The vision of LAF is to support families in the building of Christ-like character: “to grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men.” (Luke 2:52) 

Violations to the Code of Conduct will be handled according to the LAF Disciplinary Procedures.

General Expectations

All participants, students and parents are required to respect and adhere to all guidelines at all times when attending LAF events or classes or representing LAF (e.g. wearing an LAF t-shirt), including the following:

  1. Maintain a positive attitude and an open mind for learning
  2. Respect and obey those in authority
  3. Respect and honor peers (zero tolerance for rude, mean or bullying behavior, as defined in the Support Community Handbook), which includes refraining from sowing discord within the community
  4. Respect private and/or public property (you damage or break it, you pay for it) as well as individual’s property: devices, projects, bags, etc. (you damage or break it you pay for it)
  5. Arrive to events, trips, workshops, or classes on time out of respect for other families, Facilitators, and businesses/organizations serving LAF
  6. Abstain from any public display of affection between those in dating/courting relationships (for exceptions, see the High School Dance PDA guidelines)
  7. Clean up after yourself (parents help your younger children) at all LAF functions and classes
  8. Abstain from all verbal or written profanity, which includes taking the Lord’s name in vain
  9. Abstain from using or having possession of any alcohol, tobacco, vaping, or electronic cigarettes products, or illegal substances
  10. Understand that weapons are strictly prohibited (firearms, knives, tasers, pepper spray, etc…) without a State of Florida Concealed Weapon or Firearm License
  11. Cell phone usage should be limited and always uphold the values outlined in our Statement of Faith
  12. Understand that any form of sexual harrassment (unwanted or unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature) will not be tolerated

Dress Code

Modesty and integrity are always the standards with respect to the fit and type of clothing. The LAF Dress Code applies to all individuals, students and adults alike.

  1. Shorts and skirts must be at fingertip or longer unless worn with leggings underneath
  2. No undergarments may be showing (underwear, bras)
  3. No bare midriffs or crop tops without an undershirt
  4. No low-cut necklines; no cleavage showing
  5. Pants/shorts must be worn at reasonable waistline.
  6. No halter or strapless shirts and no spaghetti straps
  7. No objectionable logos, phrases or images
  8. Must wear a t-shirt under sleeveless sport jerseys
  9. See Prom Dress Code for exceptions to the standard dress code outlined here
  10. All clothing must be worn with a modest fit

 

*Please note that the LAF Prom has its own Dress Code.

Electronic Device Policy

Students may have “silenced” cell phones and mobile communication devices on their person while at Learning and Families functions. At the LAF Co-op, students are only permitted to use cell phones and mobile communication devices before and after classes in common areas outside the classroom. Each Co-op Facilitator has the right to permit the use of cell phones and mobile communication devices for instructional purposes. The use of these devices during instructional time without the permission of the Facilitator, or in a disruptive manner in the Co-op setting is prohibited. 

Adult volunteers should refrain from using electronic devices while serving the community.

During any and all LAF functions, students shall not use a cell phone or mobile communication device to violate the LAF Statement of Faith or Code of Conduct. Examples of unacceptable usage can include but are not limited to:

  • In restrooms
  • For cheating
  • For cyber bullying, sexting, and taking/viewing inappropriate pictures or videos
  • For mass texting/airdropping.

LAF Facilitators, leaders, and parent volunteers have the right to ask a student to not view a particular image or website that they deem inappropriate. 

Cell phones and mobile communication devices that ring, vibrate excessively, or in any other way disrupt the educational process of a class or activity, are grounds for confiscation of the device by LAF leadership or Co-op Facilitators. 

In the event that a student’s cell phone or other electronic device is confiscated, parents will be contacted and may claim the student’s device from an LAF leader. Contents of cell phones may be reviewed and searched together with an LAF leader and a parent/guardian if there exists a reasonable suspicion that it may have been used in an activity prohibited by the Code of Conduct. The student assumes all risks in bringing such devices onto an LAF affiliated property or to any related functions. 

Consequences for inappropriate use of electronic devices as described above may

  1. Result in a written disciplinary Violation Report
  2. Require the device be turned over to the appropriate LAF leader
  3. Result in contacting of appropriate authorities in the case of potential illegal activity on an electronic device

LAF assumes no responsibility for theft, loss, or damage of an electronic device brought to a Co-op or any LAF-related function

Rude, Mean, and Bullying

Although none of these behaviors are acceptable within Learning and Families, it is important to have a shared language and understand the difference between these behaviors so that when we address it with LAF children, we are clear about how the behavior was wrong and what we can do to resolve it. The following definitions are taken from an article that appeared in Psychology Today on November 25, 2012 and will be used as such in the discipline process.

Rude = Inadvertently saying or doing something that hurts someone else

Rudeness might look like burping in someone’s face, jumping ahead in line, bragging, eating a bite of someone’s snack without permission, etc. Incidents of rudeness are usually spontaneous, unplanned, inconsiderate, based on thoughtlessness or poor manners, but the motive behind rudeness is not to actually hurt someone.

Mean = Purposefully saying or doing something to hurt someone 

The main distinction between “rude” and “mean” behaviors lies in the motive. Rudeness is unintentional, but mean behavior aims to hurt or depreciate someone. Kids are mean when they criticize clothing, appearance, intelligence or anything they can find to denigrate. Meanness can also be words spoken in anger — impulsive cruelty is often regretted in short order. Rudeness that is repeated after it has been addressed can also cross the line into meanness. 

Bullying = Intentionally aggressive behavior, repeated over time, that involves an imbalance of power

Experts agree that bullying entails three key elements:

  1. An intent to harm
  2. A power imbalance
  3. Repeated acts or threats of aggressive behavior.

 

Kids who bully say or do something intentionally hurtful and continue doing it with no sense of regret or remorse, even when the victim expresses hurt and tells the aggressor to stop. Bullying may be physical, verbal, relational, or carried out via technology. Physical aggression includes hitting, punching, kicking, spitting, tripping, hair-pulling, etc. Verbal aggression includes abusive and hurtful words to intimidate and/or denigrate. Relational aggression includes social exclusion, shunning, hazing, and rumor spreading.

Academic Expectations at Co-op

Junior Co-op is designed to be an enrichment of each family’s unique homeschool plan. No academic grades will be suggested by Junior Co-op facilitators. Each family reserves the right to decide whether or not they will complete assignments at home.

The following information pertains to Middle and High School Co-op only. All assignments and projects must be completed and submitted to the facilitator by the due date unless a special need exists and unique arrangements have been made with the facilitator. All work handed in must be the student’s own work.

Communicate any concerns and/or questions with your facilitator. Parents are expected to actively monitor their student’s work, as the parent is responsible for their child’s education

Middle School Level: It is the facilitator’s discretion to give grades at the middle school level. The parent is primarily responsible for grading their student’s work. Middle School students have a moral obligation to complete all assignments and projects assigned by their facilitator unless a special need exists and unique arrangements have been made with the facilitator. Any academic questions should be directed to the facilitator.

High School Level: All high school students will receive suggested grades in each class based on criteria developed by the class facilitator. If a student repeatedly misses class, fails to complete assignments, or cannot maintain the required level of work, LAF reserves the right to dismiss the student from any or all LAF Co-op classes with no refund.

Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism is a serious offense and will not be tolerated.

Definition

Dictionary.com defines plagiarism as “an act or instance of using or closely imitating the language and thoughts of another author without authorization and the representation of that author’s work as one’s own, as by not crediting the original author.”

There are two kinds of plagiarism: intentional and unintentional. Intentional plagiarism occurs when a student chooses to use words from sources that are not his own and does not cite the source. This can either be a direct quote or a paraphrase that is too close to the original work. Unintentional plagiarism occurs when a student’s language is too closely influenced by someone else’s work. 

LAF uses Grammarly to check for plagiarism. Neither forms of plagiarism will be tolerated at LAF Co-op.

Procedure for Plagiarism Violations

Violation #1

  • A violation report will be completed and filed.
  • Facilitator will determine whether to allow the assignment to be redone or issue a failing grade on the assignment
  • In addition, student watches video on how to avoid plagiarism and submits a one paragraph summary of the video lesson to a member of the Board of Directors before readmission to the class in which the offense occurred

Violation #2 

  • A violation report will be completed and filed.
  • Student receives an F on assignment
  • Student writes an essay signed by the parents identifying the problem that led to the plagiarism and offers solutions to the problem. The essay must be submitted to a member of the Board of Directors and approved before readmission to the class in which the offense occurred. 

Violation #3

  • A violation report will be completed and filed.
  • Student will be permanently removed from the class in which the offense occurred for the remainder of the school year, without tuition and or lab/supply fee refund.

Disciplinary Guidelines

In any correction situation, the goal will always be effective communication and a change of heart and behavior. In the event of a violation of this Code of Conduct, an LAF representative will follow these disciplinary procedures

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