Section 7 — School Operations

Visitors

All visitors — including parents and guardians — must follow the check-in procedure when entering any ECS school campus or building.

Upon arrival, every visitor must:

Check in at the principal's office
State the reason for their visit
Sign the school registry with the date and time
Obtain a visitor's pass before going anywhere else in the building

A school administrator may ask any visitor to explain their presence at any time, whether or not they have already signed in. Exceptions to this procedure are limited to those specifically provided under Georgia law.

Addressing Concerns

ECS encourages parents and students to work through concerns at the level closest to the issue first.

Step	Who to Contact
1	Classroom teacher — for concerns about a specific class or assignment
2	School administrator (principal or assistant principal) — if the issue is not resolved with the teacher
3	Central Office (Assistant Superintendent or appropriate director) — if the issue is not resolved at the school level

Enrollment and Transfer of Students

Key Definitions

Term	Definition
Emancipated Minor	A person under 18 who is no longer under parental authority by operation of law (e.g., validly married) or by court order granted by a juvenile court judge
Unemancipated Minor	Any minor who is not emancipated as described above
Other Person (In Loco Parentis)	An adult (18+) or emancipated minor (16+) residing within the school system who is not the parent/guardian but assumes parental duties such as providing food, shelter, clothing, or medical care
Withdraw	The removal of a student from the official enrollment roll of a school
Critical Records	Educational records as defined by O.C.G.A. § 20-2-670
Case Management Consultation	A consultation conducted by a school social worker, counselor, or designated administrator with the transferring student and their parent or legal custodian to determine needed services and facilitate continuation of any services from the previous school

New Student Enrollment

Registration must be completed at the attendance area school for the address where the student lives. Students are assigned to a school based on their custodial parent or legal guardian's home address.

The legal custodial parent or caregiver must accompany the student to register. The person who registers the student is also the person authorized to withdraw the student, unless other legally acceptable arrangements are made.

Required Documents for Registration:

Document	Notes
Parent/guardian valid photo ID	Driver's license, work ID, or military ID
Child's birth certificate
Child's Social Security card
Withdrawal form or most recent report card	From previous school
Georgia Immunization Certificate (Form 3231)	ECS will request records from the previous school, but all documentation must be provided to complete registration
Two proofs of residency	See acceptable documents below

Acceptable Proof of Residency (any two):

Receipt for monthly rent or mortgage payment

Rental agreement or mortgage document

Water, telephone, or cable bill
Property tax bill
Homeowner's insurance policy or receipt
Income tax form showing current address

If the family lives with someone else who owns or rents the home, a notarized statement from that person confirming the family resides with them is required. School personnel may verify residency information.

If custody is split between two parents, a certified copy of the most recent court order must be provided. Parents must notify the school immediately of any changes to custody arrangements.

Transfer Requirements (Grades 4–12)

Plain-English Summary: When a student transfers into ECS in grade 4 or higher, the parent or legal custodian must complete a disclosure form and provide school records from the past two years before the student can be permanently enrolled. This form asks about the student's disciplinary history — including any suspensions, expulsions, felony adjudications, or pending disciplinary hearings. If records aren't received in time, the student may be temporarily assigned to remote learning until the process is complete.

Official Policy Language — Board Policy JBCD

The parent or legal custodian of a student seeking permanent enrollment in grade 4 or higher must, as a prerequisite to permanent enrollment:

Complete a disclosure document confirming whether the student:

Has ever been adjudicated delinquent for a Class A or Class B designated felony act (including date, offense, jurisdiction, and sentence)

Is currently serving a short-term suspension, long-term suspension, or expulsion (including reason and term)

Is currently the subject of a notice of a disciplinary hearing

Is currently or has ever been subject to a notice of criminal action, notice of chronic disciplinary problem, disciplinary and behavioral correction plan, or report of the commission of a prohibited act

Provide critical records from each school attended in the previous 24 months, OR receive written confirmation that the receiving school has already received them

If critical records are not received: The receiving school may temporarily assign the student to remote learning until the records are received or a Case Management Consultation is completed.

If a student is found ineligible for enrollment under O.C.G.A. § 20-2-751.2, they will be dismissed from enrollment until they become eligible.

Parent notification of records transfer: Each time a student's education records are transferred to ECS, the parent or legal custodian will be notified in writing. Upon written request within 5 school business days of that notice, the parent is entitled to receive a copy of the transferred records and may request a meeting with the principal or designee to correct any record content.

Records release timeline: Sending schools are required to release a student's complete education records by 5:00 PM on the third business day following a request.

Agency-Placed Students (Foster Care / DHS Placements)

When a student is being placed by the Department of Human Services or another state agency into a new home or facility that requires a school change, ECS will consult with the student's custodian to determine whether the student should remain in their school of origin or be assigned to the appropriate school in the new district, in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

Withdrawal from School

All student withdrawals must be made and documented in accordance with state enrollment and withdrawal rules and state law.

Students ages 16 or 17 who have not completed all graduation requirements must have written parent or guardian permission before withdrawing. The principal or designee will make a reasonable attempt to hold a conference with the student and parent or guardian to discuss available educational options (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690.1(e)).

If a parent or guardian does not follow established withdrawal procedures, the Superintendent or designee will make every reasonable effort to notify the parent or guardian before the school withdraws the student.

A student may not be withdrawn for the following reasons:

Excused absences as defined in Board Rule 160-5-1-.10 and O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690.1(a)

While participating in the Hospital/Homebound Instruction Program

30-Day Consecutive Absence Rule:
If a student misses 30 consecutive school days without notification, and the parent or guardian has not notified the school of withdrawal, enrollment in another school, or enrollment in a home study program, ECS will refer the matter to the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) and the RESA Student Affairs Officer to determine whether the withdrawal was intended to avoid educating the student.

Disputes regarding records requests involving the school district will be referred to:

First District RESA
149 S. Register Street
Metter, GA 30439
(912) 685-7372

Change of Address

If a student's family moves within Emanuel County during the school year, the parent or guardian must complete an Address Verification Form at the school. The school cannot update address records without this form on file.

Admission of Suspended or Expelled Students

ECS reserves the right — in accordance with Georgia law — to refuse enrollment to a student who is currently under suspension or expulsion from another school system. This includes students returning from Youth Detention Centers (YDC).

A placement committee will determine whether students returning from a Regional Youth Detention Center will return to their home school or be placed in the Alternative Education Program.
Students admitted from another system during a disciplinary period may be assigned to an alternative setting rather than a traditional school.

Admission of Students Charged with a Felony

Plain-English Summary: ECS may refuse to re-enroll or enroll a student who has been convicted of, charged with, or indicted for a felony. If enrollment is refused, the student and their family have the right to request a hearing. Whenever possible, the district will consider placing such students in an alternative educational setting rather than simply denying them access to education.

Official Policy Language — O.C.G.A. § 20-2-768

Each local board of education is authorized to refuse to readmit or enroll any student who has been suspended or expelled for being convicted of, adjudicated to have committed, indicted for, or having information filed for the commission of any felony or any delinquent act that would be a felony if committed by an adult. If refused readmission or enrollment, the student or the student's parent or legal guardian has the right to request a hearing pursuant to Code Section 20-2-754.

A hearing officer, tribunal, panel, superintendent, or local board of education may place a student denied enrollment in an alternative educational program as appropriate and in the best interest of both the student and the broader school community. It is the policy of this state that reassigning disruptive students to alternative settings is preferable to suspension or expulsion whenever possible.

After-School Activities

All school-sponsored after-school activities are subject to the same rules and expectations as the regular school day.

To participate in non-GHSA activities, students must have been present for at least half the school day on the day of the event, unless cleared by administration.
GHSA-sanctioned activities follow GHSA attendance participation rules.
All other activities are governed by the rules of the sponsoring organization.

Bicycles

Students who ride bicycles to school must lock their bicycle at the location designated by the principal or designee immediately upon arrival.

Book Bags

Book bag requirements are outlined in each school's supplemental handbook.

Transportation Changes

Any change to a student's regular transportation — whether by car or school bus — requires a written request signed by the parent or guardian, submitted to the school office and approved before the change is made.

Personal Belongings

Students are encouraged to leave personal belongings at home. The school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal items — including items left in lockers or on the bus. This includes cell phones.

School Property and Student Debts

Students are responsible for the care of all school-issued materials, including textbooks and Chromebooks.

Any student who marks, damages, or destroys school property will be required to clean the item and/or pay for the damage.
Loss or excessive damage to a textbook or Chromebook will result in the student being charged for repair or replacement. Georgia law holds parents and students financially responsible for materials loaned by the school.
Students will be notified in writing of any debt. They will have an opportunity to meet with a school official to discuss the charge.
If a family is unable to pay, the Superintendent or designee may arrange for the student to satisfy the debt through services performed for the school district.

Classroom Materials

Students are expected to come to class every day prepared with:

Textbooks
Notebook paper
Pencils

Failure to bring materials is not cause for a disciplinary referral. However, a student who is defiant toward a teacher regarding materials may be referred for discipline.

Report Cards and Progress Reports

Progress reports are issued at the midpoint of each nine-week grading period.
Report cards are issued at the end of each nine-week grading period.

See the ECS academic calendar for specific dates.

Academic Honesty — Plagiarism

Plagiarism — presenting another person's ideas or words as your own without crediting the source — will not be tolerated. Plagiarism is treated as a cheating infraction and will result in appropriate disciplinary consequences. See Section 7 for related discipline codes.

State Assessments

All ECS students participate in state-required assessments. Testing is administered primarily online. Paper and Braille materials are available for students with disabilities who require them.

Assessment by Grade Level:

Grade	Assessment
Kindergarten	Georgia Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (GKIDS)
Grades 3–8	Georgia Milestones — Language Arts and Math
Grades 5 and 8	Georgia Milestones — Language Arts, Math, and Science
Grade 8 (also)	Georgia Milestones — Social Studies
High School	End-of-Course (EOC) assessments (see below)

High School End-of-Course (EOC) Assessments:

Subject	Course
Language Arts	Literature and Composition II
Mathematics	Algebra: Concepts and Connections
Science	Biology
Social Studies	United States History

EOC assessments are administered when the course is completed, regardless of the student's grade level.
EOC scores count as 20% of the student's final course grade.
Middle school students enrolled in EOC courses take the EOC exam instead of the corresponding end-of-grade exam.

Title I — Family and Community Involvement

ECS is committed to meaningful family involvement in the education of all students. In schools receiving Title I, Part A funding, the district actively involves parents in planning, reviewing, and improving school programs.

How ECS Involves Families:

Annual fall meetings to inform parents about Title I participation and programs
"Open Letter" communications explaining the benefits of Title I
Title I Advisory Council with parent representation
Parent surveys and committee involvement
District Parent Advisory Council
Parent resource centers in Title I schools
Collaboration with Head Start, Pre-K, and English Language Assistance programs
Communications provided in formats and languages families can understand
Regular updates through school websites, newsletters, and parent meetings

Title I — Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

Plain-English Summary: Title I, Part A funds are federal dollars aimed at helping students in lower-income schools succeed. ECS uses these funds for targeted instructional support, qualified teachers, and research-based programs. All teachers in ECS schools meet Georgia's professional qualification standards. Paraprofessionals hired after January 8, 2002 must meet specific education requirements.

Official Policy Language

The purpose of ESSA Title I, Part A funds is to ensure all students have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach, at a minimum, proficiency on state-adopted content and achievement standards. Funds are used to close achievement gaps, particularly for low-achieving students in low-income schools, and between minority and non-minority students and socioeconomically disadvantaged and more advantaged peers.

Title I school-wide programs may use funds to upgrade the school's entire educational program. All Title I schools employ teachers who meet Georgia's professional qualification requirements.

Paraprofessional Requirements — Paraprofessionals hired after January 8, 2002 must have:

Completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher learning, OR
Obtained an associate's degree or higher, OR
Demonstrated through an academic assessment the knowledge and ability to assist in the instruction of reading, writing, and math