Virtual Learning Expectations
Code of Conduct
All Tubman Leaders who receive school issued technology, (i.e. laptops, ipads etc…) digital curriculum, and direct instruction online are subject to this Student Virtual Learning Code of Conduct. As a virtual learning student, there are additional rules and expectations regarding prior online etiquette in place in order to protect all students and all staff members. Access to remote learning must be used in a responsible, safe, efficient, ethical, and legal manner. With expanded access to electronic information, availability of inappropriate material is not uncommon. Some sites contain illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, or offensive information. We appreciate being able to synergize with parents to teach responsible Internet use.
Internet Usage Policy
All Internet data that is composed, transmitted, or received via our computer communications systems is considered to be part of the official records of Tubman and, as such, is subject to disclosure to the parent(s)/guardian(s), administration or other third parties. Consequently, Tubman expects both students and parents to abide by the school’s Internet usage policy: Data that is composed, transmitted, accessed, or received via the Internet must not contain content that could be considered discriminatory, offensive, obscene, threatening, harassing, intimidating, or disruptive to any other person. Examples of unacceptable content may include, but are not limited to, sexual comments or images, racial slurs, gender-specific comments, or any other comments or images that could reasonably offend someone on the basis of race, age, sex, religious or political beliefs, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. Abuse of Internet platforms and tools in violation of school policies will result in disciplinary action. Below are examples of poor behaviors that are prohibited, but are not limited to this list.
Consequences of Misconduct
Students of Virtual Learning are public school students, and will continue to be held to the Tubman Leadership Expectation Plan. In the virtual environment, however, there is a set of non-traditional types of misconduct that must be regularly monitored and, if not hopefully eliminated altogether, then disciplined in an appropriate manner. Accordingly, the Virtual Learning Code of Conduct incorporates expectations of conduct specific to virtual/remote learning classrooms. For example, Internet access is required for all students, but access must be used in a responsible, safe, efficient, ethical, and legal manner. With expanded access to electronic information, availability of inappropriate material is not uncommon. Some sites contain illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, or offensive information. Although it is impossible to control such misuses, we believe that with responsible use, the benefits of the Internet as an educational tool outweigh the negatives.
Bullying and Harassment Policy
Harassment is prohibited between members of the school community, including communication of any form between students, parents, staff, and any third parties directly or indirectly. We are committed to maintaining a working and learning environment in which students, faculty, and staff can develop intellectually, professionally, personally and socially. Such an atmosphere must be free of intimidation, fear, coercion, and reprisal. It is an expectation that all students and employees shall use all equipment and programs for the intended educational purpose. We are committed to protecting students and employees from bullying, harassment or inappropriate uses of computers or programs to participate in bullying behavior. Bullying and Harassment will not be tolerated and shall be just cause for disciplinary action. Conduct that constitutes bullying or harassment, as defined herein, is prohibited. Bullying, harassment, and cyber stalking are defined as inflicting physical or psychological distress, and/or communicating words, images or language using any online portal (educational or social) that causes emotional distress and for which there is no legitimate purpose. Any action by a student or parent deemed inappropriate will be fully investigated by the appropriate school administrator.
Parent/Guardian's Responsibilities
As a parent/guardian of a virtual school student, it is very important to understand the responsibilities associated with that role. With the many distractions students have today, it can be difficult for some students to set aside time to work on courses when not in school. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to encourage the student to manage their time in an effective way.
Teachers will keep the parent/guardian apprised of the student’s progress and will initiate contact if they fall behind in their coursework.
Parents are expected to supervise and monitor their student’s progress throughout the duration of the course, just as you would in a regular learning setting. This can be accomplished by accessing the parental account periodically to monitor student progress.
Parents should support Academic Integrity. Academic Integrity is one of our core values and one of the most important areas of focus as a learning organization. Students with Academic Integrity make decisions based on ethics and values that will prepare them to be productive and ethical citizens.
You may contact your child’s teacher directly via email and/or teacher’s preferred method of contact to answer questions about the course that you may have. When a parent/guardian has a concern about the child's performance or behavior, the parent/guardian should set up a conference with the child's teacher.
SYNERGIZING with Faculty/Staff and other Students
● Students and parents should address all Tubman staff with the courtesy expected for education professionals. They are to use the appropriate title.
● Students and parents should phrase communications with Tubman staff in a polite and courteous manner appropriate for speaking to adults. The tone of emails and phone conversations must be respectful.
● Since our online environment is still a learning environment, students and parents should be respectful of Tubman staff’s set “Office Hours” and request appointments or utilize designated Zoom sessions for any questions. Please give staff members 24 hours to respond to any emails/messages/texts or calls. Students and parents should be mindful of how many times they reach out to staff within a day. For example, more than two calls, emails, Google messages or texts within an hour is excessive.
● Students and parents are not to use obscene, profane, threatening, or disrespectful language or images in any communications with Tubman staff. These actions are prohibited as indicated in the Tubman Leadership Expectation Plan.
● Students must use an email address and a profile picture that is appropriate for an educational environment. Email addresses that use profanity or may otherwise be construed as offensive, shall not be permitted in correspondence with Tubman faculty and staff. Profile pictures should not be offensive or inappropriate in any manner. The Tubman administration team reserves the right to determine if a student profile picture is inappropriate. Students using an inappropriate profile picture will be required to update their user profiles.
● Students and parents should be dressed appropriately for virtual video instruction. Additionally they should have an appropriate background image (if one is selected). Usernames for virtual video instruction should be the students first and last name.
Academic Integrity Policy
What is academic integrity?
● Academic integrity is an ethical code, whereby the student guarantees that all work submitted is the student’s own work.
Why is academic integrity important?
● When students submit an assignment that is not their own original work, there are two issues involved:
1. Students are earning credit for learning material for which they have not demonstrated mastery.
2. They may be violating the policies of the school.
What are some examples of academic integrity violations?
● There are two kinds of academic integrity violations. One is “plagiarism” and the other is “cheating.”
1. Plagiarism - To steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one’s own: use (another’s production) without crediting the source. Some examples are, but not limited to the following:
- Copying and pasting a report from the Internet and representing it as your own work
- Copying any other work and not properly citing authorship
2. Cheating
- To influence or lead by deceit, trick, or artifice
- To practice fraud or trickery to violate rules dishonestly
- Providing questions/answers/ work to another student
- Receiving questions/answers/work from another student