Important Student Code of Conduct and Dress Code Policy Changes

Each year, we ask our families to familiarize themselves with the SCCPSS Student Code of Conduct.  This year there are some modifications that we want to ensure that you and your student are aware of. There are some significant to disciplinary measures and attendance rules that will take effect this year for certain infractions. In addition, there have been some small changes to SCCPSS dress code policy.  Please see the updates below.

2025-26 UPDATED ATTENDANCE RULES

Attendance rules will be stricter in the 2025-26 School Year.  In years past, a student could have ten (10) unexcused absences before being considered truant.  That rule is changing.  The new number is five (5) unexcused absences and a student will be considered truant. In addition to other penalties, a student with 10 or more unexcused absences are at risk of receiving No Credit (NC) for courses in which they are enrolled.

There are also some new options to assist students in maintaining the required number of days in school.  The district will now offer Asynchronous Remote Attendance for up to five (5) days per school year. The District may require any K-12 student who has excused or unexcused absences to utilize the school/district-provided Attendance Recovery option to make up for the missed time from school.  Parents/guardians will be notified of this requirement two weeks in advance. Students may recover up to 5 days per semester.  Learn more about these changes in the Student Code of Conduct.

2025-26 SY UPDATED DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

Consequences for Drug Possession on Campus - Unlawful use, cultivation, manufacture, distribution, sale, purchase, possession, transportation, or importation of any controlled drug or narcotic substance, or equipment or devices used for preparing or using drugs or narcotics; or any medication prescribed to a student or purchased over the counter and not brought to the office upon arrival to school (to include vaping).

LEVEL ONE - Unintentional possession of prescribed or over the counter medication. Does not include the possession of narcotics or any illegal drugs. Does not include auto injectable epinephrine as properly administered pursuant to O.C.G.A. 20-2-776.

Elementary Grades Consequences

Previous: Minimum – Parent Conference/Maximum - Time Out

New: Minimum -1 Day OSS/Maximum - 3 Day OSS

Middle/High Grades Consequences

Previous: Minimum – 1 Day ISS/Maximum – 3 Day ISS

New: Minimum – 10 Day OSS/Maximum - Expulsion

LEVEL TWO - Any medication prescribed to a student or purchased over the counter and not brought to the office upon arrival to school. Does not include auto-injectable epinephrine as properly administered pursuant to O.C.G.A. 20-2-776.

Elementary Grades Consequences

Previous: Minimum – Parent Conference/Maximum – Time Out

New: Minimum – 3 Day OSS/Maximum – 5 Day OSS

Middle/High Grades Consequences

Previous: Minimum – 1 Day ISS/Maximum – Long-term Suspension/Expulsion

New: Minimum – Long-term Suspension/Maximum - Expulsion

LEVEL THREE - Unlawful use, cultivation, manufacture, distribution, sale, purchase, possession, transportation, or importation of any controlled drug or narcotic substance, or equipment or devices used for preparing or using drugs or narcotics. Does not include auto-injectable epinephrine as properly administered pursuant to O.C.G.A. 20-2-776.

Elementary Grades Consequences

Previous: Minimum – 1 Day OSS/Maximum – Referral to Alternative Placement

New: Minimum – 5 Day OSS/Maximum – Long Term Expulsion

Middle/High Grades Consequences

Previous: Minimum – 3 Day OSS/Maximum -

New: Minimum – Expulsion/Maximum – Full Calendar Year Expulsion

Consequences for Electronic Smoking Device on Campus - Any device used to deliver nicotine or any other substance intended for human consumption that may be used by a person to simulate smoking through inhalation of vapor or aerosol from the device.

LEVEL ONE – Unintentional possession of electronic smoking device

Elementary Grades Consequences

Previous: Minimum – Parent Conference/Maximum - Time Out

New: Minimum -1 Day OSS/Maximum - 3 Day OSS

Middle/High Grades Consequences

Previous: Minimum – 1 Day ISS/Maximum – 3 Day ISS

New: Minimum – 10 Day OSS/Maximum - Expulsion

LEVEL TWO – Use of or knowledgeable possession of an electronic smoking device.

Previous: Minimum – Parent Conference/Maximum – Time Out

New: Minimum – 3 Day OSS/Maximum – 5 Day OSS

Middle/High Grades Consequences

Previous: Minimum – 1 Day ISS/Maximum – Long-term Suspension/Expulsion

New: Minimum – Long-term Suspension/Maximum - Expulsion

LEVEL THREE - Distribution and/or selling of electronic smoking devices; Level 3 may be used for students that violate the school policy on electronic smoking devices three or more times during the same school year.

Elementary Grades Consequences

Previous: Minimum – 1 Day OSS/Maximum – Referral to Alternative Placement

New: Minimum – 5 Day OSS/Maximum – Long Term Expulsion

Middle/High Grades Consequences

Previous: Minimum – 3 Day OSS/Maximum -

New: Minimum – Expulsion/Maximum – Full Calendar Year Expulsion

Consequences for Weapon/Handgun on Campus - Possession of a firearm that has a short stock and is designed to be held and fired by the use of a single hand; and anycombination of parts from which a firearm described above can be assembled. NOTE: This definition does not apply to items such as toy guns, cap guns, bb guns and pellet gun [Pursuant to Gun-Free Schools Act - Public Law 107-110, Section 4141]

Middle/High Grades Consequences

Previous: Minimum-Expulsion/Maximum-Permanent Expulsion

New: Minimum-Full Calendar Year Expulsion/Maximum-Permanent Expulsion

To view the complete 2025-26 SCCPSS Student Code of Conduct, please click this link.

2025-26 SY DRESS CODE MODIFICATIONS

Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy JCDB to implement certain modifications to the Student Dress Code including a specific inclusion for school “spirit wear” as an allowable component of the dress code.

School-approved “spirit wear” tops may be worn as designated by each school. Hooded sweatshirts are not allowed, except for school-approved “spirit wear” hooded sweatshirts, which must be designated by each school. Hoods must not be worn on the head while inside the school building.