(Code of Conduct)
Purpose. To ensure a safe, respectful, and productive online learning environment, all students must follow the conduct standards below in classes, meetings, chats, forums, and school platforms.
Accessibility note: Documented accommodations (e.g., camera alternatives, assistive technology) take precedence when approved by the school.
General Conduct Standards
- Respect and Civility
- Treat teachers, staff, peers, and yourself with respect at all times.
- Wait your turn to speak; do not interrupt or talk over others.
- Raise your hand or use the platform’s “raise hand” feature to ask questions.
- Respect personal boundaries (e.g., do not pressure others to answer personal questions).
- Ask questions relevant to the lesson and share constructive suggestions about school topics or activities.
- Classroom and Online Etiquette
- Use appropriate language; follow the teacher’s instructions.
- Stay on task and avoid disruptive behaviors (e.g., spamming chat, off‑topic comments, inappropriate gestures).
- Arrive on time and be ready to participate.
- Respond when the teacher calls on you; participate through voice, chat, or as directed.
- Follow platform rules for camera, microphone, chat, screen sharing, and other tools.
- Attendance and Participation
- Be prepared and attentive during class activities.
- Attend all mandatory sessions and complete your own work.
- Do not multitask with unrelated content (e.g., games, videos, social media) during class.
- Academic Honesty
- Follow the Academic Integrity Policy and APA citation standards.
- Do not submit AI‑generated work, copied content, or translations of entire assignments.
- Cite all sources when required.
Acceptable Language and Behavior
- Speak and write using school‑appropriate language; avoid profanity, obscenities, or abusive terms.
- Disagree respectfully and focus on ideas, not individuals.
- Use a courteous tone in chat and video; maintain respectful posture and gestures.
Bullying and Harassment (Zero Tolerance)
The school does not allow or condone any form of bullying or harassment. This includes—but is not limited to—social exclusion, racial or ethnic discrimination, hate speech, gender‑based harassment, threats, or intimidation in any format (video, audio, chat, DMs, posts). Report concerns to a teacher or administrator immediately.
Discipline Policy and Procedures
Applies to: All online classes, meetings, school platforms, and events.
Purpose and scope
Sunrise Pine School uses progressive discipline to keep classes safe, respectful, and focused on learning. The aim is to teach and restore, not simply to punish. Consequences increase with severity, frequency, and impact on others. This policy covers conduct in live lessons, learning platforms, email, chats, and school‑sponsored online spaces.
Accessibility note: If a student has approved accommodations (e.g., camera alternatives, assistive tech), those accommodations take precedence when documented with the school.
Expectations for online conduct
Students must:
- Enter each class on time, using their real first and last name as enrolled.
- Keep the camera and microphone on
- Use appropriate attire and neutral/appropriate virtual backgrounds (nature, animals, solid color, or a professional student photo). Not allowed: flags, political imagery, racially discriminatory symbols, adult/violent content, video‑game/movie promotions, national symbols, or sports team graphics.
- Use respectful language and body language; follow netiquette.
- Use class tools (chat, annotations, screen share, recordings, remote control) only as directed.
- Keep the learning environment free of loud background noise and outside interruptions.
- Follow the Academic Integrity Policy and AI rules at all times.
If technical issues occur (camera/mic/internet), notify the teacher immediately via chat/email; repeated issues may require parent confirmation..
Progressive discipline model
Progressive discipline means the response matches the behavior and escalates when needed.
- Level 1 – Redirect and Remind
Off‑task or low‑impact behaviors. The teacher uses proximity in chat, verbal reminder, or quick reteach of expectations. - Level 2 – Documented warning and parent notification
Behavior continues or moderately disrupts learning. Teacher documents, assigns a short reflective task, and contacts parent/guardian. - Level 3 – Loss of privileges, removal from activity or class, and behavior plan
Behavior substantially disrupts learning, is disrespectful, or continues after Level 2. Admin/department head notifies parents; privileges and tools are limited; temporary removal from live class may occur. - Level 4 – Suspension or expulsion referral
Serious or harmful behavior (e.g., bullying and harassment, threats, hate symbols, academic dishonesty on major assessments). Administrator leads investigation; consequences may include suspension or expulsion per the Discipline Policy and law.
Note: Teachers may move directly to a higher level for severe incidents.
| Behavior-to-Consequence Matrix | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Behavior (what’s the problem?) | Examples/Notes | Typical First Response | Escalation if repeated or severe |
| Turning off camera without permission | Camera off, no notice; claiming “tech issue” repeatedly or covering the camera with external objects e.g. finger, paper with tape, or taped materials to camera | Level 1: Reminder; require immediate message about issue; brief tech check | Level 2: Documented warning; parent contact; attendance marked “not verified” if unresolved. Level 3: Loss of live-class privileges until tech verified; behavior plan. |
| Inappropriate virtual background | Flags, political imagery, racially discriminatory symbols, adult/violent content, national symbols, sports teams, game/movie references | Level 1: Immediate change required; reminder of approved options | Level 2: Documented warning + parent contact; Level 3: Tool restriction (no custom backgrounds), admin referral for hateful imagery (Level 4). |
| Inappropriate or inaccurate display name | False names, offensive handles | Level 1: Correct name immediately | Level 2: Documented warning + parent contact; Level 3: Admin-set naming restriction; potential removal from session. |
| Inappropriate language or gestures | Swearing, rude gestures or movements, disrespect | Level 1: Redirect; reminder of norms | Level 2: Parent contact + reflection; Level 3: Removal from class + counseling; Level 4 for threats or hate speech. |
| Inappropriate attire | Not school-appropriate clothing | Level 1: Warning; student turns camera off briefly to adjust; returns promptly | Level 2: Parent contact; Level 3: Meeting with admin; repeat may lead to removal from live class until resolved. |
| Muting/ignoring teacher | Refuses to unmute; ignores questions | Level 1: Private prompt; opportunity to respond in chat | Level 2: Documented warning + parent contact; Level 3: Participation plan; point deductions per syllabus. |
| Disrupting class and talking over others | Off-topic comments; spamming chat | Level 1: Redirect; chat cooldown | Level 2: Disable chat/annotation for student + parent contact; Level 3: Removal from activity or class; behavior plan. |
| Loud background noise | TV/music/others speaking | Level 1: Ask to mute or move; reminder of quiet space | Level 2: Parent contact to arrange setting; Level 3: Attendance not verified; possible removal from live session. |
| Tardy and being late to class | Arrives late; frequent short absences | Level 1: Reminder; mark tardy | Level 2: Parent contact + attendance plan; Level 3: Admin meeting; chronic tardiness |
| Bullying and harassment | Targeted insults, DMs, exclusion, hate symbols | Level 3: Immediate removal; admin notified; safety plan | Level 4: Suspension/expulsion referral; required counseling; transcript notation as applicable. |
| Academic dishonesty and AI misuse | Cheating, plagiarism; AI-generated work; translating entire tasks; solver tools | Follow Academic Integrity Policy: 1st: 0% + parent + one redo per year; 2nd: 0% no redo + record; repeated: oral re-exam; possible courses are failure, suspension or expulsion. Also apply Level 2-4 discipline if behavior is disruptive or deceptive. | Follow the academic policy guidelines. |
| Inappropriate Zoom pictures | As above, political, discriminatory, adult, violent, game/movie, national symbols, sports teams | Level 1: Remove or replace picture immediately | Level 2: Documented warning + parent contact; Level 3: Tool restriction; Level 4 if hateful and discriminatory. |
| Misusing class tools | Annotations or drawings off-task; unauthorized screen share; recording without permission; screenshots of students and teachers; taking control of screens | Level 2: Disable tools; parent contact; deletion of unauthorized media; reflection | Level 3: Removal from class; tech probation; Level 4 if privacy or safety are violated (e.g., sharing recordings). |
| Playing games and watching videos during class | Off-task tabs, streaming shows | Level 1: Redirect; require screen focus | Level 2: Parent contact; loss of device privileges during class; Level 3: Removal from session; behavior plan. |
| Insulting teachers or students | Verbal or written insults; mocking | Level 2: Documented warning; parent contact; restorative conversation | Level 3: Removal + admin meeting; Level 4 if severe or persistent. |
| Prohibited items on camera | Weapons or look-alikes (toy guns/knives), dangerous items (scissors used unsafely) | Level 3: Immediate removal from class; parent/guardian notified | Level 4: Suspension or expulsion referral; safety assessment; transcript notation as applicable. |
| Bringing unauthorized individuals to class | Friends or outsiders on screen or in chat | Level 2: Remove individual; parent contact | Level 3: Temporary loss of live-class access; Level 4 if repeated/security risk. |
| Outside interruptions | Family or friends repeatedly interrupting | Level 1: Reminder; request private space/headphones | Level 2: Parent conference; plan for a quiet environment; Level 3: Attendance not verified; removal if disruption continues. |
Tool restrictions may include disabling chat, annotations, reactions, custom backgrounds, or screen share for an individual student.
Removal from class: Student is placed in the waiting room or dismissed; teacher submits a brief incident note to admin and contacts the parent.
Specific rules on camera and microphone
- The camera and microphone must remain on as directed by the teacher. Turning them off is not allowed unless there is a documented technical issue, an accommodation, or prior approval.
- Students must notify the teacher immediately about any technical problem and seek a quick fix. Persistent issues require parent confirmation.
Re‑entry and restoration
Before returning to group classes after removal/suspension, the student (and parent/guardian, if applicable) will:
- Attend a re‑entry meeting with the teacher.
- Review the behavior expectations and behavior contract.
- Complete any reflection and restorative task and confirm understanding of consequences for future violations.
Appeal process for discipline decisions
Students and parents/guardians may appeal Level 3-4 outcomes (e.g., removal from class with ongoing restrictions, suspension, expulsion).
How to appeal
- Step 1 – Teacher: Contact the teacher within 5 school days of the decision to request clarification or reconsideration and to discuss a plan for improvement.
- Step 2 – Department Head: If unresolved, submit a written appeal to the department head within 5 school days of the outcome of Step 1. Include: events, evidence, and the proposed resolution.
- Step 3 – Principal: If still unresolved, submit a final appeal within 5 school days of the outcome of Step 2. The principal’s decision is final.
What we look for in appeals
- Demonstrated understanding of the misconduct and its impact.
- A specific action plan to change behavior.
- Any new evidence or context.
Appeals do not pause a safety‑related removal; interim measures may remain in place during review.