Student and Parent Rights and Responsibilities

The Board of Trustees of the Dorchester School District Two is required by State Statute to make and adopt rules setting forth standards of scholastic achievement and standards of conduct and behavior that must be met by all pupils as a condition to the right of such pupils to attend schools in this district. The rules shall take into account the necessity of proper conduct on the part of all pupils and the necessity for scholastic progress in order that the welfare of the greatest number of pupils shall be promoted, even though such rules may result in the ineligibility of pupils who fail to observe the required standards and may require the suspension or permanent dismissal of such pupils.

^* 59-63-10 Code of Laws of South Carolina 1976

The following regulations concerning standards of conduct and behavior will apply to every student of Dorchester School District Two. They will apply to every school where he/she is enrolled, while present at any other school in Dorchester School District Two, while on school buses, and while present at any school-sponsored activity, on or off the school campus. The summary of regulations included in this handbook is based on School Board Policies which can be accessed on the district website, do.ddtwo.org, or at your student's school. Board policies are subject to change during the school year and those changes will also be posted on the district website. The School Board Policies will supersede any summary of regulations included in this handbook.

It is recognized that students in school must conduct themselves in such manner as to maintain a climate in which learning can take place. It is believed that most students want to conduct themselves in a manner that fosters this desirable climate and that they will progress toward mature behavior and self-discipline if they are in an environment that nurtures personal responsibility. Since it is necessary for the rules to be established, students are to be informed of the rules and actions leading to disciplinary action. Administrative authority will be used to enforce rules when it becomes necessary. Individual rights should always be respected.

The district has an established Code of Conduct which is intended to achieve and maintain order in the schools. Failure to abide by the established Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary consequences as determined by the administration and in accordance with Board Policy and state, local, and federal laws. The Student Code of Conduct and other policies reflecting behavior expectations can be viewed on the district's website Board Policy Page or at your student's school.

The board may give the appropriate administrator the authority to consider extenuating, mitigating or aggravating circumstances that may exist in a particular case of misconduct. The administrator should consider such circumstances in determining the most appropriate sanction.

Misuse of district technology may result in disciplinary consequences in accordance with all applicable board policies and the Student Device Handbook Agreement.

The focus regarding discipline issues in Dorchester School District Two (DD2) should always be on prevention of future occurrences of behavior problems. This proactive approach includes the use of school wide multi-tiered systems of positive behavior supports. Disciplinary actions for code of conduct violations are necessary, however, especially in the areas related to weapons, drugs, serious bodily injury, and behaviors substantially likely to result in injury to the student or others. In regard to students with disabilities, the laws provide additional safeguards to ensure due process rights are afforded to this population of students. DD2 may use in-school or out-of-school suspension as long as this does not constitute a change in placement. A student with a disability who violates a code of conduct can be removed from his/her current placement for not more than 10 consecutive school days (to the extent that those alternatives are applied to students without disabilities), and for incidents of misconduct, as long as those removals do not constitute a change of placement or total more than 30 days as reflected in state law.

1. South Carolina law, Section 59-67-415, states parents or guardians are responsible for the safety, conduct, and the timely arrival of their children to, from, and at the designated school bus stop. This applies to the time before the school bus arrives to pick up students for delivery to school and after the school bus departs the designated school bus stop after student drop off.
2. Students may only ride the bus to which they are assigned (based on the location of their residence or alternative pickup/delivery location).
3. Students may not use buses or bus stops other than those assigned to them without written permission by parents/guardians to the school and without approval of the Principal and Transportation Department. An Official Bus Rider Verification Form is required for deviations from the closest bus stop.
4. Students must be at the designated school bus stop when the bus arrives. Buses may only wait momentarily for students. Being tardy delays hundreds of other students. Buses will not return to the stop for students who miss the bus.
5. Students should stand away from the roadway and clear of traffic at bus stops. Students must not stand or play in the roadway. Horseplay at bus stops is forbidden and students must respect the property of others.
6. Students should not run toward the bus when the bus is moving. Wait until it comes to a complete stop and then walk to the bus entry door when directed by the driver.
7. Students should stand no closer than 15 feet from the bus and wait until the driver opens the door before moving toward the bus. If necessary to cross a roadway to board the bus, students must wait on the sidewalk or side of the road until the bus driver directs them to cross. Watch for the driver's hand signals. Cross in front of the stopped bus and walk, not run. Do not walk behind a school bus; the driver can't see you.
8. Students riding a bus home after school must move quickly to the bus after school is dismissed. When a school administrator signals the buses to depart and the bus doors close, no additional student loading is permitted. Buses will not return to schools for students who miss the bus.
9. Students must remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop and the bus driver directs students to exit the bus. Never attempt to leave the seat before the bus comes to a full stop and the driver indicates it is safe to depart.
10. Students should exit the bus in an orderly manner.
11. Do not loiter or play around a stopped or parked bus.
12. Do not enter restricted areas or school grounds set aside for bus parking or loading.
13. After departing the bus, if they must cross the roadway, students must wait beyond the front crossing gate off the road until the bus driver or school bus patrol directs them to cross.

Note to Parents and guardians: DO NOT attempt to board the bus for any reason. State law prohibits this in Section 59-67- 245, Interference with the Operation of a School Bus. Violation will result in warrant for arrest of the offender.

1. Go to the assigned seat and remain properly seated while the bus is in motion.
2. Students must sit facing forward with feet on floor, book bags on lap; legs must be out of the bus aisle.
3. Never extend arms, legs, or head out of the bus doors or windows.
4. Students should not talk to the driver while the bus is in motion, except in an emergency.
5. Quiet conversation is normally allowed, however students may not shout or talk loudly. Bus drivers may forbid talking when it creates unsafe conditions such as students being unable to hear safety instructions.
6. Federal law requires students to be quiet when the school bus stops at railroad crossings.
7. No eating on the bus. No drinking on the bus except water when authorized by the driver.
8. Use of mobile phones or electronic devices with ear buds is permitted in accordance with SC Department of Education policy and at the discretion of the driver. If they are played without ear buds or become a distraction, the driver is authorized to disallow further use.
9. Hoods are not permitted to be worn on the school bus unless the bus driver allows it in extraordinarily cold conditions.
10. Never tamper with the emergency door or any other bus equipment.
11. Do not damage, mark on, or deface the bus. Seat coverings must not be damaged in any manner. Students should report any bus or seat damage to the bus driver as soon as possible. If a student is found to have damaged a school bus, the student will be charged the assessed repair rate set by the State Department of Education as restitution. The student responsible for the damage will be suspended from riding the bus until restitution is made in full. Suspension will remain in place until receipt of restitution regardless of school year; that is, suspension will continue into the following school year and beyond until restitution is paid in full
12. Only the driver or other authorized person should remove first aid equipment for emergency treatment only.
13. Do not tamper with the fire extinguisher. Only the driver should use it for an emergency.
14. Do not throw objects from the bus windows.
15. Federal law prohibits transporting any item on a school bus that cannot be safely secured in the student's lap. This includes band instruments, lunch boxes, science projects, sports equipment and fund-raising items. Band instruments must fit on the student's lap. See expanded explanation on the Transportation webpage.
16. Students may not bring animals or insects on school buses. Any item forbidden at school is also forbidden on school buses.
17. Keep all pencils, school supplies, and personal items inside your backpack or book bag.
18. All items brought on the bus must be secured in the student's lap for the entire trip. Sporting equipment (balls, rackets, bats, etc.) and any item with wheels (roller skates, skateboards, etc.) must be completely enclosed in a case or bag and must also be held in the student's lap. No item may be placed in the aisle, under a seat, in another seat, or on the engine compartment cover.
19. In accordance with South Carolina law, students misbehaving on the school bus shall be referred to the school's principal for appropriate disciplinary action.

Drivers will work directly with students to correct misconduct. When attempted correction does not remedy the situation the driver is required by South Carolina law to report non-compliance with his/her lawful instructions and/or misconduct on the bus to the school principal. The driver will complete a bus conduct report, also known as a referral or write up. Buses are equipped with video surveillance equipment to assist principals in addressing student conduct issues. Bus riders will be denied bus privileges if their behavior is unacceptable or infringes on the rights of other bus riders. It will be the responsibility of the parent or guardian to provide transportation to school during the suspension period. School administrators will use the Discipline Matrix to address referrals for misconduct on the bus.

Students who attempt to board the bus while their privileges have been suspended or revoked, or adults who attempt to board or interfere with the operation of the bus, may be prosecuted under applicable South Carolina law.

 

*** Please note, fighting on the school bus is severe misconduct that endangers not only every student on the bus, but endangers the lives of the bus driver and other drivers sharing the road. Therefore, any instance of fighting may be grounds for immediate and/or permanent suspension of bus privileges, regardless of any other infractions accumulated during the year.

 

Please also note, students and parents should not attempt to discuss school bus rule violations or disciplinary measures with the school bus driver at a bus stop. This delays school bus operations and exposes students and parents to additional hazards along the roads we share with the citizenry.

 

Dorchester School District Two’s Board of Trustees has authorized the use of video cameras on school district buses. The district will use video cameras to monitor student behavior in order to maintain a safe environment. Students and parents are hereby notified that the content of the videos may be used in a student disciplinary proceeding. The content of the videos is a confidential student record. The district will retain the videos with other student records only if necessary for use in a student disciplinary proceeding or other matter as determined by the administration. Parents may request to view video of their child if the district uses the video in a disciplinary proceeding involving their child.

The District has established rules and regulations regarding the use of personal electronic devices including but not limited to cell phones and smart watches in order to ensure the learning environment remains free of distractions and to protect the privacy of students. Board Policy JICJ and JICJ-R which are located on the Board Policy Page or are available for viewing at your student’s school and the Student Device Handbook contains information regarding the use of personal devices. By sending a personal electronic device to school/school-sponsored events with your student you and your student consent that the District is not responsible for the loss or damage of any personal electronic device.

 

Should a student violate Board Policy JICJ and JICJ-R or school practices related to implementation of these policies, disciplinary consequences may be enforced. The DD2 Discipline Matrix will be used across grade levels; however, Principals reserve the right to enact additional disciplinary consequences should the personal electronic device be used in connection with recording, photographing, or posting information about staff or students; academic dishonesty; or bullying/harassment.

In order to provide an atmosphere that is conductive to learning, instills discipline, and avoids safety hazards, Dorchester School District Two has established a student dress code. The Dorchester School District Two Student Dress Code can be found in Board Policy JICA and JICA-R which are available for viewing here:  boardpolicyonline.com/?b=dorchester or at your student’s school.

It is a criminal offense to distribute a controlled substance while in/on or within a radius of one-half mile of the grounds of a public or private school. The penalty is a fine of $10,000 or imprisonment for up to ten (10) years or both. The penalty is greater if the substance involved is crack cocaine. The act also increases the penalty for carrying a weapon on school property to a fine of $1,000 and a prison term of one year. The act provides that it is unlawful for anyone to knowingly and willfully deliver or convey to a public official, teacher or principal by letter, document, etc. which contains a threat of death or bodily harm to that person or to a member of the person’s immediate family. 

The district is committed to maintaining a learning environment free from sexual discrimination and harassment/assault. In keeping with this commitment, the district will not tolerate sexual harassment of staff or students in the education program or any district activity by any person. Further the district will not tolerate retaliation against a person who has made a report or filed a complaint alleging sexual harassment or who has participated as a witness in a sexual harassment investigation. See Board Policies AC, GBAA, and JIAA for further information.

The board prohibits acts of harassment, intimidation, hazing, or bullying of a student by students, staff and third parties

that repeatedly interfere with or disrupt a student’s ability to learn and the school’s responsibility to educate its students in a safe and orderly environment whether in a classroom, on school premises, on a school bus or other school-related vehicle, at an official school bus stop, at a school-sponsored activity or event whether or not it is held on school premises, or at another program or function where the school is responsible for the student.

Harassment, intimidation, hazing, or bullying is defined as a gesture, electronic communication, or a written, verbal, physical or sexual act reasonably perceived to have the effect of either of the following:

• harming a student physically or emotionally or damaging a student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of personal harm or property damage
• insulting or demeaning a student or group of students causing substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the school

Any student who feels he/she has been subjected to re-occurring harassment, intimidation, hazing, or bullying is encouraged to file a complaint in accordance with procedures established by the superintendent. Complaints will be investigated promptly, thoroughly and confidentially. All school employees are required to report alleged violations of this policy to the principal or his/her designee. Reports by students or employees may be made anonymously, but formal disciplinary action must not be based solely on the basis of an anonymous report.

The district prohibits retaliation or reprisal in any form against a student or employee who has filed a complaint or report of harassment, intimidation, hazing, or bullying. The district also prohibits any person from falsely accusing another as a means of harassment, intimidation or bullying.

The board expects students to conduct themselves in an orderly, courteous, dignified and respectful manner. Students and employees have a responsibility to know and respect the policies, rules and regulations of the school and district. Any student or employee who is found to have engaged in the prohibited actions as outlined in this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion in the case of a student or termination in the case of an employee.

Individuals may also be referred to law enforcement officials. The district will take all other appropriate steps to correct or rectify the situation.

Students, parents/legal guardians, teachers and staff members should be aware that the district may take disciplinary actions for conduct initiated and/or created off-campus involving the inappropriate use of the Internet or web-based resources if such conduct poses a threat or substantially interferes with or disrupts the work and discipline of the schools, including discipline for student harassment and bullying.

 

EXAMPLES OF PROHIBITED CONDUCT

The board requires its school administrators to develop and implement procedures that ensure both the appropriate consequences and remedial responses to a student or staff member who commits one or more acts of harassment, intimidation, hazing, or bullying.

CONSEQUENCES AND REMEDIAL MEASURES

Consequences and appropriate remedial actions for a student or staff member who commits one or more acts of harassment, intimidation, hazing, or bullying may range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension or expulsion. Consequences for a student who commits an act of harassment, intimidation, hazing, or bullying will be varied and graded according to the nature of the behavior, the developmental age of the student and the student’s history of problem behaviors and performance and must be consistent with the board’s approved code of student conduct. Remedial measures will be designed to correct the problem behavior, prevent another occurrence of the problem and protect the victim of the act.

REPORTING

An aggrieved student is encouraged to inform the person engaging in bullying, harassment, hazing, or intimidation that such conduct is offensive and must stop. If the aggrieved student is not comfortable with direct communication, or if direct communication is unsuccessful, the aggrieved student should initiate the complaint procedures described in this administrative rule.

COMPLAINT PROCEDURES

The purpose of informal consultation is to clarify what constitutes bullying, harassment, hazing, or intimidation, to provide guidance and information on administrative procedures and to resolve inadvertent cases of harassment. A request for informal consultation should be directed to either the student’s principal, assistant principal or the assistant superintendent. The individual who receives the request for informal consultation must inform the complainant about the options available under this policy. Anyone else receiving a complaint should encourage the complainant(s) to request an informal consultation or should notify one of the designated individuals directly.

Contact with any of the designated individuals may conclude in one or more of the following options:

• Complainant decides that no bullying, harassment, hazing, or intimidation has occurred. In this case, no further action will be taken, and the consultation will remain reasonably private.
• Complainant decides that bullying, harassment, hazing, or intimidation has occurred and chooses to file a formal complaint for investigation. Documentation that the informal consultation has taken place should be made and kept and should include a written statement from the complainant and/or notes taken by the consultant. If such notes are kept, the complainant should be so advised and the notes should be reviewed by the complainant for accuracy. If the name of an accused is revealed during the informal consultation, the accused should be advised of the allegations.

 

FORMAL COMPLAINT

Filing a complaint

After completing the informal consultation step, a complainant and/or the complainant’s parent/legal guardian who wishes to file a formal complaint for investigation and possible action should do so with the assistance of the individual who conducted the informal consultation. The consultant will complete a bullying, harassment, hazing, or intimidation complaint form and refer the matter to the assistant superintendent or his/her designee, who will conduct an investigation. Once a formal complaint has been filed, it will proceed through all steps set forth below.

Investigation

The purpose of the investigation is to establish whether there is a reasonable basis for believing that the alleged violation of this policy has occurred. In conducting the investigation, the assistant superintendent or his/her designee will interview the complainant and the accused as well as other persons believed to have pertinent factual knowledge. While it may be necessary at times to reveal the name of the accused or the complainants, reasonable privacy will be maintained by all persons involved. Failure to maintain the privacy of the investigation could result in disciplinary action. The investigation will afford the accused a full opportunity to respond to the allegations. Within a reasonable period of time (normally 30 calendar days from the time the complaint was filed), the investigator will provide both the complainant and the accused with written notification that the investigation has been completed. The principal or assistant principal will be notified as to what further action, if any, will be taken.

Process of formal action

After receiving a written report of the findings of the investigation from the assistant superintendent or his/her designee, the principal of an accused student will initiate a consultation with the assistant superintendent. Based upon the report and consultation, the principal or the immediate supervisor will decide upon one of the following three possible courses of action.

• determination that the allegations are not warranted
• informal resolution as agreed upon by the parties
• corrective and disciplinary action as described below

Protection of complainant, witnesses and others

At the time the formal complaint is filed, the complainant and/or the complainant’s parent/legal guardian will be informed fully by the individual who conducted the informal consultation and/or the assistant superintendent of the steps which the investigation will follow, including the projected timetable for completion of the process.

Reasonable action will be taken to assure that the complainant and those giving statements on behalf of the complainant, or supporting the complainant in other ways, will suffer no retaliation as a result of their activities in regard to the process.

Steps to avoid retaliation may include, but are not limited to, the following.

• transfers of one or more of the parties to another class or setting
• arrangements that educational evaluations or decisions concerning the complainant and student witnesses be made by an appropriate individual other than the accused

Protection of the accused

At the time the investigation commences, the accused and the accused’s parent/legal guardian will be informed in writing by the assistant superintendent or his/her designee of the allegations, the identity of the complainant and the facts surrounding the allegations.

In the event the allegations are not substantiated, reasonable steps will be taken to so advise those involved in the investigation who had knowledge of the allegations and generally to restore the reputation of the accused if damaged by the proceeding.

A complainant found to have been intentionally dishonest in making the allegations or to have made them maliciously is subject to disciplinary action, including suspension and/or expulsion.

Disciplinary action

Any student who is found to have engaged in bullying, harassment, hazing, or intimidation of another student will be notified of the outcome of the investigation and will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, which may include, but not be limited to, oral or written warnings, transfer, suspension or expulsion, subject to applicable procedural requirements, if any.

Remedial action

The complainant’s parent/legal guardian will be notified of the outcome of the investigation. If applicable, the complainant’s parent/legal guardian will also be notified of the specific remedy available to him/her and general category

of disciplinary action taken against the accused. Every reasonable effort will be made to ensure that the complainant is free from any further bullying, harassment, hazing, or intimidation. The individual who conducted the informal consultation will be responsible for counseling the complainant to ensure that he/she is comfortable with the resolution and for following up with the complainant at least once within three months of the resolution to ensure that the complainant has not been subjected to any further bullying, harassment, hazing, or intimidation. (Reference: Policy JICFAA and AR-JICFAA)

No student will use/possess or distribute any controlled or illegal substance on school grounds. Any student violating this

policy will be recommended to the district’s discipline hearing officer for disciplinary action.

No student, regardless of age, will possess, use, sell, purchase, barter, share, distribute or be under the influence of alcoholic beverages or other controlled substances in the following circumstances.

No student will use or have possession of any tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, or associated paraphernalia, to include but not limited to vaping devices, vape liquids, or liquid containers, other alternative tobacco products, and any other delivery method or device for prohibited substances. Such paraphernalia will be confiscated and destroyed.

• on school property (including buildings, grounds, vehicles)
• at any school-sponsored activity, function or event whether on or off school grounds (including any place where an interscholastic athletic contest is taking place)
• during any field trip
• during any trip or activity sponsored by the board or under the supervision of the board or its authorized agents

 

No student will aid, abet, assist or conceal the possession, consumption, purchase or distribution of any alcoholic beverage by any other student or students in any of the circumstances listed above.

No student will market or distribute any substance which is represented to be or is substantially similar in color, shape, size or markings of a controlled substance in any of the circumstances listed above. Look-alike substances or substances that mimic the effect of drugs will be treated as illegal substances. (Reference: Policy JICH and AR-JICH and IICG)

Dorchester Two Schools will DD2 Discipline Matrix for the possession and use of vape or e-cigarette devices at school. Note: THC vapes will follow the same consequences as drug infractions and will be referred to the hearing officer.

In all instances devices and smoking paraphernalia will be confiscated and destroyed. When it is determined that the device has been used to ingest an illegal or narcotic material further disciplinary and/or criminal action may ensue. Also, it is important to note that student athletes using electronic inhalants will be subject to immediate suspension as outlined in the Athletic Code of Conduct.

District and school officials may conduct reasonable searches of students on district property or at district sponsored events in accordance with Board Policy JIH and JIH-R and state, local, and federal law.

The district will resolve student complaints and grievances through orderly processes and at the lowest possible level.

Not all inappropriate behavior with race, color, national origin, sex or disability-related connotations constitutes unlawful harassment under federal law. In order to qualify as unlawful harassment under federal law and district policy, the behavior must be sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it does one of the following:

• adversely affects a student’s education
• creates a hostile or abusive educational environment

A one-time incident must be severe to rise to the level of unlawful harassment.

 

Definition of Harassment

For purposes of this policy, harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or disability is defined as a gesture, electronic communication, or a written, verbal, physical or sexual act reasonably perceived to have the effect of either of the following:

• harming a student physically or emotionally or damaging a student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of personal harm or property damage
• insulting or demeaning a student or group of students causing substantial disruption in, or substantial interference with, the orderly operation of the school

The board prohibits acts of harassment of a student on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or disability by students, staff and third parties that repeatedly interfere with or disrupt a student’s ability to learn and the school’s responsibility to educate its students in a safe and orderly environment whether in a classroom, on school premises, on a school bus or other school-related vehicle, at an official school bus stop, at a school-sponsored activity or event whether or not it is held on school premises, or at another program or function where the school is responsible for the student.

District Contact for Complaints of Harassment

The district employee responsible for receiving and/or investigating reports of harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or disability is the assistant superintendent for administration and personnel. Contact may be made as follows:

Dorchester School District Two

Office of the Superintendent

(843) 873-2901

 

Reporting

School personnel to include teachers, administrators and staff are required to report incidents of alleged student-on- student and staff-to-student harassment that they witness or of which they have received reports or information, whether such incidents are verbal or physical or amount to harassment in other forms.

An aggrieved student is encouraged to inform the person engaging in bullying, harassment or intimidation that such conduct is offensive and must stop. If the aggrieved student is not comfortable with direct communication, or if direct communication is unsuccessful, the aggrieved student should initiate the complaint procedures described in this administrative rule.

Complaint Procedures

The purpose of informal consultation is to clarify what constitutes harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex or disability to provide guidance and information on administrative procedures and to resolve inadvertent cases of harassment. A request for informal consultation should be directed to either the student’s principal, assistant principal or the assistant superintendent. The individual who receives the request for informal consultation must inform the complainant about the options available under this policy. Anyone else receiving a complaint should encourage the complainant(s) to request an informal consultation or should notify one of the designated individuals directly.

Contact with any of the designated individuals may conclude in one or more of the following options.

· Complainant decides that no harassment has occurred. In this case, no further action will be taken, and the consultation will remain reasonably private.

· Complainant decides that harassment has occurred and chooses to file a formal complaint for investigation. Documentation that the informal consultation has taken place should be made and kept and should include a written statement from the complainant and/or notes taken by the consultant. If such notes are kept, the complainant should be so advised, and the notes should be reviewed by the complainant for accuracy. If the name of an accused is revealed during the informal consultation, the accused should be advised of the allegations.

 

FORMAL COMPLAINT

Filing a complaint

After completing the informal consultation step, a complainant and/or the complainant’s parent/legal guardian who wishes to file a formal complaint for investigation and possible action should do so with the assistance of the individual who conducted the informal consultation. The consultant will complete a harassment complaint form and refer the matter to the assistant superintendent or his/her designee, who will conduct an investigation. Once a formal complaint has been filed, it will proceed through all steps set forth below.

Investigation

The purpose of the investigation is to establish whether there is a reasonable basis for believing that the alleged violation of this policy has occurred. In conducting the investigation, the assistant superintendent or his/her designee will interview the complainant and the accused as well as other persons believed to have pertinent factual knowledge. While it may be necessary at times to reveal the name of the accused or the complainant, reasonable privacy will be maintained by all persons involved. Failure to maintain the privacy of the investigation could result in disciplinary action. The investigation will afford the accused a full opportunity to respond to the allegations. Within a reasonable period of time (normally 30 calendar days from the time the complaint was filed), the investigator will provide both the complainant and the accused with written notification that the investigation has been completed. The principal or assistant principal will be notified as to what further action, if any, will be taken.

Process of formal action

After receiving a written report of the findings of the investigation from the assistant superintendent or his/her designee, the principal of an accused student will initiate a consultation with the assistant superintendent. Based upon the report and consultation, the principal or the immediate supervisor will decide upon one of the following possible courses of action.

• determination that the allegations are not warranted
• informal resolution as agreed upon by the parties
• corrective and disciplinary action as described below

Protection of complainant, witnesses and others

At the time the formal complaint is filed, the complainant and/or the complainant’s parent/legal guardian will be informed fully by the individual who conducted the informal consultation and/or the assistant superintendent of the steps which the investigation will follow, including the projected timetable for completion of the process.

Reasonable action will be taken to assure that the complainant and those giving statements on behalf of the complainant, or supporting the complainant in other ways, will suffer no retaliation as a result of their activities in regard to the process. Steps to avoid retaliation may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• transfer of one or more of the parties to another class or setting
• arrangements that educational evaluations or decisions concerning the complainant and student witnesses be made by an appropriate individual other than the accused

Protection of the accused

At the time the investigation commences, the accused and the accused’s parent/legal guardian will be informed in writing by the assistant superintendent or his/her designee of the allegations, the identity of the complainant and the facts surrounding the allegations.

In the event the allegations are not substantiated, reasonable steps will be taken to advise those involved in the investigation who had knowledge of the allegations and generally to restore the reputation of the accused if damaged by the proceeding.

A complainant found to have been intentionally dishonest in making the allegations or to have made them maliciously is subject to disciplinary action, including suspension and/or expulsion.

DISCIPLINARY ACTION

A student who is found to have engaged in harassment of another student will be notified of the outcome of the investigation and will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, which may include, but not be limited to, oral or written warnings, transfer, suspension or expulsion, subject to applicable procedural requirements, if any.

REMEDIAL ACTION

The complainant’s parent or legal guardian will be notified of the outcome of the investigation. If applicable, the complainant’s parent/legal guardian will also be notified of the specific remedy available to him/her and general category of disciplinary action taken against the accused. Every reasonable effort will be made to ensure that the complainant is free from any further harassment. The individual who conducted the informal consultation will be responsible for counseling the complainant to ensure that he/she is comfortable with the resolution and for following up with the complainant at least once within three months of the resolution to ensure that the complainant has not been subjected to further harassment.

EDUCATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMUNITY

Principals and supervisors will also conduct a review of policy JII and this administrative rule for all students and staff members to provide orientation on the nature of harassment. With regard to students, such review and orientation will be taken into consideration and be appropriate to the age of the students.

Principals and supervisors will provide orientation for new students and employees at or near the beginning of their association with the district.

Near or at the beginning of each subsequent school year, principals and supervisors will provide for their students and faculty a review of policy JII and this administrative rule.

SCHOOL CONTACT FOR COMPLAINTS OF HARASSMENT

An administrator at each school site will be designated as the person to receive complaints of harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex or disability.

Please carefully read the following information concerning South Carolina Attendance Laws and the Dorchester School District Two Guidelines for student attendance. The Dorchester School District Two Board believes that attendance is a key factor in student achievement, and any absence from school represents an educational loss to the student. However, the board also recognizes that some absences from school are unavoidable.

 

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE LAW (R 43-274) ATTENDANCE DEFINITIONS

 

CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM

As part of the implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act, districts and schools are required to report to the South Carolina Department of Education the number of students who are chronically absent each year. According to the United States Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR), an absent student is one who misses 50 % of the instructional day for any reason and regardless of whether the absence is excused or unexcused. In other words, students must attend class for at least half of the instructional day to be considered present for that day.

 

Using this definition, the OCR requires states to report the number of students in each district and school who are absent at least 10% of the time during which they are enrolled in a particular school or district. More specifically, students who are enrolled in the same school for an entire academic year and miss 18 or more days (10 %) will be considered chronically absent. The total number of chronically absent students will be included on district and school report cards and reported to the OCR.

 

TRUANT

A student ages 6 to 17 years of age meets the definition of truant when the student has three (3) consecutive unlawful/unexcused absences or a total of five (5) unlawful/unexcused absences.

 

HABITUAL TRUANT

A student ages 12 to 17 years of age meets the definition of a habitual truant when the student has reached the level of truant, fails to comply with the intervention plan developed by the school, student and parent/guardian, and accumulates two (2) or more additional unlawful/unexcused absences.

 

CHRONIC TRUANT

A student ages 12 to 17 years of age meets the definition of chronic truant when the student has reached the level of habitual truant, has been through the intervention process, has been referred to family court, placed on an order to attend school, and continues to accumulate additional unlawful/unexcused absences.

 

 

ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES

 

CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM PROCEDURE

At the beginning of each month, schools will compile a list of students who are considered chronically absent (any student who is absent a minimum of 10% of his/her enrollment period in the current school year for any reason (e.g. illness, suspension, excused or unexcused) is considered chronically absent). Letters will be sent to the parent/guardian notifying them as to the status of the student and explaining the importance of regular school attendance. An administrator may schedule an attendance conference with the parent/guardian when the student has been identified as chronically absent. Research shows that poor attendance can impact student performance. Students who miss too many days in kindergarten and first grade can have trouble mastering reading by the end of the third grade. Chronic absenteeism of middle and high school students is the leading warning indicator for predicting students who dropout.

 

TRUANT PROCEDURE

When a student is identified as truant (three (3) consecutive unlawful/unexcused absences or a total of five (5) unlawful/unexcused absences), an administrator will communicate with the student and parent/guardian to identify the reasons for the student’s absences. An attendance contract and intervention plan may be developed and signed to address and improve the student’s attendance in school.

 

HABITUAL TRUANT PROCEDURE

When a student is identified as habitual truant (fails to comply with the attendance contract and intervention plan and has accumulated two (2) or more additional unlawful/unexcused absences), the administrator may schedule an additional conference to address the continued attendance concerns. The school may also complete the Family Court Referral Packet for court action and send to the appropriate District Director.

 

CHRONIC TRUANT PROCEDURE

If all reasonable alternatives have been exhausted and a student is identified as chronic truant (has been through the intervention process, has been referred to Family Court, placed on an order to attend school, and continues to accumulate additional unlawful/unexcused absences), the school may file a contempt of court petition with Family Court. The student will appear in court for violating the previously issued court order to attend school.

 

REQUIRED EXCUSES

Within three (3) days after returning to school, the student must submit a written excuse explaining his/her absence. If applicable, the student may also submit an excuse from the doctor. If a student does not submit an excuse, his/her absence will be considered unlawful/unexcused.

 

The excuse should include the following information:

• Student’s Name
• Date the excuse was written
• Date(s) of the absence(s)
• Reason for the absence(s)
• Signature of the parent/legal guardian and telephone number

 

Lawful/Excused Absences

• The absence is caused by the student’s own illness and whose attendance in school would endanger his/her health or the health of others.
• The absence is due to an illness or death in the student’s immediate family.
• The absence is due to a recognized religious holiday of the student’s faith.
• The absence is due to school activities that are approved in advance by the principal.

 

Unlawful/Unexcused Absences

• The absence of the student without the knowledge of his/her parent/legal guardian.
• The absence of the student without acceptable cause with the knowledge of his/her parent/legal guardian.

 

Suspension(s)

• Suspension(s) are not to be counted as an unlawful/unexcused absence for truancy purposes.

 

Requirements to be Counted Present for the School Day

Students must attend school for 50% of the instructional day to be counted present.

 

EXPLANATION/CLARIFICATION

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) states that a school year consists of 180 days of instruction. In Dorchester School District Two a day of instruction is 7 hours long. Students must be present for 3½ hours of instruction for the instructional day to count as one of the 180 days required by the SCDE. This includes “Early Release” days. An “Early Release” day only consists of 3¾ hours of instruction. Therefore, even on the “Early Release” days a student needs to be present for 3½ hours of instruction to be counted present for the instructional day.

Students must meet academic and attendance requirements in order to receive Carnegie units of credit in high school courses. Absences are accrued per course. Excessive absences may result in credit denial and can affect a student’s promotion or retention status. Students with excessive absences, whether excused, unexcused or a combination thereof, are subject to failure due to absences. Students with excessive absences may make up work in addition to taking advantage of Seat Time Recovery (STR). Students may be denied credit for:

• Any absence in excess of 10 days for a course meeting 180 days (meets daily year-long),
• Any absence in excess of 5 days for a course meeting 90 days (semester block or year-long A/B), or
• Any absence in excess of 3 days for a course meeting 45 days (meets daily for a quarter).

 

Students may make-up missed class time by participating in Seat Time Recovery (STR). Students are expected to complete assignments during this time. If STR is not completed, then a grade of FA (Failure due to Absences) is assigned regardless of the grade in the course. It will carry no earned points; however, it will be factored into the student’s GPA as a 50. The student may need to retake the course to attempt and receive credit.

 

By law, all absences must be made up within 30 days of the course ending before credit can be given. Administration cannot complete required paperwork for obtaining a driver’s license unless the student is in compliance with the South Carolina Truancy Law. One (1) hour of STR = 1 class absence. STR requires prior registration and Administrator approval. Hours cannot be banked and transportation will not be provided. STR opportunities may be provided before school, after school, Saturdays, or virtually.

Waiver Options

Field Trips - School sponsored field trips with documented attendance will satisfy the day’s instructional requirements.

College Visits - Juniors & Seniors are allowed up to three (3) college visits per semester. For credit, students must bring written proof of their visit to the institution on the college’s letterhead the day they return to school. Failure to do so will count as an Unexcused Absence and will count against your allotted absences per semester.

Extracurricular Activities - School sponsored extracurricular activities, to include athletics, fine arts, and school sponsored clubs that require a student to be out of class during a normal instructional day will count in an equivalent manner as a field trip. Check the school’s website for the STR schedule.