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Use of Technology Resources, Policy IJNDB, Issued 5/12

Purpose: to establish the basic structure for the use of technology resources in the district.

The use of technology to support the curriculum and the instructional process must be selected on the basis of its potential to enhance the direct implementation of district and state academic achievement standards. Technology must not be used to substitute for teaching, except when it is used as a delivery medium such as distance learning, web-based educational approaches, etc.                                                  

Internet acceptable use policy (Internet and other electronic media and on-line connections)                                                                                                                                                           

Technology is a vital part of education and the curriculum of the district and the district’s operations.  In an effort to promote learning and expand educational resources for students, the district has made arrangements to provide worldwide electronic on-line connection access to students and staff. While the Internet will be a primary on-line source, this policy and any implementing administrative rule are intended to cover the use of the district's computer-related electronic on-line connections, generally, as well as the district's computer hardware and software. Reference to "Internet" as used herein will be construed as a term of convenience to cover the intended scope of this policy. The district's goal in providing this service is to promote educational excellence by communication, innovation and facilitation in sharing of teaching and learning resources. Access to such "electronic highways" connecting millions of computer users all over the world will allow district students and staff the opportunity to communicate with others on a global level and access educational materials worldwide. It will also enhance professional development for staff.

The internet can provide a vast collection of educational resources for students and employees.  It is a global network that makes it impossible to control all available information.  Because information appears, disappears and changes constantly, it is not possible to predict or control what students may locate.  The school district makes no guarantees as to the accuracy of information received on the internet.  Although students will be under teacher supervision while on the network, it is not possible to constantly monitor individual students and what they are accessing on the network.  Some students might encounter information that is not of educational value.

Access to the Internet is a privilege, not a right. With this privilege, there also is a responsibility to use the Internet solely for educational purposes and not to access inappropriate materials not suitable for students. To that end, the district administration is directed to develop appropriate guidelines governing the use of district computers to access the Internet.                                                                                          

As part of the implementation of the administration's guidelines, students and staff must be instructed on the appropriate use of the Internet. In addition, parents must sign a permission form to allow students to access the Internet. Students also must sign a form in the Code of Student Conduct acknowledging that they have read and understand the acceptable use policy and administrative rule, that they will comply with this policy and rule, and that they understand the consequences of violating this policy or rule. District staff must sign a similar acknowledgment form IJNDB-E before they will be allowed to access the Internet. Inappropriate use by any person will not be tolerated.                                                                                      

Adopted 11/12/96; Revised 1/8/02, 5/22/12

Administrative Rule IJNDB-R   Use of Technology Resources, Issued  5/12

Purpose and scope               

This administrative rule is adopted to implement the district's Internet acceptable use policy. While the rule primarily addresses utilization of the Internet and other electronic on-line connection services, it also applies, where appropriate, to the general use of district-owned computer hardware and software. 

Terms and conditions of use                                  

Acceptable use          

The purpose of the district's decision to provide Internet access is to allow an expanded opportunity for education, research and professional development by providing access to unique resources and the opportunity for collaborative work. All use of the Internet must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational and staff development objectives of the district. Use of any organizations' network or computing resources must comply with the rules appropriate for that network. Transmission of any material in violation of any federal or state laws or regulations is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret. Violations will result in appropriate disciplinary action against the staff member or student involved.                                 

Accessing inappropriate sites
Student Internet activities will be monitored by the district to ensure students are not accessing inappropriate sites that have visual depictions that include obscenity, child pornography or are harmful to minors. The school district uses CIPA approved technology protection measures to protect students from inappropriate access in addition to monitoring.

The district will provide reasonable notice of and at least one public hearing or meeting to address and communicate its Internet safety measures.

Reporting

District and school computer technicians who are working with a computer and come across sexually explicit images of children must report this to local law enforcement. The report must include the name and address of the owner or person in possession of the computer.

Online behavior

The district will educate minors about appropriate, safe, and secure online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyberbullying awareness and response. The superintendent or his/her designee will develop a program to educate students on these issues in accordance with Internet Safety Standards and grade bands published on the State Department of Education website.

Off-campus conduct

Students, parents/legal guardians, teachers and staff members should be aware that the district may take disciplinary actions for conduct initiated and/or created off-campus involving the inappropriate use of the Internet or web-based resources if such conduct poses a threat or substantially interferes with or disrupts the work and discipline of the schools, including discipline for student harassment and bullying.

Procedures for use     

Employees may access the Internet for educational or work-related purposes at any time that is not disruptive and does not interfere with the performance of other responsibilities by the employee or other staff members.                                                                                                                                                           

Students will be allowed to access the Internet only under the supervision of designated staff. No students may access the Internet without permission.                                                                         

Rules governing use   

The following guidelines for acceptable use will be applicable.      

·         Users are expected to employ appropriate net etiquette; profanity, vulgarity or abusive, inappropriate language is prohibited. Illegal activities are forbidden, including unauthorized access or “hacking” by any users.                                                                                                                    

·         Users are not to reveal their personal address or phone number or that of other individuals, students or colleagues.                                                                                                                   

·         Users are not to use another school's or individual's account without written permission from that individual.                                                                                                                   

·         Vandalism will not be tolerated. Vandalism includes, but is not limited to, malicious damage to hardware, harm or destruction of software or the data of another user, and creating, uploading or downloading computer viruses.                                                                                  

·         Users should consider all communications and information accessible via the network to be private property. All quotes, references and sources should be cited.                                   

·         Users are not to access inappropriate or restricted information or other information not directly related to the educational or staff use purposes for which access is being provided. Restricted information includes obscene, libelous, indecent, vulgar, profane or lewd materials; advertisements for products or services not permitted to minors by law; insulting, fighting and harassing words; and other materials which may cause a substantial disruption of the academic environment.                  

·         Users should remain on the system only as long as necessary to complete their work so that other individuals will have equal opportunities to access the Internet. Users are not to disrupt, harass or annoy other users.                                                                                                       

·         The system is not to be utilized for financial or commercial gain or for personal use other than professional activities.                                                                                                 

Penalties for improper use                

An employee who violates the terms of this administrative rule will be subject to disciplinary action consistent with the nature of the offense, including cancellation of Internet privileges, suspension, or termination if circumstances so warrant. Students who violate the terms of this administrative rule or who otherwise misuse their access to the Internet also will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the district's Code of Student Conduct to include suspension or expulsion if circumstances so warrant. Violations of the laws of the United States or the State of South Carolina also may subject the user to criminal prosecution. If a user incurs unauthorized costs, the user, as well as the user's parents (if the user is a student), will be responsible for all such costs.          

Issued 11/12/96; Revised 5/26/98, 1/8/02, 5/22/12

Legal references:

A.    Federal law:

1.         47 USC Section 254(h) - Children’s Internet Protection Act.

2.         The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998, Section 512 - Limitations on liability relating to material online.

B.     S.C. Code of Laws, 1976, as amended:

1.         Section 10-1-205 - Computers in public libraries; regulation of Internet access.

2.         Section 16-3-850 - Encountering child pornography while processing film or working on a computer.

3.         Section 16-15-305 - Disseminating, procuring or promoting obscenity unlawful; definitions; penalties; obscene material designated contraband.

4.         Section 59-19-90 - General powers and duties of school trustees.

C.     Court cases:

1.         Purdham v. Fairfax Co. Sch. Bd., 637 F.3d 421, 427 (4th Cir. 2011).

Bullying as defined by the National Centre Against Bullying is detailed in our student code of conduct. Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behavior that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening.

Bullying can happen in person or online, via various digital platforms and devices and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert). Bullying behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time (for example, through sharing of digital records).

Bullying of any form or for any reason can have immediate, medium and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders. Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying.

WHAT BULLYING IS NOT

• single episodes of social rejection or dislike

• single episode acts of nastiness or spite

• random acts of aggression or intimidation

• mutual arguments, disagreements or fights.

These actions can cause great distress. However, they do not fit the definition of bullying and they’re not examples of bullying unless someone is deliberately and repeatedly doing them.

REPORTING BULLYING

Students, bystanders, parents/guardians, teachers, staff and others should report bullying behavior without delay to a school counselor or school administrator.

The Board's Policy for Bullying is Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying (Policy JICFAA) Issued 9/11:                  

Purpose: To establish the basic structure for promoting the health and welfare of the district's students by maintaining a safe, positive learning environment for students and teaching environment for staff that is free from harassment, intimidation or bullying.                                                                                       

The board prohibits acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying of a student by another student or students, staff or third parties that interfere with or disrupt a student's ability to learn and the school's responsibility to educate its students in a safe and orderly environment whether in a classroom, on school premises, on a school bus or other school-related vehicle, at an official school bus stop, at a school-sponsored activity or event, whether or not it is held on school premises, or at another program or function where the school is responsible for the student.                                                                                               

For purposes of this policy, harassment, intimidation or bullying is defined as a gesture, electronic communication or a written, verbal, physical or sexual act reasonably perceived to have the effect of either of the following.                                                                                                                                                 

•   harming a student physically or emotionally or damaging a student's property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of personal harm or property damage                                                                                                                                                                                                      

 •   insulting or demeaning a student or group of students in such a manner as to cause substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the school                 

Any student who feels he/she has been subjected to harassment, intimidation or bullying is encouraged to file a complaint with the principal or his/her designee in accordance with procedures established by the superintendent. Complaints will be investigated promptly, thoroughly and confidentially. All school employees are required to report alleged violations of this policy to the principal or his/her designee. Reports by students or employees may be made anonymously, but formal disciplinary action must not be taken solely on the basis of an anonymous report.                        

The district prohibits retaliation or reprisal in any form against a student or employee who has filed a complaint or report of harassment, intimidation or bullying. The district also prohibits any person from falsely accusing another as a means of harassment, intimidation or bullying, and any student or staff member knowingly violating this prohibition will be subject to disciplinary action as described in this policy.       

The board expects students to conduct themselves in an orderly, courteous, dignified and respectful manner. Students and employees have a responsibility to know and respect the policies, rules and regulations of the school and district. Any student or employee who is found to have engaged in the prohibited actions as outlined in this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion in the case of a student. Individuals may also be referred to law enforcement officials. The district will take all other appropriate measures reasonably calculated to correct or rectify the situation. (Employees engaged in harassment, intimidation or bullying may be disciplined or recommended for termination, as provided elsewhere in district policy, for unprofessional or unlawful conduct.)

Students, parents/legal guardians, teachers and staff members should be aware that the district may take disciplinary actions for conduct initiated and/or created off-campus involving the inappropriate use of the Internet or web-based resources if such conduct poses a threat or substantially interferes with or disrupts the environment, work and/or discipline of the schools, including discipline for student harassment and bullying.                                                                                                                                              

The superintendent will be responsible for ensuring notice of this policy is provided to students, staff, parents/legal guardians, volunteers and members of the community including its applicability to all areas of the school environment as outlined in this policy.                                                                            

The superintendent will also ensure that an age-appropriate process is established for discussing the district policy with students, as with other aspects of the code of conduct currently utilized during the beginning of each school year.                                                                                                                                

The superintendent will ensure that information regarding this policy is incorporated into the school district's training program and that volunteers who have frequent contact with students are likewise informed of the policy.                                                                                                                                                

Information concerning this policy, upon adoption, will be included in the district's code of student conduct for the next year and will be circulated to all administrators. Immediate information will be provided to students by building administrators and to parent groups through reasonable communication methods currently utilized by the various schools.

Possession/Use of Paging Devices and Cell Phones:  South Carolina law and School District policy define a paging device as “a telecommunications device that emits an audible signal, vibrates, displays a message, or other­wise summons or delivers a commu­nication to the possessor”.  This definition includes cell phones.  The law provides that each school district shall have a policy which addresses posses­sion of such devices by any student. 

The policy of this District, as set forth in Policy JICJ and/or amended in this Code may be summarized as follows:

1)      Cell phones, pagers, or other communication devices may not be used or activated during the school day.  [Note:  Students attending a school piloting a BYOD project are waived from certain prohibitions otherwise set forth in policy JICJ and this Code, but use as a phone or unauthorized camera remains strictly prohibited, as for all students.] Devices described in this policy shall not be activated, used, or displayed by students while in school buildings or on school grounds during “school day hours” and while attending school-day activities, whether on or off school property

2)      Cell phones and pagers are permitted at athletic contests or other events occurring during non-school hours.

3)      Other personal electronic devices which have wireless or cellular interface capability to the internet and/or which have the capability of capturing, storing, or transferring text, numeric, or visual images (including digital or conventional cameras) are subject to all rules relating to cell phones unless otherwise authorized by prior permission of a teacher or administrator.

A student needing a cell phone, pager or any device may be exempted from the prohibitions of the policy for documented medical needs, physical or academic accommodations, or other legitimate reasons as approved in writing by the school.

 Violations during the instructional day are described as: Any intentional manipulation or use of the device by a student.  Any violations involving other violations of the Code of Conduct may result in more severe consequences. [Note: Utilization of such device in a restroom, even on first offense, will be subject to loss of privileges for the remainder of the year and at least a three-day suspension.] 

 Phones confiscated for violations of policy must be made available to parent(s) as soon as the device is no longer required as evidence.

Please see Student Code of Conduct for additional information.

Students are required to bring written documentation for absences within 5 days from the day they return from an absence. Parents who anticipate a student’s absence of more than five consecutive days should apply immediately for homebound instruction.

The principal shall approve or disapprove absences in excess of 10 (5 for semester classes).  A medical note or other documentation will be required after a student accumulates 10 absences (5 for semester) in order to assist the principal in making that decision.  

Absences with no documentation are automatically considered unlawful. 

Students who accumulate 3 consecutive unlawful absences or a total of 5 unlawful absences will be considered truant.  Parents/guardians and students (12 years and older) will be contacted to develop a written Attendance Intervention Plan.  Failure to participate and/or adhere to the plan will result in a referral to the District Attendance Office and/or Family Court.   
 

Lawful Absence(s)

The student is ill and attendance at the school would endanger the student’s health or the health of others.    

There is a death in the student’s immediate family.  Three absences per occurrence.

There is a serious illness in the student’s immediate family.  Absences of this nature should not exceed three per year.

Recognized religious holiday of the student’s faith.

Emergencies and/or extreme hardships at the discretion of the principal.

Unlawful Absence(s)

The student is willfully absent from school without the knowledge of his/her parents.

The student is absent without acceptable reason with the knowledge of his/her parents.

The student is absent and fails to turn in an acceptable note within 5 days of the student’s return from an illness.

The student accumulates more than 10 absences and a medical note is not received.

Truancy

Truant:  A child from age five until age seventeen years meets the definition of a truant when the child has three consecutive unlawful absences or a total of five unlawful absences. 

Habitual Truant:  A child, ages 12 to 17, who accumulates two or more additional unlawful absences after an intervention plan has been developed by the school, parent/guardian and the child. 

Chronic Truant:  A child, ages 12 to 17, who has been through the intervention process and who has reached the level of habitual truant, has been referred to Family Court and placed under a school attendance order, and continues to accumulate unlawful absences. 
 

Section 59-65-10A Responsibility of parent or guardian. All parents or guardians shall require their children or wards to attend  regularly a public or private school or kindergarten of this State which has been approved by the State Board of Education, a member school of the South Carolina Independent Schools’ Association, a member school of the South Carolina Association of Christian Schools, or some similar organization, or a parochial, denominational, or church-related school, or other programs which have been approved by the State Board of Education from the school year in which the child or ward is five years of age on or before September first until child or ward attains his seventeenth birthday or graduates from high school. 

Section 59-65-20 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina allows a penalty for failure to enroll or cause a child to attend school. The law reads as follows: Any parent or guardian who neglects to enroll his child or ward or refuses to make such child or ward attend school shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than FIFTY DOLLARS ($50.00) or be imprisoned not more than THIRTY days; each day’s absence shall constitute a separate offense; provided the court may in its discretion suspend the sentence of anyone convicted of the provisions of the article.

Tardiness

Unexcused/Unlawful tardies are considered a violation of the CSAL (Compulsory School Attendance Law) in that instruction time is missed.  Unexcused tardies will be addressed in an Attendance Intervention Plan and may result in a referral to the District Attendance Office and/or Family Court.

Lawful Tardies: In order for a tardy to be excused written documentation must be provided. 

1.      Illness on part of the student with written medical excuse

2.      Emergency and/or hardships at the discretion of the principal

3.      Doctor or Dentist appointment

4.      Late bus arrival

5.      Teacher, Guidance or Administrator Conference

Unlawful Tardies: Three written parent excuses for any reason or combination of reasons will be accepted per semester. Any additional excuses must be official written medical excuses etc. or will be considered unlawful.

1.      Illness on part of the student without a written medical excuse

2.      Oversleeping, traffic, carpool trouble or other “personal reasons”

3.      Missed Bus

4.      Car trouble

To support the goal of the Compulsory School Attendance Law and decrease a possible referral to the District Attendance Office and/or Family Court schools may implement the following actions:

Tardies & Actions

1-3: Verbal and/or written warning by school personnel (Level 1)

4-6: Verbal and written offer to connect parent with support services (Level 2)

7-9: Verbal and written letter for an Unlawful Tardy Intervention Plan (School Level) (Level 3)

10-15: Verbal and written letter for an Unlawful Tardy Intervention Plan (School Level) (Level 4)
 

Level 1: Warning Level

Level 2: Support Services Letter: (i.e. Student Services Worker, Guidance, Transportation, etc.)

Level 3: Unlawful Tardy Intervention Plan (School Level)

Level 4: Unlawful Tardy Intervention Plan (School Level)

*All referrals to District Attendance Office will be dependent upon amount of loss instructional time.

APPROPRIATE AND NON-DISTRACTING ATTIRE SHALL BE WORN IN THE EDUCATIONAL SETTING.  THIS INCLUDES OFF-CAMPUS ACTIVITIES SUCH AS FIELD TRIPS, PERFORMANCES AND SCHOOL-SPONSORED EVENTS.

1.         APPROPRIATE ATTIRE

·         Skirts, shorts and skorts must be at least two inches below fingertip length or longer when standing (leggings or tights do not substitute for length)

·         Clothing must cover undergarments

·         Pants, shorts, skirts, and skorts must be worn at the waist

·         Shoes, shirts and pants must be worn at all times

2.         INAPPROPRIATE ATTIRE FOR ALL STUDENTS

·         Hats, head scarves, bandanas, and sunglasses should not be worn inside the building (this does not apply to designated spirit days assigned by the administration)

·         Tank tops, tube tops, halter tops and tops with string straps, unless covered by a shirt or blouse

·         Bare midriffs and backs

·         See-through garments

·         Garments that have open holes higher than the knee

·         Leggings/jeggings and tights worn as pants

·         “Sagging” pants, shorts worn below the waist-line

·         Clothing/jewelry may not display alcohol, tobacco, or controlled substance advertisements. Clothing may not display vulgar writing or symbols that are sexual in nature or which illustrate violence. Also, while the displayed message may not be obscene or profane, the message conveyed may still be deemed inappropriate and students will be asked not to wear the clothing/jewelry.

·         Flip Flops (refrain from wearing because of safety concerns)

3.         HAIR STYLES AND COLORS

·         All students are asked to refrain from hair styles/colors that are potentially distracting in a school setting (any action related to hair styles/colors is at the discretion of administration).

NOTE: The administration will make the final judgment on the appropriateness of clothing and/or appearance and reserves the right to prohibit students from wearing any articles of clothing or other items which lead to or result in the disruption of or interference with the school environment and student safety. In the event the administration determines a student’s dress is inappropriate for school in accordance with this policy, the administration will either require the student to change or will inform the student not to wear the garment to school again. Repeated violations of the Dress Code will be addressed as outlined in the District’s Behavior Code.

1.      Students are required to bring written documentation for absences within 5 days from the day they return from an absence. Parents who anticipate a student’s absence of more than five consecutive days should apply immediately for homebound instruction.

2.      The principal shall approve or disapprove absences in excess of 10 (5 for semester classes).  A medical note or other documentation will be required after a student accumulates 10 absences (5 for semester) in order to assist the principal in making that decision.  

3.      Absences with no documentation are automatically considered unlawful. 

4.      Students who accumulate 3 consecutive unlawful absences or a total of 5 unlawful absences will be considered truant.  Parents/guardians and students (12 years and older) will be contacted to develop a written Attendance Intervention Plan.  Failure to participate and/or adhere to the plan will result in a referral to the District Attendance Office and/or Family Court.  

Lawful Absence(s)

5.      The student is ill and attendance at the school would endanger the student’s health or the health of others.   

6.      There is a death in the student’s immediate family.  Three absences per occurrence.

7.      There is a serious illness in the student’s immediate family.  Absences of this nature should not exceed three per year.

8.      Recognized religious holiday of the student’s faith.

9.      Emergencies and/or extreme hardships at the discretion of the principal.

Unlawful Absence(s)

1.      The student is willfully absent from school without the knowledge of his/her parents.

2.      The student is absent without acceptable reason with the knowledge of his/her parents.

3.      The student is absent and fails to turn in an acceptable note within 5 days of the student’s return from an illness.

4.      The student accumulates more than 10 absences and a medical note is not received.

Truancy

1.       Truant:  A child from age five until age seventeen years meets the definition of a truant when the child has three consecutive unlawful absences or a total of five unlawful absences. 

2.      Habitual Truant:  A child, ages 12 to 17, who accumulates two or more additional unlawful absences after an intervention plan has been developed by the school, parent/guardian and the child. 

3.      Chronic Truant:  A child, ages 12 to 17, who has been through the intervention process and who has reached the level of habitual truant, has been referred to Family Court and placed under a school attendance order, and continues to accumulate unlawful absences. 

Section 59-65-10A   Responsibility of parent or guardian.  All parents or guardians shall require their children or wards to attend  regularly a public or private school or kindergarten of this State which has been approved by the State Board of Education, a member school of the South Carolina Independent Schools’ Association, a member school of the South Carolina Association of Christian Schools, or some similar organization, or a parochial, denominational, or church-related school, or other programs which have been approved by the State Board of Education from the school year in which the child or ward is five years of age on or before September first until child or ward attains his seventeenth birthday or graduates from high school. 

Section 59-65-20 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina allows a penalty for failure to enroll or cause a child to attend school. The law reads as follows: Any parent or guardian who neglects to enroll his child or ward or refuses to make such child or ward attend school shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than FIFTY DOLLARS ($50.00) or be imprisoned not more than THIRTY days; each day’s absence shall constitute a separate offense; provided the court may in its discretion suspend the sentence of anyone convicted of the provisions of the article.

Tardiness

Lawful Tardies: In order for a tardy to be excused written documentation must be provided.

1.      Illness on part of the student with written medical excuse

2.      Emergency and/or hardships at the discretion of the principal

3.      Doctor or Dentist appointment

4.      Late bus arrival

5.      Teacher, Guidance or Administrator Conference

Unlawful Tardies: Three written parent excuses for any reason or combination of reasons will be accepted per semester. Any additional excuses must be official written medical excuses etc. or will be considered unlawful.

1.      Illness on part of the student without a written medical excuse

2.      Oversleeping, traffic, carpool trouble or other “personal reasons”

3.      Missed Bus

4.      Car trouble

Middle School

Students who are late to school shall be marked absent to class when the entire class is missed and marked tardy to the class that is partially missed.  If a student misses more than 30 minutes of a 50-minute class, the student will be considered unlawfully absent for that class period if they do not have an official written medical excuse etc.

Unexcused/Unlawful tardies are considered a violation of the CSAL in that instruction time is missed.  Unexcused tardies and unlawful absences from individual classes will be addressed in an Attendance Intervention Plan and may result in a referral to the District Attendance Office or Family Court.

APPROPRIATE AND NON-DISTRACTING ATTIRE SHALL BE WORN IN THE EDUCATIONAL SETTING. THIS INCLUDES OFF-CAMPUS ACTIVITIES SUCH AS FIELD TRIPS, PERFORMANCES, AND SCHOOL-SPONSORED EVENTS.

1.         APPROPRIATE ATTIRE

·         Skirts and shorts must be worn at least three (3) inches from the knee when standing (leggings or tights do not substitute for length).

·         Shirts with sleeves for young men.

·         Clothing must cover undergarments.

·         Pants, shorts and skirts must be worn at the waist.

·         Straps on young ladies’ tops must be the width of her “four fingers.”

·         Proper undergarments and supports must be worn.

2.         INAPPROPRIATE ATTIRE

·         HATS AND SUNGLASSES SHOULD NOT BE WORN IN THE BUILDING (ANY VIOLATION WILL RESULT IN CONFISCATION OF THE ITEMS)

·         Head coverings such as bandanas, scarves, and wraps (etc.)

·         Tank tops, tube tops, halter tops, tops with string straps, and plunging necklines that expose cleavage

·         Bare midriffs and backs

·         See-through garments

·         Sheer leggings/jeggings and tights worn as pants or underneath an inappropriate skirt

·         Bedroom shoes, lounge wear, pajamas, and blankets

·         Excessively long wallet/pocket chains (longer than 6 inches)

·         “Sagging” pants are prohibited. Sagging is identified as pants that are not worn at the waist.

·         Clothing that promotes tobacco, alcohol or other drugs

·         Clothing that promotes guns, violence, gangs, sex, or disrespect to others

·         Rips, tears, holes and worn places in clothing must be no higher than three (3) inches above the knee

·         The display of obscene or profane language or gestures on clothing may result in an out-of-school suspension. Also, while the displayed message may not be obscene or profane, the message conveyed may still be deemed inappropriate and students will be asked not to wear the clothing.

3.         HAIR STYLES AND COLORS

·         All students are asked to refrain from hair styles/colors that are potentially distracting in a school setting (any action related to hair styles/colors is at the discretion of administration).

NOTE: The administration will make the final judgment on the appropriateness of clothing and/or appearance and reserves the right to prohibit students from wearing any articles of clothing or other items which lead to, or may foreseeably result in, the disruption of or interference with the school environment. In the event the administration determines a student’s dress is inappropriate for school in accordance with this policy, the administration will require the student to change and will inform the student not to wear the garment to school again. Repeated violations of the Dress Code will be addressed as outlined in the District’s Behavior Code.

1.      Students are required to bring written documentation for absences within 5 days from the day they return from an absence. Parents who anticipate a student’s absence of more than five consecutive days should apply immediately for homebound instruction.

2.      The principal shall approve or disapprove absences in excess of 10 (5 for semester classes).  A medical note or other documentation will be required after a student accumulates 10 absences (5 for semester) in order to assist the principal in making that decision.  

3.      Absences with no documentation are automatically considered unlawful. 

4.      Students who accumulate 3 consecutive unlawful absences or a total of 5 unlawful absences will be considered truant.  Parents/guardians and students (12 years and older) will be contacted to develop a written Attendance Intervention Plan.  Failure to participate and/or adhere to the plan will result in a referral to the District Attendance Office and/or Family Court.  

Lawful Absence(s)

5.      The student is ill and attendance at the school would endanger the student’s health or others.  

6.      There is a death in the student’s immediate family.  Three absences per occurrence.

7.      There is a serious illness in the student’s immediate family.  Absences of this nature should not exceed three per year.

8.      Recognized religious holiday of the student’s faith.

9.      Emergencies and/or extreme hardships at the discretion of the principal.

Unlawful Absence(s)

1.      The student is willfully absent from school without the knowledge of his/her parents.

2.      The student is absent without acceptable reason with the knowledge of his/her parents.

3.      The student is absent and fails to turn in an acceptable note within 5 days of the student’s return from an illness.

4.      The student accumulates more than 10 absences and a medical note is not received.

Truancy

1.       Truant:  A child from age five until age seventeen years meets the definition of a truant when the child has three consecutive unlawful absences or a total of five unlawful absences. 

2.      Habitual Truant:  A child, ages 12 to 17, who accumulates two or more additional unlawful absences after an intervention plan has been developed by the school, parent/guardian and the child. 

3.      Chronic Truant:  A child, ages 12 to 17, who has been through the intervention process and who has reached the level of habitual truant, has been referred to Family Court and placed under a school attendance order, and continues to accumulate unlawful absences. 

Section 59-65-10A Responsibility of parent or guardian. All parents or guardians shall require their children or wards to attend  regularly a public or private school or kindergarten of this State which has been approved by the State Board of Education, a member school of the South Carolina Independent Schools’ Association, a member school of the South Carolina Association of Christian Schools, or some similar organization, or a parochial, denominational, or church-related school, or other programs which have been approved by the State Board of Education from the school year in which the child or ward is five years of age on or before September first until child or ward attains his seventeenth birthday or graduates from high school. 

Section 59-65-20 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina allows a penalty for failure to enroll or cause a child to attend school. The law reads as follows: Any parent or guardian who neglects to enroll his child or ward or refuses to make such child or ward attend school shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than FIFTY DOLLARS ($50.00) or be imprisoned not more than THIRTY days; each day’s absence shall constitute a separate offense; provided the court may in its discretion suspend the sentence of anyone convicted of the provisions of the article.

Tardiness

Lawful Tardies to School: In order for a tardy to be excused written documentation must be provided.

1.      Illness on part of the student with written medical excuse

2.      Emergency and/or hardships at the discretion of the principal

3.      Doctor or Dentist appointment

4.      Late bus arrival

5.      Teacher, Guidance or Administrator Conference

Unlawful Tardies to School: Three written parent excuses for any reason or combination of reasons will be accepted per semester. Any additional excuses must be official written medical excuses etc. or will be considered unlawful.

1.      Illness on part of the student without a written medical excuse

2.      Oversleeping, traffic, carpool trouble or other “personal reasons”

3.      Missed Bus

4.      Car trouble

High School

Students who are late to school shall be marked absent to class when the entire class is missed and marked tardy to the class that is partially missed.  If a student misses more than 30min of a 50min class, the student will be considered unlawfully absent for that class period if they do not have an official written medical excuse etc.

Unexcused/Unlawful tardies are considered a violation of the CSAL in that instruction time is missed.  Unexcused tardies and unlawful absences from individual classes will be addressed in an Attendance Intervention Plan and may result in a referral to the District Attendance Office or Family Court.

In that tardies to individual classes are considered a disruption to class, the following consequences are administered by class period.

Tardies & Consequence

1st-3rd: Warning

4th & 5th: Detention

6th -8th: 1 Day In School Suspension (ISS)

9th & 10th: 2 Days ISS

11th & 12th: 3 Day ISS

13th: 1 Day Out of School Suspension (OSS)

14th: 2 Days OSS

15th: 3 Days OSS/ Possible Referall to Alternative Program