Student Rights and Responsibilities

Georgia Cyber Academy students have a right to:

• Function and work in a positive learning environment, free from disturbances created by self or others
• Participate in safe school outings
• Have individual beliefs, ideas, cultures, religious practices and to have these differences respected
• Be treated with courtesy, fairness, and respect
• Have personal or school property respected
• Participate fully in school life, when all the established requirements have been fulfilled
• A clear understanding of what is expected of them
• A fair hearing in cases involving the application of academic or disciplinary regulations

Georgia Cyber Academy students have the responsibility to:

• Abide by all laws
• Abide by all rules, policies, and procedures of Georgia Cyber Academy
• Understand and accept that student learning is the primary purpose of our school and during instructional time, to behave in a manner that promotes opportunities for optimal teaching and learning
• Respect the right of others to have a safe school environment in the presence of  other students or people
• Accept the uniqueness of others
• Treat others with courtesy, fairness and respect
• Respect and secure private, school, and public property
• Assure that participation in all aspects of school life is open to everyone
• Know their role in the school community and to help others to understand their role
• Understand and utilize the school’s procedures for resolving concerns, conflicts, and disagreements
• Be courteous and respectful in all communications
• Attend classes as required
• Complete and turn in assignments on time
• Participate in all assessments including state mandated tests within the stipulated    period
• Ask if they are struggling and need assistance

Civility Policy

In an effort to foster a safe, supportive, and respectful environment for all stakeholders, our district is implementing a civility policy. The goal of this policy is to encourage positive communication that contributes to student success, while discouraging disruptive, volatile, hostile, or aggressive communication or actions. Parents, students, and visitors will treat teachers, administrators, and other district employees with courtesy and respect face-to-face and in the virtual environment. GCA staff will not continue communication with any parent or stakeholder who does not follow the civility policy. Communication shall return once civility is restored. Repeated or on-going disruptions will be reported to the superintendent and/or designee.

Student Behavior Guidelines

Georgia Cyber Academy expects all students to behave in a manner that is respectful of others and towards school property. All violations of the Code of Conduct will be part of a student’s disciplinary record and may be used in a student disciplinary hearing pursuant to Georgia Cyber Academy’s progressive discipline process. Suspension of a student from school for not more than ten (10) consecutive days is considered a short-term suspension, not subject to formal rights of hearing or appeal. Although there are no such rights guaranteed by law, parents/ guardians may contact the Office of the Head of School to discuss their disciplinary incidents and actions involving their children.

The following are some examples of misbehavior that will result in discipline:

• Violations against property including but not limited to damage to or destruction of school property or the property of others, failure to compensate for damage or the destruction of such property, arson, breaking and entering, theft, robbery, possession of stolen property, extortion, trespassing, unauthorized usage, or vandalism (including outing locations and test sites).
• The use of profanity or obscene language or the possession of obscene materials.
• The dissemination of profane, obscene, lewd, or pornographic images, url links, or websites.
• Gambling
• Hazing
• Defiance toward faculty/ staff members
• Using, possessing or distributing tobacco or tobacco paraphernalia
• Using, possessing or distributing vaping paraphernalia on school property or at school outings/events
• Using, possessing, distributing or being under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances.
• Using, possessing, distributing or being under the influence of narcotics, drugs or other controlled substances (except as prescribed by a physician).
• Using, possessing or distributing items or articles that are illegal or harmful to persons or property including, but not limited to, drug paraphernalia.
• Using, possessing or distributing weapons or other dangerous objects.
• Possession of ammunition including, but not limited to, bullets or other projectiles designed to be used as a weapon.
• Possession, use, or distribution of explosives or any compound mixture, the primary or common purpose or intended use of which is to function by explosion.
• Possession, use, or distribution of fireworks or any substance or combination of substances or articles prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or an audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration or detonation.
• Acts disruptive of the educational process including but not limited to, disobedience, disruptive or disrespectful behavior, defiance of authority, insubordination, failure to identify oneself, improper activation of fire alarms or bomb threats.
• Possession of nuisance devices or objects which cause distractions including, but not limited to, pages, radios, and phones during learning experiences or school events.
• Possession or distribution of slanderous, libelous, or pornographic materials.
• Student attire or personal grooming which creates a danger to health or safety or creates a disruption to the educational process, including clothing which bears a message which is lewd, vulgar or obscene, apparel promoting products or activities that are illegal for use by minors, or clothing containing objectionable emblems, signs, words, objects or pictures communicating a message that is racist, sexist, or otherwise derogatory to a protected minority group or which connotes gang membership. Violation of any local, state or federal laws (as appropriate).
• Falsification of any records, documents, notes or signatures.
• Tampering with, changing or altering records or documents of the school district by any method including, but not limited to, computer access or other electronic means.
• Impertinent or disrespectful language toward teachers or other school district personnel; sexual abuse or harassment.
• Actions including fighting or other assaultive behavior, which causes or could cause injury to students or other persons or which otherwise endangers the health, safety or welfare of teachers, students, other school personnel or other persons.
• Committing an act which inflicts great bodily harm upon another person, even though accidental or a result of poor judgment.
• Violations against persons including, but not limited to, assault or threatened assault, fighting, harassment, interference or obstruction, attack with a weapon, sexual assault, illegal or inappropriate sexual conduct or indecent exposure.
• Verbal assaults or verbally abusive behavior including, but not limited to, use of language that is discriminatory, abusive, obscene, threatening, intimidating or that degrades other people.
• Physical or verbal threats, including but not limited to, the staging or reporting of dangerous or hazardous situations that do not exist.
• Inappropriate, abusive, threatening, or demeaning actions based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, status regarding public assistance, disability, national origin, or sexual orientation.
• Disobedience or insubordination to teachers or other school district personnel.
• Violation of school rules, regulations, policies or procedures.
• Attempts to and/or successfully hack into the software, online programs, systems, and virtual platforms utilized by GCA.
• Impersonating a teacher in any manner and/or her classroom rights as the classroom moderator/host.
• Impersonating an administrator/staff member in any manner and/or her classroom rights as the classroom moderator/host.
• Other acts, as determined by the school district, which are disruptive of the educational process or dangerous or detrimental to the student or other students, school district personnel or surrounding persons or which violates the rights of others or which damages or endangers the property of the school, or which otherwise interferes with or obstructs the mission or operations of the school district or the safety or welfare of students or employees.
• Retaliation

Students who fail to comply with these requirements are subject to the following disciplinary actions:

• A verbal warning
• An in-person, online, or telephone meeting with the student, parent, teacher, counselor and school administrator will be arranged to discuss the student’s behavior.
• Suspension
• Expulsion

Pursuant to OCGA Section 20-2-735, discipline will be in proportion to the severity of the behavior leading to the discipline. The prior disciplinary history of the student during the current school year and other relevant factors will be taken into account and due process procedures required by federal and state law will be followed. However, it is important for all students and parents to note that the circumstances of particular violations may warrant more severe consequences even on the first violation. The School reserves the right, in school administration’s sole and exclusive discretion, to take any and all actions necessary to protect its students, provide a safe and secure learning environment, and to ensure the orderly operation of the educational process including providing more severe consequences for certain violations.

Offenses that may result in expulsion include, but are not limited to the following:

• Violations against property including but not limited to damage to or destruction of school property or the property of others, failure to compensate for damage or the destruction of such property, arson, breaking and entering, theft, robbery, possession of stolen property, extortion, trespassing, unauthorized usage, or vandalism (including outing locations and test sites).
• The dissemination of profane, obscene, lewd, or pornographic images, url links, or websites.
• Using, possessing, distributing or being under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances.
• Using, possessing, distributing or being under the influence of narcotics, drugs or other controlled substances (except as prescribed by a physician).
• Using, possessing or distributing items or articles that are illegal or harmful to persons or property including, but not limited to, drug paraphernalia.
• Using, possessing or distributing weapons or other dangerous objects.
• Possession of ammunition including, but not limited to, bullets or other projectiles designed to be used as a weapon.
• Possession, use, or distribution of explosives or any compound mixture, the primary or common purpose or intended use of which is to function by explosion.
• Possession, use, or distribution of fireworks or any substance or combination of substances or article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or an audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration or detonation.
• Actions including fighting or other assaultive behavior, which causes or could cause injury to students or other persons or which otherwise endangers the health, safety or welfare of teachers, students, other school personnel or other persons.
• Committing an act which inflicts great bodily harm upon another person, even though accidental or a result of poor judgment.
• Violations against persons including, but not limited to, assault or threatened assault, fighting, harassment, interference or obstruction, attack with a weapon, sexual assault, illegal or inappropriate sexual conduct or indecent exposure.
• Verbal assaults or verbally abusive behavior including, but not limited to, use of language that is discriminatory, abusive, obscene, threatening, intimidating or that degrades other people.
• Physical or verbal threats, including but not limited to, the staging or reporting of dangerous or hazardous situations that do not exist.

Bullying

Bullying of any kind is not tolerated and will result in disciplinary action. Depending on the nature, severity, and outcome of the incident the matter may result in referral of the incident to the appropriate authorities as well. A Georgia Cyber Academy administrator will notify the parent and/or guardian via email and/or phone call of any student found by administration to have committed or is a victim of bullying.  All forms of bullying, upon a finding by the disciplinary hearing officer, panel, or tribunal of school officials that a student in grades 6 through 12 has committed the offense of bullying for the third time in a school year, such student shall be assigned to an alternative school, as required by OCGA 20-2-751.4.

The administration, faculty and staff of Georgia Cyber Academy are committed to providing our students with a safe, respectful learning environment, free from distractions. This includes both our virtual learning environment and in-person, school-sponsored events.

When participating in live class sessions or attending in-person events, students are expected to dress in a manner that is supportive of learning and appropriate to the setting.

When on camera, the below rules apply to all parts of the student that may be visible to those receiving the image.

When at school sponsored in-person events, field trips, meetings, conferences, testing, or receiving educational support services the below student dress code rules apply in their entirety.

Clothing and accessories which interfere with, distract from, or further impede student learning are not allowed. Prohibited articles of clothing and accessories include but are not limited to the following:

• Any articles that may reasonably be considered a safety hazard or potential weapon.
• Garments that expose the midriff or cleavage, see-through or mesh clothing, halter or tank tops, pajamas, sleep or loungewear. More specifically, shirts, blouses and dresses must cover the abdomen, cleavage, back and shoulders. Shirts/ tops must also cover the waistband of pants, shorts or skirts, with no midriff or cleavage visible while standing or while bending over.
• If wearing bike shorts (or something similar), then the top worn must fall to mid- thigh.
• If wearing leggings, then the top worn must fall to mid-thigh.

• Hats, caps and other head apparel should not be worn except for religious or medical purposes.

• Clothing and accessories may not display any of the following:
  • Racial or Ethnic slurs
  • Hate Speech
  • Gang Affiliation
  • Vulgar, sexually explicit or suggestive language/ images
  • Products such as alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs

• Shorts, skorts, skirts, and dresses must be at least be at finger-tip length. These items must cover all undergarments and maintain modesty when a student is leaning over or sitting down. It is highly recommended that if skirts or dresses are shorter than 2 inches above the knee that shorts be worn underneath the garment.
• Obviously oversized or baggy items. Pants/shorts/skirts must be worn at the waist.  Sagging pants/ shorts are not allowed.

Georgia Cyber Academy administration, faculty or staff members reserve the right to determine what constitutes appropriate or inappropriate dress for the school setting. In matters of opinion, the judgement of school administration shall prevail.  All items of apparel worn for religious observance or medical purposes will be allowed in situations in which such accommodation is required by state or federal law. 

While our online learning environment affords students the opportunity to attend class anywhere, it is our expectation that all students conduct themselves in a respectful manner during live sessions, as you would in a face-to-face classroom.

The following guidelines outline our behavioral expectations in the virtual classroom environment:

• Make sure to present yourself in an appropriate manner on camera, in accordance with the GCA Student Dress Code.
• Make sure you are in a setting conducive to learning such a home office, kitchen table, or personal desk. For example: A student should not attend live sessions from their beds unless medical reasons or disabilities necessitate that they do so.
• Please be sure to eliminate outside distractions, such as televisions and radios.
• If you have a cellphone, make sure it is on silent during the class session.
• Refrain from using inappropriate/ offensive language in the chat, on the whiteboard, or on the microphone.
• Do not share personal information and/or contact information unless specifically granted permission to do so from your teacher and/or a school administrator (gaming identifiers, invitations to outside chatrooms, emails, phone numbers, addresses, last names, etc.).
• Do not attempt to hack and/or hack into the programs and platforms utilized by GCA.
• Do not impersonate a teacher and/or her classroom rights as the classroom moderator/host.
• Do not post pictures, images, websites, or links to inappropriate or illegal content in the chat box or on the virtual whiteboard. If an illegal posting is made or shared (forward/copy & paste/email), then the incident will be reported to the appropriate authorities up to and including the GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigation).
• Do share (forward/copy & paste/email) inappropriate or illegal content (pictures, images, websites, or links to inappropriate or illegal content) that may have been posted in the chat box, on the virtual whiteboard, or received via email, contact your teacher IMMEDIATELY letting her know what may have occurred. If illegal content is shared, then the incident will be reported to the appropriate authorities up to and including the GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigation).

GCA faculty reserve the right to remove any student from live class sessions due to inappropriate or distracting behavior. Teachers are authorized to give verbal warnings, written reprimands, refer students to school administration, and employ any other discipline and behavior management techniques except for suspension or expulsion of a student, discipline prohibited by law, or discipline permitted to be administered only by school administration.

Georgia Cyber Academy may provide materials, books and other curricular supplies. Georgia Cyber Academy may also provide computers and printers to families. Hot spots are provided per financial need. The materials are school property and must be kept in good condition. Facilities that are used for Georgia Cyber Academy outings/ test sites locations are also considered school property. Parents are responsible for the repair or replacement of all lost, stolen or damaged school property. A list of property that must be returned is provided to parents. All property and equipment must be returned in good working condition upon withdrawal from the program.

All printed materials are copyrighted, and unauthorized copying of those materials is copyright infringement. Materials cannot be sold or transferred and are to be used solely by the student in his or her studies while enrolled in the school. Parents are to comply with this rule and all the terms and conditions of the School Property section of this handbook.

Students are expected to be responsible representatives of the school at all times, whether online at an in-person school event or “off campus”- meaning outside of school activities. Adverse behavior that negatively affects the school’s community or reputation may result in disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion. Georgia Cyber Academy Administration reserves the right to discipline students and their families whose off-campus interactions have negatively impacted the school community.

Georgia Cyber Academy expects its students to adhere to its behavior guidelines while at school events, on school trips and during educational and co-curricular activities offered year-round. Safety, civility and respect for the worth of every member of our community remain the philosophical foundation of our school. Georgia Cyber Academy acknowledges that the family is responsible for a child’s behavior after school hours and on weekends, and our usual policy is to respect a student and the family’s privacy in that regard. However, behavior that significantly affects students when they are attending school sponsored events, that suggests a threat to the emotional or physical safety of our students may require action by the school.

Consequently, School Administration are authorized to take disciplinary action for misconduct that occurs at a school activity or event, on a school computer or platform, at a non-school activity, function or event where the misconduct leads to a potential danger or disruption of the school. The school has authority to take disciplinary action for such misconduct at any time of the year provided that such conduct has a direct, or immediate impact on school discipline, the educational operation or function of the school, or the welfare of students or staff of the school. Such misconduct could include, but is not limited to, a felony, a delinquent act which would be considered to be a felony if committed by an adult, an assault upon another student, a violation of the laws prohibiting controlled substances, or sexual misconduct and which makes the student’s continued presence at school a potential danger to persons or property at the school or which disrupts the educational process (OCGA 20-2-751.5).

Disciplinary Hearing Officers are independent decision makers appointed by the Board of Education to hear disciplinary matters. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary here within, Disciplinary Hearing Officers have the authority to issue a short-term suspension, long-term suspension, or expulsion of any student found to have violated the Code of Conduct. If a hearing is called, the student will be suspended from school until the hearing can be held. The hearing will be held no later than ten (10) school days after the beginning of the suspension unless the parent and school mutually agree to an extension or the conduct of the student or parent causes a delay beyond said ten (10)-day period. Prior to the hearing, students and parents will receive a notice to include the following:

1. The rules which the student has allegedly violated.
2. A description of the student’s acts.
3. The names of the witnesses who may testify against the student (witnesses may be added prior to and during the hearing).
4. The maximum punishment that the student could receive
5. The time and place for the hearing
6. That the student is entitled to require witnesses to be present at the hearing and the student will have the right to present evidence, examine any and all witnesses presented and have an attorney at the student’s expense, to represent the student. School administrators should be notified prior to the hearing if a subpoena is to be issued by the Superintendent.

Parents/guardians should contact the school if they would like the notice and other documents related to the hearing in a language other than English. Language interpreter services are also available, upon request, for a student disciplinary hearing.

At the hearing, students and parents will have the right to present witnesses and evidence, to examine any and all witnesses presented, and to have an attorney, at the parent’s expense, to represent the student. Any teacher called as a witness shall be given notice no later than 3 days prior to the hearing.

O.C.G.A. § 20-2-754(b)(4). The decision of the Disciplinary Hearing Officer may be appealed by submitting a written notice of appeal to the Superintendent within twenty (20) calendar days from the date the decision is made.

A student disciplinary hearing is formal, although the strict rules of evidence as applied in a court do not apply in a disciplinary hearing, the school has the burden of proving that the student engaged in acts that violated the student code of conduct. The student will have the opportunity to present evidence and/or witnesses for the Disciplinary Hearing Officer’s consideration, but is not required to do so. The Disciplinary Hearing Officer will determine whether the student committed or did not violate the code of conduct as set forth by the school.

The Disciplinary Hearing Officer shall make a verbatim or written record of any information orally presented at the hearing. A transcript of the hearing will not be prepared unless there is an appeal to the Board of Education. The record and documentary evidence shall be kept on file by the Superintendent or designee for a period of twenty (20) days after the date of the decision of the Disciplinary Hearing Officer. If no appeal is filed within twenty (20) days of the date of the decision of the Disciplinary Hearing Officer, the record and documentary evidence may be destroyed. If an appeal is filed, the record and documentary evidence will be kept until thirty-one (31) days after the appeal(s) become final at which time the record and documentary evidence may be destroyed.

All parties shall be afforded an opportunity to present and respond to evidence and to examine and cross-examine witnesses about any matters logically relevant to the charge against the student. The Disciplinary Hearing Officer may limit unproductively long or irrelevant questioning.

The parents or legal guardian of the student may give testimony at the hearing and make a statement to the Disciplinary Hearing Officer concerning their feelings about the proper disposition of the case and to answer any questions. The student may be represented by counsel at the student’s expense at the hearing. If parents intend to be represented by counsel at the disciplinary hearing, the parents must notify the school twenty-four (24) hours prior to the start of the hearing so that the school district may elect to retain legal counsel to represent its interests. Failure to notify the District of a student being represented by counsel may cause a delay or continuance of the hearing.

All parties shall be entitled to subpoena witnesses for the hearing. A student or parent/guardian shall submit all requests for subpoenas to the student’s principal at least three (3) days prior to the time of the disciplinary hearing.

All student disciplinary proceedings and hearings conducted by either the Disciplinary Hearing Officer or the Board of Education are confidential and are not subject to the open meetings law. Only the following persons are permitted to attend a school disciplinary hearing conducted by a Disciplinary Hearing Officer: the accused student, parents or legal guardians of the accused student, legal counsel, a provider of interpretative services, school staff, and witnesses. Any written records, transcripts, exhibits or other documents assembled or used in any manner with regard to the conduct of any student disciplinary hearing are not public records and are not subject to public inspection.

Students who receive long-term suspension or expulsion may file an appeal to the Georgia Cyber Academy Board of Directors. The student’s appeal must be in writing and delivered to the Superintendent.

When a hearing is appealed, the Board will review the transcript of the hearing, make a decision based solely on the record, and notify students and parents, in writing, of the Board’s decision. At the hearing before the Board, students have the right to be represented at the students’ and parents’ expense, by an attorney. The attorney will not, however, be permitted an oral argument at the disciplinary hearing appeal. Students and parents may appeal the Board’s decision to the State Board of Education by giving the Superintendent written notice within thirty (30) days of the decision of the Board.

Student Questioning by Officials

School Administrators: Principals and Assistant Principals have the responsibility and authority to question students for the purpose of maintaining a safe and orderly school environment. Though it is important to inform parents about issues of concern, parental consent is not required prior to the questioning of students.

Department of Family and Child Services (DFCS): DFCS officials investigating suspected child abuse are permitted to conduct reasonable interviews and inspections of children. Notice to parents is neither required nor desirable when the object of that investigation may be the parents. If the investigation involves suspected child abuse by individuals other than those residing in the child’s household, parents will be informed that such interviews are being requested, if prior notification is possible.

Guardian Ad Litem: The Guardian Ad Litem is a trained professional appointed by the court to represent the best interests of minor children in court cases. Any request to interview a student or to inspect the student’s school record should be submitted, in writing, along with court documentation establishing the Guardian Ad Litem relationship with the child.

All submitted coursework is assumed to have been completed only by the individual student. Students are responsible to observe standards on plagiarism, cheating and properly crediting all sources used during the composition of work. Students who fail to abide by these standards will be reported to the administration, which may result in a conference with the Learning Coach, failure of the course assignment or exam, loss of credit for courses, revoked access to courses and suspension/ expulsion from the school.

All students are expected to be responsible representatives of the school at all times, whether on or off campus and whether school is in or out of session. This expectation includes students’ behavior in the electronic world. Parents/ Learning Coaches are responsible for supporting the school’s standards when students use Internet resources. The Responsible Use of Technology Policies are in effect for as long as students have a valid network account and password, including during the summer months and/ or any time students use the school’s technology resources.

• Students are responsible and liable for maintaining the confidentiality of their assigned passwords and access codes. They agree not to disclose assigned passwords and access codes or allow other persons or students to use them or attempt to circumvent the school’s security system.
• Students may not interfere with other users’ ability to access GCA technology resources or  disclose anyone’s password or allow them to use another user’s account(s).
• All students will receive an email account. Students will use their email account for all academic work and only for legitimate and responsible communication between students and faculty. Harassing, discriminatory, or otherwise objectionable remarks and any other antisocial activities are prohibited on all communications, including email.
• Students may only access information that belongs to them, or that they have been given permission to use by the owner.
• Malicious use of the network to download, store, or develop programs that embarrass, harass, or are otherwise objectionable to other users is prohibited. Activities to infiltrate or overburden a computer or computing system and/ or damage computer software or a computing system are prohibited.
• Using technology resources to access, purchase, or download products or services that could subject the school’s technology to viruses, malicious code, back doors, or other malware designed to harm technology resources are prohibited.
• Encryption of files is prohibited.
• Posting images, video, or audio of any student, visitor, staff member, faculty member, or administrator on the Internet without receiving permission from the individual(s) is prohibited.
• Students must not publicly post their personal contact information (last name, address, phone number, gaming identification, social media identifications, etc.) or personal messages from websites or blogs intended for personal gain or profit, as well as audio files or compressed video, any non-instructional files, or any material not approved by GCA administration.
• Using any recording device, including, but not limited to video and digital cameras or camera phones to record videos or take pictures to slander, bully or denigrate any student, visitor, staff member, faculty member, and/or administrator on or off campus at any time is prohibited.
• Unauthorized access to the school’s website, platforms, systems, software, is strictly prohibited.
• Impersonation of a teacher/administrator/staff member in any manner is strictly prohibited.
• Impersonation of a teacher/administrator/staff member’s moderation/hosting rights is strictly prohibited.
• All virtual classroom behavioral conduct guidelines must be strictly followed.

Failure to adhere to the Responsible Use of Technology guidelines or other misuse of a computer or the network is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and will result in disciplinary action. Information relating to illegal or inappropriate activities must be reported to a faculty member.