Stuttgart ES: Policies and Procedures

For the protection of students and staff, all visitors must report to the school’s front office immediately upon arriving at the school.  A visitor is any person (to include parents, sponsors, and legal guardians) not enrolled or assigned to the school requesting entry to the building.

Visitors must provide authorized identification to gain access to the DoDEA school.  The visitor will be issued a visitor badge that must be displayed above the waist while on DoDEA school property.  The school administrator has the final determination on visitors authorized to be at the school.  While on DoDEA school property, visitors may go only to the approved area indicated as their destination when signing in at the school’s front office. Any change to the designated location must be approved by the school’s front office before the visitor can access a different location within the school.  When leaving the school, visitors must sign out and return the visitor's badge to the school’s front office. 

Classroom Observations

Parents are welcome to visit the school and classrooms to observe the school’s programs for brief periods of time that do not interfere with instruction. Approval by the school administrator is required for this type of visitation.

Learn more about volunteering at your school's Get Involved page.

DoDEA school administrators, in partnership with sponsors/family members, students, and military leaders, promote communication through the establishment of advisory committees to address issues (school initiatives, procedures and policies) locally. This is a system-wide way for parents to get involved in their child’s local school. Consult your child’s school to learn more about school advisory committees.

Learn more about SAC's at your school's Get Involved page.

Proof of Eligibility: The sponsor does not need to be present at registration, as long as the parent or other adult registering the child has all the necessary paperwork, in accordance with DoDEA Regulation 1342.13, “Eligibility Requirements for Education of Elementary and Secondary School-Age Dependents in Overseas Areas,” September 20, 2006, as amended, and DoD Instruction 1342.26, “Eligibility Requirements for Minor Dependents to Attend Department of Defense Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools (DDESS),” March 4, 1997. 

The following documents are necessary to complete the registration process:

1. Proof of age;
2. Medical records, including information on medical conditions, medications, and all dates and types of immunizations;
3. Official documents to support eligibility (e.g., letter of employment, contract, permanent change of station [PCS] orders, etc.); and
4. Proof of on-base residence (applies to students enrolling in DoD domestic schools).

Contact the registrar at your child’s school to update your child’s information or visit your school's registration page for more information on enrollment. 

In accordance with the policy stated in DoDEA Regulation 2095.01, “School Attendance,” August 26, 2011, as amended, school attendance is mandatory. All students are required to attend school to ensure continuity of instruction and that they successfully meet academic standards and demonstrate continuous educational progress. School attendance is a joint responsibility between the parent or sponsor, student, classroom teacher, school personnel, and, in some cases, the Command. Students with excessive school absences (or tardiness) shall be monitored by the Student Support Team to assist in the completion of all required work and successful mastery of course objectives.

Daily student attendance is identified based upon a quarter of the school day formula. Students will be identified as present or absent, based on the following criteria:

1. Absent up to 25% of the school day = absent one-quarter of the school day
2. Absent between 26%–50% of the school day = absent one-half of the school day
3. Absent 51%–75% of the school day = absent three-quarters of the school day
4. Absent 76%–100% of the school day = full-day absence

DoDEA considers the following conditions to constitute reasonable cause for absence from school for reasons other than school-related activities:

1. Personal illness;
2. Medical, dental, or mental health appointment;
3. Serious illness in the student’s immediate family;
4. A death in the student’s immediate family or of a relative;
5. Religious holiday;
6. Emergency conditions such as fire, flood, or storm;
7. Unique family circumstances warranting absence and coordinated with school administration;
8. College visits that cannot be scheduled on non-school days; and
9. A pandemic event.

Unexcused absences may result in school disciplinary actions. An absence from school or a class without written verification from a parent or sponsor will be unexcused. Student attendance is calculated based upon the date of enrollment in a DoDEA school, which may occur anytime during the school year. Student attendance monitoring is designed to provide a continuum of intervention and services to support families and children in keeping children in school and combating truancy and educational neglect. Parents should notify the school of their child’s absence 30 minutes after the start of the school day.  Too many unexcused absences may trigger the Student Support Team to convene.

More about DoDEA Attendance Policy (dodea.edu/StudentServices/Attendance)

The Principal may authorize an accelerated withdrawal of a student who must withdraw from school 20 or less instructional days prior to the end of a semester, in accordance with Section 3.1.d, of DoDEA Administrative Instruction 1367.01, “High School Graduation Requirements and Policy,” [TBD]. Accelerated withdrawal will only be considered if the parent/sponsor presents PCS orders. The parent or sponsor must present verification of the date required for the student to depart from the school (e.g., PCS orders). All of the conditions of an accelerated study program outlined by the student’s teachers must be met prior to withdrawal in order for grades to be assigned and credit to be granted. Students who withdraw prior to the 20-day limitation of the accelerated withdrawal policy will receive “withdrawal” grades rather than final grades. In this case, the sponsor/parent should notify the school two weeks prior to the date of withdrawal.

At the beginning of each course or grade level, every DoDEA teacher shall make available information regarding grading policy and course requirements to parents and students. This information will be provided to parents and students by the end of the first month of the school year or by the end of the first month of the semester in the case of a semester course.

If any student demonstrates unsatisfactory progress or achievement, teachers must notify parents with enough time to correct the deficiency. Notification must occur as soon as unsatisfactory achievement is evident, and not later than the midpoint of the nine-week grading period.

Timely and accurate reporting of student progress shall be accomplished for students in grades 4–12, using the approved DoDEA Electronic Gradebook (EGB) System. All assignments (e.g., quizzes, tests, examinations, homework, speeches, etc.) that are used to assess and report student progress shall be promptly evaluated and/or graded, posted in the EGB, and returned to the student. The normal period of evaluation and posting should be no longer than ten calendar days from the day the assignment is collected, with reasonable exceptions for large projects. At a minimum, one assignment or grade should be recorded per week in the EGB System. To create an account and access the EGB System, please visit the DoDEA SIS Gradebook for instructions.

A traditional letter grading system will be used for grades 4–12 report marks.

For purposes of calculating a student’s high school GPA, the following scales shall be used:

For grades K–3, achievement codes rather than letter grades will be used.

The DoDEA School Meals Program (SMP) supports academic achievement by providing nutritious meals to your students through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.  

• The School Meals Program is a budget friendly and convenient program for parents that can save time, energy, money and reduce stress.  
• Households must reapply every school year for free and reduced-price meals, beginning no earlier than July 1st.
• All meals must be paid for in advance or at the point of sale.
• A best practice is to fund your child’s account every pay day through the next pay day.

Visit your school's School Meals Program page for more information and the latest school menus.

Students are expected to actively participate in the educational process, including school-sponsored activities in and outside of the classroom, as deemed appropriate. Students should bring to the attention of a school employee behavior or activities that may endanger the safety and well-being of themselves or others.

Students shall:

1. Comply with policies, procedures and standards for student behavior;
2. Refrain from conduct or behavior that is disruptive;
3. Respect the rights and human dignity of other students and all school employees;
4. Attend school and classes regularly, and punctually and make a conscious effort in all classes;
5. Participate in and take advantage of educational opportunities provided by DoDEA schools;
6. Assist school employees in operating a safe school by abiding by the laws of the United States, the local military installation, the host nation, and DoDEA policies, regulations, and procedures;
7. Properly maintain school property and use school property and equipment for educationally authorized purposes;
8. Promptly bring to the attention of a DoDEA school employee behavior or activities that may endanger the safety and well-being of themselves or others and to cooperate with school threat assessment procedures; and
9. Promptly report to the DoDEA School Principal, or another DoDEA school employee, incidents or complaints, including, but not limited to, discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, or non-sexual harassment, based on race, sex, color, national origin, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation or status as a sponsor, parent or legal guardian; intimidation, hazing, bullying (including cyberbullying), or retaliation against persons who report or participate in the investigation of such incidents herein.

Students are expected to dress in a manner that complies with the school’s dress code policy as directed in DoDEA Administrative Instruction 1353.01, “Students Rights and Responsibilities,” April 6, 2021. Please refer to your school’s Web site or school handbook for specific dress code policy.

Management of student behavior is a responsibility shared by students, sponsors/parents/guardians, teachers, and the military command and school communities in general, in accordance with DoDEA Administrative Instruction 1353.01, “Student Rights and Responsibilities,” April 6, 2021. Student behavioral management consists of teaching and reinforcing positive student attitudes and behaviors. Students shall treat teachers, administrators, and other school staff with courtesy, fairness, and respect; and teachers, administrators, and other school staff shall treat students with courtesy, fairness, and respect. All students will be disciplined in a fair and appropriate manner. School administrators shall operate and maintain a safe school environment that is conducive to learning. School administration will ensure prompt investigation and response to incidents or complaints involving students made by students, parents, teachers, or DoDEA staff members.

In accordance with the policy stated in DoDEA Administrative Instruction 1347.01, “Student Disciplinary Rules and Procedures,” April 7, 2021, discipline shall be progressively and fairly administered. Disciplinary actions include, but are not limited to, verbal reprimands, conferences, detention, time-out, alternative in-school placements, school service programs, community service and counseling programs. Other behavior management techniques will be considered prior to resorting to more formal disciplinary actions that remove a student from school for a suspension (short or long term). Long-term suspension or expulsion following a first offense may be considered when a student poses an immediate threat to his or her safety or the safety of others (e.g., offenses involving firearms or other weapons, fighting or violence, or the possession, use, or sale of drugs). Additional rules and procedures can be reviewed in DoDEA Administrative Instruction 1347.01.

DODEA students have the Right to a discrimination-free learning environment in which no individual, on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, or status as a parent, shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to, discrimination in a DoDEA-conducted or -sponsored education or training program or activity, pursuant to Executive Order 13160, DoD and DoDEA policy, and Federal law.

Students shall treat teachers, administrators, and other school staff as expected within the code of conduct, to include courtesy, fairness, and respect; and teachers, administrators, and other school staff shall treat students as expected within the code of conduct in this Issuance, to include courtesy, fairness, and respect. 

In the wake of school violence throughout the world, it is important to analyze the causes of violence and implement preventive measures to assure that every student and adult will feel secure in the school environment. DoDEA implemented a system-wide Bully Prevention program as a part of the Safe Schools and Character Education program.

Bullying is defined as a means to have power over another and it takes many forms: physical, verbal, and indirect such as gossip and isolation. Bullying leaves long-lasting scars for its victims. Bullies have a higher incidence of antisocial behavior, domestic violence and crime as adults. Society pays a heavy toll for tolerating bullying behavior and bullies.

In DoDEA schools and community, bullying will not go unchallenged and will not be tolerated. All students, staff members, parents and the community play vital roles to ensure our children are not bullied, do not act as bullies, and will not allow others to bully. Our schools have a moral obligation to provide our students and the school community with the proper information, prevention strategies, and defenses to create a safe, accepting and caring environment for all.

Each student, together with the student’s parent or guardian (if applicable), shall acknowledge and sign Form 700, “Use of DoDEA Internet and Use of Information Technology Resources,” before he or she is assigned a user account. In accordance with Enclosure 4 of DoDEA Administrative Instruction 6600.01, “Computer Access and Internet Policy,” February 16, 2010, the following are required of all students:

1. Students shall use DoDEA information technology (IT) resources, including computers, electronic mail, and internet access, only in support of education and for research consistent with the educational objectives of DoDEA; 
2. Students shall respect and adhere to all of the rules governing access to, and use of, DoDEA’s IT resources; 
3. Students shall be polite in all electronic communication;
4. Students shall use courteous and respectful language and/or images in their messages to others;
5. Students shall not swear, use vulgarities, or use harsh, abusive, sexual, or disrespectful language and/or images;
6. Students who misuse DoDEA IT resources are subject to disciplinary measures; and
7. Students’ accounts will be deactivated upon transition out of a DoDEA school.

The signed agreement (Form 700) is to be retained in the administrative office at the student’s school for the duration of the student’s enrollment. A copy will be provided to the student and, if applicable, the student’s parent or guardian.

Use of personal social media between parents/teachers/students is discouraged.  The only acceptable form of social media communication between parents/teachers/students is through official school social media.

Student transportation is defined as the transportation of students from their assigned bus stop to school at the beginning of their school day, during the mid-day and for return to their assigned bus stop at the end of the normal scheduled school day.  DoDEA principals are responsible for monitoring student loading/unloading zones when students are coming and going from school sites, including administering discipline.  A school bus or any device operating to provide student transportation will function as an extension of the school.  The walking distance for students in grade 6 and below should not exceed one mile from the student’s primary residence to the school or designated bus stop.  Students in grades 7–12 may walk up to 1.5 miles from their primary residence to the school or designated bus stop.  These distances may be slightly expanded or contracted to conform to natural boundaries such as housing areas or neighborhoods.  In locations having middle schools, which include grade 6 (i.e., grades 6–8), the walking distance criteria shall be the same as the criteria for grades 7–12.  

Transportation is not authorized to take students to their homes or to eating facilities for their mid-day meal.  No other transportation between the assigned bus stop and the school will be charged to commuting transportation unless stated in a special education student’s IEP and/or required by Section 504 guidelines.  “Curb-to-curb” only applies to students with disabilities who require such service as documented in the student’s IEP.  DoDEA District Superintendents, in coordination with the District Logistics Chief and the supporting military installation commanders, will establish a commuting area to determine eligibility for transportation of dependent students.

Management of DoDEA student behavior is a responsibility shared by DoDEA students, sponsors/parents/legal guardians, teachers, and the military and school communities and consists of teaching and reinforcing positive DoDEA student attitudes and behaviors. Discipline should be progressively, equitably and fairly administered, is sequential and preplanned, and normally occurs in a hierarchy of consequences for repeated offenses of the same behavior. 

To report your child(ren)'s absences please email: StuttgartES.Attendance@eu.dodea.edu by 9:00 AM.

The U.S. Army Garrison and DoDEA Schools are committed to making our community and school safe, caring, and welcoming places for all our children and youth. We will treat each other with respect, and we will refuse to tolerate bullying in any form in our community or at our school.

Our community and school define respect as follows: Treat others with the dignity and regard with which you would want to be treated.

Our community and school define bullying as follows: Bullying is a mean and one-sided activity intended to harm where those doing the bullying get pleasure from a targeted child’s pain and/or misery. Bullying can be verbal, physical, and/or relational; have as its overlay race, ethnicity, religion, gender (including sexual orientation), physical, or mental ability; includes all forms of hazing and cyberbullying. It can be and often is continuous and repeated over time, however, once is enough to constitute bullying.

Bullying that happens off of school grounds, including all forms of cyberbullying can impact the feeling of safety the targeted child has upon returning to school with the perpetrator(s) and can create an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment for all students. The school and the Civilian Misconduct Action Authority (CMAA) will address these actions when necessary for the well-being and safety of the community and all students involved. All suspension and expulsion documents, if forwarded to the CMAA, may be used as aggravating factors when considering administrative action in juvenile civilian misconduct under Army Europe Regulation 27-9.

Examples of bullying include but are not limited to:

• Taunting
• Using put-downs, such as insulting or making fun of someone’s race, religion, physical ability or disability, mental ability or disability, gender—including perceived or actual sexual orientation
• Threatening or ganging up on someone
• Stealing or damaging another person’s things (stealing or damaging can also be considered a criminal offense)
• Spreading rumors about someone
• Physically hurting a targeted child, including, but not limited to hitting, kicking, tripping, pushing, shoving
• Unwanted touching, patting, grabbing, hugging, kissing, cornering, blocking passage, bumping (can be considered a form of assault which is a criminal offense)
• Shunning or purposefully excluding a targeted student or trying to get other students not to play with targeted child
• Using a cell phone, gaming device, the Internet, or other social media to threaten, stalk, ridicule, humiliate, taunt, spread rumors, lock out of a game, or hack into a targeted child’s account
• Hazing, i.e. “any intentional, knowing, or reckless act by one person alone or acting with others, directed against a student, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, or holding office in an organization”

Adults in our community and staff at our school will do the following to prevent bullying and help children feel safe:

• Closely supervise children and youth in all areas of the Child, Youth and School (CYS) Services and school (to include the school and playground)
• Watch for signs of bullying behavior and stop it when it happens 
• Teach the Steps to Respect program and/or other supplemental Social Skills lessons to increase awareness and empowerment in all children and youth in our school and CYS Services (It is the school culture and social environment that these policies, procedures, and programs create as well as reflect)
• Provide training opportunities for students and families regarding awareness and prevention of bullying
• Take seriously families’ concerns about bullying and create a procedure for reporting
• Look into all reported bullying incidents and respond quickly and appropriately
• Assign consequences for bullying based on the school discipline code.
• Maintain open communication between CYS Services staff and school staff for optimal support of all children involved in a bullying incident
• Provide immediate consequences for retaliation against students who report bullying

Children and Youth in our Community will do the following to prevent bullying:

• Treat each other respectfully
• Refuse to bully others
• Refuse to let others be bullied
• Refuse to watch, laugh, or join in when someone is being bullied
• Report bullying to an adult
• Try to include everyone in play and social interaction, especially those who are often left out

Discipline Procedures for Bullying in School

Consequences for bullying will always include a procedure for holding accountable for their actions the perpetrator(s) and any bystanders who played an active supporting role in the bullying. Other procedures can range from positive behavioral interventions to expulsion from school. These consequences are dependent on the nature and severity of the behavior, the age of the student and the student’s past behavior. The purpose of these procedures is for holding student(s) accountable for the bullying, preventing another occurrence, and protecting the targeted child.

Consequences for bullying may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Notify parents/guardian of the incident and consequences
• Assisting the perpetrator(s) to find more appropriate ways to relate to peers
• Conference with teacher, principal, and/or parent
• Referral to school counselor
• Corrective instruction
• Behavior management plan
• Temporary removal from the classroom
• Loss of school privileges
• Classroom or administration detention
• In-school suspension
• Out of school suspension
• Legal action
• Expulsion

Note: If the school can handle the behavior problem internally, it is within their right to do so. Should the behavior escalate, or present a danger to the order, discipline, and safety of the Garrison, the individual should be referred to the Assistant Civilian Misconduct Action Authority (ACMAA). Any behavior that constitutes a criminal act or breaks the law must be reported to the military Police with a notification to the ACMAA.

Discipline Procedure for Bullying in CYS Services

Consequences for bullying will always include a procedure for holding accountable for their actions the perpetrator(s) and any bystanders who played an active supporting role in the bullying. Other procedures can range from positive behavioral interventions to removal from the program. These consequences are dependent on the nature and severity of the behavior, the age of the youth and the youth’s past behavior. The purpose of these procedures is for holding perpetrator(s) accountable for the bullying, preventing another occurrence, and protecting the targeted youth.

Consequences for bullying may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Notify parents/guardian of the incident and consequences
• Assisting the perpetrator(s) to find more appropriate ways to relate to peers.
• Conference with youth and/or parent
• Referral to Social Work Services, such as Social Work Services, Garrison Chaplain and Military Family Life Counselors
• Corrective instruction
• Behavior management plan
• Community Service—as determined by the CMAA
• Temporary loss of CYS Services program privileges as determined by Program Director and CYS Services Coordinator
• Loss of logistical support as determined by the CMAA
• Legal action
• Removal from all CYS Services programs

Note: If CYS Services can handle the behavior problem internally, it is within their right to do so. Should the behavior escalate, or present a danger to the order, discipline, and safety of the Garrison, the individual should be referred to the ACMAA. Any behavior that constitutes a criminal act or breaks the law must be reported to the Military Police with a notification to the ACMAA.

Support for a Target of Bullying

The effects of bullying on the targeted youth cannot be over emphasized. Isolation, lack of friends and/or support, and a feeling of helplessness that targets of bullying experience can be devastating. The Garrison and School will ensure that targeted youth receive all support necessary. Actions may include but are not limited to:

• Notify parents/guardians immediately of the incident. Give them the method to use to report any further targeting of their child.
• Take effective measures to keep the targeted youth safe at school and at CYS Services; give him/her tools to stand up to the perpetrator(s), and support to keep the targeted youth from succumbing to the bullying.
• Identify a person or persons to whom the targeted youth can safely report any further bullying incidents.
• Should the targeted youth appear to be in immediate danger of hurting himself/herself; parents will be notified without delay. If parents are not available, the Military Police will be contacted and asked for an immediate and emergency referral to Social Work Services.
• Should the behavior be a concern to the well-being and safety of the community, the ACMAA will be contacted.
• Provide referrals to counseling services, such as Social Work Services, Garrison Chaplain and Military Family Life Counselors.
• Maintain open communication between CYSS staff and school staff for optimal support of the targeted youth.

Important note on Discipline vs. Punishment:

Punishment is adult oriented, imposes power from without, arouses anger and resentment, invites more conflict, exacerbates wounds rather than heals them; is preoccupied with blame and pain; does not consider reasons or look for solutions; does something to a student; involves a strong element of judgment; and demonstrates a teacher’s ability to control a student.

Discipline is not judgmental, arbitrary, confusing, or coercive. It is not something we do to students. It is working with them. It is a process that gives life to a student’s learning. It is restorative, and invites reconciliation. Its goal is to instruct, guide, and help students develop self-discipline—an ordering of the self from the inside, not an imposition from the outside.

The process of discipline does four things the act of punishment cannot do:

1. Shows students what they have done.
2. Gives them as much ownership of the problem that they can handle.
3. Gives them options for solving the problem.
4. Leaves their dignity intact.

For mistakes, mischief, and mayhem that unintentionally or intentionally create serious problems of great consequence, the Three R’s—restitution, resolution, and reconciliation—are incorporated into the four steps of discipline.

R.S.V.P.--Consequences need to be Reasonable, Simple, Valuable, and Practical.

Matt Ziglar Suzanne V. King
COL, LG CYS Services Coordinator
Commanding USAG Stuttgart

Sonja Rodriguez
Principal
Patch Elementary School

Lisa Bell
Principal
Robinson Barracks Elementary School

Tessa Moss-Beaman
Principal
Stuttgart Elementary School

Shawn Knudsen
Principal
Patch Middle School

Rick Renninger
Principal
Stuttgart High School

Note of explanation:
Civilian Misconduct Action Authority = Garrison Commander
Assistant Civilian Misconduct Action Advisor = staff member that serves as action advisor to the Garrison

Riding school buses is a PRIVILEGE that may be suspended or revoked if a student does not behave in a safe and proper manner. The time students spend going to and from school is an extension of their school day. School buses are an extension of the school campus. As such, principals are equally as responsible for discipline on school buses as they are on school campuses. Principals may take disciplinary action for school bus misconduct consistent with Attachment 2 or may process them in accordance with procedures available for other school discipline. Nothing in this handbook precludes the principal from exercising appropriate discipline, including suspending the student from school or from school related activities, for misconduct on school buses.

All students are expected to adhere to the bus rider rules outlined below and throughout this Student Transportation Handbook.