Health and Safety
What Parents Need to Know
The Georgia Department of Education is dedicated to making sure that students are safe and healthy throughout the school day. Research shows that when students’ basic needs are met, student achievement increases. This section provides information regarding what is being done to keep Georgia’s schools safe from violence, as well as provides nutrition, physical health, and transportation information. If you have specific questions about safety and health issues at your school, please contact AskDOE at 1-800-311-3627 or talk with your student’s teacher or principal.
Safe and Drug-Free Schools
The purpose of the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act is to support programs that prevent violence in and around schools; that prevent the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; that involve parents and communities; and that are coordinated with related federal, state, school, and community efforts and resources to foster a safe and drug-free learning environment that supports student academic achievement. To learn more about Safe and Drug-Free Schools click above.
Unsafe Schools Choice
Ensuring that all of Georgia's schools are safe under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), Georgia developed a definition of "persistently dangerous" schools and allows public school choice for students who have been victims of a violent criminal offense or who attend a school that meets the definition. Click above to learn more about the definitions of “persistently dangerous” schools and to see if your child meets the requirements for Unsafe School Choice.
Many school districts are seeking tools to use in the development of bullying prevention strategies and activities. To see what school districts are doing to aid in the effort of preventing bullying click above.
The Georgia Department of Education is supporting the efforts of federal, state and local health officials by providing information about the recent Swine Flu outbreak. Click above to get the latest information about Swine Flu, as well as links to helpful resources.
Severe Weather Preparedness
The Georgia Department of Education provides up-to-date information to educators, administrators, parents and students regarding the potential impact of severe weather on Georgia's education community. Click above to find the information to help Georgia's schools prepare should severe weather cause the cancellation of classes, the relocation of students or create any other scenario.
The School Nutrition Program works to help local school systems deliver quality breakfast and lunch meals, as well as to provide education programs that contribute to the nutritional well-being of students to increase academic performance at school. To learn more about School Nutrition Programs click above.
Health and Physical Education
In addition to the Georgia Performance Standards for Health and Physical Education, Governor Perdue signed HB 229 (Student Health and Physical Education Act) on April 28, 2009 requiring all students enrolled in a physical education course in grades 1 to 12 to have an annual fitness assessment beginning during the 2011-2012 school year. To learn more about this Law click above.
Click above to get information about student transportation and efforts by the Georgia Department of Education to ensure that all students have appropriate transportation to get to and from school.