Student Dress

The following policy (Policy 4050) was adopted by the Franklin County Board of Education effective January 1, 2002.

The Franklin County Board of Education respects a student’s right to choose his or her style of dress or appearance; however, students are expected to adhere to standards of cleanliness and compatibility with a good school environment. If a student’s dress or lack of cleanliness is such that it constitutes a threat to health or safety, the principal or principal’s designee may require the student and the student’s parents to take appropriate action to remedy the situation. In addition, if a student’s dress or appearance is so unusual, inappropriate or lacking in cleanliness that it clearly disrupts classroom or educational activities, the student will immediately be required to change his or her dress or appearance.

The principal or designee in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and the school’s Student Handbook shall handle student violations of this policy. Please reference Rule 4 on pages 6 and 7 of the Franklin County Schools Student Code of Conduct as well as FCS Policy 4050 on page 22 of the same publication

Principals will maintain guidelines to assist students in determining appropriate dress and appearance for school, copies of which will be made available to parents and students. Items listed below shall be included in all school guidelines and shall apply to all students at school or during a school sponsored activity. Reasonable accommodations will be made by the school principal or designee for those students who, because of religious belief, cultural heritage, or medical reason, request a waiver of a particular guideline for dress or appearance. Reasonable accommodation shall be made by the principal for students involved in special duties, activities, or projects approved by the school, including but not limited to athletics, vocational classes and projects, special events or other activities that would allow for non-conforming dress on a school campus or during a school activity.

• Clothing must be age appropriate, not disruptive to the teaching-learning process, and cannot be provocative, revealing, indecent, vulgar, or obscene.

• Hats, sweatbands, bandannas, or sunglasses will not be worn inside the school buildings.

• Shorts may be no higher than mid-thigh.

• Skirts and dresses must be no higher than three inches above the top of the knee.

• Shirts and blouses may not be tank top, spaghetti straps, or sleepwear. No off-the-shoulder tops.

• Clothing will not be allowed which promotes alcoholic beverages, tobacco, or the use of controlled substances; depicts violence; is of a sexual nature; or is of a disruptive nature.

• Shirts and blouses must cover cleavage, the waist, midriff, and go past the waistline.

• Clothing is not to be sheer or mesh and cannot have excessive holes.

• No sagging pants are allowed. All pants should be worn at the waistline.

• Tight clothing, such as knit or spandex-like clothing or overly tight pants, is not allowed.

• Proper footwear is required. Shoes that have laces must be laced, tied, and fit. No flip-flops.

• Abnormal hair coloring or hair styles that disrupt classroom or educational activities will not be allowed.

• Undergarments are not to be visible.

• Clothing must be worn appropriately; for example, nothing may be worn inside-out or backwards, pant legs may not be rolled up, bib overalls must be fastened, belts must be buckled and worn at the waistline.

• Clothing articles commonly recognized as being related to a group or gang which provokes others to act violently or be intimidated by fear of violence shall not be worn on the campus on at any school activity.

• There shall be no jewelry affixed to a student’s nose, tongue, lips, cheek, eyebrow or other areas of the student’s body if the jewelry so worn disrupts classroom or educational activities.

Early College High School Dress Code Policy

In addition to the Franklin County School Board Policies, the following rules and regulations apply to Franklinton High School students. Students are accountable for knowing these rules and regulations as well as the School Board Policies contained in the Student Code of Conduct.

1. Shirts and blouses must cover the midriff at all times, even when hands are outstretched above the head. No cleavage should be visible.

2. No sagging pants that expose undergarments (including gym shorts worn under jeans) are allowed. Pants must be worn at the waist.

3. Bandannas of any color, on males or females, are prohibited. This includes in a pocket, worn on wrists or those worn by females as hair accessories.

4. No excessive holes/large holes. Specifically above the mid-thigh.

5. Any article of clothing or accessory, including jewelry, which promotes or represents gang affiliation or violence, is prohibited.

Note: Students violating the dress code will receive consequences including ISS, and for excessive or repeated offense, OSS. The dress code is well publicized and students should arrive at school within the policy and remain so throughout the school day.

Conduct and Consequences

Students are expected to follow school and school system rules and regulations at all times while on the school campus and at all school functions regardless of location. This includes all extra-curricular activities such as athletic events, club functions, and special programs. A failure to follow school rules and regulations will result in the assignment of consequences. Consequences include, but are not limited to, the following:

• In-School Suspension (ISS) — A student may be assigned in school suspension. Students assigned to ISS can not choose OSS as an option to their ISS assignment. Students refusing ISS shall be assigned additional consequences up to and including OSS. However, upon return to school they must serve the original assignment. Students are not allowed to attend any school-sponsored activity on any day the student is in ISS at the time of the student’s normal dismissal from school. These activities include but not limited to: athletic events, programs such as plays or talent shows, etc. Students who violate this policy may be charged with trespassing.

• Out of School Suspension (OSS) -- The administration can suspend students out of school as a discipline consequence. Please note: A student assigned to OSS is trespassing if he/she appears on the property of ANY school within the Franklin County School System or at any Franklin County School System function, including athletic contests, regardless of location. Trespassing is a criminal offense and will be handled as such.

• Other – Other consequences may be assigned at the discretion of the FHS Administration if deemed appropriate.

Student’s Person

The Board of Education authorizes administrative personnel who have reasonable suspicion that a student or students are in possession of weapons, illegal drugs, or other items harmful to the student or students or to the welfare of the student body, to search the person of said student(s) under the following conditions:

1. Any such action shall not be taken unless there is a reasonable suspicion, which can be substantiated if necessary.

2. Any such action shall not deliberately be intended to embarrass, harass, or intimidate the student(s).

3. Ensure there is an appropriate person in place to observe (e.g. male student should have adult male observer; female student should have an adult female observer)

Dismissal from FCECHS:

Each student is expected to behave in a manner that will reflect positively on FCECHS and themselves. Early College High School is a unique experience in that we are bound by two distinct sets of rules we must adhere to; therefore, expectations regarding a student’s conduct takes on a different mode. There are certain behaviors that will cause a student to be dismissed from the Early College High School. They are:

Fighting – Any FCECHS student engaged in a fight (as defined in the Franklin County Schools Student Code of Conduct) on any Franklin County Schools/Vance-Granville Community College campus or any school-sponsored activity will be dismissed from the Early College High School.

Drugs/Alcohol – Any student discovered selling, possessing, under the influence, using, purchasing and/or distributing an illicit substance or alcohol on any Franklin County Schools/Vance-Granville Community College campus, or any school-sponsored activity, will be dismissed from the Early College High School. In the event an infraction has occurred, law enforcement will be notified.

Gang Activity - Any student who is known to be affiliated with a gang and his/her actions disrupts the educational process or disrupts the school climate will be dismissed from the Early College. This may include distributing, selling items that are related to gang affiliation, flashing gang signs, displaying clothing, emblems, or symbols, planning or promoting activities that are gang-related.

Weapons - Any student who is found in possession of a weapon with the purpose of committing harm to another individual will be dismissed from the Early College High School. A weapon may include a gun, knife, antipersonnel spray or any other device used or intended to be used to cause bodily harm to another individual.

Repeated violations of the Franklin County Schools Code of Conduct that distract from the learning environment in a negative manner may be grounds for dismissal from the Early College.

Inappropriate Items

1. Inappropriate items can be confiscated and returned at the discretion of school personnel.

2. The school will not be responsible for confiscated items.

3. A parent may be required to pick up any item confiscated from a student, with the exception of weapons or illegal controlled substances—these items will be turned over to the appropriate law officials.

4. Electronic devices (such as cell phones, iPods, MP3 players, games, etc.) will be confiscated if they are seen, used, listened to, or make noise in any place in the school. Playing cards, dice, inappropriate magazines, and chemical enablers (mace, pepper spray, etc.) are just a few examples of items that students may not bring on campus.

5. Cell phones are permissible if they remain away from view and not heard during the course of the school day unless sanctioned by the class teacher for educational purposes. (must be registered)

6. Seniors and Super Seniors only may bring their own device (computer) for educational purposes.

7. Freshman - Juniors are required to obtain a district issued device and use while on campus.

VGCC Security & Law Enforcement Officers on Campus

The purpose of the Security and School Resource Officer (SRO) is to be a peace officer by maintaining order on campus with the legal authority to arrest if required. The SRO is a resource teacher in areas of Law Enforcement Education that can be applied in the classroom. Finally, the SRO will at times play the role of counselor, by listening to and assisting students with various problems and concerns. VGCC Security is on campus on a daily basis.

Interviews of students by law enforcement officers who show proper identification will be permitted during the school day upon officer request. Custody and/or arrest may be affected by a law enforcement officer bearing proper identification if deemed necessary by the officer. The School Resource Officer is a sworn deputy sheriff employed by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and has the full powers of a regular patrol deputy or Investigator.

Franklin County Schools Code of Student Conduct

The Franklin County Board of Education believes that good discipline is necessary to ensure an atmosphere in which learning can take place. The following is a brief summary of offenses for which short and long-term suspensions may be assigned. For a complete and detailed description of the Franklin County School Board discipline policy, please refer to the Franklin County Schools Student Code of Conduct which can be found online on the Franklin County Schools website (www.fcschools.net).

Short-term suspensions up to 10 school days may be used as punishment for the following offenses:

• Theft of property (the school is not responsible for any items lost or stolen).

• Use of obscene or profane language and gestures.

• Deliberate refusal to obey a teacher.

• Leaving a classroom or school without permission.

• Physically abusing a student (hitting, pushing, kicking).

• Threatening, blackmailing, harassing, or intimidating a student.

• Continuous misconduct at school or school functions.

• Continuous disregard of school rules and regulations.

• Distribution of materials unauthorized by the principal.

• Gambling

• Deliberate failure to attend class after reporting to school.

• Unauthorized presence on school grounds

• Indecent dress

• Loitering or misbehaving in restrooms

• Possession or distribution of obscene materials

• Smoking/possession of tobacco products

• Any of the offenses set forth in the provisions for long-term suspensions

Long-term suspensions of more than 10 days may be used as punishment for the following offenses:

• Repeated violations of short-term suspension offenses.

• Immoral conduct

• Possession or consumption of illegal drugs or alcoholic beverages on school property or at a school function.

• Evidence of injection/consumption of illegal drugs and/or alcoholic beverages prior to attending school.

• Possession of a weapon of school property

• Willful destruction of school property

• Possession or shooting of fireworks on the school grounds

• Extortion

• Blackmailing, threatening, harassing, intimidating, or assaulting a school staff member

• A student fourteen years of age or older who has been convicted of a felony and whose continued presence in school constitutes a clear threat to the safety and health of other students or employees may be expelled by the Board of Education

Reasonable Request

All students MUST OBEY and ADHERE TO a reasonable request from ANY teacher or staff member. Examples of reasonable requests include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Providing your correct name when asked.

• Providing your correct class location when asked.

• Giving a cell phone or other prohibited electronic device to a staff member when asked.

• Reporting to administration room immediately when asked.

Classroom/Hallway Conduct

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful manner at all times. Each teacher will establish classroom rules and consequences and review them with students at the beginning of each semester. Student conduct in the halls, stairwells, etc. should conform to all school rules and regulations. Noise levels should be kept to a minimum. Students should use the class change time to use the restroom, get water, etc. Students must not congregate to the point of blocking passage on the stairs, in the halls, or to doorways. Students are to enter the second floor from the stairwell closest to the office and exit to the first floor by the stairwell furthest from the office. For safety purposes, students are not allowed to use the elevator. This is especially true in the front lobby so parents and other visitors may have access to the office area. If/when students are asked to move on to class by ANY staff member full cooperation is expected.

School Property

Desks and other equipment at the Early College belong to the school district or community college. These areas may be searched by school officials for illegal substances or materials with reasonable suspicion of materials stored there that could be harmful, disruptive, or dangerous to the safety of the student or the school as a whole.