Policies & Procedures

It is prohibited to let any individual through an exterior door at any time.  Letting any individual, student or visitor through an exterior door poses a danger to the school building. In addition, it is prohibited to prop any exterior door open.  All exterior doors must be closed and locked at all times. Students who fail to meet this expectation will receive consequences.

1st Offense:   1 day OSS

2nd Offense:   3 days OSS

3rd Offense:    Evidentiary Hearing

Cheating involves one or more of the following actions:

• To use the work of another person as your own
• To copy information from another student’s text, examination, theme, book report, term paper, or notebook (unless allowed to do so by teacher)
• To plagiarize
• Having in your possession a copy of a test to be given or having been given by a teacher, using a textbook or notes during a text, quiz, or examination; talking while taking quizzes, tests, or examinations, or text messaging
• To fail to follow test procedures or instruction announced by a teacher (such as no talking, no turning around in seat, raise hand to ask questions, clear your desk, etc.)
• To furnish another student information which can be used to cheat
• To have in your possession the work of any other student or to give to another student or allow him/her to use your work
• To look on another person’s paper or to pass notes, irrespective of the purpose of the look or the content of the note
•  “Artificial intelligence” or “AI” is intelligence demonstrated by computers, as opposed to human intelligence. "Intelligence" encompasses the ability to learn, reason, generalize, and infer meaning.  Examples of AI technology include ChatGPT and other chatbots and large language models. AI is not a substitute for schoolwork that requires original thought.  Students may not claim AI generated content as their own work. The use of AI to take tests, complete assignments, create multimedia projects, write papers, or complete schoolwork without permission of a teacher or administrator is strictly prohibited.  The use of AI for these purposes constitutes cheating or plagiarism. In certain situations, AI may be used as a learning tool or a study aid. Students may not use AI, including AI image or voice generator technology, to violate school rules or school district policies. In order to ensure academic integrity, tests, assignments, projects, papers, and other schoolwork may be checked by AI content detectors and/or plagiarism recognition software.

Documented incidences of cheating may limit students from participating in certain school activities and/or organizations.

Cutting Class

Cutting/Leaving School

The use of instructional technology in the classroom serves to enhance and transform students' learning.  In order for students to meaningfully participate, engage, and work in our classes, it is imperative that each student brings his/her device, charged, to class each day, and that students are not off-task when using their devices.  If students do not bring their charged device to class each day or are off-task after redirection, the following consequences will result:

Withdrawing/Leaving Socastee High School

When a student withdraws from Socastee High, either to move to another school outside of Horry County Schools, transfer to another Horry County School, or due to non-attendance, the student or parent must return the school-assigned device and charger to the school.  The student or parent is to return the equipment to the school’s Technology Coordinator in the same issued condition to avoid any damage fees. 

Should a student fail to return a device after leaving school, the parent will receive an email from either the Technology Coordinator or an Administrator with a stated return-by date for the return of the equipment and the subsequent billing amount for the replacement of the device should it not be returned.     After a significant amount of time, if the device still has not been returned or the replacement fee has not been paid, and there has been no successful communication with the parent or student, the school and /or school district have the option to report the device as stolen property.

Personalized Digital Learning

The Vision of Horry County Schools’ Personal Digital Learning To transform teaching and learning by immersing all students in rich, authentic, relevant, personalized digital learning experiences that lead to college and career readiness and enable deeper learning across the disciplines.

The Technology Fees for the 2024-25 School Year:

High School Grades 9-12

All students in grades 9-12 have a Technology Fee of $25 for the full academic year, due at the time of registration. The fee may be paid online or in person at the appropriate school.

Students Grades 9-12 who PAY the Technology Fee:

• are allowed to take the devices home • pay an additional $25 for the first accidental damage repair, $50 for the second accidental damage repair and full cost of repair for all subsequent accidental damage repairs during the academic year • pay an additional $25 for device replacement due to theft (requires police report) • pay full repair cost for all damage caused by neglect or abuse • pay full replacement cost for loss due to neglect

Students Grades 9-12 who DO NOT PAY the Technology Fee:

 • are allowed to use the device only at school • pay full repair costs for all accidental damage • pay full replacement cost for loss due to theft • pay full repair cost for all damage caused by neglect or abuse • pay full replacement cost for loss due to neglect.

DISCIPLINE

Any electronic device used for picture taking, video recording, posting or text messaging that results in students cheating or causing major disruptions will result in additional discipline at the principal’s discretion.

Technology disciplinary offenses may also result in restricted use of the personalized digital learning device and/or technology. Restricted use may prohibit the student from taking the device off of school grounds.

When using network or internet resources, students will:

 • Use the internet for legitimate educational purposes • Send email only at the direction of teacher during school hours • Not attempt to download or save files to the device without teacher permission • Not search for, download or print any material that violates school handbook codes regarding possession or display of inappropriate, offensive or vulgar material, or assist any other student in such activities • Not harass, insult, or attack others via electronic communications • Not damage or alter computers, computer systems, computer networks or mobile devices • Not violate copyright laws • Not trespass in another’s folders, work, files or devices For additional information on acceptable use of technology, please refer to the Horry County Schools Technology Acceptable Use Policy/Rule. Once in possession of the Personal Mobile Device Agreement, the student agrees to the stipulations set forth in the Horry County Schools’ Acceptable Use Policy and the Student Pledge for Use of the personalized digital learning device. District owned devices are subject to inspection at any time without notice and remain the property of Horry County Schools.

 ****Stolen devices must be reported within 48 hours, and a police report must be filed by the student or parent.****

 **Students can contact Mr. DeJesus at our Help Desk in the media center for issues with their device or email him at the following email address:

ADeJesus@horrycountyschools.net

Students are responsible for dressing in an appropriate manner at all times while on school campus or while involved in school activities.  School attire should reflect good taste, cleanliness, and comfort. The school will make judgments and decisions as needed to preserve the health, safety, and decorum of students.  Student cooperation is expected in the following areas:

• Headwear for ALL students may not be worn in the building (unless approved for a health condition or religious reason). Headwear includes hats, hoodies, bandanas, do-rags, scarves, bonnets, visors, sweatbands, sunglasses, headphones/ear plugs, etc.
• All shirts and tops must cover the midriff at all times.  The following are examples of clothing that is unacceptable:
  • tank tops with shoulder straps thinner than two inches in width, strapless, spaghetti straps, off-the-shoulder, cut-out designs, low-cut shirts, bare-back, sheer, fishnet, or mesh clothing that does not have an appropriate blouse or shirt underneath it, etc.
• If leggings, jeggings, or spandex clothing are worn, the top layer of clothing must overlap the waistband without exposing the midriff area.
• The hemlines and slits on dresses, skirts and shorts (including bike shorts) should ensure that all vulnerable areas are covered.
• No Pajamas are allowed.
• All students are expected to wear appropriate footwear for school (no slippers/bedroom shoes/heelys).
• Items such as spiked jewelry (including body piercings), padlocks, chains, and metal heel plates are not allowed.
• Items displaying gang colors or symbols and items such as bandanas and beads are prohibited at SHS.
• Clothing may not display any of the following: hate groups, gangs, insignias, weapons, or symbols that promote violence, or sexual behavior.  This also includes any information about, representations of, or advertisements for alcoholic beverage(s), tobacco, controlled drugs, illegal drugs or paraphernalia associated with the foregoing.

Código de vestimenta en español

Students are to eat in the Commons or on the outdoor patio during their designated lunch time.  If a student needs to go anywhere other than these areas, they must present the staff on duty with a pass from a teacher.  This includes the media center and IB room.  Students must use the Commons restrooms during lunch.  Any student found to be off limits during lunch will receive disciplinary consequences.  Students can not have outside food delivered or dropped off at the front desk at any point during the school day.

School lockers, cars, book bags, and persons may be searched when there is reasonable evidence that a person is in possession of contraband, illegal substance, weapons, or materials that may be injurious to the health, safety, or welfare of the students.  Examples of such items include drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, lighters, knives, and any other item deemed inappropriate for a school setting or against the school district policy.  Consequences could be permanent confiscation of the item, ISS, OSS, the recommendation for expulsion, and/or arrest.  S.C. Code of Laws: Sections 59-63-110 et.Seq.

Pursuant to State Law all Persons entering school property are deemed to have consented to the search of their person and property, including, the use of metal detectors, vehicles, and bag searches.  The South Carolina Safe Schools Act of 1990 makes it a criminal offense to distribute a controlled substance while in, on, or within a radius of one-half mile of the grounds of a public school.  The penalty is a $10,000 fine or 10 years imprisonment or both.  Carrying a weapon on school property is a felony that carries up to a $5,000 fine and a maximum prison term of five years.  The Act also provides that it is unlawful for anyone to knowingly and willfully deliver or convey to a public official, teacher, or principal any letter, document, etc., which contains a threat of death or bodily harm to the person or a member of the person's immediate family. 

WEAPONS, ILLEGAL DRUGS, ALCOHOL, AND VIOLENCE IN OUR SCHOOLS -- Students or visitors who violate school district policy/state board policy/state law with regard to weapons, illegal drugs, alcohol, and/or violent behavior at school or school activities may face the following actions:

1. EXPULSION: The student will be suspended immediately and recommended for expulsion.

2. ARREST AND PROSECUTION: The law enforcement authority having jurisdiction over the school will be contacted.

3. NOTIFICATION: the Superintendent and Director of Student Affairs will be notified immediately.

A copy of the student’s valid driver’s license is required in order to obtain a decal.

The following regulations apply to driving and parking on campus.  Please review, sign and return the form along with the $20 parking fee to receive a parking decal.  Parent signature implies responsibility for insurance, adherence to rules, student behavior and damage to vehicle/property.  STUDENTS are encouraged to lock vehicles.  Socastee High is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

1. ALL school rules apply in vehicles and parking lots.
2. Observe a 5 mile per hour speed limit on campus and traffic flow directions.
3. Respect and observe ALL directions of SHS employee parking/Security.
4. Failure to abide by ALL school rules and parking guidelines will result in the loss of driving privileges and enforcement of discipline procedures.
5. NO PARKING in the fire lanes, on curbs between spaces, grass area, staff & bus lot, or behind the building. Fines will be accessed for violators.
6. Students are to enter the building immediately upon arriving on campus. Staying in/out of the vehicle is not permitted.
7. NO STUDENT will be allowed to return to the parking lot for any reason without prior permission from Administration.
8. Parking decal is to be placed on the inside of the vehicle on the driver’s side lower-left corner of the windshield.
9. A parking decal will be issued for additional vehicles for $5, please DO NOT switch decals to another vehicle for any reason.
10. Parking Violations:  1^st Offense = Warning, 2^nd Offense = $10 fine & Call to Parent, 3^rd Offense = $10 fine, Call to Parent, Loss of driving privileges.
11. Driving Violations:  1^st Offense = Warning, 2^nd Offense = Loss of driving privileges & Call to Parent, 3^rd Offense = Loss of driving privilege for the remainder of the school year and Call to Parent.
12. If the parking decal is suspended, a $5 reinstatement fee is required after the suspension period.
13. Failure to stop at the Security Gate to show/give a pass for exit will result in a loss of student parking decal.
14. ALL vehicles parked on school property MUST have a decal displayed to prevent being towed at the vehicle owner’s expense.

An unexcused tardy is defined as any student who is not in their assigned classroom by the start of the block.  Tardy is defined as a student not being in their assigned 1st block by 8:25 am.  Continued, students will need to be in their assigned classroom before the bell rings throughout the day to any assigned class.  Going through the search line is not an excuse for being tardy to the first block.  Please plan ahead and get to school earlier.