Student Handbook & Code of Conduct

Discrimination Statement

Franklin County Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic/national origin, gender, age or disability in its educational programs, activities or employment policies as required by Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975. Franklin County Schools expects all employees, students, and other members of the school community to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner with concern and respect for all members of the school community. Discrimination, bullying, and harassment on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, creed, disability, national origin, age, or language minority status will not be tolerated.

Chairperson, FCS Board of Education – Rosemary Champion (919) 496-2600

District Title IX Coordinator – Mr. Michael Zalewski (919) 496-2600

District 504 Coordinator – Ms. Jamie Thieman (919) 494-2642

District & School Websites

The Franklin County Schools district website is a valuable source of current information for parents, students and staff. Parents will find school menus, kindergarten registration information, attendance zones, district calendar, and more on our site. Web pages for each school within the district may be accessed through the district home page. The website features items of interest for faculty and staff including information regarding employee benefits, staff development opportunities, email access and printable documents and forms. For job seekers, district vacancy announcements are available here.

Asbestos Notification

In compliance with the United States Environmental Protection (EPA) and the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), Federal Register (40 CFR Part 763), inspections were performed in the fall of 1988 to record asbestos containing materials located in Franklin County Schools’ buildings. The inspection findings are recorded in each facility’s AHERA Management Plan, located in the main office of each school and at the maintenance shop at Franklin County Schools. The Environmental Protection Agency requires re-inspection of asbestos containing materials every three years. During the spring of 2021, an accredited asbestos inspector performed the re-inspection. An accredited management planner received the results and recorded the recommended actions necessary to safely manage asbestos-containing materials. Anyone interested in viewing this information may do so by written request to Franklin County Schools, 53 West River Road, Louisburg, NC 27549, Attention: Chief of Auxiliary Services, requesting an appointment during regular school hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Questions may also be directed to the LEA. To inquire, call 919-496-2600.

Student Handbook

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Absences

Academically & Intellectually Gifted (AIG)

Before and After School Care

Board of Education

Bullying and Harassment

Career & Technical Education

Children with Diabetes

Children with Disabilities

Chronic Tardiness and Early Dismissals

Compulsory Attendance Law

Counseling Services

Crisis and Emergency Plan

Curriculum Overview

District Leadership

Early Admission to Kindergarten

Elementary & Middle Schools (K-8)

Code of Conduct

Attendance Incidents

Rule 1

Rule 1

Type of Incident	Grade Span	Discipline Response
		Minimum	Maximum
ATTENDANCE- Truancy; Skipping School; Cutting Class; Excessive Tardiness; Late to Class; Leaving School without Permission; Leaving Class without Permission: A student is to attend school (including all classes) each day of the school year. In addition, a student is to report to school and all classes on time and never leave class without permission. A student of compulsory school age who does not attend school is in violation of the law, and the student and his/her parent(s)/guardian are subject to its penalties. Efforts will be made to communicate with parents/guardians of absent or truant students.	Grade PK-5	Conference	Referral to Social Worker
	Grade 6-12	Conference	OSS (5 Days)

Rule 2

Type of Incident	Grade Span	Discipline Response
		Minimum	Maximum
STUDENT DRESS- Student Dress Code Violation: A student will maintain personal attire and grooming standards that promote safety, health and acceptable standards of social conduct. Student clothing or jewelry that indicates gang identification or symbols will not be tolerated. Clothing must be age appropriate, not provocative or disruptive to the teaching process, revealing, indecent, vulgar or obscene. Students should be covered from mid-chest to mid-thigh. No shorts higher than mid-thigh; no skirts/dresses more than three inches above the top of the knee; no shirts/blouses that expose waist, midriff or cleavage. No clothing promoting alcohol, tobacco or the use of controlled substances or depicts violence, sexual or disruptive nature. No baggy clothing or visible underwear. No hats, sunglasses, sweatbands or bandanas. No tank tops, spaghetti straps or sleepwear. No chains on clothing.	Grade PK-5	Conference/Warning
	Grade 6-12	Conference	ISS (2 Days)

Rule 3

Type of Incident	Grade Span	Discipline Response
		Minimum	Maximum
MISREPRESENTATION- False Information; Honor Code Violation: A student will not lie or cheat. For example: altering report cards or notes, false information; cheating.	Grade PK-5	Conference	Detention/Timeout
	Grade 6-12	Conference	ISS (5 Days)

Property Incidents

Rule 4

Type of Incident	Grade Span	Discipline Response
		Minimum	Maximum
MISREPRESENTATION- False Information; Honor Code Violation: A student will not lie or cheat. For example: altering report cards or notes, false information; cheating.	Grade PK-5	Conference	Detention/Timeout
	Grade 6-12	Conference	ISS (5 Days)

Rule 5

Type of Incident	Grade Span	Discipline Response
		Minimum	Maximum
VANDALISM- Property Damage: A student will not willfully or maliciously damage or destroy property belonging to another including school or private property. A student or parent/guardian will be held financially responsible, as allowed by North Carolina law, for willful or malicious destruction of property. This includes, but is not limited to, writing on school property, damaging another person’s clothing or graffiti.	Grade PK-5	Conference	OSS (9 Days)/Consult with Law Enforcement
	Grade 6-12	OSS (1 Day)	Recommendation for Long Term Suspension/Consult with Law Enforcement

Rule 6

Type of Incident	Grade Span	Discipline Response
		Minimum	Maximum
COMPUTER TRESPASS- Misuse of School Technology; Cell Phone Use: A student will not misuse a computer or computer network with the actual or attempted intent to do any of the following: data removal or alteration; downloading and installing non-FCS supported software; system malfunction/hacking; property damage; prohibited website access; utilizing FCS technology resources for personal use.	Grade PK-5	Conference	ISS (less than a day)
	Grade 6-12	ISS (3 Days)	OSS (5 Days)

Rule 7

Type of Incident	Grade Span	Discipline Response
		Minimum	Maximum
ARSON- Burning of School Building (Reportable Offense); Unlawfully Setting a Fire: A student will neither set fire nor attempt to set fire to any property; school or personal.	Grade PK-5	OSS (1 Day)/Consult with Law Enforcement	OSS (9 Days)/Consult with Law Enforcement
	Grade 6-12	OSS (10 Days)/Consult with Law Enforcement	Recommendation for Long Term Suspension/Consult with Law Enforcement

Disruptive Behavior

Rule 8

Type of Incident	Grade Span	Discipline Response
		Minimum	Maximum
DISRUPTION- Disruptive Behavior; Disorderly Conduct; Inappropriate Behavior: No student may disrupt the class, school, or bus activity. For example: chronic talking; throwing objects; horse play; refusing to remain seated; rude noises; chronic lack of supplies.	Grade PK-5	Conference	ISS (2 Days)
	Grade 6-12	Conference	ISS (5 Days)

Rule 9

Type of Incident	Grade Span	Discipline Response
		Minimum	Maximum
INSUBORDINATION- Insubordination: A student will obey the lawful direction of any authorized staff member during the time the student is in school, participating in a school activity, or on school property. This includes: failure to comply; refusal to work in class; refusal of detention; refusal to participate in in-school alternatives; refusal to report to office.	Grade PK-5	Conference	ISS (5 Days)
	Grade 6-12	Conference	OSS (5 Days)

Rule 10

Type of Incident	Grade Span	Discipline Response
		Minimum	Maximum
PROFANITY- Inappropriate Language/Disrespect: A student will not use profane or obscene language or make obscene gestures to fellow students or staff. This includes, but is not limited to, swearing, obscene/offensive gestures and/or derogatory written materials.	Grade PK-5	Conference	ISS (5 Days)
	Grade 6-12	Conference	OSS (10 Days)

Rule 11

Type of Incident	Grade Span	Discipline Response
		Minimum	Maximum
GAMBLING- Gambling: A student will not play games of chance for money or property.	Grade PK-5	Conference	ISS (5 Days)
	Grade 6-12	ISS (1 Day)	OSS (5 Days)/Consult with Law Enforcement

Rule 12

Type of Incident	Grade Span	Discipline Response
		Minimum	Maximum
DISRESPECT- Disrespect of faculty/staff: A student will behave in a respectful manner. Examples of disrespectful behaviors are: talking back or walking away from a staff member.	Grade PK-5	Conference	ISS (5 Days)
	Grade 6-12	Conference	OSS (5 Days)

Rule 13

Type of Incident

Grade

Span

Discipline Response

Minimum

Maximum

PERSONAL PROPERTY- Inappropriate Items on School Property: A student will not bring or possess any object that has no educational purpose and distracts from teaching and learning. This includes, but is not limited to, toys, electronic devices and cellular phones.

All Grades

Conference

ISS (5 Days)

Rule 14

Type of Incident	Grade Span	Discipline Response
		Minimum	Maximum
GANG ACTIVITY- Gang Activity: No student shall commit any act which furthers gangs or gang-related activities. A gang is any ongoing organization, association, or group of three or more persons, whether formal or informal, having as one of its primary activities the commission of criminal acts and having a common name or common identifying sign, colors, or symbols. Conduct prohibited by this policy includes: Clothing: Wearing, possessing, using, distributing, displaying or selling any clothing, jewelry, emblems, badges, symbols, signs or other items which may be evidence of membership or affiliation in any gang; Communication: Communicating either verbally or non-verbally (gestures, handshakes, slogans, drawings, etc.), to convey membership or affiliation in a gang; Vandalism or Destruction of Property: Tagging, or otherwise defacing school or personal property with gang or gang-related symbols or slogans; Intimidation/Threat: Requiring payment for protection, insurance or otherwise intimidating or threatening any person, related to gang activity; Coercion: Inciting other students to intimidate or to act with physical violence upon any other person related to gang activity; Solicitation: Soliciting others for gang membership; Conspiracy: Committing any other illegal act or other violation of school district policies that relates to gang activity.	Grade PK-5	Conference	OSS (10 Days)/Consult with Law Enforcement
	Grade 6-12	OSS (10 Days)/Consult with Law Enforcement	Recommendation for Long Term Suspension/Consult with Law Enforcement

Rule 15

Type of Incident	Grade Span	Discipline Response
		Minimum	Maximum
TRESPASSING- Unauthorized Area: A student will not enter any school property or facility without proper authority (including entering any school during a period of suspension or expulsion).	Grade PK-5	Conference	OSS (10 Days)/Consult with Law Enforcement
	Grade 6-12	Conference	OSS (9 Days)/Consult with Law Enforcement

Rule 16

Type of Incident	Grade Span	Discipline Response
		Minimum	Maximum
FALSE ALARM- False Fire Alarm: Calling 911, or signaling or setting off an automatic signal falsely indicating the presence of a fire or an emergency is prohibited. This includes making statements/phone calls that such an emergency exists in the school.	Grade PK-5	Conference	OSS (9 Days)/Consult with Law Enforcement
	Grade 6-12	Conference	Recommendation for Long Term Suspension/Consult with Law Enforcement

Rule 17

Type of Incident

Grade

Span

Discipline Response

Minimum

Maximum

RECKLESS VEHICLE- Other School Defined Offense: A student will not operate any motorized or self-propelled vehicle on school grounds in a manner that is a threat to health or safety, or a disruption to the educational process.

All Grades

Conference

Recommendation for Long Term Suspension

Rule 18

Type of Incident

Grade

Span

Discipline Response

Minimum

Maximum

REPEATED VIOLATION- Repeat Offender: A serious or repeated violation of one or more rules requires a need for strong parent-administrator communication, coordination, consideration of outside assistance and will result in suspension and/or possible expulsion.

All Grades

Conference

Recommendation for Long Term Suspension

Other Criminal Incidents

Rule 19

Type of Incident	Grade Span	Discipline Response
		Minimum	Maximum
OTHER CONDUCT- Other Conduct: Any other conduct considered by the principal to be disruptive, disrespectful, threatening and/or presenting an immediate danger to the welfare, health and safety of any person. The school’s authority to discipline its students reaches beyond the school within certain limits, particularly for instances of assaultive or dangerous behavior that would affect the general welfare of the school. This includes any instances of misconduct that occurs at a visiting school or facility as if they were on their school campus. This includes any school incident that may lead to an altercation off campus.	Grade PK-5	Conference	OSS (10 Days)
	Grade 6-12	Conference	Recommendation for Long Term Suspension/Consult with Law Enforcement

Rule 20

Type of Incident

Grade

Span

Discipline Response

Minimum

Maximum

FIREARMS- Possession of a Firearm or Powerful Explosive (Reportable Offense); Physical Attack with a Firearm or Explosive Device (Reportable Offense): A student will not possess, handle or transport any loaded or unloaded pistol, revolver, firearm or any other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile of any kind.

All Grades

OSS (365 Days)/Consult with Law Enforcement

Rule 21

Type of Incident	Grade Span	Discipline Response
		Minimum	Maximum
WEAPONS AND DANGEROUS OBJECTS- Possession of a Weapon-Excluding Firearms and Powerful Explosives (Reportable Offense): A student will not possess, handle, transport or use any weapon, dangerous object, object that can reasonably be considered a weapon, or substance that could cause harm or irritation to another person.	Grade PK-5	OSS (1 Day)/Consult with Law Enforcement	Recommendation for Long Term Suspension/Consult with Law Enforcement
	Grade 6-12	OSS (10 Days)/Consult with Law Enforcement	Recommendation for Long Term Suspension/Consult with Law Enforcement

Rule 22

Type of Incident	Grade Span	Discipline Response
		Minimum	Maximum
ROBBERY- Robbery without a Weapon; Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon (Reportable Offense); Robbery with a Firearm or Explosive Device (Reportable Offense): A student will not attempt, nor actually take another person’s property by force or violence.	Grade PK-5	OSS (6 Days)/Consult with Law Enforcement	Recommendation for Long Term Suspension/Consult with Law Enforcement
	Grade 6-12	OSS (10 Days)/Consult with Law Enforcement	Recommendation for Long Term Suspension/Consult with Law Enforcement

Rule 23

Type of Incident	Grade Span	Discipline Response
		Minimum	Maximum
EXTORTION- Extortion: A student will not take or threaten to take the property of other through intimidation, attempted or actual.	Grade PK-5	ISS (1 Day)/Consult with Law Enforcement	OSS (5 Days)/Consult with Law Enforcement
	Grade 6-12	OSS (10 Days)/Consult with Law Enforcement	Recommendation for Long Term Suspension/Consult with Law Enforcement

Rule 24

Type of Incident

Grade

Span

Discipline Response

Minimum

Maximum

BOMB THREAT- Bomb Threat (Reportable Offense): Any device brought to school that contains combustible material, or making statements that such a device exists in school.

All Grades

OSS (365 Days)/Consult with Law Enforcement

Substance Abuse/Drug Incidents

Rule 25
Rule 26

Rule 25

Type of Incident	Grade Span	Discipline Response
		Minimum	Maximum
TOBACCO/VAPING PRODUCTS - Use of Tobacco/Vaping Products; Possession of Tobacco/Vaping Products: No student may possess, use, distribute or attempt to distribute any tobacco/vaping products in school, on school property, to and from school, on school buses or at any school function. Tobacco/vaping products include any products made or derived from tobacco and are intended for human consumption, including electronic cigarettes and all lighted and smokeless tobacco products. Smoking paraphernalia is also prohibited, this includes lighters and electronic cigarette cartridges.	Grade PK-5	Conference	OSS (10 Days)/Consult with Law Enforcement
	Grade 6-12	ISS (3 Days)	OSS (10 Days)

Rule 26

Type of Incident	Grade Span	Discipline Response
		Minimum	Maximum
ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS- A student will not use, purchase, sell, distribute, be under the influence of or possess any kind of alcoholic beverage or any kind of controlled substance as defined by state law. In the event of an infraction, law enforcement will be notified. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, anabolic steroids, counterfeit or imitation controlled substances, and drug paraphernalia. Alcohol- Use of Alcoholic Beverages; Alcohol Possession (Reportable Offense); Under the Influence of Alcohol: A student shall not possess, use or be under the influence of alcohol on school property or at a school function. Marijuana- Under the Influence of Controlled Substance; Possession of Control Substance-Marijuana (Reportable Offense): A student shall not possess, use or be under the influence of marijuana on school property or at a school function. “Marijuana” is defined to also include synthetic cannabinoids and substances intended to mimic the effects of marijuana. Paraphernalia- Possession of Chemical or Drug Paraphernalia: A student shall not use, possess, or distribute any drug related paraphernalia including but not limited to: rolling papers, cigar wrappers, e-cigarettes, vaping/hookah devices, bongs, pipes, or any item intended for the use, storage, or distribution of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or other drugs. Drugs/illegal substances- Use of Control Substance; Possession of Controlled Substance-Cocaine (Reportable Offense); Possession of Controlled Substance-Other (Reportable Offense); Possession of Controlled Substance-Ritalin (Reportable Offense); Possession of Another Person's Prescription Drug (Reportable Offense); Possession of Student's own Prescription Drug; Possession of Counterfeit Items; Use of Counterfeit Items: For drugs other than marijuana, a student shall not use or be under the influence of illegal or controlled substances or possess illegal, counterfeit or controlled substances (including prescription drugs without a doctor’s order filed with the school) on school property or at a school function. PK-5 students must have written instructions signed by the parent/guardian and licensed health care provider before any medication is administered. All medication at elementary schools is administered by school personnel except for inhalers, insulin or epinephrine. Students, 6th grade and above, who have developed the competency and are learning self-care behavior may be allowed, with written permission, to manage their own medication, including over-the-counter medication. No controlled substances will be self-managed by students. Distribution of Drugs/illegal substances- Distribution of a Prescription Drug (Reportable Offense); Sale of Controlled substance in violation of the law-Cocaine (Reportable Offense); Sale of Controlled substance in violation of the law-Ritalin (Reportable Offense); Sale of Controlled substance in violation of the law-Marijuana (Reportable Offense); Sale of Controlled substance in violation of the law-Other (Reportable Offense); Use of Narcotics (Reportable Offense): A student shall not distribute, sell, attempt to sell, or possess with intent to sell any illegal, counterfeit or controlled substance. Possession of a large amount of or more than one individually wrapped package of a controlled or illegal substance will be considered evidence that the student intended to sell or distribute the product. NOTE: Repeated Offense- Automatic recommendation to the Superintendent for long term suspension for the remainder of the school year. Students will be referred to the appropriate drug and alcohol rehabilitation agency. Effect on Athletic Eligibility First Offense- Student athlete is ineligible for athletics for the remainder of the current athletic season plus the next athletic season, and must enroll in and validate the completion of a substance abuse counseling program. Second Offense- High School—student-athlete is ineligible for athletics for the remainder of his/her high school career. Middle School—student -athlete is ineligible for athletics for the remainder of his/her middle school career. If the offense occurs during the spring semester of the eighth grade, the student is ineligible for the current semester of their eighth grade year and the first semester of their ninth grade year. Violation of this rule will result in the reporting of this offense to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and notification to local law enforcement agencies.	Grade PK-5	OSS (1 Days)/Consult with Law Enforcement	OSS (10 Days)/Consult with Law Enforcement
	Grade 6-12	OSS (10 Days)/Consult with Law Enforcement	Recommendation for Long Term Suspension/Consult with Law Enforcement

Acts Against Person

Rule 27

Type of Incident	Grade Span	Discipline Response
		Minimum	Maximum
BULLYING/HARASSMENT- Bullying; Cyber-bullying; Discrimination; Harassment-Disability; Harassment-Racial; Harassment-Religious Affiliation; Harassment-Sexual; Harassment-Sexual Orientation; Harassment-Verbal; Hazing: A student will not engage in behavior or activities that harass, intimidate, bully, disparage, demoralize, or put down another student or staff member. This includes possessing or distributing through electronic methods any offensive, obscene, or sexually explicit materials in any format including written texts, photographs or videos.	Grade PK-5	Conference	OSS (9 Days)
	Grade 6-12	Conference	OSS (10 Days)

Rule 28

Type of Incident	Grade Span	Discipline Response
		Minimum	Maximum
FIGHTING- Assaults on students, staff, and other individuals are prohibited. A student who is attacked may use reasonable force in self-defense, but only to the extent necessary to get free from the attacker and notify proper school authorities. A student who exceeds reasonable force may be disciplined even though someone else provoked the fight. No student shall engage in fighting or physical aggression towards others, including but not limited to: hitting, slapping, shoving, scratching, biting, blocking the passage of, or throwing objects at another person in an aggressive or confrontational manner. A student who is at least 13 years old, enrolled in an elementary school and violates Rule 18 will receive a consequence reserved for students in grade 6 through 12. Fighting; Affray: The exchange of mutual aggressive physical contact between students, with or without injury, is prohibited. A student who is physically attacked may act in self-defense without consequence. Students will also not instigate a fight. This includes verbal form, physical form, cyber form, messaging form or any other communication method. Assault on Student; Assault on Student without Weapon-Not Serious; Assault on Non-Student without Weapon-Not Serious; Assault-Other: A student shall not physically attack another student or person. On School Personal-Not Serious (Reportable Offense)- A student shall not physically attack a staff member or adult. Assault involving the Use of a Weapon (Reportable Offense); Assault resulting in a Serious Injury (Reportable Offense)- Any incident in grades K-12 which involves the use of a weapon or dangerous instrument that could reasonably be considered a weapon shall result in long term suspension for the remainder of the school year and may result in suspension for 365 days or expulsion where required by law.	Grade PK-5	OSS (1 Day)/Consult with Law Enforcement	Recommendation for Long Term/Consult with Law Enforcement

Rule 29

Type of Incident	Grade Span	Discipline Response
		Minimum	Maximum
AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR- Aggressive Behavior: A student may not willfully cause harm or attempt to cause harm to another student or adult. For example: shoving and/or kicking; throwing objects at others; hitting, biting, spitting, pinching or any action which may cause harm to another student or adult.	Grade PK-5	Conference	OSS (10 Days)
	Grade 6-12	ISS (3 Days)	OSS (10 Days)

Rule 30

Type of Incident	Grade Span	Discipline Response
		Minimum	Maximum
SEXUAL MISCONDUCT- Mutual Sexual Contact between Students; Excessive Display of Affection: A student will not engage in sexual behavior. This includes, but is not limited to: offensive touching, sexual harassment, consensual sexual acts and indecent exposure.	Grade PK-5	Conference	OSS (9 Days)/Consult with Law Enforcement
	Grade 6-12	OSS (6 Days)	Recommendation for Long Term Suspension/Consult with Law Enforcement

Rule 31

Type of Incident

Grade

Span

Discipline Response

Minimum

Maximum

SEXUAL OFFENSE- Rape (Reportable Offense); Sexual Assault not involving rape or Sexual Offense (Reportable Offense); Sexual Offense (Reportable Offense); Indecent Exposure; Taking Indecent Liberties with a Minor (Reportable Offense): A serious or significant sexual act between two or more individuals with force and against one’s will. This includes, but is not limited to: statutory rape, rape, sexual assault with or without a weapon.

All Grades

Recommendation for Long Term Suspension/Consult with Law Enforcement

Rule 32

Type of Incident	Grade Span	Discipline Response
		Minimum	Maximum
THREAT- Threat of Physical Attack without a Weapon: A student will not threaten to strike, attack, or harm any student, staff member or other individual.	Grade PK-5	Conference	Recommendation for Long Term/Consult with Law Enforcement
	Grade 6-12	OSS (3 Days)

Rule 33

Type of Incident	Grade Span	Discipline Response
		Minimum	Maximum
TERRORISTIC THREATS- Communicating Threats; Threat of Physical Attack with Firearm; Threat of Physical Attack with a Weapon: No student shall make a statement(s) declaring an intent to commit a crime of violence against another and/or with the intent of threatening a person, building or facility.	Grade PK-5	OSS (5 Days)/Consult with Law Enforcement	Recommendation for Long Term/Consult with Law Enforcement
	Grade 6-12	Recommendation for Long Term Suspension/Consult with Law Enforcement

Bus Behavior Incident

Rule 34

Rule 34

Type of Incident

Grade

Span

Discipline Response

Minimum

Maximum

BUS VIOLATION: Students will not place head, legs or arms outside of the bus window. Students will not misuse the emergency door. Students will obey all school rules. Students will not fight, use profanity, throw items out of the window, threaten others, or damage the bus. Students will not take any action that impedes the safe, orderly, and timely operation of a bus. Students may only board/leave the bus at their assigned stop.

All Grades

Conference

Bus Suspension for Remainder of School

Year

Reportable Offenses

North Carolina General Statute 115C-288 indicates the procedures for reporting specific offenses to school administrators, and if necessary, law enforcement authorities.

The Discipline Matrix sets forth the guidelines for assessing consequences/interventions for violations of School Board policies. When assigning disciplinary action for a behavior(s) to a student, administrators should use the matrix to help guide in assessing an appropriate consequence/intervention. Administrators should determine the appropriate actions based on the aggravating and mitigating circumstances as to which consequences/interventions will be assigned to the student.

Acknowledgement Statement

All students enrolled in Franklin County Schools are responsible for abiding by the Franklin County Schools’ Student Code of Conduct. This code is specifically designed to ensure that all schools operate in a safe and orderly fashion. Listed below are a few highlights from the Student Code of Conduct; however, the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct can be viewed in its entirety online at fcschools.net. Click on “Students,” then scroll down to “Student Handbook.” Please review the information below, read the Student Code of Conduct online, and return this form signed by your parent or legal guardian.

Cell Phones: Cell phone use during the school day is only permitted for educational purposes under the direction and supervision of the teacher.

Image Consent: Franklin County Schools, and its delegated representatives, may capture student images on occasion as part of its ongoing efforts to promote the District and its activities. These images may be captured through digital photography and/or video. Student images might be published in printed materials, broadcast through video, posted on websites and social media channels, and distributed to local and regional media outlets, as well as external agencies and organizations. In addition, students may also be identified in the previously listed media, along with their image, in order to highlight their accomplishments or assist in the branding and promotion of FCS. Your acknowledgement below of this handbook also represents your consent for Franklin County Schools to include any captured images and identifications in any and all reasonable and ethical efforts to promote the District and its activities. To deny such consent and revoke FCS’ rights to access and distribute said images and identifications, please submit a signed and dated letter to your child’s school principal and copy the FCS’ director of communications. Please include the student(s)’ full name(s) and school(s). The revocation letter will remain active for one academic year.

Dress Code: A student will maintain personal attire and grooming standards that promote safety, health and acceptable standards of social conduct. Student clothing or jewelry that indicates gang identification or symbols will not be tolerated. Clothing must be age appropriate, not provocative or disruptive to the teaching process, revealing, indecent, vulgar or obscene. Students should be covered from mid-chest to mid-thigh. No shorts higher than mid-thigh; no skirts/dresses more than three inches above the top of the knee; no shirts/blouses that expose waist, midriff or cleavage. No clothing promoting alcohol, tobacco or the use of controlled substances or depicts violence, sexual or disruptive nature. No baggy clothing or visible underwear. No hats, sunglasses, sweatbands or bandanas. No tank tops, spaghetti straps or sleepwear. No chains on clothing.

Tobacco/Vaping Products: Tobacco/Vaping Product use or possession of any kind is prohibited on all FCS campuses, even during athletic events.

Computer Use: Students are prohibited from using computers for any activity that is not pre-approved by FCS, and students must be supervised by FCS staff for all computer use. Cyber bullying, gaming, etc. are prohibited. Please review Policy 3225.

Attendance: Students are to attend school (including all classes) each day of the school year. In addition, a student is to report to school and all classes on time. A student of compulsory school age is required to attend school by law.

It is your obligation to read the Franklin County School Student Handbook and Code of Conduct. If you are unable to access the Handbook and Code of Conduct online, please contact your school’s office for a printed copy.