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This site provides information using PDF, visit this link to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader DC software.
Below you will find the BES Student Handbook along with the BCSS Code of Conduct and Required Notifications for families.
The Barrow County Student Code of Conduct is based on the philosophy that discipline is a tool that is used to teach students to become responsible for their own behavior. Since our students live in a society in which citizens are expected to obey laws and abide by commonly accepted standards of behavior, we must teach them to be self- disciplined. This Student Code of Conduct is built upon those commonly accepted standards of behavior sometimes called character traits. These character traits include: citizenship, cheerfulness, cleanliness, compassion, cooperation, courage, courtesy, creativity, diligence, fairness, generosity, honesty, kindness, loyalty, patience, patriotism, perseverance, punctuality, respect for others, respect for the creator, respect for the environment, sportsmanship, school pride, self-respect, self-control, tolerance, and virtue.
In order to educate students to become productive citizens as adults, we must create a safe, non-threatening and orderly school environment that enables teachers to teach and students to learn. We expect students to "behave themselves in such a way so as to facilitate a learning environment for themselves and others, respect each other and school district employees, obey student behavior policies adopted by the local board of education, and obey student behavior rules established by individual schools (O.C.G.A. 20-2-735)." This Code of Conduct establishes expectations for the maintenance of a positive learning environment at school. Major offenses, including, but not limited to, drug and weapon offenses, may lead to a school being labeled as an Unsafe School according to the provisions of State Board of Education Rule 160-4-8-.16 Unsafe School Choice Option.
The Student Code of Conduct is effective during the following times and in the following places:
Read the Student Code of Conduct here. You may also request a copy of the Student of Conduct from your child’s school.
PARENT’S RIGHT TO REQUEST A TEACHER’S AND A PARAPROFESSIONAL’S QUALIFICATIONS
In compliance with the requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act, the Barrow County School System would like to inform you that you may request information about the professional qualifications of your student’s teacher(s) and/or paraprofessional(s). The following information may be requested:
If you wish to request information concerning your child’s teacher’s and/or paraprofessional’s qualifications, please contact your child’s principal or Meggan McNally, Barrow County School System Director of Planning and Personnel at 770-867-4527.
FERPA affords parents and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights are:
Barrow County Schools may disclose designated "directory information" without written consent. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow Barrow County Schools to include this information in school publications. Unless you, as a parent/guardian or eligible student, request otherwise, this directory information may be disclosed to the public. Any school district receiving ESEA funds must, upon request of military or higher education institutions, provide access to secondary school students’ names, addresses, and telephone listings. School districts must notify parents of the option to require prior written parental consent to such disclosure. School districts must provide military recruiters the same access to secondary school students as is provided generally to postsecondary educational institutions or prospective employers. You have the right to refuse to allow all or any part of the above information to be designated as directory information and to be disclosed to the public upon request. If you wish to exercise this right, you must notify the principal of the school at which your student is enrolled prior to a directory information request being made to the school or school system.
The following guidelines will be followed conducting research-involving students:
In addition, the Superintendent or his or her designee must approve the use of any such survey, analysis or evaluation before the consent of the parent or student is sought.
School attendance is a high priority in the Barrow County School System. Regular attendance is vital to each student’s academic progress and the development of positive habits for his/her adult life. Georgia Law O.C.G.A. 20-2-690.1 mandates school attendance for students between the ages of 6 and 16. This law also applies to younger children once they enter school. According to O.C.G.A. 20-2-690.1 parents are responsible for enrolling and sending their children to school and the school staff is responsible for enforcing this law. Any student who has more than five unexcused absences in a school year is truant. School days missed as a result of an out of school suspension shall not count for the purpose of determining student truancy.
Failure to comply with Georgia’s Compulsory Education Law (O.C.G.A 20-2-690.1) may result in consequences for both students and parent/guardians. Consequences for students include, but are not limited to, detention, Saturday school, and referral to juvenile justice for truancy. Consequences for parents/guardians include a fine of not less than $25.00 and not more than $100.00, imprisonment not to exceed 30 days, community service, or any combination of such penalties at the discretion of the court for each absence. Parents may also be charged with deprivation for failure to comply with this law.
Student absences may be excused for the following reasons:
Full-day school attendance is very important to student success. Students who arrive late or leave early miss important segments of classroom instruction.
The Barrow County School District prohibits conduct which may be construed as bullying. Bullying may be defined as an act which occurs on school property, on school vehicles, at designated school bus stops, or at school related functions or activities, or by use of data or software that is accessed through a computer, computer system, computer network, or other electronic technology of a local school system, that is:
Possible disciplinary actions include warning/counseling, notification of parents, parental conference, detention, in-school suspension, short-term suspension, referral to a hearing officer, and referral to law enforcement officials. Upon finding that a middle or high school student has committed the offense of bullying for the third time in a school year, the student shall be assigned to the alternative school.
The Barrow County Board of Education believes the use of school district technology supports curricular and administrative objectives and has the potential to promote 21st Century skills such as creativity, collaboration, and communication. Technology can significantly enhance both the teaching and learning process and help prepare students for their roles in a technical society. This technology includes computer hardware, software, local and wide area networks and access to the Internet, the use of which is to be encouraged within guidelines that protect students and the rights of others.
Using Technology at School
We live in a global and digital world changed by technology and new ideas about how we communicate with one another and exchange information. As a result, students must develop the research, information fluency, and technology skills that will allow them to be successful, safe, and ethical in this digital world. For this reason, students are provided computer access privileges at school, as well as access to the Internet, email, digital communication and collaboration tools, online learning spaces, and electronic educational resources. In addition to these resources, tools, and equipment, which are essential to teaching and learning, the Barrow County School System also fully supports responsible, learning-centered use of personal devices to provide as many pathways to understanding as possible for our students.
The guidelines for responsible use of these tools, student-owned devices and the protection measures in place are outlined in the following documents:
Students are expected to follow all classroom/school rules online just as they do in class and will be held accountable for misconduct, which includes violations of the district’s Internet Acceptable Use Policy and its established guidelines and the Student Code of Conduct.
Parents are always encouraged to review the online activities of their children and can access student accounts. Parents are also encouraged to speak with teachers when questions or concerns arise about the use of web-based tools in the classroom.
Standard applications and accounts that are configured for student use include (but are not limited to):
Barrow County School System’s G Suite for Education Environment: This education-focused Google Apps environment is hosted by Google, and managed by the district. This collection of online applications provides students with a Google email account, calendar, and access to Google Drive, where students can create, share, and publish documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and other artifacts of their learning. The district creates and manages user accounts; manages access to applications and email based on grade level organizations; and manages permissions. For example, email accounts the district creates can only communicate with other email accounts created by the district or a limited set of explicitly approved, academically oriented, external email systems such as Governor’s Honors Program, College Board etc. (Please note that G Suite for Education accounts are covered by more restrictive data privacy practices than “regular” Google accounts, including a restriction on advertising and the use of student data for advertising purposes. G Suite for Education also was an early signatory to the Student Privacy Pledge.
Microsoft 365 for Education: The district also offers students and staff access to Microsoft’s Office 365 platform. Like GSuite for Education, Office 365 is a cloud based, digital collaboration suite that provides students and staff access to the online version of the Microsoft Office Suite of tools, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Using their Office 365 account, Students will have the ability to create, share, and collaborate on content across the full suite of Microsoft applications on virtually any device. Students can also use their Office 365 account to download and install the full versions of the latest Office suite on up to 5 PCs/Macs and 5 mobile devices per user, and can continue using it as long as they are a student in the Barrow County School district.
The district will create and manage all user accounts and will also control access to applications and permissions based on grade level organizations. Student email will remain in our sandboxed GSuite email environment and we do not plan to use the email component of Office365 at this time.
In addition to providing students with the full Office Suite, all student’s Office 365 accounts will also provide access to Microsoft’s Minecraft Education Edition Platform. Minecraft Education Edition is a dedicated version of Minecraft that has been designed specifically for use in education. The educational version of Minecraft provides students and teachers with a secured and controlled environment that can be used to build real world collaboration, communication, and critical thinking skills in a variety of different subjects including Chemistry/Science, History, and Computer Science/Programming.
Please note that like GSuite for Education, Office 365 Educational accounts are covered by more restrictive privacy practices than consumer or Enterprise Office 365 accounts including restrictions on advertising as well as the use and collection of student data for data mining purposes. See regulatory information for Office 365 and Minecraft for Education.
Web 2.0 Tools for Educational Use: These are web-based tools that are considered an extension of the class and may require students to have a unique account created for them to access and save content. Products students create using these tools may also be published for a global audience. Under the supervision of a classroom teacher, students may engage in some of the following types of activities:
BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology) Program: This program permits students to bring their technology devices to school for academic use at the discretion of teachers and staff, using Internet access provided by the district and filtered in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). Parents and students who participate in this program are bound by rules and conditions found in the BYOT regulation (IFBG-R3).
Online Curriculum Systems: Most of the curriculum adopted in the district is accompanied by or depends on access to an online system where content and assessments are stored. Many of these systems require students to have a unique account created for them which allows them to access supplemental video content, take quizzes, and strengthen their understanding about the ideas in a content area. For district-wide curriculum, the district creates and manages these accounts. In these cases, the terms of use and privacy policies are reviewed thoroughly before providing any student account data to the vendor.
Parents who would like to read more about G Suite for Education, Web 2.0 Tools and the BYOT program can access these documents at the links below or you can request a hard copy from your school.
Internet Safety
Due to the complex nature of these systems and the magnitude of information available via the Internet, the Barrow County Board of Education believes guidelines regarding acceptable use are warranted to serve the educational needs of students.
It shall be the policy of the Barrow County Board of Education that the school system shall have in continuous operation, with respect to any computers or mobile devices having access to the Internet via the Barrow County School System (BCSS) network:
Technology Use
The district’s technology resources are provided for educational purposes that promote and are consistent with the instructional goals of the Barrow County School System. Use of computers, mobile devices, and network resources outside the scope of this educational purpose is strictly prohibited.
Students and employees accessing network services or Internet through any device, or accessing any school computer shall comply with the district’s Internet and technology acceptable use guidelines. User privacy is limited with regard to the use of the system network and technology. The district reserves the right to monitor, access, and disclose the contents of any user’s files, activities, or communications, including content sent/received through secure connections.
It must also be understood that the Internet is a global, fluid community, which remains largely unregulated. While it is an extremely valuable tool for educational research, there are sections that are not commensurate with community, school, or family standards. It is the belief of the Board that the Internet’s advantages far outweigh its disadvantages. The Barrow County Board of Education will, through its administrative staff, provide an Internet screening system, which blocks access to a large percentage of inappropriate content. It should not be assumed, however, that users are completely prevented from accessing inappropriate materials or from sending or receiving objectionable communications.
Additionally, access to network services, the Internet, and computer resources is a privilege, not a right. Therefore, users violating the Barrow County Board of Education’s Internet safety and technology acceptable use policy shall be subject to revocation of these privileges and potential disciplinary action.
Student Responsible Use of Technology Resources
The Barrow County School System (BCSS) supports and encourages the use of technology resources to enhance and facilitate learning and expects responsible and respectful behavior from technology users. Technology use (whether personal or school owned) is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use may result in a loss of those privileges as well as other disciplinary actions outlined in the student code of conduct.
This regulation was established by the Barrow County School System’s Internet safety and Acceptable Use policy (IFBG) and outlines guidelines and procedures defining responsible use of district-owned technology, and personally owned technology connected to district resources, network resources, G Suite for Education tools, and Web 2.0 / social networking tools (for education) by its students.
Respect & Protect Yourself
Respect & Protect Others
Respect and Protect Intellectual Property
Respect and Protect Property
Student use of Personal Technology Devices
All of the above guidelines apply to the use of any personal electronic devices brought to school for learning purposes, in addition to those outlined in the Barrow County School System Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) Regulation. Students and parents must agree to the guidelines in the BYOT regulation prior to their use in school.
Student use of Web 2.0 / Social Networking Tools for Education and G Suite for Education (Grades 6 -12)
Students are expected to follow all classroom/school rules online just as they do in class and will be held accountable for misconduct, which includes violations of the district’s Internet Acceptable Use Policy and its established guidelines and the Student Code of Conduct.
Parents are always encouraged to review the online activities of their children and can access student accounts or be provided a parental account, when available. Parents are also encouraged to speak with teachers when questions or concerns arise about the use of web-based tools in the classroom.
BARROW COUNTY SCHOOLS GENDER EQUITY IN SPORTS
State law prohibits discrimination based on gender in athletic programs of local school systems (Equity in Sports Act, O.C.G.A.-20-2-315). Students are hereby notified that Barrow County Schools does not discriminate on the basis of gender in its athletic programs. Inquiries or complaints concerning sports equity in this school system may be submitted to Dr. Ken Greene at 179 W. Athens St. Winder, Georgia 30680 - 770-867-4527.
TITLE VI AND TITLE IX NOTIFICATION
The Barrow County School District does not discriminate in its education and employment programs on the basis of religion, age, race, color, national origin, gender, marital or parental status, and disability. This district complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX education amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and the Perkins CTE Act of 2006. Inquiries may be made to the respective coordinator regarding Title VI (Dr. Brad Bowling), Title IX (Dr. Ken Greene) and the Perkins Act (Dr. Jennifer Wood) or Dr. Matt Thompson regarding 504 and ADA at: Barrow County Schools, 179 West Athens St. Winder, GA 30680, 770-867-4527.
SECTION 504 INFORMATIONAL NOTICE
Section 504 is an Act that prohibits discrimination against persons with a disability in any program receiving federal financial assistance. The Act defines a person with a disability as anyone who: Has a mental or physical impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities (major life activities such as caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working); Has a record of such impairment; Is regarded as having such an impairment. In order to fulfill its obligation under Section 504, the Barrow County School System recognizes a responsibility to avoid discrimination in policies and practices regarding its personnel and students. No discrimination against any person with a disability will knowingly be permitted in any of the programs and practices in the school system. Any student or parent/guardian may request an impartial hearing due to the school system’s actions or inactions regarding your child’s identification, evaluation, or educational placement under 504. See parental rights of students and parents under 504. Our Section 504 Compliance Coordinator for the Barrow County School System is Dr. Matt Thompson - 770-867-4527.
A. Grounds for a Complaint
Any individual, organization, or agency (“complainant”) may file a complaint with the Barrow County School System (BCSS) if that individual, organization, or agency believes and alleges that BCSS is violating a federal statute or regulation that applies to a program under the Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). The complaint must allege a violation that occurred not more than one (1) year prior to the date the complaint is received, unless a longer period is reasonable because the violation is considered systemic or ongoing.
B. Federal Programs for Which Complaints Can Be Filed
C. Complaints Originating at the Local Level
As part of its Assurances within the ESEA program grant applications and pursuant to Section 9306 within the Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), an LEA accepting federal funds must have local written procedures for the receipt and resolution of complaints alleging violations of law in the administration of covered programs. Therefore, a complaint should not be filed with the Georgia Department of Education until every effort has been made to resolve through local written complaint procedures. If the complainant has tried to file a complaint with the Barrow County School System to no avail, the complainant must provide the Georgia Department of Education written proof of their attempt to resolve the issue with the Barrow County School System.
D. Filing a Complaint
A complaint must be made in writing and signed by the complainant. The complaint must include the following:
The complaint must be addressed to: Dr. David Beeland, Jr., Federal Programs Director, Barrow County School System, 179 W. Athens Street, Winder, GA 30680.
Once the complaint is received by the BCSS, it will be copied and forwarded to the Federal Programs Director.
E. Investigation of Complaint
Within ten (10) days of receipt of the complaint, the Barrow County School System will issue a Letter of Acknowledgement to the complainant that contains the following information:
If additional information or an investigation is necessary, BCSS will have sixty (60) days from receipt of the information to complete the investigation and issue a Letter of Findings. If the Letter of Findings indicates that a violation has been found, a timeline for corrective action will be included. The sixty (60) day timeline may be extended if exceptional circumstances occur. The Letter of Findings will be sent directly to the complainant, as well as the other parties involved.
F. Right of Appeal
If an individual, organization, or agency is aggrieved by the final decision of the Barrow County School System, that individual, organization, or agency has the right to request review of the decision by the Georgia Department of Education. For complaints filed pursuant to Section 9503 (20 U.S.C. 7883, complaint process for participation of private school children), a complainant may appeal to the Georgia Department of Education no later than thirty (30) days from the date on which the complainant receives the Letter of Findings. The appeal must be accompanied by a copy of the Barrow County School System’s decision and include a complete statement of the reasons supporting the appeal.
The Barrow County School System is committed to providing an environment free of sexual harassment and all forms of harassment and discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, or disability. If a student believes he or she is being mistreated on account of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, or disability, the student may utilize the three-step procedure outlined below.
Step I: If a student has a complaint of discrimination or unfair treatment, he or she should report concerns to the Level One Administrator as described in Board Policy GAE, section 2) principal, the local school’s Title IX coordinator, teachers, counselors, or other school administrators. If a student is not satisfied that a complaint presented to a member of the school staff has been resolved satisfactorily, the student or his or her parent may request a meeting with the principal, following which, the principal will inform the parent in writing of his or her decision on the complaint.
Step II: If, after meeting with the school principal, the student is not satisfied with the principal’s decision, a written appeal may be submitted to the Superintendent’s Office within 10 working days of the receipt of the principal’s decision. The appeal must give specific reasons for reconsideration, state precisely the reasons for dissatisfaction with the principal’s decision, and be limited to the matter under review. The complaint shall include: Mailing address of the complainant, intent of the complainant, reference or description of the statute, policy, rule, contract provision or regulation that is alleged to have been violated, misinterpreted or misapplied, and a brief statement of the facts.
Step III: For assistance with the student complaint or grievance process, you may contact the district Equity Compliance Officer/Title IX Coordinator Barrow County Schools, 179 West Athens St. Winder, GA 30680, 770-867-4527. *Retaliation on account of filing a complaint at any level is strictly prohibited.
Any student (or parent or friend of a student) who has been the victim of an act of sexual abuse or sexual misconduct by a teacher, administrator or other school system employee is urged to make an oral report of the act to any teacher, counselor or administrator at his/her school.
The Barrow County School System and any of its schools may develop, participate in, or be the subject of media-based presentations and events that highlight various educational activities that take place during the course of the school year and/or during school system sponsored summer activities. Those presentations may include but are not limited to:
These media-based presentations may be used in, but are not limited to, the following activities or publication platforms:
Your student may also be photographed, videotaped or interviewed by the news media at school or some school activity or event. As a parent/guardian, if you do not want your child videotaped, photographed, or any of your child’s creations, such as writing, artwork or multimedia to be used or publicly published with limited identifying information for any of the outlined purposes above, whether by the Barrow County School System or by the news media, you may object in writing. If you wish to exercise this right, objections should be sent to the principal of the school where your student is enrolled in writing within 10 days from the date of enrollment.
PBIS is an evidence-based, data-driven framework proven to reduce disciplinary incidents, increase a school’s sense of safety and support improved academic outcomes. More than 16,000 U.S. schools are implementing PBIS. The premise of PBIS is that continual teaching, combined with acknowledgement or feedback of positive student behavior will reduce unnecessary discipline and promote a climate of greater productivity, safety and learning.
All Barrow County Schools participate in PBIS.
Barrow County School District endorses the philosophy that education is a means by which each individual has the opportunity to reach his or her fullest potential. Students in grades K-12 who demonstrate a high degree of intellectual, academic, and/or creative abilities may be nominated for evaluation to determine eligibility to participate in the Program for Gifted Students. Referrals for consideration may be made by teachers, parents or guardians, counselors, administrators, peers, self, and other individuals with knowledge of the student’s abilities.
The State Board of Education determines eligibility criteria for placement in the program. For a summary of those criteria or for further information about Barrow County’s Program for Gifted Students, please contact the Gifted Program teacher at your child’s school or Ginger Crosswhite, Gifted Program Director at 770-867-4527.
Clubs and organizations are available at each school for student participation. The clubs and organizations that are available are listed below along with the purpose, faculty advisor and a description of past or planned activities. If you DO NOT WANT your child to participate in one of these clubs or organizations you must notify the principal in writing by completing the clubs and organizations form signature letter. You may obtain a policy signature letter from the school office. If a club or organization not listed below is started during the school year, students will have to have parental permission prior to participation.
Booster clubs are an important part of the athletic and extracurricular program in the Barrow County School System. Booster clubs play an important role in supporting, encouraging, and in advancing these programs. The following rules and regulations are basic and broad guidelines for the establishment and operation of all booster clubs that support our schools in Barrow County.
Students who ride the school bus may do so as long as they display safe and reasonable behavior. Choosing not to follow the bus behavior guidelines may result in suspension or loss of bus service. The bus driver is responsible for the safety and well-being of the students on the bus. The school administrator will determine consequences of misbehavior and the reinstatement of bus service for the offending students should a suspension become necessary. A suspension applies to all buses unless otherwise designated by school officials. The responsibility for student supervision by the school shall begin when the student boards the bus in the morning and is retained until the child leaves the bus at the end of the day. Riding the school bus is a privilege not a right, and may be revoked for safety and discipline infractions.
I. PARENT/GUARDIAN RESPONSIBILITY
Parents and guardians will be responsible for ensuring their child follows all rules and guidelines outlined by this notice, driver, and administrator. If the student violates the behavior guidelines resulting in a bus suspension, the parent will provide transportation for their child. Students will be picked up and dropped off at their designated stop. Exceptions will require a written request from the parent as outlined below. In an emergency a phone call by the parent to the principal and subsequent written approval from the principal to the bus driver will be acceptable.
The school bus ride is an extension of the school day and as such, is subject to all school policies and procedures. Bus Conduct Reports will be recorded in accordance with all other school record keeping procedures.
II. TRANSPORTING OF SCHOOL RELATED/NON-RELATED ITEMS
No animals or any items that may be deemed objectionable in nature will be transported on any bus. If necessary, the bus driver may confiscate these items and turn them in to the school administrator. Any item that may be considered a weapon (per Ga. Law) or dangerous to others in any way will not be allowed on the bus. (This may include sports equipment, laser pointers, toys, etc.) Band instruments that will be allowed on the bus are those that are small enough to be held in the student’s lap. Instruments may not be in the aisle or take the space of a student if that space is needed to sit down. Damage to personal items is not covered by the school bus insurance coverage.
III. BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES
Each infraction of class I and II offenses shall be reported by the driver to the respective school administrator.
A. Class I Offenses
B. Class II Offenses
As previously stated, the school bus ride is an extension of the school day and is subject to all school policies and procedures. Riding the school bus is a privilege (not a right) for students as long as they display safe and reasonable behavior. Riding privileges may be revoked for safety and discipline infractions at which time parents must provide transportation for their child.
Bus Rules
BCSS STUDENT BUS TRANSPORTATION CHANGES PROTOCOL
Note: This protocol is for short-term (daily) changes only. For any long-term change in transportation, please use the appropriate Transportation Change Form available in your school’s front office.
Student must have a written note from a parent or guardian that is dated and signed referencing that particular day or days affected. This will apply even if the parent makes the request in person at the school.
In the event of a change in transportation, school office personnel will:
Bus drivers will not allow a student to exit the school bus at a place that is not the student’s normal stop unless the written note signed by both the parent/guardian and the school administrator (or designee) is in his or her possession.
No bus transportation changes will be accepted over the telephone.
Changes may be accepted via fax or email attachment if parent/guardian picture ID is included with the request, at the school administration’s discretion. Change requests must be received by the front office staff prior to noon on the day of the change.
Note: There are now set bus stops along all the bus routes and BCSS buses cannot stop at each individual house.
TEENAGE AND ADULT DRIVER RESPONSIBILITY ACT (TAADRA) (MS/HS only)
Georgia’s Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act (TAADRA) of 1997, requires that local school systems certify that a student is enrolled and not under expulsion in order for the student to be eligible to have a Georgia learner’s permit or driver’s license. Certificates of Enrollment can be obtained from your child’s school during the school year and prior to summer vacation.
[Updated 09/01/2020]
It is our privilege to provide low cost nutritious breakfast and lunch meals to all students and staff of the Barrow County Schools. Nutrition is a very important part of the education process since a hungry child cannot learn. Barrow County School Nutrition meals adhere to the USDA dietary guidelines and requirements. Our menus offered are analyzed to reduce calories from fat while ensuring proper amounts of nutrients and total calorie intake for different age groups. Monthly menus are available on all Barrow County School websites and through this direct link.
Children with health issues or allergies (including lactose intolerance) must have a letter signed by a physician stating such on file with the cafeteria manager. These letters must be updated annually.
Each cafeteria has a computer program for tracking meals and payments. ALL Barrow County School students are assigned computer identification (ID) number, which serves as their meal account number. ALL students are encouraged to learn their account number to use at the cashier station at the end of the meal line.
Prepayment for school meals enables the meal line to move more quickly. At all school levels, prepayment may be made weekly or monthly in envelopes provided by the school. The student’s name and account number must be listed on the envelope in order to credit the proper account. Money not used can be refunded at the end of the school year or carried over to the next school year even if they will attend a higher level Barrow County School. Parents should call the school nutrition manager’s office at the individual school if they have questions about the child’s account during the year.
Families with more than one student at the same school should send the cash or check SEPARATELY for each student. Checks are to be made out to SNP with the student’s name and account number on the check. Returned Checks are collected through Envision Payment Solutions. Other purchases from the school office or classroom must NOT be included with meal payments.
For your convenience, we offer online prepayments. You may access this service at www.myschoolbucks.com and put money on your child’s account.
Breakfast is served at no cost to all Barrow County students.
The Board believes that school lunches should be maintained at a reasonable price and, accordingly, shall use State allocated food services funds to supplement federal funds as a means of keeping sale prices within reach of paying children.
School lunch meals should be paid for in advance or at time of purchase.
Payments may be made with cash or check at the register. Secure online payments may be made with a debit or credit card with an online meal pay service found at a link on the School Food Nutrition Website.
A copy of the charge policy shall be sent home with each student at the beginning of the school year. The charge policy shall also be included in handbooks and/or online portals.
Parents/guardians are responsible for communicating with their children and/or the school nutrition manager or cashier about their child’s account or meal charges. Minor students are not the responsible party.
Barrow County Schools does not allow school lunch charges except in unusual circumstances.
Barrow County does not take away student trays.
Report cards will not be distributed until outstanding balances are paid. All charges must be paid by the end of the school year. Parents may designate that their children can NEVER charge meals, and BCSS will record those requests in the students’ files.
Students automatically qualify for free school meals if they receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and may qualify for free meals if they receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Families may also qualify for free or reduced price meals based on family income.
Families must re-apply each school year for free and reduced price meal benefits. Applications are available at each school, on the Barrow County Schools website, and online. All information provided is confidential. ALL household members including all children must be listed. School locations are required for all school age children. Please make certain that your application reaches the school nutrition manager at one of the schools your children attend. Applications will be completed at the time of registration at the Barrow County Professional Development Center. Parents may also fill out the free and reduced meal application online: www.myschoolapps.com.
Parents who apply for free and reduced-price meal assistance are responsible for payment of all school meals and accumulated charges until approval is granted. Federal guidelines allow maximum of 10 days to approve a new application. No child is allowed a free or reduced-price meal without a current, approved application on file. Parents will receive a notification letter of a student’s eligibility showing the effective date. If a notification letter is not received within ten days after application, please call the BCSS school nutrition office at 770-867-4527.
The health, welfare and safety of your child are of utmost importance. At times, it may be necessary for your child to take medication. The school nurse or principal’s designee shall be permitted to assist students in taking medication during the school day only if it is not possible for the parent, guardian, child’s physician, or some other adult authorized by the parent or guardian to administer the medication. In the event a student must take medicine during school hours, the guidelines set forth below shall direct the proper handling of all medications at school:
For Additional Information see Board Policy – Medication – Board Policy JCGD.
ANNUAL AHERA\ASBESTOS NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS TO: PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIANS/TEACHERS EMPLOYEES/ORGANIZATIONS
This notification is provided pursuant to the requirements of the Asbestos Hazardous Emergency Response Act (AHERA) of October 1986; EPA Rule 40 CFR 763, Asbestos Containing Material in Schools, subpart E, et seq. effective December 14, 1987. These regulations are defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Specifically, 40 CFR §763.84 (c) which requires that the Barrow County Board of Education notify you at least once a year of asbestos inspections, response actions, and any post response action activities, including periodic re-inspections and surveillance activities that are planned or in progress at our schools and administrative facilities. The Barrow County Board of Education has documented through a comprehensive asbestos survey, conducted by an AHERA accredited asbestos inspector, where asbestos containing, suspect asbestos containing and/or assumed asbestos containing building materials are located on our schools and administrative facilities. The Asbestos Management Plan documents a plan of action for managing and maintaining the asbestos containing building materials in-place and/or removal activities. The reports associated with the asbestos inspection, 3-year re-inspections, periodic surveillances, and the recommendations from operations and maintenance, are all documented in the Asbestos Management Plan. A copy of said plan is available at each school, Board Office, and the Maintenance Department.
Should you have any questions or desire further information, please contact the Maintenance Department at 770-867-5711.
The Barrow County Board of Education welcomes community input when it is motivated by a sincere desire to improve the quality of our educational programs or to equip the schools to do their tasks more efficiently. The Board has confidence in the professional staff and desires to support their actions. This regulation does not supersede any employee’s or citizen’s right to contact Board members directly. However, whenever a concern is expressed directly to the Board as a whole or to a Board member as an individual, it will be referred to the administration for study and resolution.