The Academy Virtual Classes Code of Conduct

As technology becomes an integral part of our lives, educational institutions are challenged to include and effectively utilize digital media to promote and facilitate students learning, expand their hard skills and create interactive learning environments. ACS Athens Academy has paved the way by introducing its students to Virtual learning, through online synchronous and asynchronous sessions.

The ACS Athens Academy Virtual Code of Conduct, which includes behavioral guidelines and expectations as well as implications for students who disrespect the school policies, is also in effect with ACS Athens Virtual learning. Students rights and responsibilities as described here apply in the virtual learning environment and exemplify conscious citizenship.

The Academy Virtual Code of Conduct, in alignment with the Academy Virtual Code of Conduct, includes the regulations that all Academy students are expected to honor and respect to promote effective virtual learning, as well as the logical consequences as defined by the ACS Athens Conscious Citizenship Model.

Principles behind the ACS Athens Virtual: Code of Conduct

The Academy Virtual Code Conduct keystone is made up of three pillars:

• “Be Respectful”

• “Be Responsible”

• “Be Ready”

Even in a virtual learning environment we coexist with other members of the community and we must respect the differences among us . It is our responsibility not only to honor these differences but also find ways of effective and respectful digital communication and collaboration in order to promote the virtual learning experience through our behavior.

Values and beliefs of ACS Athens Virtual:

In a virtual community defined by a culture of respect consists of the following:

• We shall be curious about, seek to understand, and respect peoples’ cultural differences, gender differences, age differences, learning differences, as well as their unique abilities and talents.

• We shall respect virtual learning and the virtual learning process.

• We shall practice good virtual manners, and treat each other politely.

• We shall cultivate and exhibit self-discipline and self-respect.

• We shall build relationships based upon open communication and mutual respect.

• We shall work to overcome stereotypical thinking, biases and prejudices and actively promote cross-cultural awareness and understanding.

• We shall ensure that everyone feels physically and emotionally safe.

• We shall respect, follow and enforce the rules of the community.

• We shall respect each person’s uniqueness and individuality.

• We shall practice good citizenship in and out of the virtual classroom.

• We shall commit ourselves to teaching the principles of respectful behavior and good citizenship in a focused and on-going manner

Student Conduct

Academy Students are expected to contribute to the regular operation of all the virtual classes by respecting the virtual environment and all its members, including faculty, staff and classmates. The purpose of the Academy Virtual Code of Conduct is to ensure that all the virtual environment expectations are clear to all constituencies and it is aligned with ACS Athens Conscious Citizenship Model, which aims to repair any damage inflicted in relationships.

The processes for determining misconduct and consequences, as well as the procedures of addressing, monitoring and correcting behavior, are in effect as described in the ACS Athens Academy Handbook. Please note that student conferences with the Vice Principal may be conducted online and the students will be asked to complete their account of events electronically.

Reflection-Time (Under the supervision of the V.P.)

Students who repeatedly disregard the virtual Code of Conduct policies will be scheduled to meet with the V.P. in order to reflect on their behavior. The guidelines for reflection - time under the supervision of the V.P. remain as described in the ACS Athens Academy Handbook.

Reflection - time out of the virtual environment

Students who repeatedly have troubles with following the norms of the online classes and cause disruptions might lose their right to log in to their virtual classes and will be asked to reflect on their behavior at home. The guidelines for reflection - time out of the virtual learning environment remain as described in the ACS Athens Academy Handbook.

Personal Safety in an Online Context

The transition to a virtual learning environment presupposes extended time working on the Internet, using the digital tools and applications to a wider extent and engaging students in online activities where they coexist with others. Therefore, it is critical for students to be aware of fundamental personal safety guidelines in order to ensure their online safety and well being.

Guidelines for students while working online:

• Students should be careful of online anonymity and not share personal data including pictures and videos with users whose identity is not known and might be fake.

• Students should review their passwords so they are strong and always review the terms carefully before they sign up for a digital application using the school’s email.

• Before posting any pictures of others on the web students must have their permission and the permission of the teacher.

• Students should be using appropriate language during virtual classrooms at all times.

• The posting of any abusive, racist, or derogatory comments using our school or personal email is prohibited.

● Students must report any unauthorized use of their school email to the administration and seek guidance

Exemplify Conscious “Netizenship”

As members of ACS Athens community we coexist in a virtual learning environment and it is important to continue to be respectful, ready and responsible netizens and promote appropriate language and behaviors. During the virtual classes students are expected to respect the following guidelines and exemplify conscious “netizenship”.

Language in Virtual Space

• Communicate with faculty and classmates with respect and a level of formality;

• Avoid using slang or informal language and make inappropriate jokes / comments in the online chat;

• Profanity / Swearing in the virtual classroom is not acceptable;

• Popular emoticons such as ☺ or / can be helpful to convey your tone but moderate use is advised;

• Be cautious in using Internet language. For example, capitalization of all letters is not suggested since this suggests shouting;

• Sexist language or comments against any racial, religious, age or other group during the online classroom is not considered appropriate;

• Using humor is acceptable, except when its purpose is to disrupt or offend.

Online Appropriate Behavior

• Recognize that the internet is an extension of society , approach the synchronous sessions as a normal classroom environment and apply the same behavioral standards online as you do in the classroom;

• Log in to the virtual classrooms on time;

• Follow the moderator’s - teacher’s instructions;

• Respect the privacy, uniqueness and opinions of other participants and ask for moderator’s permission before activate the camera or microphone to talk;

• If you face technical issues inform the respective teacher and the attendance office directly and seek for guidance;

• Never log out during the session without informing the respective teacher and the Attendance Office;

• Use the online chat wisely only for questions and comments related to the online class material;

• Print screens and videotaping of the virtual classes is not only inappropriate but illegal.

List of Acts of Misconduct by Level of Severity

Level 1

• Any online behavior not aligned with the online appropriate behavior guidelines

Level 2

• Repeating virtual class disruption

• Repeating vulgar/inappropriate language or behavior observed in a synchronous session chat

• Repeating refusal to follow the teacher’s / moderators instructions

• Lying to faculty/staff

• Rude behavior towards other students during a synchronous session

• Unauthorized cell phone use in the digital classrooms

Level 3

• Invasion of digital privacy

• Repeating disrespectful behavior or language to school personnel in an electronic communication or synchronous session

• Non-compliance of the Academic Integrity Policy

Level 4

• Posting or displaying inappropriate or offensive images such as, but not limited to: weapons, offensive symbols, or derogatory images.

• Making a deliberate, malicious and false accusation against another person

• Pretending to be another student

• Forged note

• Gambling or extortion

• Posting or displaying smoking paraphernalia (electronic cigarettes included) or possession of tobacco

• Displaying or posting inappropriate material

• Unauthorized use of copyrighted material

• Publication/retrieval of personal web pages on school equipment

Level 5*- Most serious misconduct with potential legal consequences

• Posting or displaying of any object with intent to do harm*

• Inappropriate uses of electronic devices including harassment, threats, intimidation, electronic forgery, cyber-bullying/cyber-threats, videotaping in or out of the virtual classroom**, invasion of personal rights, cheating on tests/exams, or other forms of illegal behavior during the instructional and non- instructional day.

Cyber bullying is a serious misconduct and students are encouraged to report any form of it to the Citizenship Office. Cyber bullying is defined as repetitive acts of aggressive, abusive or intimidating behavior, observed in an online context and with the intention to harm. Cyber bullying may consist of the following:

• Posting messages, sexting, or commenting with insulting, abusive, sexual, or threatening content;

• Spread insulting rumors online;

• Reveal someone’s personal information without their consent to embarrass or humiliate them;

• Trickery: Deceive someone to access his/her personal information and share it to third parties;

• Masquerading: Create a fake online identity with an intention to harm someone.

Level 6* – Possible Removal from School, Depending On the Circumstances

• Electronic Harassment: verbal, sexual, emotional or based on gender, ethnicity, race, religion, nationality, or sexual orientation

• Engagement in illegal activity

• Posting or displaying -images that promote hate by targeting a specific group, or images of that exploit nudity or are sexually explicit

• Posting or displaying illegal substances, drugs, paraphernalia, or alcohol

• Hacking of the ACS Athens Network Information System or security

• Posting or displaying weapons or any device used as a weapon

• Any action that may endanger students’ life