Student Code of Honor
Established in September 2007 and modeled after the University of Miami Code of Honor
(The University of Miami is Mrs. Maria I Alonso’s alma mater and trusted source of wisdom)
This Honor Code is established for the student body, to protect the academic integrity of Champagnat Catholic School, to encourage consistent ethical behavior among students, and to foster a climate of fair competition.
Cheating implies an intent to deceive. It includes all actions, devices, and/or deceptions involved in committing the act. Examples include, but are not limited to, utilizing crib notes/cheat sheet on an exam and copying answers directly from another student’s exam.
Plagiarism is representing the words or ideas of someone else as your own. Examples include but are not limited to, failing to properly cite direct quotes and failing to give credit for someone else’s ideas.
Collusion is the act of working together on an academic undertaking for which a student is individually responsible. Examples include, but are not limited to, sharing information in labs that re to be done individually.
Lying is the act of distorting information with the intention of deceiving or confusing. Examples might include, but are not limited to, stating that a note sent to parents for a signature was lost or left behind when the truth is that the parents never read such note; another instance might be blaming someone for your own actions.
Stealing is the act of taking or using someone else’s property without the owner’s consent.
Academic Dishonesty includes any other act not specifically covered that compromises the integrity of a student or intrudes, violates, or disturbs the academic environment of the Champagnat Community. Examples are attempting or agreeing to commit, or assisting in or facilitating the commission of, any scholastic dishonesty violation, failing to appear or testify without good cause when requested by the Student Honor Councilor or Director, or Principal, failing to keep information about cases confidential, supplying false information to the Honor Council and accusing a student of a violation of this Code in bad faith.
Anyone affiliated with Champagnat Catholic School, including faculty, teaching assistants, and students, may file a complaint in accordance with this code. Upon the receipt of a complaint, an investigation is completed and, if there is enough evidence, punishment will be applied according to what is established in the school regulations section of the student’s agenda. If the accused is found not guilty, the matter is over and no record of it is retained on the accused’s record. The entire process, from complaint to hearing, takes approximately one month.
Champagnat Catholic School encourages all members of the School Community to help preserve a pleasant learning environment, with mutual respect and honorable attitude.
Bullying
Champagnat Catholic School prohibits all types of bullying and harassment.
As per FL Statue 1006.147 “’bullying’ means systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students and may involve: teasing; social exclusion; threat; intimidation; stalking; physical violence; theft; sexual, religious, or racial harassment; public humiliation; or destruction of property.”
As per FL Statue 1006.147 “’Harassment’ means any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gesture, use of data or computer software, or written, verbal, or physical conduct directed against a student or school employee that: places a student or school employee in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property; has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s educational performance, opportunities, or benefits; or has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of a school.”
As per the FL Statue 1006.147 the definitions of bullying and harassment include: “Retaliation against a student or school employee by another student or school employee for asserting or alleging an act of bullying or harassment. Reporting an act of bullying or harassment that is not made in good faith is considered retaliation.
Perpetuation of conduct listed [above] by an individual or group with intent to demean, dehumanize, embarrass, or cause physical harm to a student or school employee by: incitement or coercion; accessing or knowingly causing or providing access to data or computer software through a computer, computer system, or computer network within the scope of the district school system; or acting in a manner that has an effect substantially similar to the effect of bullying or harassment.”
Bullying can include: Punching, shoving and other acts that hurt people physically; Spreading bad rumors about people; Keeping certain people out of a “group”; Teasing people in a mean way; Getting certain people to “gang up” on others; Sending mean text, e-mail, or instant messages; Posting nasty pictures or messages about others in blogs or on Web sites; or Using someone else’s user name to spread rumors or lies about someone.
The School Community has the right and the duty to report any instances of bullying or harassment to the Director of Academics, Isabel Alonso. It can be reported in person at the school office, over the phone at 305-888-3760, or anonymously through a sealed envelope directed to her attention.
Professional Misconduct
All Faculty and Staff have the duty to report alleged employee or administrator misconduct that affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student. If any misconduct is witnessed, it is to be reported to the Director of Academics, Isabel Alonso, at champagnatcatholicschool@gmail.com or the Principal, Nuria Alloza-Sanchez, at 305-888-3760 or nasanchez@champagnatcatholicschool.com. The penalties for personnel and administrators who fail to report abuse or misconduct may result up to termination of employment and revocation of an educator’s certificate. Please refer to the notice below or the school office for more information.
Child Abuse Policies
All employees have a duty to report actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. The statewide toll-free abuse hotline number is 1-800-96ABUSE (1-800-962-2873). Employees have immunity from liability if they report suspected cases and will have a duty to comply with all protective investigations.
Under the Florida Statue 39.293 (immunity from liability in cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect) any person reporting in good faith any instance of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to the department or any law enforcement agency, shall be immune from any liability which might otherwise result from such action nor shall they be subjected to reprisal or discharge because of his or her actions in reporting abuse, abandonment, or neglect.