Polk School District will provide handbooks for students in grades K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 for the 2010 – 2011 term.

In the past, a separate handbook was provided to every child in the school system. Superintendent Marvin Williams said this could change when school begins in September.

“We are exploring the possibility of emailing the handbooks to parents,” he said.

Work on the handbooks has been underway for the past several weeks. Revisions were approved by school board members, excluding the dress code.

School board members debated several items during a meeting on July 27. A variety of opinions were expressed regarding OSS make up work, off-campus counseling, lost text books, sports bags, club meetings and cyber bullying.

The subject drawing the most debate was the school dress code, especially piercing and/or body alterations that would distract from class instruction.

Board member Tara O’Neal said students should be taught to “dress for success” in the “real world”. She referred to impressions created among potential employers if graduates believe “any fashion trend” is suitable when applying for a job.

Bettie Fay Lewis, board member, pointed out that “our focus should be on educating the kids.”

Greg Teems, director of student services, said a number of revisions were made to the handbook for the upcoming school term, including medication at school.

This change reads “when a student needs medication at school, a parent or guardian is required to bring it to school and complete a Parental Request for Dispensing Medication at School Form. Parents or guardians are also required to pick up medications when dispensation is no longer required at school. Students may not transport medications to and from school.”

Outlined in the handbook is a code of conduct that includes attendance policy, bus conduct, rules and regulations, cell phones and other electronic devices, disciplinary action and management techniques, levels of misconduct, long-term suspension and expulsion, weapons and dangerous instruments and others.

Pre-planning for the 2010-2011 term is scheduled Sept. 1-2, and the first day of classes will be Sept. 7.

Holidays will include Thanksgiving, Nov. 22-26; Christmas, Dec. 17-Jan. 3; Martin Luther King Jr. birthday, Jan. 17; President’s Day, Feb. 21; Intersession, March 16-18; Spring Holidays, April 18-22.

The last day of school is May 27, 2011, with Rockmart High’s graduation scheduled for May 27 and Cedartown High on May 29. Post-planning will be May 31-June 1.