Discipline

Georgia Cyber Academy students have a right to:

• function and work in a positive learning environment, free from disturbances created by self or others.
• participate in safe school outings.
• have individual beliefs, ideas, cultures, religious practices and to have these differences respected.
• be treated with courtesy, fairness and respect.
• have personal or school property respected.
• participate fully in school life, when all he established requirements have been fulfilled.
• a clear understanding of what is expected of them.
• a fair hearing in cases involving the application of academic or disciplinary regulations.

Georgia Cyber Academy students have the responsibility to:

• understand and accept that student learning is the primary purpose of our school and during instructional time, to behaver in a manner that promotes opportunities for optimal teaching and learning.
• respect the right of others to have a safe school environment in the presence of other students or people.
• accept the uniqueness of others.
• treat others with courtesy, fairness and respect.
• respect and secure private and public property.
• assure that participation in all aspects of school life is open to everyone.
• know their role in the school community and to help others to understand their role.
• understand and utilize the school’s procedures for resolving concerns, conflicts and disagreements.

Georgia Cyber Academy expects all students to behave in a manner that is respectful of others and towards school property.  All violations of the Code of Conduct will be part of a student’s disciplinary record and may be used in a student disciplinary hearing pursuant to Georgia Cyber Academy’s progressive discipline process.  Suspension of a student from school for not more than ten (10) consecutive days is considered a short-term suspension, not subject to formal rights of hearing or appeal.  Although there are no such rights guaranteed by law, parents/ guardians may contact the Office of the Head of School to discuss their disciplinary incidents and actions involving their children.  

The following are some examples of misbehavior that will result in discipline: 

• Violations against property including but not limited to damage to or destruction of school property or the property of others, failure to compensate for damage or the destruction of such property, arson, breaking and entering, theft, robbery, possession of stolen property, extortion, trespassing, unauthorized usage, or vandalism (including outing locations and test sites).
• The use of profanity or obscene language or the possession of obscene materials. 
• Gambling 
• Hazing 
• Defiance toward faculty/ staff members 
• Using, possessing or distributing tobacco or tobacco paraphernalia 
• Using, possessing, distributing or being under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances. 
• Using, possessing, distributing or being under the influence of narcotics, drugs or other controlled substances (except as proscribed by a physician).
• Using, possessing or distributing items or articles that are illegal or harmful to persons or property including, but not limited to, drug paraphernalia. 
• Using, possessing or distributing weapons or other dangerous objects. 
• Possession of ammunition including, but not limited to, bullets or other projectiles designed to be used as a weapon. 
• Possession, use, or distribution of explosives or any compound mixture, the primary or common purpose or intended use of which is to function by explosion. 
• Possession, use, or distribution of fireworks or any substance or combination of substances or article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or an audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration or detonation. 
• Violation of any local, state or federal laws (as appropriate). 
• Acts disruptive of the educational process including but not limited to, disobedience, disruptive or disrespectful behavior, defiance of authority, insubordination, failure to identify oneself, improper activation of fire alarms or bomb threats. 
• Possession of nuisance devices or objects which cause distractions including, but not limited to, pages, radios and phones. 
• Possession or distribution of slanderous, libelous or pornographic materials. 
• Student attire or personal grooming which creates a danger to health or safety or creates a disruption to the educational process, including clothing which bears a message which is lewd, vulgar or obscene, apparel promoting products or activities that are illegal for use by minors, or clothing containing objectionable emblems, signs, words, objects or pictures communicating a message that is racist, sexist, or otherwise derogatory to a protected minority group or which connotes gang membership. 
• Falsification of any records, documents, notes or signatures. 
• Tampering with, changing or altering records or documents of the school district by any method including, but not limited to, computer access or other electronic means. 
• Impertinent or disrespectful language toward teachers or other school district personnel; sexual abuse or harassment. 
• Actions including fighting or other assaultive behavior, which causes or could cause injury to students or other persons or which otherwise endangers the health, safety or welfare of teachers, students, other school personnel or other persons. 
• Committing an act which inflicts great bodily harm upon another person, even though accidental or a result of poor judgement. 
• Violations against persons including, but not limited to, assault or threatened assault, fighting, harassment, interference or obstruction, attack with a weapon, sexual assault, illegal or inappropriate sexual conduct or indecent exposure. 
• Verbal assaults or verbally abusive behavior including, but not limited to, use of language that is discriminatory, abusive, obscene, threatening, intimidating or that degrades other people. 
• Physical or verbal threats, including but not limited to, the staging or reporting of dangerous or hazardous situations that do not exist. 
• Inappropriate, abusive, threatening, or demeaning actions based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, status regarding public assistance, disability, national origin, or sexual orientation. 
• Disobedience or insubordination to teachers or other school district personnel. 
• Violation of school rules, regulations, policies or procedures. 
• Other acts, as determined by the school district, which are disruptive of the educational process or dangerous or detrimental to the student or other students, school district personnel or surrounding persons or which violates the rights of others or which damages or endangers the property of the school, or which otherwise interferes with or obstructs the mission or operations of the school district or the safety or welfare of students or employees. 
• Retaliation 

Students who fail to comply with these requirements are subject to the following disciplinary actions: 

• A verbal warning 
• An in-person, online or telephone meeting with the student, parent, teacher, counselor and school administrator will be arranged to discuss the student’s behavior. 
• Suspension 
• Expulsion 

In the case of a severe offense and at the discretion of school administration, verbal and written warnings may be bypassed.  In cases of severe infractions, local legal authorities may be contacted.

Cyberbullying occurs when a minor is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another minor using the internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones.  For this behavior to be considered cyberbullying, the infraction needs to take place between two minors.  Cyberbullying is not tolerated in any form at Georgia Cyber Academy. 

Cyberbully includes but is not limited to the following: 

• Assuming a false identity online to trick others. 
• Spreading lies and rumors about victims. 
• Tricking people into revealing personal information. 
• Sending or forwarding mean text messages. 
• Posting pictures of victims without their consent. 

Effects of Cyberbullying include, but are not limited to: 

• Physically, emotionally or mentally harming a student. 
• Placing a student in reasonable fear of physical, emotional or mental harm. 
• Placing a student in reasonable fear of damage to or loss of personal property. 
• Creating an intimidating or hostile environment that substantially interferes with a student’s educational opportunities. 

Below are some preventative measures that student can take to minimize their risk of being cyberbullied, as well as help stop the cyberbullying cycle: 

• Never share personal information with anyone, even your best friend.  Remember anything posted online may potentially be viewed by millions of people. 
• Be careful with whom you interact online.  Block messages or request from people that you do not know. 
• Do not pass along or forward cyberbullying messages. 
• Discourage your friends from cyberbullying. 

Anyone can be a victim of cyberbullying, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity or financial status.  The most important thing to do if you are being cyberbullied is to tell a trusted adult.  An adult, whether it is a parent, teacher or school administrator, needs to get involved.  Save and document all occurrences of cyberbullying. 

Cyberbullying is no longer an anonymous crime.  Technology allows for easy tracking of the source.  Cyberbullying is illegal and violators can be prosecuted. 

For learning coaches: If your student comes to you and reports being bullied, please report it to your child’s Family Success Liaison immediately. 

If the accused is a student of the school, school administration will investigate the accusation.  If the accusation is proven true, the school discipline policy will apply.  If the accused is not a student of the school, the school administration will help the victim and his/ her family contact local authorities and/ or the local school district. 

If a student is found guilty of cyberbullying, the following consequences will apply based on the severity of the infraction: 

First Offense or Minor Infraction: The student will receive a verbal warning and meet with the school counselor to learn about cyberbullying. 

Second Offense or More Severe Infraction: The student, parent/ guardian, counselor and administrator will hold a conference.  A record of the infraction will be placed in the student’s file. 
Third Offense or Severe Infraction: Repeated Infractions or Severe Infractions may result in the student being expelled from the school 

* Determination of the severity of an infraction is at the discretion of the GCA Administration. 
 

To learn more about cyberbullying, visit the following websites:  

https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it/index.html

http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/cyberbullying.html

http://cyberbullying.org/

https://www.pacerteensagainstbullying.org/experiencing-bullying/cyber-bullying/

Georgia Cyber Academy provides materials, books and other curricular supplies.  Georgia Cyber Academy also provides computers and printers to families per financial need.  The materials are school property and must be kept in good condition.  Facilities that are used for Georgia Cyber Academy outings/ test sites locations are also considered school property.  Parents are responsible for the repair or replacement of all lost, stolen or damaged school property.  A list of property that must be returned is provided to parents.  All property and equipment mist be returned in good working condition upon withdrawal from the program.   

All printed materials are copyrighted, and unauthorized copying of those materials is copyright infringement.  Materials cannot be sold or transferred and are to be used solely by the student in his or her studies while enrolled in the school.  Parents and students are to comply with this policy and all the terms and conditions of the Use of Instructional Property Agreement submitted with the enrollment materials. 

While our online learning environment affords students the opportunity to attend class anywhere, it is our expectation that all students conduct themselves in a respectful manner during live sessions, as you would in a face to face classroom.

The following guidelines outline our behavioral expectations in the virtual classroom environment:

• Make sure to present yourself in an appropriate manner on camera, in accordancewith the GCA Student Dress Code.
• Make sure you are in a setting conducive to learning such a home office, kitchen table, or personal desk. For example: A student should not attend live sessions from their beds unless medical reasons or disabilities necessitate that they do so.
• Please be sure to eliminate outside distractions, such as televisions and radios.
• If you have a cellphone, make sure it is on silent during the classsession.
• Refrain from using inappropriate/ offensive language in the chat, on the whiteboard, or on the microphone.
• Do not share personal information and/or contact information unless specifically granted permission to do so from your teacher and/or a school administrator (gaming identifiers, invitations to outside chatrooms, emails, phone numbers, addresses, last names, etc.).
• Do not attempt to hack and/or hack into the programs and platforms utilized by GCA.
• Do not impersonate a teacher and/or her classroom rights as the classroom moderator/host.
• Do not post pictures, images, websites, or links to inappropriate or illegal content in the chat box or on the virtual whiteboard. If an illegal posting is made or shared (forward/copy & paste/email), then the incident will be reported to the appropriate authorities up to and including the GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigation).
• Do share (forward/copy & paste/email) inappropriate or illegal content (pictures, images, websites, or links to inappropriate or illegal content) that may have been posted in the chat box, on the virtual whiteboard, or received via email, contact your teacher IMMEDIATELY letting her know what may have occurred. If illegal content is shared, then the incident will be reported to the appropriate authorities up to and including the GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigation).

GCA faculty reserve the right to remove any student from live class sessions due to inappropriate or distracting behavior. Teachers are authorized to give verbal warnings, written reprimands, refer students to school administration, and employ any other discipline and behavior management techniques except for suspension or expulsion of a student, discipline prohibited by law, or discipline permitted to be administered only by school administration.

Students are expected to be responsible representatives of the school at all times, whether online at an in-person school event or “off campus”- meaning outside of school activities.  Adverse behavior that affects the school’s community or reputation may result in disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion.  Georgia Cyber Academy Administration reserved the right to address students and their families whose off-campus interactions have impacted the school community. 

Georgia Cyber Academy expects its students to adhere to its behavior guidelines while at school events, on school trips and during educational and co-curricular activities offered year-round.  Safety, civility and respect for the worth of every member of our community remain the philosophical foundation of our school.  Georgia Cyber Academy acknowledges that the family is responsible for a child’s behavior after school hours and on weekends, and our usual policy is to respect a student and the family’s privacy in that regard.  However, behavior that significantly affects students when they are attending school sponsored events, that suggests a threat to the emotional or physical safety of our students may require action by the school.

The administration, faculty and staff of Georgia Cyber Academy are committed to providing our students with a safe, respectful learning environment, free from distractions. This includes both our virtual learning environment and in-person, school-sponsored events. When participating in live class sessions or attending in-person events, students are expected to dress in a manner that is supportive of learning and appropriate to the setting.

When on camera, the below rules apply to all parts of the student that may be visible to those receiving the image. When at school sponsored in-person events, field trips, meetings, conferences, testing, or receiving educational support services the below student dress code rules apply in their entirety. Clothing and accessories which interfere with, distract from, or further impede student learning are not allowed. Prohibited articles of clothing and accessories include but are not limited to the following:

• Any articles that may reasonably be considered a safety hazard or potential weapon.
• Garments that expose the midriff or cleavage, see-through or mesh clothing,halter or tank tops, pajamas, sleep or loungewear. More specifically, shirts, blouses and dresses must cover the abdomen, cleavage, back and shoulders. Shirts/ tops must also cover the waistband of pants, shorts or skirts, with no midriff or cleavage visible while standing or while bending over.
• If wearing bike shorts (or something similar), then the top worn must fall to mid- thigh.
• If wearing leggings, then the top worn must fall to mid-thigh.
• Hats, caps and other head apparel should not be worn except for religious or medical purposes.
• Clothing and accessories may not display any of the following:
  • Racial or Ethnic slurs
  • Hate Speech o Gang Affiliation
  • Vulgar, sexually explicit or suggestive language/ images o Products such as alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs
• Shorts, skorts, skirts, and dresses must be at least be at finger-tip length. These items must cover all undergarments and maintain modesty when a student is leaning over or sitting down. It is highly recommended that if skirts or dresses are shorter than 2 inches above the knee that shorts be worn underneath the garment.
• Obviously oversized or baggy items. Pants/shorts/skirts must be worn at thewaist. Sagging pants/ shorts are not allowed. 

Georgia Cyber Academy administration, faculty or staff members reserve the right to determine what constitutes appropriate or inappropriate dress for the school setting. In matters of opinion, the judgement of school administration shall prevail.

All submitted coursework is assumed to have been completed only by the individual student.  Students are responsible to observe standards on plagiarism, cheating and properly crediting all sources used during the composition of work.  Students who fail to abide by these standards will be reported the administration, which may result in a conference with the Learning Coach, failure of the course assignment or exam, loss of credit for courses, revoked access to courses and suspension/ expulsion from the school. 

Cheating

Cheating is the use of another person’s work to gain an unfair advantage.  Cheating occurs when a student knowingly submits the coursework or an assessment of another individual and claims it as their own original work.  Examples of cheating include but are not limited to the following: 

• Copying a classmate’s work; this may be an answer to an essay question, any written assignment or an entire exam. 
• Copying from course feedback provided by another school. 
• Copying answers to exams found in other sources, such as entering the question into a search engine and copying the response found online. 
• Collaboration between two students, which results in submitting identical answers on such assignments. 
• Using online translators for assignments in language courses. 

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is using an author’s work, without acknowledging the source of the material.  Examples of plagiarism include but are not limited to the following: 

• Quoting work from an outside source, without proper citation and attribution. 
• Improper paraphrasing of another person’s work, maintaining the original text with little alteration or re-wording and/ or not citing the source. 
• Copying information from a book, play, speech, article, website or other written or spoken work without proper citation. 

Plagiarism may occur unknowingly.  It is important to understand that simply acknowledging a source through quotation marks or comments is not the same as citing it.   

Academic Integrity Violations

All students who violate principles of academic integrity will be reprimanded.  Depending on the nature of the offense, a student’s grade or ability to earn credit for a course may be affected at the discretion of the student’s teacher and Georgia Cyber Academy administration.  Violations of academic integrity will be reprimanded per the following guidelines: 

• The first offense will be handled between the classroom teacher, administrator, student and parent.  The teacher will provide additional instruction as to what constitutes plagiarism and/or cheating, and the student will receive a zero on the assignment.  Depending on the severity of the infraction, the student may have an opportunity to make up the assignment at the discretion of the teacher.  The student will be required to attend a meeting with Georgia Cyber Academy administration regarding plagiarism.  If more than one violation is discovered at the same time, it will be considered the student’s second offense. 
• A second offense will result in a meeting with the school administration, the student, the parent, and the classroom teacher.  Students will have no opportunity to make up questionable work and a grade of zero will remain.  Further action may be taken as needed, following the discipline policy. 
• In the case of a third offense, a meeting will be held with the school director, classroom teacher, the student and their parent.  The meeting may result in one or all of the following: removal from course with loss of credit, removal from Georgia Cyber Academy and/ or denial of re-admission. 
• Disciplinary Hearings