School Policies

Attendance Policy

Dress Code

Electronic Media

Electronics

Promotion Criteria

In order for student absences, tardiness, or leaving school early to be considered excused, the reason must qualify under one of the following conditions as defined by Georgia State law: Students who are personally ill and whose presence would endanger their health or the health of others. Students in whose immediate family there is a serious illness or death that would reasonably necessitate absence from school. Students who observe special and recognized religious holidays observed by their faith. Students who are mandated by order of government agencies. Students expelled from school for short-term suspension. Students who are at least 12 years of age and are serving as Pages in the General Assembly. Students may be excused from school attendance when prevented from such attendance due to conditions rendering attendance impossible or hazardous to their health or safety. "Take Your Daughter To Work Day" is not an excused absence as defined by state law; however, teachers will allow students to make-up work if parents provide a note indicating that their child was participating in this program. Students have two days (48 hours) to present a signed note by a parent or doctor to their homeroom teacher for an absence to be excused. All notes must include the reason the student is absent, tardy, or must be excused from school early. Notes brought in after the 48-hour time frame will be considered unexcused. The above information is listed in the Student Agenda on page 3. We appreciate your cooperation and assistance in this matter. Together, we can provide a world-class education to our students.

Hull Middle School acknowledges that good grooming and personal attire positively affect student achievement and conduct. Hull's dress code is designed to reduce the likelihood of distraction or disruption and to maintain an academic focus in the classroom and on campus.

Instruction is interrupted when a student has to be seen by an administrator because of inappropriate dress. If, in the judgment of the administration or staff, a student is dressed inappropriately, the student will be required to change clothing. Often, the student has to miss instruction time while waiting for a change of clothing to be brought to the school. Time out of class will be regarded as unexcused.

DRESSING FOR SUCCESS - SOME IMPORTANT GUIDELINES CAN I WEAR MY HAT? Not unless it is a designated Hat Day. Headgear is prohibited and must be kept out of sight in the building. This includes, but is not limited to, caps, hats, hoods, bandanas, wave caps, sweatbands, do-rags, sunglasses, or any other head covering. No combs, rakes, curlers, or picks can be worn in the hair. *Exceptions for religious or medical reasons to be granted by the principal. ISN'T THIS SHIRT CUTE? It might be cute. but you can't wear it if it shows your bare shoulders or midriff. Quick Checks: If you raise your arms to shoulder level and your stomach shows, the top is unacceptable. If your bare shoulders can be seen, the top is unacceptable. If it's sleeveless, the top is unacceptable. Other blouses/shirts which are not appropriate for school include, but are not limited to, low-cut, see through, backless, or tube tops. Rips or holes are not allowed in shirts/tops. ARE THESE SHORTS (OR IS THIS SKIRT) TOO SHORT? Quick Checks: Shorts and skirts should never be more than 3 inches above the top of your knee cap. Slits in skirts cannot be above mid-thigh. Cheerleading skirts are not allowed but warm-up pants are okay. Wearing shorts/skirts/skorts that do not meet the guidelines above even with leggings underneath are not acceptable. BUT THE BAGGY LOOK IS IN! Quick Checks for making sure your pants are sagging too much: Waistline of shorts /pants must be on or above the hips with no underwear or shorts showing at any time. Pants that are too baggy and cannot be kept at the waist are not allowed. Writing across the seat area is not permitted. If the crotch of the pants is anywhere near your knees - they are too baggy. There should be no rips or holes. Pajama bottoms are not allowed at school. Undergarments should NEVER be visible - no matter what you are wearing! DO YOU LIKE MY SHOES? Bedroom shoes are not allowed. Shoes must be worn at all times. DON'T FORGET: No student clothing should display words or symbols that are inflammatory, derogatory, insulting to other students, or in reference to gangs. Articles of clothing which have words or designs which are suggestive, obscene, or related to drugs or alcohol are prohibited. Long, bulky chains are prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, wallet chains, jewelry such as spiked rings, spiked bracelets, and heavy chains worn around the neck or waist. Sharp Objects that could pose a danger, such as spikes or safety pins, are not allowed on clothing or bookbags. Any student dress/appearance not specifically stated which the faculty or staff deems undesirable or inappropriate will not be permitted. *Highlighted text indicates a change

If a student arrives at school in inappropriate attire, the student will be sent to the grade level administrator. Parents will be called to bring appropriate clothing. If the parent cannot be reached, the student will be given all assignments to complete in in-school suspension. Consequences can be issued for violation of Dress Code Policy.

The Board recognizes that electronic media, including the Internet, provides access to a wide variety of instructional resources in an effort to enhance educational opportunities. Use of electronic resources must be in support of, and consistent with the vision, mission and goals established by the Board and for the purpose of AKS instructional support. All users of the district wide area network and/or other electronic informational services must maintain strict compliance with all applicable ethical and legal rules and regulations regarding access. The purpose of these guidelines is to ensure that all GCPS technology users share the GCPS technology resources in an effective, ethical, and lawful manner. GCPS technology should be used for legitimate educational reasons only, and not for personal use. Strict compliance with all applicable ethical and legal rules and regulations must be maintained by all users of the wide area network and/or other electronic informational services including electronic mail (e-mail). Users must respect intellectual property rights and understand that school system data accessible over the network, regardless of the computer or device being used, constitutes property. All electronic, telephonic, and communications transmitted by, received from, or stored in these systems are property of the Gwinnett County Public Schools. Users of such systems should have no expectation of privacy. Student e-mail use for legitimate educational purposes will be subject to monitoring and review, including review of text and attachments that are related to that student or students. At NO TIME should a student consider GCPS e-mail private or confidential in any way. It is important to note that with a global network it is impossible to control or predict all materials a user may accidentally or purposefully discover on an electronic resource. Gwinnett County Public Schools personnel will make every effort to educate and guide all users in the proper use of electronic media, including the Internet. Because access to the Internet provides connections to other computer systems located all over the world, users (and parents of users) must understand that neither the Gwinnett County Public Schools nor any district staff member controls the content of the information available on these other systems. Some of the information available is controversial and sometimes may be offensive. Gwinnett County Public Schools DOES NOT CONDONE the use of such materials. Therefore, it is imperative that the user be held accountable for the ap¬propriate utilization of this technology. ACCESS IS A PRIVILEGE— NOT A RIGHT! Inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of these privileges as well as possible assignment of disciplinary action consistent with the policies and procedures of Gwinnett County Public Schools. Local schools may establish additional regulatory guidelines for use of electronic resources that include, but are not limited to, guidelines established by this systemwide procedure. Building administrators shall establish a process for informing students and staff about the district and local school Acceptable Use Procedures. The definition of GCPS information and data resources will include any computer, server or network, or access provided or supported by GCPS, including portal-delivered applications and the Internet. Use of computer information and resources includes the use of data/programs stored on GCPS computing systems, data/programs stored and/or delivered through magnetic tape, floppy disk, CD-ROM’s, DVD-ROM’s computer peripherals, or other storage media, that is owned and maintained by the GCPS. The “user” of the system is the student using GCPS technology. Access is a privilege, not a right, and all students are expected to treat this learning tool with respect. GCPS technology and electronic resources must not be used to: Harm other people. Interfere with other people’s work. Use a computer to steal property. Gain unauthorized access to other people’s files or programs. Gain unauthorized access to on-line resources by using someone else’s password. Make changes to the hardware or software configuration of any machine, including installing or deleting any software. Improperly using the network, including introducing software viruses and/or bypassing local school or office security policies. Steal or damage data and/or computers and network equipment. Access, upload, download, and distribute pornographic, hate oriented, profane, obscene, or sexually explicit material. Failure to follow these guidelines can violate the Official Code of Georgia, O.C.G.A., Codes 16-9-90, 16-9-91, 16-9-93, and 16-9-93.1 as well as Title XVII of United States Public Law 106-554, known as the Children’s Internet Protection Act. Such actions can also lead to disciplinary actions, up to and including loss of access to GCPS technology resources and further disciplinary actions as defined by existing GCPS policies. (GCPS Student/Parent Handbook, Grades 4-12, 2007-2008, p.44)

Expensive electronic items should not be brought to school. These items are not allowed at school. Students who bring these items to school assume responsibility for their safekeeping. The administration is not responsible for recovery of these lost or stolen items. If your child has an item confiscated, you may retrieve it from the front office on Tuesdays between 7:30 and 9:30 am or on Thursdays between 3:00 and 5:00 pm. Cell Phones: Although students are allowed to bring cell phones to school, the phones should not be on. If your child's cell phone is confiscated, you may retrieve it from the front office on Tuesdays between 7:30 and 9:30 am or on Thursdays between 3:00 and 5:00 pm. There will be an automatic referral and consequence for all electronic devices confiscated during school hours. All items not retrieved by the last day of school will be donated.

Sixth Grade Students (For Promotion to 7th Grade) Must earn passing grade averages each semester in no less than 4 out of 5 classes with connections classes combined into one semester average. Both Language Arts and Math must have passing averages each semester. First Semester – average of 1st & 2nd nine weeks progress report grades Second Semester – average of 3rd & 4th nine weeks progress report grades Students must earn a passing grade average both semesters in order to pass the course for the school year.

Seventh Grade Students (For Promotion to 8th Grade) Must achieve a passing score on each of the following: * CRCT Reading * CRCT Language Arts * CRCT Math * CRCT Science *Must also earn a minimum grade average of 70 each semester in Social Studies.

Eighth Grade Students (For Promotion to 9th Grade) Must earn passing grade averages each semester in no less than 4 out of 5 classes with connections classes combined into one semester average. Both Language Arts and Math must have passing averages each semester. First Semester – average of 1st & 2nd nine weeks progress report grades Second Semester – average of 3rd & 4th nine weeks progress report grades Students must earn a passing grade average both semesters in order to pass the course for the school year. Must achieve a passing score on each of the following: * CRCT Reading * CRCT Math * Georgia 8th Grade Writing Assessment

Special Education and English Language Learner Programs – Grades 6, 7 & 8 Promotion decisions for students in special education programs are determined by the IEP. Special Education students must participate in either GAA or CRCT. Promotion decisions for 6th and 7th grade ELL students are guided by the AKS Modification/Intervention Plan. 8th grade ELL students must meet state promotion requirements unless exceptions are approved by a SST. If first year in a U.S. school, ELL students must participate in ACCESS as well as Math and Science CRCT. All other ELL students must participate in ACCESS and all sections of the CRCT.

Summer School Opportunity Students may participate in summer school to make-up a semester failure, but not a year long failure in a particular subject. Middle school students who attend summer school may take no more than two subject area classes for promotion. Additionally, summer school is recommended for students who have not passed one or more of the following: a 7th or 8th grade CRCT subtest that is required for promotion the 7th grade Gateway Mathematics Reasoning Test (MRT) that is required for promotion the Georgia 8th Grade Writing Assessment that is required for promotion (These students will be provided retests prior to the end of the school year and, if necessary, may attend summer school.) Retests for these state and local assessments will be provided at the end of summer school.

IMPAIRED/HANDICAPPED ACCESS

Gwinnett County Public Schools wishes to meet the needs of all of its students and families. If any member of your family needs assistance or has any questions regarding mobility impaired issues or handicapped access, please contact the principal of your local school or the department manager in your division.