New rules, elementary await pupils
More than new subjects await Columbia County pupils as they return to their classrooms today. New rules, new resources and a new school await some of the county's pupils.
Landscaping work continued last week at Columbia County's newest school in Evans as workers prepared River Ridge Elementary for the first day of class today.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
The Columbia County school board has made changes to both the attendance and dress codes policies during the summer.
Students are allowed only five excused absences in a semester without a doctor's note. After 10 absences in a semester, whether excused or unexcused, a student could be referred to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.
"The whole change in the policy was geared from Georgia law, so that the courts will now enforce school attendance," said Karen Ribble, the special projects coordinator for the school system.
The dress code now allows students to untuck their shirts, but it bans tattoos and many body piercings. Both of the new policies are available on the school system's Web site at www.ccboe.net.
For the first time this year, the school board incorporated bus rules with the student code of conduct, which all parents and legal guardians must sign.
"It reinforces that riding a school bus is part of the school day and bad behavior won't be tolerated," Ribble said.
The iParent program expands this year to all of the county's middle and high schools. After receiving a pass code, parents can view their child's grades, attendance and assignments via the Internet.
Government and school officials also dedicated the new River Ridge Elementary School on Tuesday.
The new school, on Mullikin Road, opens today and serves about 525 pupils.
Back to School 2005
Visit our special Back to School section for everything you need to know about the upcoming school year - including bus routes, school events, menus and a guide to Columbia County Schools.