Code of Conduct for Students 2020-2021 Approved By DCS School Board: May 18, 2020 Grades K-12 Dothan City Schools Board of Education Mr. Mike Schmitz, Chairman Mrs. Brenda Guilford, District 1 Mr. Franklin Jones, District 2 Ms. Susan Vierkandt, District 3 Mr. Brett Strickland, District 4 Mrs. Amy Bonds, District 5 Mr. Chris Maddox, District 6 Superintendent Dr. Phyllis Edwards 2 Table of Contents DOTHAN CITY SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION ................................................................................................................................. 2 SUPERINTENDENT ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 TRUANCY LAW ................................................................................................................................................................................................7 DCS Online Privacy and Protection .................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Child Internet Protection Act (CIPA) ............................................................................................................................................................ 7 Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) ..................................................................................................................................... 7 Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) ................................................................................................................................. 8 DOTHAN CITY SCHOOLS PUBLIC NOTICE FOR GIFTED ASSURANCE ............................................................................................. 10 CODE OF CONDUCT COMMITTEE MEMBERS ........................................................................................................................................ 10 SCHOOL CONTACT INFORMATION ...........................................................................................................................................................11 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................................................................................12 EQUAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT.................................................................................................................................12 DUE PROCESS .................................................................................................................................................................................................12 EQUAL ACCESS...............................................................................................................................................................................................13 Plyler vs. Doe, 457 U.S. 202, 1982 .............................................................................................................................................................. 13 Office of Civil Rights Memorandum; September 1991, Section 504 .......................................................................................................... 13 Office of Civil Rights, 1992 ......................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994 and the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act ........................................................ 13 ROLES OF THE PARENTS/GUARDIANS AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL ..................................................................................................14 STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND RIGHTS ............................................................................................................................................15 JURISDICTION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ................................................................................................................................... 15 IMPORTANT PARENT/GUARDIAN INFORMATION ................................................................................................................................ 16 Agencies Offering Assistance to Families ................................................................................................................................................... 16 Parents/Guardians Responsibility (Act 94-782; Ala. Code 16-28-3)........................................................................................................... 16 Parent/Guardian Responsibility for Child’s Damages (Vandalism) (Act 94-819) ...................................................................................... 16 Notification of Rights Under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) ..................................................................................... 16 PPRA Notice and Consent/Opt-Out for Specific Activities ........................................................................................................................ 17 Prohibition on the Possession of Weapons (ALA. Code 16-1-24.1(1975) .................................................................................................. 17 Gun Free Schools Zone Act of 1995 ........................................................................................................................................................... 17 Search and Seizure/Safe and Drug Free Schools ......................................................................................................................................... 17 Tobacco-Free Environment ......................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Fines for Unlawful Possession of Contraband ............................................................................................................................................. 18 Pending Criminal Charges ........................................................................................................................................................................... 18 LAW ENFORCEMENT ................................................................................................................................................................................... 19 The Role of the School Resource Officer .................................................................................................................................................... 19 The Role of the School Protection Officer ................................................................................................................................................... 19 3 TRUANCY LAW ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 19 Truancy Prevention Program ............................................................................................................................................................................ 20 ATTENDANCE ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 20 ABSENCES ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 21 Excused .........................................................................................................................................................................................................21 Unexcused .....................................................................................................................................................................................................21 Documentation of Absences......................................................................................................................................................................... 21 Dothan City Schools Elementary Truancy Procedures for Unexcused Absences per Year (K-6) ............................................................... 21 Dothan City Schools Secondary Truancy Procedures for Unexcused Absences per Year (7-12) ................................................................ 22 Retention Stipulations (9-12) ....................................................................................................................................................................... 22 Student Attendance and Parking Privileges – High School Students (10-12) .............................................................................................. 22 Student Attendance and Extracurricular Activities – High School Students (10-12) ................................................................................... 22 OVER-AGE NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS ..............................................................................................................................................