Cheating and Nuisance

Cheating

 Cheating may include but is not limited to copying someone else’s test or homework. Cheating is the use of any unauthorized information from books, CD’s, calculators, or the internet. Anything the teacher has not specifically given permission or approval of is unauthorized.  It is also cheating to inaccurately grade another student’s paper by giving too many or too little points. Plagiarism will examined by the online service Turn It In and will be disciplined as cheating. Cheating is a serious offense and is in direct opposition to the Christian character and academic excellence that we are seeking to instill in our students. Therefore, cheating will be dealt with very rigorously. The discipline for cheating will be a zero on the assignment on which the student cheated plus 6 demerits. Any consequences resulting from excessive demerits are considered part of the disciplinary action for cheating. Students need to be especially aware that one offense of cheating could place them very close to the 7 demerit limit for school trips and the 10 demerit limit for participation in school athletics. This policy will be strictly enforced and is intended to encourage students to avoid cheating because of the severity of the consequences which could lead to expulsion from ACA.

Nuisance Behavior

We at American Christian Academy believe that every person is of eternal value. We believe that God has uniquely gifted and is equipping each of us for the things He has for us to do. We believe that a basic need and right of every individual is to be treated with positive regard and respect because he or she is an extraordinary creation of God. The New Living Translation renders Proverbs 22:1, "…being held in high esteem is better than having silver or gold." We believe that all of our students should have a school that is safe and free from emotional and physical danger. Because we believe these things, we are going to diligently work to provide an environment that seeks to limit nuisance behavior (harassment or bullying) and work toward a Biblical resolution. Nuisance behavior includes any activity (verbal or physical) directed at someone by an individual or group of individuals. It is repeated behavior that is vexing, aggravating, annoying, exasperating, or pestering. Nuisance behavior would include unwelcome, unrelenting teasing and name-calling. Words are powerful in their impact on others. Mean-spirited, hateful, vulgar, Profane, or blasphemous words are totally unacceptable in any from of communication including but not limited to spoken words, text messages, written forms, or the internet. Examples of bullying include:

• Sending repeated hurtful, rude or mean text messages (harassment)that are angry or vulgar (Flaming)
• Spreading rumors, gossip, or lies (“Dissing” someone -  Denigration)
• Impersonation – creating websites or pages pretending to be someone else in order to harm that person.
• Creating websites, videos , social profiles, or texts that embarrass, humiliate or make fun of others
• Trickery – talking someone into revealing secrets and sharing it (outing). In person or online
• Exclusion – groups that willfully seek to isolate an individual.
• Stalking / Cyber-stalking – Repeated and intense harassment
• Sexting

 Discipline will be determined by the type and severity of the offensive communication. Some behaviors may be subject to legal intervention either by Civil Litigation or Criminal Law:

• Civil Litigation
  • Defamation
  • Invasion of privacy
  • False light
• Criminal Law
  • Threats
  • Coercion
  • Transmission of Pornography – sexually explicit pictures sent to boyfriend or girlfriend that are posted to internet.

Verbal harassment will be treated with the same seriousness as physical harassment. Nuisance behavior would include hitting, pushing, shoving, tripping, or any other behavior that would endanger the safety and well being of another student. Nuisance behavior would include any verbal or physical advances of a sexual nature. This would include any crude jokes or obscene gestures. 

For incidences of minor nuisance behavior we encourage the offended student to openly declare to the offending student that their behavior is troubling and should stop. According to Matthew 18 repentance and forgiveness should be the goal. If this fails to bring relief the offended student should tell a teacher or the counselor who will seek to bring a Biblical and redemptive resolution. If the offensive behavior continues offending students will be issued from 3-6 demerits for each incidence of nuisance behavior depending on the nature and severity of the offense. Students that persist in behaviors that are distressing to other students will enter a special disciplinary process requiring parents of the student to come to the school for a conference with the Principal and Counselor. Students that persist in harassing behavior will have to appear before the board to determine the course of action to be taken, which could include expulsion. Incidences of severe nuisance behavior of physical or sexual nature may result in the immediate suspension or expulsion of the responsible student if investigation determines he or she is guilty and notification of the legal authorities.

Ephesians 4:32 says, "…be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one anther…" If students will follow this simple Scripture they will not need to be concerned about the severity of the discipline involved.