DISCIPLINE POLICY

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity, in or out of the classroom, is the foundation of learning. The Rabbinic term G’neivat Da’at literally means “stealing another’s thought,” implying deception with undeserved benefit. Education and learning is the cornerstone of our mission and values. Cheating and plagiarism are not allowed. Such behavior is detrimental to the individual and to the school itself. We all seek to do our best work at all times and any shortcuts toward that goal only serve to shortchange the student.

Plagiarism or cheating is a serious offense which, based on the severity of the infraction, may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from school. The middle school and upper school curricula include education and awareness about each.

Plagiarism and Cheating Plagiarism definition

The use of someone else’s thoughts, words, or work as if they are your own is a type of theft called plagiarism, and is strictly prohibited. In some cases, plagiarism is the result of academic dishonesty, while in others it may be a consequence of carelessness rather than any plan to cheat. This includes, but is not limited to: failure to cite the source when copying word for word or paraphrasing (from publications, websites, a parent, tutor or friend’s work, etc.) It is always important to understand and follow the standards and expectations provided by the teacher for each assignment.

Cheating definition

Cheating is defined as obtaining or attempting to obtain, or aiding another to obtain credit for work, or any improvement in evaluation of performance, by any dishonest or deceptive means. Cheating includes, but is not limited to: lying; copying from another's test or examination; discussion at any time of answers or questions on an examination or test, unless such discussion is specifically authorized by the instructor; taking or receiving copies of an exam without the permission of the instructor; using or displaying notes, "cheat sheets," or other

information devices inappropriate to the prescribed test conditions; allowing someone other than the officially enrolled student to represent same. 1

1 http://www.academicprograms.calpoly.edu/content/academicpolicies/Cheating

Process of Discipline for Cheating and Plagiarism in Upper School and Middle school:

Please note that the disciplinary grid set forth below shall serve as a guideline to the administration in meting out discipline, however, the consequences set forth below may be modified based upon the facts and circumstances of each case.

Infraction / Offense Teachers/Faculty Students Parents/Family

Student plagiarizes/cheats (first offense)

Assign a 0 on assignment, notify Dean of students, meet with student, Dean of students notifies parents/ family.

Meet with teacher, understand severity of offense, accept responsibility for actions.

Support student through process of discipline.

Student plagiarizes/cheats (second offense)

Assign a zero for semester (US) / quarter (MS), notify Dean of students and Head of division, Dean of students notifies parents/ family and schedules a meeting to be attended by Dean of students, Head of division, parents/family, and student.

Meet with teacher and parents, understand severity of offense, commit to avoiding plagiarism realizing that the next offense will result in a suspension/expulsi on hearing.

Support student through process of discipline, realizing that the next offense will result in suspension or expulsion from school.

Student plagiarizes/cheats (third offense)

Notify Dean of students and Head of division. Head of division notifies parents of a suspension/hearing to be attended by Head of school, Head of division, parents/family, Dean of students,

Attend suspension/expulsi on hearing attended by Head of school, Head of division, parents/family, Dean of students, and student.

Attend suspension/expulsi on attended by Head of school, Head of division, parents/family, Dean of students, and student.

Process of Discipline for Lower School:

Infraction / Offense Teachers/Faculty Students Parents/Family

3-4 grade student plagiarizes/cheats (first and second offense).

Teacher meets with student to explain the assignment was plagiarized, notify Head of division and parents.

Redo the assignment.

Support the student in understanding plagiarism.

3-4 grade student plagiarizes / cheats (future offenses)

Teacher meets with students and parents. Notify Head of division.

Redo assignment, only partial credit will be given for it. Meet with teacher and parents/family.

Meet with teacher and student, support student in understanding plagiarism.

DISCIPLINE FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE SCHOOL’S BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS.

Philosophy & Jewish Values

Participating in the life of The Adelson Educational Campus is a privilege which carries with it sacred responsibilities. This privilege demands high standards of behavioral conduct. Students are expected to comply with all school rules and to treat others with dignity and respect. We believe that there is not one path to success, but a path for everyone based on individual needs. We believe in empowering students with choices so they can learn through their experiences and decision-making. There are many adults at our school who are here to support the students throughout their school career and create meaningful relationships with them. Classroom teachers, advisors, student support services, administrators and other staff seek to provide every student with multiple opportunities to become connected to the school community, in both times of need and in times of celebration. This is the kavanah (sacred goal) we share. We acknowledge that our students are living in both the world of adults and the world of children at the same time. While students come to us with wisdom and some understanding of themselves and the world, we understand that they still have much to learn and that they sometimes make mistakes. We attempt to work with all students, in the spirit of chesed (mercy) as they learn how to successfully navigate what can be a complex and challenging world.

Our Process

Step 1: Tochechah (“loving rebuke")

The concept behind tochechah is that we care about the students who make up our community enough to engage them in conversation and correction when we see them err. To err is human, to forgive divine, and to remind is an obligation of Judaism. The process of tochechah is a kind process, one meant to cause attention to mistakes without causing the person to feel undue remorse or embarrassment at the mistake.

Tochechah, the art of caring criticism, always occurs in a context. We are created ‘in the image of G-d’ with both good and bad inclinations, and given our imperfections, we require both hakarat hatov--recognition of the good--and tochechah-- sincere and supportive constructive criticism.

We are interdependent and responsible for one another, which means that we must support and also challenge one another. At our best, we function as sacred reminders of what it means to live lives of holiness (kedusha), mutual responsibility (areyvut) and dignity (kavod habriyot). The purpose of tochechah is growth, repair, and transformation—tshuvah and tikkun atzmi.

Here are some guidelines for the art of tochechah:

• We all have an obligation to engage in caring criticism (and recognition of the good), whether we are teachers or students (Talmud, Bava Metzia 31a) •

• Caring criticism must be delivered from a place of humility, beginning with the premise that “I do not possess the whole picture.” Maimonides teaches that we begin with questions: ”Why did you behave in such and such a way? Help me to understand something that does not yet make sense.”

• Rashi, quoting the Talmud, teaches: “Never whiten another’s face in front of others.” Avoid public embarrassment.

• From Bruria, we learn to separate the sin from the sinner or the deed from the person. While we are responsible for our deeds, we are more than our deeds and are always capable of tshuvah (repentance).

• Finally, Rabbi Ile'a taught in the name of Rabbi Eleazar: Just as one is commanded to say that which will be heard, so too is one commanded not to say that which will not be heard. This challenges us to ponder under what conditions caring criticism can be heard both by ourselves and by others.

Student Behavioral Expectations

All students are expected to fully comply with the behavioral expectations of the Adelson Educational Campus. Students who fail to do so will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion depending upon a variety of factors, including the pupil’s age, developmental and maturity levels, special needs, past disciplinary record and the severity of the offense. To the extent possible, all discipline meted out under this policy should be progressive in nature. Nevertheless, there may be circumstances where the offense is particularly egregious where progressive discipline must be bypassed.

Description of School Responses

School responses to violations of behavioral expectations are listed below and shall serve as a guideline for pupil discipline:

1. Admonishment/Reprimand

A staff member may admonish or reprimand a student for conduct which violates this policy.

2. Removal from Classroom

A classroom teacher remove a student from class when his or her conductive is particularly disruptive and the pupil fails to heed warnings to cease the improper conduct. The student will be sent to the Administrator in charge of the building who will determine whether further disciplinary consequences will follow. The student’s parent may be required to attend a meeting with the Administrator and the student to discuss the student’s conduct and expectations going forward.

3. Deprivation of Privileges

Students may be deprived of nonacademic privileges as a disciplinary consequence. Examples of such privileges include, but are not limited to participation in sports, extracurricular activities, school sponsored events and activities and social events.

4. Detention

A student may be required to report before or after the school for a detention. The student’s parent/ guardian will responsible for transporting the student to the detention.

5. Grade Reduction

A student who has cheated or knowingly plagiarized material or engaged in any other type of academic dishonesty will be disciplined as set forth in the section on plagiarism and cheating.

6. In-school Suspension

A student may be suspended in-school for certain offenses warranting a greater penalty than detention. Students assigned in- school suspension will be required to work on classwork in an assigned location within the school.

7. Out-of-school suspension

Any student is to be determined guilty of continued and willful disobedience, open defiance of the authority of any teacher or person having authority over the student, the habitual use of profanity or of obscene language, or who shall deface or otherwise damage any school property, shall be subject to suspension or expulsion from school. Conduct which shall constitute good cause for suspension or expulsion shall include, but not be limited to, any of the following:

a. Continued and willful disobedience; b. Open defiance of the authority of any teacher or person, having

authority over the student; c. Conduct of such character as to constitute a continuing danger to the

physical well-being of other students; d. Physical assault upon another student or staff member. e. Taking, or attempting to take, personal property or money from

another student, or from the student’s presence, by means of force or fear;

f. Willfully causing, or attempting to cause, damage to school property; g. Participation in an unauthorized occupancy of any school building or

school property; h. Knowing possession or knowing consumptionof alcoholic beverages,

tobacco products, nicotine products, or controlled dangerous substances on school premises, or being under the influence of alcoholic beverages or controlled dangerous substances while on school premises; and

i. Harassment, intimidation, or bullying, including cyber-bullying.

8. Expulsion

The school may expel student from school, i.e., discontinue all educational services, for severe disciplinary infractions or for repeated violations of the school’s behavioral expectations.

DISCIPLINE FOR OFF-CAMPUS CONDUCT

Students should exhibit the highest ethical and moral conduct, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, whether on campus or off campus, as all student conduct is a reflection of the Adelson Educational Campus and its values. The school reserves the right to discipline students for conduct which occurs at a school sponsored event or activity, whether on campus or off campus. In addition, the school may discipline students for off-campus conduct when the conduct has a nexus to the school or when it may impact the maintenance of appropriate discipline within the school.

STUDENT RIGHTS

Any student who is disciplined under this policy shall be given an opportunity provide his/her version of the events, otherwise known as due process. This due process shall be provided before discipline is meted out, except in extenuating circumstances. A student shall have the right to appeal any suspension or expulsion under this policy to the Head of School. An appeal shall not stay the implementation of the suspension or expulsion. The Head of School’s decision on the appeal shall be final and binding.