Policies and Procedures
- Attendance Policy
- Bus Ridership
- Cafeteria and Lunch
- Food Deliveries
- Campus Visitors
- Care of School Property
- Cell Phone, Smartwatch, and Headphone Usage
- Checking out of School
- Driver’s Eligibility Certificate
- Free Enterprise
- Hall Passes
- Loading and Unloading Students
- Medications
- Office Visits
- Restrooms
- Senior Privileges
- Student Parking
- Student Drivers
- Students on Campus After School Hours
Attendance Policy
Attendance is essential for success in school. Please read the enclosed Duplin County Attendance Policy: If a student has to miss school, that student must bring a note (see valid/lawful excuses in the Duplin County Attendance Policy) upon returning to school and no later than three days. Turn your note into guidance when you return to school—information on whether the notes are excused or unexcused will be emailed to the teachers. Parents will be called daily when your student is absent. Please make sure contact information is updated.
- DUPLIN COUNTY ATTENDANCE POLICY
- High School Grades 9-12 Attendance
- APPEAL PROCEDURES
- PROBATION
- ATTENDANCE COMMITTEE
- ATTENDANCE RECORDS
- EXCESSIVE ABSENCES
- EXPLANATION OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY
- HOMEBOUND
- INVOLUNTARY UNEXCUSED ABSENCES (SUSPENSION)
- MAKE-UP WORK FOR OUT-OF-SCHOOL SUSPENSION:
- MAKE-UP PROCEDURE FOR EXCUSED ABSENCES
- MEDICALLY FRAGILE STUDENTS
- TARDINESS TO CLASS
- TARDY POLICY
- TRUANCY/PROSECUTION
- UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
- VERIFICATION OF ABSENCES
- WRITTEN EXCUSE
DUPLIN COUNTY ATTENDANCE POLICY
Regular school attendance is mandated by law. To comply with the North Carolina Compulsory Attendance Law, G.S. 115C-378, Duplin County Schools expects each student enrolled to establish regular and punctual attendance patterns. Students who do not attend school regularly face many serious and adverse consequences. Among these are poor academic performance, social difficulties, and employment problems. Noncompliance with the compulsory attendance law results in penalties for the parent(s) and for the student who does not attend school. The superintendent, principal or designee, who is in charge of a school, has the right to excuse a student temporarily from attendance on account of sickness or other unavoidable cause. The following are valid/lawful excuses for temporary nonattendance of a student at school:
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Illness or Injury- When the absence results from illness or injury, which prevents the student from being physically able to attend school.
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Quarantine- When student is isolated by the local health officer orthe State Board of Health,
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Death in the Immediate Family- When the absence results from the death of a member of the immediate family of the student. For the purpose of this policy, the immediate family of a student includes but is not necessarily limited to, parents, grandparents, brothers, and sisters. Students are allowed THREE (3) days for the death of an immediate family member. Any further days missed must be approved by the principal.
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Medical or Dental Appointments- When the absence results from a medical or dental appointment of a student. The student must return to school with a note from the medical provider in order for their absence to be excused.
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Court or Administrative Proceedings- When the absence results from a student's attendance at the court proceedings or an administrative tribunal if the student is a party to the action or under subpoena as a witness. The student must return to school with a note from the court in order for their absence to be excused.
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Religious Observance- When the student is absent due to a religious observance in accordance with local school board policy.
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Educational Opportunity- When it is demonstrated that the purpose of the absence is to take advantage of a valid educational opportunity, such as travel. Approval for such an absence must be granted prior to the absence by the principal. No more than two educational opportunities are allowed per school year.
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Deployment Activity- When the absence results from a student engaging in an activity related to their parent or guardian's military deployment.
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Other- When the absence results from a student accompanying a parent to an appointment or engagement to provide translation with prior approval from the principal or designee. The student should bring a note from the agency or medical facility. All other absences are defined as unlawful and include a student's willful absence from school with or without the knowledge of the parents.
High School Grades 9-12 Attendance
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To meet promotion standards, students must attend at least 170 days of the 180 days in a school year. Any absence over five (excused or unexcused) per semester may constitute a failure in the attempted coursework. Following an excused absence, students will be responsible for initiating the makeup process for any work missed.
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When total absences (unexcused) exceed five in a semester, further documentation will be required to verify why the student was absent. (Doctor’s statement, court order, etc.) No more than three (3) parental notes per semester will be accepted unless there is special approval by the principal or their designee. Parent notes may only cover three absences per semester. Any blanket notes covering a period over a semester should be brought to the principal’s office for prior approval. This particular type of note may require further documentation. Students who miss more than five days a semester can appeal their absenteeism at the local school.
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Absences include full days and/or absences from a particular class. Attendance is taken each class period;; therefore, students need to attend each class every day.
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Each high school principal shall designate a member of his professional staff who shall have the legal authority to determine “satisfactory evidence of excuse” for nonattendance in accordance with Section .0404 of the North Carolina Administrative Code. Further, principals are encouraged to utilize the services of the School Social Worker when verification of absences in accordance with the above section appears questionable to the designated staff member(s).
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Once a student has accumulated three (3) absences, every effort will be made to inform parents and the student of the seriousness of the situation, including the effects of nonattendance on the student’s grades (JBDE1). The parent shall be informed that more than five absences in the course will fail for the semester (JBDE1).
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When the sixth absence occurs, the parent will be notified in writing of the compulsory attendance law (JBDE1) and that continued absences may result in prosecution.
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A semester failure due to poor attendance will result in an assigned academic average for high school of fifty-nine (59) by the attendance committee unless the student’s performance is lower, as indicated by the teacher’s evaluation. In such a case, a lower grade will be assigned.
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Students and parents will be advised when notified of course work failure of the Appeals Procedures. All attendance appeals will be heard in the last ten (10) days of the semester. Principals or their designees will compile a list of reasons for student absences on form JBDE2 and present it to the appeals committee.
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Teachers in the high school will notify the school social worker of any absence in excess of three (3) in their particular class period. Each high school will develop a procedure to notify the school social worker in this event. Principals or their designees may allow makeup in some circumstances for unexcused absences. Documentation of this time must be maintained.
APPEAL PROCEDURES
Parents and/or students adversely affected by this policy shall have the right to appeal the decision(s) of the committee. The appeal process should follow the order listed below:
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Parents must notify the principal of the intent to appeal within ten(10) days after notification of failure.
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Appeals will be heard the last ten days of each semester. Appeal first to the local school attendance committee.
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A second appeal may be made to the Duplin County Attendance Policy Committee.
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A third appeal may be made to the office of the Superintendent of Duplin County Schools.
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The final appeal, as provided by this policy, may be made to the Duplin County Board of Education.
PROBATION
ATTENDANCE COMMITTEE
ATTENDANCE RECORDS
The office and classroom teachers will record accurate records of student absences and tardies. Absences shall be reported daily to the principal’s office. Tardies and absences shall be recorded on the student's report card and permanent record. The students who are tardy to school shall sign in through the office and pick up a class admission slip. Students are either present or absent. Students in grades six through twelve who are absent one-half of the class will be counted absent for the class period.
EXCESSIVE ABSENCES
EXPLANATION OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY
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Educational opportunities are excused absences, but trips usually do not include absences for hunting, fishing, visiting relatives, going to the beach, shopping, skiing, athletic events, or subsequent trips to the same area.
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Trips normally would not exceed:
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3 days for in-state trips
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7 days for out-of-state trips
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10 days for out-of-country trips
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10 per year maximum
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A student shall provide the principal with a full agenda of any planned trips prior to approval of the trip.
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A student shall maintain a daily diary and submit a written report to the principal upon return. The report may include brochures, pictures, etc.
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The parent shall request approval to excuse an absence for any trip.
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Classwork missed is due on the day the student returns to class unless the teacher grants additional time. The student will receive a zero for any work not made up.
HOMEBOUND
INVOLUNTARY UNEXCUSED ABSENCES (SUSPENSION)
Involuntary unexcused absences are defined as absences that are determined to be outside the criteria established in Section .0404 of the Administrative Code and occur as a result of an action by the principal or other designated school official. The most frequent example is a suspension from school.
MAKE-UP WORK FOR OUT-OF-SCHOOL SUSPENSION:
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All quarterly, semester, or final exams will be made up.
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The principal or his designee shall designate the time and place of the examination. Primary consideration shall be given to providing this service at a time and place convenient for all involved.
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All graded work missed during a suspension may be made up. The student will receive a zero for any work not made up during the period designated by the teacher.
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Once the student has been allowed to complete graded assignments, class work, and make-up exams but fails to be present to take exams and complete work, that student shall receive a zero.
MAKE-UP PROCEDURE FOR EXCUSED ABSENCES
MEDICALLY FRAGILE STUDENTS
Medically fragile students are frequently absent from school, and their absences are directly related to their severe or life-threatening physical condition. The North Carolina School Attendance & Student Accounting Manual identifies a medically fragile student as follows:
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A student who qualifies for special education in one of the existing categories of disability and for whom a licensed medical doctor has provided documentation that an associated or accompanying chronic illness is so severe as to affect the student’s school attendance. A medically fragile student is one whose illness frequently places him/her in life-threatening situations. In addition, he/she may be technology-dependent on life support systems, i.e., tracheotomy, gastrostomy, etc.
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Rare instances may exist when a child does not qualify for special education as defined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). However, the child would unquestionably meet the definition of disabled under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and thus would be eligible for consideration as a medically fragile student.
TARDINESS TO CLASS
Tardy will be defined as a student who is not in the classroom when the bell finishes ringing. A student who is tardy to class shall be answerable to the classroom teacher. All student(s) will report directly to class, and the teacher will record tardy in PowerSchool. When tardiness becomes a concern or disruptive to classroom instruction, the problem shall be referred to the principal or school social worker. The student handbook will indicate a tardy policy for each school. The same procedure will be followed for students who habitually leave school or class early. (See Tardy Policy Below)
TARDY POLICY
A student with an unexcused tardy will be required to attend Lunch Detention/After School Detention. All student(s) will sign in at the front office using the Ident-A-Kid system. The student will be assigned Lunch Detention at a student's second unexcused tardy and up to three (3) unexcused tardies. After four (4) tardies, students will be referred to the assistant principal. They will be assigned one (1) full day of In School Suspension. Anyone who gets over five (5) tardies will receive an overnight suspension; a Parent/Guardian Conference is required before the student can return to school. Additional tardies will lead to additional suspensions,, including, but are not limited to, ISS/OSS. Students are also subject to the loss of driving privileges. The office staff, ISS Coordinator, and/or social worker will contact the parents of students with excessive tardies.
Consequences:
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Tardiness occurs when a student is not in the classroom when the bell finishes ringing.
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Any student not in their classroom when the bell finishes ringing will be considered tardy. Students will report to the Main Office to sign in and receive a tardy pass back to class.
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First, unexcused tardies are given a warning; however, tardies #2 and #3 will result in lunch detention.
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Tardy #4 will result in in-School Suspension (ISS). Parents/guardians will be contacted by phone.
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Tardy #5 will receive an overnight suspension, which will result in a required Parent/Guardian Conference before the student can return to school.
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Additional tardies will lead to additional suspensions, which may include, but are not limited to, ISS/OSS.
TRUANCY/PROSECUTION
Parental involvement is essential to address the problem of school absenteeism. To accomplish this, the principal or designee shall notify the parent, guardian, or custodian of a student's excessive absences. Notification will be in writing and will occur when the student has accumulated three, five, and ten unexcused absences in a school year. After no more than six unexcused absences, the principal or designee shall notify the parent, guardian, or custodian in writing that they may be in violation of the Compulsory Attendance Law. The violation may result in prosecution of the person responsible for the nonattendance if the student’s absences cannot be justified under the established policies of the Duplin County Board of Education and the State Board of Education. Following written notification of excessive absences, the school social worker shall work with the student and their family to analyze non-attendance causes. A plan will be developed to outline the steps needed to eliminate the attendance problem. These steps may include but are not limited to actions such as adjusting the student’s school program, obtaining supplemental services, or contacting appropriate community resources. After ten accumulated unexcused absences in a school year, the principal shall review any report, plan, or investigation prepared by the school social worker under G.S. 115C-381.
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
VERIFICATION OF ABSENCES
In the event of absences or tardiness, the student shall be responsible for bringing in a signed parent/guardian and/or medical note stating the reason for such absence or tardiness. Every student is to receive an admittance slip from the office staff. This admittance slip will indicate whether the absence will be considered excused or unexcused. This slip should be presented to the classroom teachers.
WRITTEN EXCUSE
Suppose a student is absent for any reason. In that case, a written statement from the parent, guardian, or other acceptable documentation of such absence shall be submitted to the principal or designee upon return to school. The absence may be excused, and the student can make up all graded work missed. The notes should be kept for documentation until the school year has ended. Notes should be returned to the school within three(3) days of the absence. Each school should develop a procedure to maintain and record the notes. Parents and students should be informed of the procedure for turning in notes in writing, preferably in the student handbook. Written parent notes will be considered excessive after three(3) notes have been received per semester at the high school.
All excuses for absence must be written in accordance with lawful absences guidelines and signed by the student’s parent. If the student fails to bring a valid excuse on the day of return to school, his/her absence shall be considered unexcused.
Bus Ridership
Students are to ride their assigned bus ONLY. They must receive permission from the office before riding a different bus. Students can only ride an unassigned bus or get off at a different stop in an emergency or if there is a vacant seat.
If the student requests to ride an alternate bus or be dropped off at an alternate site, the parent/guardian must provide a written note signed by a parent with a working phone number to contact that parent. All requests must be submitted to the front office before 9:30 a.m. to be verified and approved.
Students should be at the bus stop 5 minutes early unless it is raining or extremely cold (below freezing). If students are not at the bus stop when the bus arrives, the driver should blow the horn once or twice and wait a reasonable time (no more than 10 seconds.) After that, if the student is not in sight, the driver will proceed. Students who continue to delay the bus should be disciplined according to school discipline policy.
The bus driver is in full charge of all students riding his/her bus. Students who ride buses are expected to conduct themselves in an orderly manner. Once the buses have been parked and students have disembarked, buses are strictly off-limits to all students until school dismissal. Riding the bus is a privilege and not an inherent right. Students who violate school bus rules will be subject to suspension or dismissal from the bus and possibly from school, depending upon the nature of the offense.
All school rules for student behavior apply while students are riding the bus.
The school administrators have the authority to suspend pupils from riding the bus for the following infractions as well as any others announced during the school year:
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Delaying the bus schedule. This included meeting the bus at the bus stop at the proper time.
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Smoking or vaping as you approach or wait at the bus stop.
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Fighting, smoking, using profanity, or refusing to obey the instructions of the school authorities and/or the bus driver while riding the bus.
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Tampering with a school bus.
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Refusing to meet the bus at designated stops.
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Unauthorized leaving the bus when en route from home to school or vice-versa.
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Playing, throwing trash, paper, or other objects with the bus in operation.
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Failure to observe established safety rules and regulations.
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Out of the seat while the bus is moving.
Note: Buses are equipped with video surveillance. Viewers' rights are left to the discretion of the administration.
Cafeteria and Lunch
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All DCS Students are provided free breakfast and lunch.
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All paperware, utensils, dishes, etc., should be appropriately disposed of before leaving the cafeteria.
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If the cafeteria is left messy, students can lose lunch privileges.
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Students are not permitted to leave campus for lunch during the school day.
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Students who do not eat school lunch are responsible for bringing their lunch when they arrive.
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Food is not permitted in labs or the media center.
Food Deliveries
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Family members or friends cannot drop lunch off for students during the school day.
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Students are not allowed to receive food deliveries (DoorDash, GrubHub, Uber Eats, etc.) or leave campus for lunch during the school day, as this violates federal school lunch program regulations.
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Any food delivered to the school will remain in the main office until the end of the day.
Campus Visitors
All visitors must report to the main office upon arriving on campus. Appointments must be made before visiting campus. Contact the main office or teacher to schedule appointments. Visitors must sign in and will be given a visitor’s pass. Persons without the pass are subject to trespassing laws. No student shall bring guests on the campus during instructional time. This specifically includes, but is not limited to, pre-school children, out-of-town friends, and/or relatives, acquaintances, et cetera, regardless of age. The principal must approve any exception.
Care of School Property
Students are expected to treat school property with proper respect. This includes school restrooms, cafeteria tables, all furniture, textbooks, classrooms, library books and/or equipment, computers, laptops, buses, buildings, and grounds. Damages to school property could result in legal charges, restoration for damages, loss of use, and disciplinary consequences.
Cell Phone, Smartwatch, and Headphone Usage
Cell phones, smartwatches, and headphones are restricted during class to maintain a focused and respectful learning environment. This rule aims to reduce distractions and enhance academic success by minimizing opportunities for bullying, inappropriate content sharing, cheating, and other disruptive behaviors.
Usage Guidelines
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Class Time Restrictions:
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Students cannot use their cell phones, smartwatches, or headphones during class time.
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Upon entering the classroom, students must place their devices in a designated area (such as a pouch, caddy, or box) as determined by the teacher.
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Permitted Usage Times:
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Cell phones, smartwatches, and headphones are allowed before school, during class changes, at lunch, and after school.
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Rationale
Recent research indicates cell phone usage can negatively impact students' learning and academic performance. Specific issues include, but are not limited to:
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Increased Distractions: A study published by UNESCO in 2023 highlights that the mere presence of a smartphone can significantly reduce the ability to concentrate and absorb information, as multitasking with a phone leads to poorer academic outcomes (UNESCO).
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Bullying and Harassment: Harvard experts report that smartphones are often used for bullying and social isolation, impacting students' mental health and creating a hostile school environment (Harvard Gazette).
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Inappropriate Content: Common Sense Media's 2023 report found that many students encounter inappropriate images or videos on their phones, which can disrupt the school environment and lead to disciplinary issues.
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Recording Disruptive Behaviors: Research indicates that the ability to record and share videos encourages disruptive behavior in classrooms as students seek attention or peer approval.
Cheating and Unauthorized Communication: Studies show that a notable percentage of students use their phones to cheat during exams and communicate with others about test content, undermining academic integrity.
Implementation
Exceptions
Enforcement
Statement
We are not against cell phone usage; we just want our students engaged in learning without worrying about social media and their Snapchat notifications. We aim to create a more effective and conducive learning environment for all students by adhering to this rule.
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Consequences:
1st offense: verbal correction
2nd offense: Students will be required to surrender the phone and serve lunch/after-school detention. Refusal to surrender the phone will be an ISS or OSS.
3rd offense: The student will be assigned in-school suspension (ISS) for repeated Noncompliance/Insubordination.
4th offense or more: student will be suspended for Blatant Noncompliance/Insubordination.
Checking out of School
Any student who must leave campus before the end of the school day has three options for checking out early.
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Option 1) Students can bring a signed note from their parent or guardian with a valid contact number to the main office by 9:30 a.m., as they will be called for verification.
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Option 2) A responsible adult listed on the student’s PowerSchool contact list can come to the front office with a legal ID and sign the student out on the Check-Out computer PRIOR to 2:30 PM.
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Option 3) Before 9:30 a.m., an email can be sent to wrhcheckout@duplinschools.net requesting that the student be checked out early. All emails must be sent from a parent or guardian’s email and will be followed up by a confirmation phone call from the school.
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Without both email and phone contact, the student will not be allowed to sign out early.
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All emails will be accepted before 9:30 am on the check-out day.
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Please remember that only adults already on the student’s PowerSchool contact list can check a student out of school early.
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Phone calls will not be accepted for an early dismissal. If it is an emergency, a parent must come inside to sign the student out of school.
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NO STUDENT WILL BE CALLED OUT OF CLASS AFTER 2:30 PM
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Students must sign out of the office at any time before leaving school.
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Students must be present in class for at least 60 minutes to not be counted as absent from class for that day.
Driver’s Eligibility Certificate
Before obtaining a valid NC driver’s permit, students must have an NC Driving Eligibility Certificate signed by the school principal or designee. Before receiving a certificate, students must:
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Complete the driver’s education course (classroom/highway instruction) and have a certificate from the instructor.
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Have an original birth certificate
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MUST pass 75% (3 of 4) of courses
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Have an NC driving eligibility Certificate signed by the school principal or designee.
Following North Carolina state laws, a student will lose his/her privilege to drive to school if he/she does not pass three subjects per semester. Appeals can be made to the principal for hardship situations.
Free Enterprise
Hall Passes
Loading and Unloading Students
Parents should load and unload students in the circle drive at the cafeteria entrance or in the soccer parking lot before and after school. Safety requires not unloading a student in the employee’s parking lot next to the Main Office after 7 a.m. Students who arrive after 7:50 AM shall be dropped off at the Main Office.
Medications
Students taking medications during the school day must obtain a Medication Authorization Form (from the school nurse), have it completed by the family physician, signed by the parent/guardian, and return it to the school office along with the medication. School personnel will not administer medication to students unless the school has received a completed medication authorization form and the medication in the pharmacy-labeled container. Students requiring medication for asthma, anaphylactic reactions, or both, and diabetes may self-medicate with physician authorization, parent permission, and a student agreement for self-carried medication. Any medications not registered are considered to be an illegal drug, and the student is subject to disciplinary action by the school administrators.
Office Visits
The school office must maintain a quiet, business-like environment conducive to work. Students who have official business should enter quietly and wait at the counter for assistance from the secretary or one of the office assistants. Cell phone usage is prohibited in the office unless office personnel give the student permission. Earbuds and headphones must be removed when entering the school office. Students should refrain from loitering or socializing in the office.
Restrooms
The restrooms are open for the convenience of the students. There should be no loitering or socializing in the restrooms. Students share a certain amount of responsibility for keeping the restrooms clean and in good working condition. Any student found deliberately littering or abusing the restrooms will be referred to the administrators for disciplinary action. Use the restroom between classes, lunch, or before and after school. Restroom passes are limited during class time. If you have an emergency or are feeling bad, please explain this to the teacher before class, and we will work with you in case of an emergency. If you have a medical condition and must go to the restroom at an unusual time, please bring a doctor’s note to the school nurse to notify your teacher.
Senior Privileges
Seniors have the privilege of eating in the Senior Courtyard. This privilege will remain unless it is abused. The courtyard must be left clean at all times. Seniors may also leave 2 minutes early for lunch and 3 minutes early at the end of the school day (3:02 PM). Seniors must behave and follow all school rules, or Their privilege will be revoked.
Student Parking
Students must pay all unpaid school fees before purchasing a parking tag. Only students who have been approved and have purchased a parking hanger for (a nonrefundable) $40.00 may drive cars on campus. Parking hangers will be sold in the front office. Parking permits are required to park a vehicle on school property. Replacement hangers due to loss or damage, etc., can be purchased for $10.00. Parking without a school-issued hanger WILL result in a parking violation of $5.00 per event and/or towing at the owner’s expense. Students cannot share parking tags. Each student must have their own parking permit.
Student Drivers
Remember Driving is a Privilege
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Arrive after 7:30 am and park only in their assigned parking spot. Do not linger in the parking lot. Enter the building immediately.
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Immediately report to the front office if someone is parked in your assigned parking spot.
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Keep cars locked at all times.
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Immediately report accidents on the school grounds to the School Resource Officer.
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Display the parking tag on the rearview mirror during school hours, or the vehicle will be ticketed and/or towed at the owner’s expense. Note: Students may not purchase parking hangers or drive on campus until all debts, including cafeteria fees, for the previous/current school year have been cleared.
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Do not return to vehicles during school hours without permission from the school administration
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Be aware that the school resource officer (SRO) will issue traffic tickets for:
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Not displaying a parking hanger;
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parking in unauthorized areas;
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careless and reckless driving (results in a loss of driving privilege). Note: Failure to pay will result in disciplinary action.
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Know that students who abuse driving privileges by leaving campus in their vehicles without administrative authorization may lose driving privileges as follows:
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1st Offense - up to 1 day suspension/3 weeks no driving privilege;
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2nd offense - up to 2-day suspension/NO driving privilege for the remainder of the semester.
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NOTE: DRIVING PRIVILEGES MAY BE REVOKED FOR EXCESSIVE TARDIES!!
Note: School officials may search a student’s vehicle whenever the vehicle is parked on the school campus.