FILE: JDF
DISCIPLINE DURING VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION
The Orleans Parish School Board intends to set expectations for student conduct when students are engaged in virtual instruction and to provide notice of the possible consequences of inappropriate conduct during virtual instruction. Orleans Parish School Board students may be required to attend school virtually when schools are closed due to inclement weather, pandemic, epidemic or other unanticipated emergencies. Regardless of the model of instruction, student conduct is governed, at all times, by La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:416 and the Student Code of Conduct. As outlined in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:416 and the Student Code of Conduct, behavior and/or conduct that is deemed inappropriate in the physical classroom is, under most circumstances, unacceptable for the virtual classroom.
While students and parents normally have an expectation of privacy in their home, conduct that occurs in front of a camera in the view of peers and teachers during virtual instruction may subject students to disciplinary action. The context in which student behavior occurs is important and will be taken into consideration by school and district administrators in determining whether there has been a violation of the Code of Conduct and OPSB Policy, the severity of the infraction, and the appropriate penalty, if any, under the circumstances.
PRIVACY AND ONLINE BEHAVIOR
Students and parents, typically, have a reasonable expectation of privacy with regard to what takes place in their home outside of the view of teachers and peers in the virtual classroom. In order to ensure that students and teachers are able to work and learn in a safe and orderly virtual environment, it is imperative that students have a quiet, well-lit “classroom” space – free, to the extent possible, from toys, images, messages, personal property, or other items that may distract from teaching and learning or that may subject the student to disciplinary action if possessed on school busses, in the regular classroom, or on school property.
Students should be cautioned that the virtual classroom is for instruction and for engaging with peers and teachers for educational purposes. Students must not handle or display items, toys, messages, images, or personal property or engage in conduct unrelated to the lessons taking place. Students who engage in conduct in the virtual classroom that violates the Student Code of Conduct and OPSB Policy may be subject to discipline in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and this Policy.
School and/or district officials may be required, as mandatory reporters, to alert local law enforcement and/or the Department of Children and Family Services if they observe conduct, messages, images, or objects that raise legitimate concern for the safety and well-being of students in the virtual classroom. This may include students handling weapons in the virtual classroom, even if it is subsequently learned that the weapon is a toy or facsimile, as it is not always possible to determine remotely whether the weapon is real or not.
ONLINE BEHAVIOR
Students are responsible for all content posted through their online account. Students are prohibited from sharing their online account username or password or using the username or password of another student. Students are required to have their computer camera turned on when virtual classes are in session.
Generally, behaviors that are prohibited in the physical classroom are also prohibited in the virtual classroom. Following is a non-exclusive list of behaviors that are prohibited in the virtual classroom and that may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and this Policy:
Posting personally identifiable information in any format other than a private message;
Antagonism or prejudice of any kind with respect to race, religion, gender, intelligence, age, orientation, disability, or socioeconomic status;
Sharing sexually explicit material including written, verbal, pictures, drawings, audio, and video;
Engaging in sexual acts or exposure of body parts in a sexual manner;
Ongoing behaviors that threaten, intimidate, or bully another individual, including the use of any electronic device to threaten, intimidate, or bully (i.e. cyberbullying);
Any criminal or other illegal activity that would be prohibited in the physical classroom, including encouraging the unlawful use, possession, manufacture or distribution of tobacco, drugs, or alcohol;
Illegally posting, distributing, uploading, or downloading copyrighted work of any kind;
Sharing assignments, questions/answers, or any other action that would violate any expectations or rules in regards to academic honesty;
Spam or unauthorized, unsolicited, commercial promotion; and
Disruptions of any digital resource/interference with the instructional audio or video.
CONSEQUENCES OF ONLINE BEHAVIOR
Parents and students must be aware that behavior and/or conduct that is deemed inappropriate in the physical classroom is, under most circumstances, unacceptable while students are participating in virtual instruction. OPSB recognizes, however, that virtual instruction is a new experience for students and families, and that the context in which student conduct occurs must be taken into account in determining the appropriate penalty, if any, imposed for violations of the Student Code of Conduct during virtual instruction.
Student conduct that occurs in the virtual classroom may be subject to progressive discipline which, depending on the seriousness of the conduct at issue, will include an initial verbal warning and consultation with the student’s parent or guardian prior to any formal disciplinary action. The seriousness of the conduct at issue will dictate the actions of administrators and the nature of the penalty ultimately imposed. For example, a student may be subject to a severe penalty, even for a first offense, depending on the seriousness of the conduct at issue.
Student conduct that occurs during virtual instruction may subject students to disciplinary action with the Student Hearing Office. All recommendations for disciplinary action to the Student Hearing Office are at the discretion of the school.
New policy: December 17, 2020
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:223, 17:224, 17:233, 17:239, 17:252, 17:416, 17:416.1, 17:416.13
Board minutes, 12-17-20
Orleans Parish School Board