Newton County Schools

Transportation:

• How do I find my child’s bus assignment, bus stop and pickup time?
  
  School bus route information for your child is available now and can be easily accessed through the Infinite Campus/Parent Portal. Here's how:
  
  • Log in to your Infinite Campus/Parent Portal account.
  • Locate the navigation menu (three lines at top left of the screen). Click "more"
  • Under "more" look for a section labeled "School Bus Info".
  • This section will display your child's specific bus route details.
• Who do I call if my child misses the bus?
  
  If a student misses the bus, he/she should immediately return home and call a parent and pupil transportation at 770-784-2909.

School Nutrition

• What are this year’s school meal prices?
  
  Newton County School System has elected the Community Eligibility Provision districtwide. This decision allows all enrolled students to have access every day during the school week to one quality breakfast and lunch meal at no charge for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. In addition, children participating in educational and enrichment activities as a component of the Afterschool Program will be offered a quality snack at no charge

• Where can I find breakfast and lunch menus?
  
  Visit our School Nutrition page at the following link for breakfast and lunch menus.  https://www.newtonschoolnutrition.org/index.php?sid=0702132359289201&page=menus

Learning & Leadership

• How do I obtain my child’s class schedule?
  Students can access their schedules via Infinite Campus. Information regarding students' schedules will also be made available at Open House.

• How do I create a Parent Portal account?
  For information on creating a Parent Portal in Infinite Campus, please visit the following link: https://www.newtoncountyschools.org/cms/one.aspx?portalId=72263&pageId=12780077

• How do I learn student expectations this year?
  Teachers will share expectations with parents and students during Open House and in the first week of school. Additionally, course syllabi can be accessed on each teacher's Canvas page. Parents have the option to review the syllabi using their student's login credentials or by enrolling as an observer on Canvas. Confirmation of the review of course syllabi can be provided through electronic signature or a Google Form.

• How do I find out the student dress code?
  Student dress code information can be found in the Dress Code section of the Parent Information Guide and Student Code of Conduct.
  Link: Student Code of Conduct
  
  

• How does my student sign up for athletics? What is needed?
  Visit the Athletics Information page, linked below, on the school system website. This page contains information on athletic participation and physical evaluation. Additionally, you will find the links to each school’s athletic websites. 
  Link: https://www.newtoncountyschools.org/cms/one.aspx?portalId=72263&pageId=33934268

• What immunizations are required for students?
  At the time of registration, parents must provide Immunization Record Form #3231, and Eye, Ear, Dental (EED) and Nutritional Screening Form #3300. Additionally, All students born on or after January 1, 2002, and entering or transferring into 7th grade need proof of adolescent pertussis (whooping cough) booster immunization (called “Tdap”) and adolescent Meningococcal (Meningitis) immunization. Proof of Tdap and meningitis vaccine immunizations must be documented on the Georgia immunization certificate (Form 3231). Effective July 1, 2021, all students entering the 11th grade who have already turned 16 years old must have a 2nd Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV) booster.

• What are the procedures at schools for students with medicine?
  See the “Over-the-Counter or Non-Prescription Medication” and “Prescription Medication” information in the Parent Information Guide and Student Code of Conduct.
  Link: Student Code of Conduct

• What are the school bell times?
  Bell times for schools are as follows:
  
  

  Bell Times

  Grade Level		Bell Times
  Elementary & NC STEAM Academy		7:40 a.m. - 2:10 p.m.
  Middle School		9:00 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.
  High School		8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Technology

• How and when will my student receive his/her issued district device?
  
  NCS Chromebook Device Distribution Schedule is as follows:
  
  • High School distribution = August 5 - August 9, 2024
  • Middle School distribution = August 12 - August 16

After-School Academic Program

• How do I sign up my student for the After School Academic Program?
  
  Parents can sign up via the link below. The link can also be accessed via the district’s website on the ASAP page. ASAP starts the first day of school.
  
  https://newton.ce.eleyo.com/
  
  21st CCLC registration will be at open house and via teacher/counselor referrals. 21st CCLC starts August 12th for elementary and August 19th for secondary.

Student and Family Support

• What is the difference between the Student and Family Support and Student Services Departments?
  
  The Student and Family Support Department primarily provides support to students and families through various programs, resources, and initiatives. The Student Services Department is primarily responsible for the safe and orderly day-to-day operations of the schools.

• Are School Social Workers primarily responsible for attendance and truancy?
  
  NCS has a procedure that takes a proactive approach to attendance concerns. Each school has a process for handling student absences. When an attendance concern is noted, social workers become involved after parents have been notified and when the school has difficulty notifying parents.

• Is the Student and Family Support Department responsible for addressing parent complaints regarding school matters?
  
  No. The Student and Family Support Department will direct parents to the appropriate department based on the perceived need.

School Safety:

• What is the district doing to ensure school safety this year?
  
  Newton County Schools employs a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to school safety that includes the presence of School Resource Officers (SROs) in our schools, facility enhancements such as access control systems and security vestibules. The district conducts regular emergency drills and collaborates with local emergency services. Additionally, we utilize security cameras and communication technology to enhance monitoring and response capabilities. To foster an inclusive and secure environment, the district also utilizes mental health supports such as APEX and Youth Mental Health First Aid, along with anti-bullying initiatives like "No Place for Hate”.

Code of Conduct:

LINK: Student Code of Conduct

• What are the changes to the student code of conduct?
  
  Changes have been made to Rule 10, Vaping (Electronic) Devices, Rule 11, Nicotine/Tobacco Delivering Products, and Rule 24, Electronic and Other Communication Devices. See below in red for the changes.
  
  10. VAPING (ELECTRONIC) DEVICES
  OFFENSE: Using and/or possessing any device (and/or related paraphernalia) designed to convert liquids or solids into vapor for the purposes of inhalation is prohibited. Other charges related to the substance(s) in the device may be administered. For products containing drugs or any mind-altering substances, refer to Rule 05. Drugs.
  
  DISPOSITION (ALL LEVELS):
  1ST OFFENSE: Three days suspension
  2ND OFFENSE: Four days suspension
  3RD OFFENSE: Five days suspension
  4TH and SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES: 10 days suspension for each offense
  
  11. NICOTINE/TOBACCO DELIVERING PRODUCTS
  OFFENSE: Using and/or possessing electronic nicotine delivery devices (i.e., electronic cigarettes) and/or tobacco in any form on school property or at a school function is prohibited
  
  DISPOSITION (ELEMENTARY SCHOOL): At the discretion of the administrator which may include-conference, detention, ISS/STOP, or suspension
  
  DISPOSITION (MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL):
  1ST OFFENSE: Three day suspension
  2ND OFFENSE: Four days suspension
  3RD OFFENSE: Five days suspension
  4TH and SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES: 10 days suspension for each offense
  
  24. ELECTRONIC AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DEVICES
  OFFENSE: Use of electronic/communication devices in a manner that causes a disruption or impedes student learning. (This includes, but is not limited to, the use of a device for unauthorized audio or video recordings and the use of headphones.) Personal electronic devices are only to be used for educational purposes at the direction of and under the supervision of a classroom teacher. The use of electronic devices during the school day is at the discretion of teachers and administrators. This includes the use of personal devices to make phone calls in common areas before, during, and after school hours.
  
  DISPOSITION (ELEMENTARY SCHOOL): At the discretion of the administrator which may include but is not limited to conference, detention, or ISS/STOP. The device will be confiscated (Ga Code 20-2-1183) and returned only to the parent/guardian, and a judicial complaint may be filed.
  
  DISPOSITION (MIDDLE SCHOOL):
  1ST OFFENSE: At the discretion of the administrator which may include Saturday work detail, after school detention. The device will be confiscated and will be returned to the parent, if possible, at the parent's request.
  2ND OFFENSE: At the discretion of the administrator which may include a conference with the student and/or parent and/or ISS. The device will be confiscated and returned to the parent, if possible, at the parent's request.
  3RD OFFENSE: At the discretion of the administrator which may include a one-day suspension or two days ISS. The device will be confiscated, and the parent must come to the school to regain possession of the device.
  4TH OFFENSE: Denial of possession of such devices and out of school suspension at the discretion of the administrator. The device will be confiscated, and the parent must come to the school to regain possession of the device
  
  DISPOSITION (HIGH SCHOOL):
  1ST OFFENSE: At the discretion of the administrator which may include one- day suspension or two days ISS. The device will be confiscated and returned to the parent, if possible, at the parent's request.
  2ND OFFENSE: Two-day suspension or three- days ISS. The device will be confiscated (Ga Code 20-2-1183) and returned to the parent, if possible, at the parent's request.
  3RD OFFENSE: Three- day suspension or four days ISS and the denial of possession of such devices. The device will be confiscated and returned to the parent, if possible, at the parent's request.
  4TH OFFENSE: Any further violations will result in 5 to 10 days suspension. The device will be confiscated and returned to the parent, if possible, at the parent's request.
  
  At all levels, the device may be confiscated (Ga Code 20-2-1183) and returned only to the parent/guardian, and a judicial complaint may be filed. The school assumes no responsibility for items confiscated but will return such item(s) to the parent/ guardian at parent’s request, if possible. It is not the responsibility of the administration to search for misplaced or stolen communication devices.