Life Ethics policy
2024-2025
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Life International Academy (LIA) is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all members of the school community. Our school values the worth and dignity of every person, the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, acquisition of knowledge, and the nurturing of citizens with the highest moral standards (Makarem). This ethics policy outlines the expectations for student conduct grounded in our core values, emphasizing the importance of Virtues, Respect, Responsibility, and Integrity.
Core Values
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Virtues: Virtues (Makarem): Upholding the highest moral standards is fundamental. Students are expected to exhibit virtues such as honesty, kindness, courage, and fairness in all their actions.
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Respect: Respect for self, others, and the environment is fundamental. Students are expected to demonstrate courtesy and consideration in all interactions.
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Responsibility: Students must take responsibility for their actions and their learning. This includes adhering to school policies and completing all assignments to the best of their abilities.
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Integrity: Honesty and ethical behavior are crucial. Students must be truthful in their academic work and personal interactions.
Code of Conduct
Knowledge and Observation of Rules
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Awareness: Students are responsible for understanding and adhering to all school rules and regulations​​.
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Due Process: Students have the right to be informed about rules and the consequences of their actions. This ensures fair treatment and accountability​​.
Respect for Persons and Property
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Personal Safety: Students are entitled to a safe environment, free from threats, assaults, or physical harm. They must not engage in behavior that could harm themselves or others​​.
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Property Respect: Students must respect the property of others and the school. This includes avoiding theft, damage, or misuse of property​​.
Behavioral Expectations
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Zero Tolerance for Disruption: Any behavior that disrupts the educational process will not be tolerated. This includes loud, offensive language, threats, and physical violence​​.
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Appropriate Use of Technology: Students must use technology responsibly and ethically. Misuse of technology, including cyberbullying and accessing inappropriate content, will result in disciplinary action​​.
Disciplinary Actions
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Level One Offenses: These include serious violations such as physical violence, possession of weapons or drugs, and severe disruption of school activities. Consequences may include suspension or expulsion​​.
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Level Two and Three Offenses: These include less severe but still significant violations such as repeated minor disruptions or disrespect. Consequences may include detention, counseling, and other corrective measures​​.
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Support for Students
LIA is dedicated to providing support to students through counseling, peer mediation, and other resources. This ensures a holistic approach to discipline, focusing on rehabilitation and growth rather than purely punitive measures​​.
Parental Involvement
Parents are partners in ensuring the ethical behavior of students. They are responsible for supporting the school's policies and helping their children understand and adhere to these guidelines​​.
Training Requirement
All instructional personnel, educational support employees, and administrators are required as a condition of employment to complete training on these standards of ethical conduct.
Implementation and Review
This ethics policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains relevant and effective. Feedback from students, parents, and staff will be considered in the review process to maintain a positive and ethical school environment​​.
Reporting Professional Misconduct
All employees and agents of a public school district, charter school or private school have an obligation and legal responsibility to report misconduct by instructional personnel and school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student
Failure to report misconduct may result in penalties up to termination of employment and revocation of an educator’s certificate.
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Obscene language
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Drug and alcohol use
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Disparaging comments
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Prejudice or bigotry
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Sexual innuendo
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Cheating or testing violations
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Physical aggression
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Accept or offer favors
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If someone tells you about misconduct, be a LEADER:
Listen
Evaluate
Act Immediately
Document
Encourage
Report
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Signs of Physical Abuse: The child may have unexplained bruises, welts, cuts, or other injuries; broken bones; or burns. A child experiencing physical abuse may seem withdrawn or depressed, seem afraid to go home or may run away, shy away from physical contact, be aggressive, or wear inappropriate clothing to hide injuries.
Signs of Sexual Abuse: The child may have torn, stained or bloody underwear, trouble walking or sitting, pain or itching in genital area, or a sexually transmitted disease. A child experiencing sexual abuse may have unusual knowledge of sex or act seductively, fear a particular person, seem withdrawn or depressed, gain or lose weight suddenly, shy away from physical contact, or run away from home.
Signs of Neglect: The child may have unattended medical needs, little or no supervision at home, poor hygiene, or appear underweight. A child experiencing neglect may be frequently tired or hungry, steal food, or appear overly needy for adult attention.
Patterns of Abuse: Serious abuse usually involves a combination of factors. While a single sign may not be significant, a pattern of physical or behavioral signs is a serious indicator and should be reported.
Liability Protections: Any person, official, or institution participating in good faith in any act authorized or required by law, or 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 civil or criminal liability which might otherwise result by reason of such action. (F.S. 39.203)
An employer who discloses information about a former or current employee to a prospective employer of the former or current employee upon request of the prospective employer or of the former or current employee is immune from civil liability for such disclosure or its consequences unless it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that the information disclosed by the former or current employer was knowingly false or violated any civil right of the former or current employee protected under F.S. Chapter 760. (F.S. 768.095)
Report Child Abuse and Neglect
1-800-962-2873
Or report online at: http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/report
Life International Academy
15435 Morris Bridge Rd.
Tampa, Fl.33592