Student Handbook. A student violates this rule when he/she verbally or physically encourages others to engage in prohibited behavior, which may include oral instructions or physically showing a student how to engage in prohibited behavior. | |
| Skipping | Leaving school, skipping school, skipping class or lunch detention without permission. | |
| Verbal Disagreement | Verbal arguments between students that do not include any physical contact. | |
|
Using profane, vulgar, obscene, insulting or threatening language, gestures, graphics, or materials, whether spoken, written, gestured, or communicated in person or via any electronic device. | |
| No-Show to detention | Failing to report to detention. | |
| Failure to Report Dangerous Behavior | Failure to report to a teacher or administrator the knowledge of an event, device, object, or substance that could cause harm to self or others. Refusing to comply with assigned disciplinary consequences. Any act that endangers the welfare or safety of other students or staff. | |
| Disruptive Behavior | Creating or contributing to a moderate disturbance that substantially disrupts the normal operation of the school environment but doesn’t pose a threat to the health or safety of others. | |
| Possession of Nicotine Products | Possessing any tobacco product or smoking paraphernalia (excluding Vapes) | |
| Bullying Level 1 | First Offense of bullying as defined in Georgia Code Section 20-2-751.4 Includes but is not limited to a pattern of unwanted teasing, threats, name-calling, intimidation, harassment, humiliation, hazing, physical attacks, extortion, social exclusion, coercion, spreading of rumors or falsehoods, gossip, stalking, or using any type of electronic means to harass or intimidate. |
1st Violation 1-3 Days ISS. Admin Discretion |
Level III
| Level III | Description | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Failure to Comply in ISS | Violating rules of the In-School Suspension program. |
1st Violation: 1 Day OSS 2nd Violation: 2 Days OSS 3rd Violation: 3 Days OSS |
| Verbal Assault on Staff or Student | Verbal assault, racial slurs, cussing teachers, including threatening violence of students, teachers, administrators, and other school personnel |
1st or 2nd Violation: Out-of-School Suspension 1-10 school days. 3rd Violation: Referral to a disciplinary hearing and Out-of-School Suspension pending the hearing. |
| Fighting | Fighting to the degree that does not constitute physical abuse/assault. | |
| Vandalism | Damaging or vandalizing school or personal property, regardless of whether there is a monetary loss of value. Willful or malicious damage to real or personal property of the school or to personal property of any person legitimately at the school. Marking, defacing, throw food on the wall/stalls or destroying school property or the property of another student | |
| Gang Activity | Engaging in gang-related activity that encourages, solicits, promotes, condones, causes, assists, or abets any illegal or disruptive act. | |
| Battery | Intentional touching or striking, slapping of another person to intentionally cause bodily harm. (Only one person caused physical harm) | |
| School Disruption | Causing or contributing to the disruption and interference of school operations. Examples of prohibited conduct include but are not limited to causing a fire alarm. Discharging a fire extinguisher in the absence of a fire. Participation or encouraging a food fight or videoing a fight. | |
| Sexual Misconduct | Sexual misconduct, including but not limited to harassment, possessing, accessing or viewing obscene or vulgar materials, indecent exposure, entry to inviting into areas designated for the opposite sex only ,sexual contact without force or threat of force, or inviting using and electronic or other device to forward or take inappropriate, indecent, vulgar, sexual or obscene pictures of students or school employees and/or sexual contact. Sexual harassment as defined pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 or physical assault or battery of other students. | |
| Terroristic threats | A terroristic threat occurs when one threatens, whether spoken, written, or transmitted by an electronic device, to commit an act of violence against any person or student body, and that person or people has reason to believe they may suffer immediate harm. | |
| Theft | Theft including, but not limited to, attempted theft, extortion, bribery, theft by deception, and/or possession of stolen property. | |
| Threats | Verbal assault of other students, including threatening violence or sexual harassment as defined pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; 160-4-8-.15 Verbally abusing others, including but not limited to, threats, or intimidation, including but not limited to, harassing or taunting in person, on the internet, or other mode of electronic communication. | |
| Bullying Level 2 | Second Offense of bullying as defined in Georgia Code Section 20-2-751.4 Includes but is not limited to a pattern of unwanted teasing, threats, name-calling, intimidation, harassment, humiliation, hazing, physical attacks, extortion, social exclusion, coercion, spreading of rumors or falsehoods, gossip, stalking, or using any type of electronic means to harass or intimidate. | |
| Possession, use or distribution of Vape Products |
Possessing, using, selling, buying, giving away, bartering, or exchanging any tobacco product or smoking paraphernalia or ionizers, vaporizers or any related paraphernalia. 3rd violation of nicotine vape drivers license suspended |
|
Level IV
| Level IV | Description | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Possession, use or distribution of THC Vape Products | Possessing, using, selling, buying, giving away, bartering, or exchanging any DAB pen/cart product or smoking paraphernalia or ionizers, vaporizers or any related paraphernalia. | Violation *10 days OSS/Tribunal Hearing |
| Severe School Disruption | Creating or contributing to a severe disturbance that substantially disrupts the school environment or poses a threat to the health and safety of others; may represent a repeat action | Student Disciplinary Hearing |
| Weapons | Possessing, using, selling, buying, giving away, bartering, receiving, or exchanging any firearm, dangerous weapon, explosive compound, or an object that can reasonably be considered and/or used as a weapon. Possession of a weapon, as provided for in O.C.G.A. § 16-11-127.1 |
|
| Alcohol | Possessing, using, selling, buying, giving away, bartering, receiving, or being under the influence of any alcoholic beverage whether at school or any school related activity prior to attending school or a school-related activity. | |
| Drugs | Possessing, using, selling, buying, giving away, bartering, receiving, or being under the influence of any drug or substance declared unlawful, any substance or chemical that is mood altering when taken, or any substance represented to be a drug or unlawful substance or admits to the use of any substances represented to be a drug prior to attending school or a school related activity; or, possessing any drug paraphernalia. Unlawful use or possession of illegal drugs or alcohol | |
| Counterfeit Money | Possessing, using, selling, buying, giving away, receiving, or exchanging any counterfeit money. | |
| Bullying Level 3 | Repeated acts, as defined in the Georgia Code Section 20-2-751.4, occurring on school property or school possession that is a willful attempt or threat to inflict injury, or apparent means to do so, any display of force that puts victim at fear of harm, any written, verbal or physical act that threatens, harasses, or intimidates; causes another person physical harm; interferes with a student’s education; so severe and pervasive intimidated or threatens educational environment. | |
| Assault | Physical abuse, inappropriate physical contact, or actions toward students or staff. | |
| Combination of Offenses | Accumulation of six (6) Section 2 offenses. Accumulation of two (2) Section 3 offenses. Or A combination of six (6) level II and Level III offenses. Willful and persistent violation of student codes of conduct |
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| Off-Campus Felony | Charged with a felony on or off-campus. Any off-campus behavior of a student which could result in the student being criminally charged with a felony and which makes the student’s continued presence at school a potential danger to persons or property at the school or which disrupts the educational process. | |
| Major offenses including, but not limited to, drug and weapon offenses can lead to schools being named as an Unsafe School according to the provisions of State Board of Education Rule 160-4-8-.16 Unsafe School Choice Option. | ||