Student Rules and General Information
District Policies and Information
Emergency Contact: To ensure the school can always reach you, guardians must promptly update any changes to their contact information, including home addresses, phone numbers, and workplace details. It is equally important to keep an accurate list of emergency contacts and individuals specifically authorized to sign your child out of school.
Administration of Medications: To ensure student safety, schools cannot provide medication without a completed medical authorization form, which can be filled out through the online Student Registration/Update link in our Student Information System. For further details on medication policies and procedures, please visit the Health & Wellness webpage.
Bicycle Safety: Georgia Law requires children under the age of 16 to wear a helmet.
Student Absences and Excuses:
Make Up Work: The Camden County School System balances academic support with the development of professional responsibility. To ensure an absence is officially excused, a valid written excuse must be submitted within two days of the student's return. While the district does not accept emails or phone calls as valid excuses, it has streamlined the process by providing an online Google Form for all official excuse note submissions.
The specific regulations for make-up work and attendance-related consequences are outlined below:
Grades 3–8: Make-Up Work Policy
Full Permission: Students are entitled to make up for all assignments missed during their absence.
Submission Timeline: The deadline for make-up work is calculated as the total number of days absent plus one additional day.
Incomplete Grades: If missing assignments would cause a student’s grade to fail, an "I" (Incomplete) will be recorded as a temporary placeholder until the work is submitted and graded.
Grades 6–8 Impact on Extracurriculars:
The district emphasizes that participating in "school life beyond the classroom" is a privilege tied to consistent attendance.
The Seven-Day Rule: Any student who exceeds seven (7) absences—regardless of whether they are excused or unexcused—in a single semester may be ruled ineligible for extracurricular activities for the remainder of that semester.
Affected Activities: This rule applies to athletic contests, band and literary competitions, fine arts productions, school dances, and the prom.
Tardies/Dismissals: To maintain a secure and organized environment, Camden County Schools requires all students arriving late to report directly to the front office to obtain a late pass. If a student must be dismissed early, they may only be released with parental permission and school approval. An authorized adult must report to the front office to sign the student out, as students are strictly prohibited from signing themselves out for the day. For the safety of everyone involved, a valid photo ID is required for early pickups and may also be requested when picking up car riders. Furthermore, the school system requests that parents limit telephoned transportation changes to emergencies or extenuating circumstances only. Frequent changes to afternoon transportation via telephone are discouraged to ensure that all students are accounted for and reach their destinations safely.
Instructional Materials: Board Policy JS-R
Pledge/Moment of Silence: Board Policy IKD
Student Internet Usage: Board Policy IFBG-R
Camden County Schools utilizes advanced content filters that meet all Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requirements. However, because no filter is perfect, students must exercise constant caution. The district is not responsible for materials acquired or contacts made on the network, making it vital for students to recognize and avoid the specific dangers inherent to the internet.
The following guidelines highlight the risks and responsibilities associated with digital access:
Exposure to Offensive Content: A wide variety of inappropriate and offensive materials are accessible online. Students who choose to behave irresponsibly may encounter content that is graphic, violent, or otherwise unsuitable for a school environment.
Targeting by Predators: It is possible for ill-intentioned or undesirable individuals to attempt to communicate with students. There is no practical way for the district to prevent every instance of initiated contact, so students must take personal responsibility to ignore and report any suspicious interactions.
Harassment and Exploitation: Internet access is intended for education, and the school works to discourage communication designed to exploit, harass, or abuse students. Students must remain vigilant against these behaviors to maintain their personal safety.
Limited Supervision: While staff can monitor digital communications, it is not possible to monitor all student activity at all times. This gap in constant supervision requires students to make independent, safe decisions.
Loss of Privileges: Any conduct that conflicts with these safety responsibilities—such as seeking out restricted material or engaging in harmful communication—is considered a violation of policy. This may result in the immediate termination of internet access and additional disciplinary action.
Instructional Tool Use: Individual Google accounts provided through Google Docs for Education are reserved strictly for instructional purposes and must not be used for personal or social communication.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY AND GUIDELINES:
Accessing the internet within Camden County Schools is a privilege, not a right. Students are expected to strictly adhere to the district’s Internet Acceptable Use Policy and Regulation (IFBG/IFBG-R). Because these resources are provided for academic growth, students must maintain a high standard of digital conduct and recognize that they have no right to privacy when using district-owned devices or networks.
To maintain this privilege, students must observe the following requirements:
Educational Focus: The network is to be used exclusively for research and appropriate educational purposes.
Authorized Use: Students may only access the internet with the explicit permission of designated school staff.
Digital Etiquette: Users must be considerate of others on the network and use language that is appropriate for a professional school environment.
Network Integrity: Students must not intentionally degrade or disrupt services or equipment. This includes prohibiting hardware tampering, vandalizing data, spreading viruses, bypassing content filters, or accessing proxy sites.
Safety and Privacy: To prevent personal risk, students must never share personal information—such as home addresses or telephone numbers—over the internet.
Reporting Responsibilities: Any identified security problems, unauthorized access attempts, or breaches of these rules must be reported immediately to school personnel.
Legal Compliance: All users must respect copyright laws and avoid any unauthorized access to restricted network services.
Any behavior that conflicts with these responsibilities is considered inappropriate. Violations may result in the immediate termination of network access and further disciplinary action according to school policy.
Student Code of Ethics:
To ensure a safe and productive digital learning environment, all students must adhere to the following ethical guidelines when using web products such as blogs, wikis, podcasts, and Google applications. These tools are extensions of the classroom, and the same high standards of conduct apply online as they do in person.
Privacy and Personal Safety
Protect Personal Information: Students must keep all personal details out of their postings. This includes photographs, family names, passwords, home addresses, school names, and any other information that could help a stranger locate or contact them.
Account Integrity: Students are strictly prohibited from logging into the network using a classmate’s credentials.
Digital Conduct and Respect
Classroom Standards: Web tools are considered classroom spaces. Any speech or behavior deemed inappropriate for the physical classroom is also inappropriate online. Students must treat others and their ideas with respect.
Harassment and Safety: Students must never use the internet to harass, discriminate against, or threaten others. If a student receives an uncomfortable or disrespectful comment, they must not respond and should report it to a teacher immediately.
Humanity in Communication: Students are expected to treat all information sources, colleagues, and digital consumers as human beings deserving of respect. Expressing information should never cause harm to any person or group.
Academic Integrity and Responsibility
Handbook Compliance: Online assignments are subject to all school policies, including rules regarding plagiarism and the acceptable use of technology.
Information Accuracy: Students should be fair and courageous in gathering information. Always identify and cite sources and verify the accuracy of information before sharing it.
Accountability: Students are accountable to their audience and their peers. Unethical information or practices should be reported to school staff.
Educational Purpose and Limitations
Learning First: While student blogs are forums for expression, they are primarily learning tools. The district reserves the right to restrict speech for valid educational reasons.
Software Restrictions: Students may not download or install any software on school equipment—whether at home or school—without explicit permission.
Consequences
Failure to follow this Code of Ethics will result in academic sanctions and/or formal disciplinary action. Consistent adherence to these rules ensures that technology remains a valuable resource for everyone.
Student Behavior Code:
Electronic Communication Devices:
Students are prohibited from using personal electronic devices during the instructional day unless a teacher or administrator grants explicit consent for specific instructional purposes. Any student found in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, with school administration determining the appropriate consequences based on the circumstances.
Please refer to your student’s school handbook for more information.
Bus Conduct
The school bus is considered an extension of the classroom, meaning all school disciplinary procedures apply to student behavior during transport. Students must follow the driver’s instructions at all times and adhere to specific safety rules, such as staying seated while the bus is in motion and using appropriate language. Prohibited conduct includes fighting, possessing weapons, and the use of tobacco, alcohol, or drugs. When inappropriate behavior occurs, a school administrator will discuss the incident with the student, determine the necessary consequences, and speak directly with parents regarding the student's behavior. Penalties are assigned based on the frequency and severity of the violations; however, under Rule 13 of the Student Behavior Code, major or habitual offenses can result in a student being suspended from the bus for an indefinite period.
Bus Pass Procedures
Students who need to depart the bus at a different stop must provide a written request from their parents or guardians. This note must be turned into the school office in exchange for an official bus pass, which is the only documentation bus drivers are authorized to accept for a change in location. Furthermore, any student who arrives at school on the bus is required to return home on the bus unless the school has received prior written consent from their parents or guardians for alternative transportation.
Bus Safety Reminders
School bus rules are established primarily to ensure student safety by minimizing driver distractions and keeping aisles clear. To maintain a safe environment, the center aisle and all emergency exits must remain unobstructed at all times. Consequently, students are prohibited from transporting large or cumbersome items, such as oversized band instruments, athletic equipment, or science project boards, on the bus. Additionally, glass containers and any animals or insects—whether alive or dead—are strictly forbidden. Students may only bring personal items that fit comfortably in their laps and do not block emergency paths.
For any questions regarding these safety regulations, please contact the Transportation Office at 912-729-8374.