Student Behavior & Discipline Policy

digiTIES / The Islamic Education School District

Student Behavior & Discipline Policy

STU-002 · Student · Policy & Procedure

Policy Number	STU-002
Category	Student
Effective Date	2026–2027 School Year
Last Reviewed	March 2026
Next Review Due	December 2026
Approved By	Principal, digiTIES Online School
Standards	WASC C1, A6 · NSQ C4 · CA Ed Code §48900, §48911, §48980
Policy Contact	Principal – principal@digities.org
Scope	All enrolled students, Grades 1–12, all learning modalities
Replaces	Student Behavior Handbook (TIES USA); Student Accountability sections from V1 & V2 Recognition Policy

Policy Overview

Purpose & Statement

digiTIES is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and Islamically grounded online learning environment for all students. This policy establishes clear behavioral expectations, a progressive discipline framework, and due process procedures that align with California law and Islamic principles of accountability and growth. Consequences are applied as opportunities for reflection, correction, and character development – not simply as punitive measures.

Scope & Who This Applies To

This policy applies to all enrolled students in Grades 1–12 during all school-sponsored activities, including live sessions, asynchronous coursework, school platforms, and any school-affiliated communications or events. Students are subject to this policy regardless of their location during school activities.

Key Definitions

Minor Infraction: A single, non-repeated behavioral concern that does not involve physical harm, harassment, or serious misconduct (e.g., tardiness, camera off, not participating).

Serious Infraction: Behavior involving verbal/physical aggression, bullying, cyberthreats, vandalism, academic dishonesty, or repeated minor infractions.

Suspension: Temporary removal from class sessions and school activities for a defined period. Student receives zeros for all work during suspension.

Expulsion: Permanent termination of enrollment following due process, for severe or repeated violations that cannot be remediated.

Written Warning: A formal, documented notice signed by the student, teacher, and parent – recorded in digiTIES SIS. Constitutes an official offense on the student’s record.

Behavioral Expectations

All Students – Core Expectations

All digiTIES students are expected to:

Treat teachers, staff, peers, and community members with respect and kindness.
Be present, engaged, and prepared for all scheduled learning activities.
Maintain academic honesty and integrity in all coursework.
Use all school platforms, tools, and technology appropriately and for educational purposes only.
Apply Islamic values – respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, and care – in all interactions.
Follow all school policies and staff instructions promptly and respectfully.

Asynchronous Learners – Additional Expectations

Actively engage with all assigned course materials (videos, readings, discussions) by completing required tasks.
Submit all assigned work by 11:59 p.m. EST each Friday of each week to be counted as submitted on time.
Communicate with teachers in advance regarding late submissions, with a valid reason.
Maintain academic integrity – complete all work independently and honestly.
Adhere to digiTIES AI usage policy.
Respond to teacher feedback in a timely and respectful manner.

Progressive Discipline Framework

digiTIES uses a progressive discipline model. Consequences escalate based on the frequency and severity of infractions. The goal at every stage is restoration of appropriate behavior, not punishment.

Stage 1 – Teacher-Level Intervention (Minor Infractions)

Teacher issues a verbal warning and documents it in digiTIES SIS attendance comments (date, nature of behavior, remarks).
Up to three verbal warnings may be issued for minor infractions. Each is documented in digiTIES SIS.
Teacher may remove a student from a live session for disruptive behavior at their discretion – removal automatically generates a written warning.
After three verbal warnings, the teacher issues a Written Warning (signed by student, teacher, and parent). This is the first official offense.

Stage 2 – Escalating Written Warnings

2nd Written Warning: Student is suspended for 1 school day. Zeros are issued for all work that day.
4th Written Warning: Student is suspended for 3 school days.
5th Written Warning: Case is transferred to the Behavioral Review Board, which will determine next steps ranging from extended suspension (up to 2 weeks) to expulsion.

Stage 3 – Administrative Meeting

If behavior continues or is severe, the student meets with administration. During this meeting:

Student signs a written Behavior Contract (Appendix A) detailing the infraction, corrective measures, and future conduct expectations.
Parent/guardian is notified and receives a copy of the contract.
Administration documents the meeting outcome in digiTIES SIS.

Stage 4 – Parent-Administration Conference

If behavior persists after an administrative meeting, a formal conference is required with the student, parent/guardian, teacher, and administration. This conference will:

Involve the student in reflecting on their behavior and acknowledging prior warnings.
Result in a comprehensive action plan (Appendix B) defining roles and responsibilities for all parties.
Be documented in writing and signed by all participants.

Specific Behavioral Policies

Tardiness

Students logging in 5+ minutes after class start are marked unexcused tardy in digiTIES SIS.
5 unexcused tardies: written warning sent to parents (must be signed and returned).
3 written warnings for tardiness: student placed at risk of non-re-enrollment.

Absences

Refer to ADM-002 – Attendance Policy for full absence procedures. Key provisions:

10+ consecutive unexcused absences: student is considered withdrawn.
15+ unexcused absences in a year: student may not be re-enrolled for the following year.

Aggression, Bullying & Zero-Tolerance Behaviors

digiTIES maintains a zero-tolerance policy for the following behaviors. Each results in immediate suspension pending administrative review:

Verbal, emotional, or physical abuse of any student or staff member.
Harassment or use of profane language (including in reference to song lyrics).
Bullying or cyberbullying – on school platforms or during school hours.
Threats of violence or harm toward any person.

Continued aggressive behavior that places students or staff at risk may result in immediate dismissal and enrollment termination after Behavioral Review Board determination.

Vandalism, Hacking & Cyberthreats

Consequences for vandalism, hacking, stealing, cyberthreats, or damaging virtual or physical property range from fines, reports to authorities, written warnings, suspension, or expulsion depending on severity.

Technology Misuse During Sessions

Accessing non-school sites, playing games, or non-school chatting during live sessions is prohibited.
Students may not leave a live session without teacher permission.
Students may not use school platforms for non-monitored communications.

See TECH-001 – Technology Acceptable Use Policy for full technology behavior expectations.

Academic Integrity & Plagiarism

digiTIES upholds an Honor Code rooted in Islamic values of honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity. The following are violations:

Submitting purchased, borrowed, or AI-generated work as one’s own.
Copying text without quotation marks and proper citation.
Having a parent, peer, or any other party complete assignments on the student’s behalf.
Sharing or receiving exam answers or assignment content with other students.
Using unauthorized testing aids, answer keys, or another student’s login credentials.
Using Online Machine Translators (OMTs) for World Language assignments.

Plagiarism Consequences (Progressive):

1st Instance: Teachable moment; student redoes work; teacher contacts student and emails parent with qualified communication.
2nd Instance: Redo or alternative assignment; additional plagiarism training; parent/student sign Honor Code; teacher forwards to administration.
3rd Instance: Redo/alternative with limited credit; student must submit originality report with all future assignments; parent-student-teacher-admin conference required.
4th Instance (same course): Student fails the course; grade remains on transcript; re-enrollment in course required at student’s expense.
4th Instance (across courses): Academic suspension pending admin review.

General School Rules

Students may not leave live sessions without teacher permission.
Students may not use school platforms for non-monitored peer or staff communications.
Zero tolerance for verbal, emotional, and physical abuse – immediate suspension.
Zero tolerance for harassment and profane language – immediate suspension.
Zero tolerance for bullying and cyberbullying – immediate suspension.
Eating during live sessions is not permitted except with teacher permission. Medical exemptions must be documented with administration.
Students should use break times for restroom use. Medical needs requiring exceptions must be documented with administration at enrollment.
Medical appointments during school hours must be reported to administration in advance. Doctor notes must be uploaded within 72 hours.
Students may not celebrate personal birthdays or non-school events during school sessions.
Students may not distribute religious or political materials or engage in unsupervised political discussions.
No weapons or objects that could be used to harm self or others are permitted.
Smoking, e-cigarettes, vaping, and tobacco use are prohibited. Repeated violations risk non-re-enrollment.

Due Process (CA Ed Code §48911)

Before any suspension or expulsion, digiTIES will:

Provide the student and parent/guardian with written notice of the alleged violation, specific policy violated, and proposed consequence.
Provide the student an opportunity to present their perspective before a final decision is made.
Issue a written decision documenting the outcome, duration, and conditions for return.
For expulsion: convene the Behavioral Review Board, provide full hearing with parent participation, and document all findings in writing.

All discipline records are maintained in digiTIES SIS and are subject to FERPA protections per ADM-007 – Student Data Privacy Policy.

Standards & Legal Alignment

Standard / Law	Reference	How This Policy Addresses It
ACS WASC 2026	Standards C1, A6	School culture fosters safe, respectful environment; policies align with applicable law and are clearly communicated to community.
NSQ Online Programs 2025	Standard C4	Policies and procedures are reviewed and updated annually; consistently implemented across all learning modalities.
CA Education Code	§48900, §48911	Grounds for suspension/expulsion; due process requirements including notice, hearing rights, and re-admission procedures for private schools.
CA Education Code	§48980	Annual parent notification of school rules, discipline policy, and student rights at the beginning of each school year.
digiTIES Core Values	Islamic Accountability	Consequences are rooted in Islamic principles of accountability, reflection, and growth – not punitive action alone.

Related Policies & Documents

STU-001 – Student Recognition & Rewards Policy
STU-003 – Student Participation & Engagement Standards
STU-004 – Core Ethical Values Policy
ADM-002 – Attendance Policy
TECH-001 – Technology Acceptable Use Policy
TECH-002 – Responsible AI Use Policy

Annual Policy Review Log

Per NSQ Standard C4 and ACS WASC Standard A6, all policies must be reviewed annually with documented stakeholder input and governing body approval.

Date	Revised By	Approved By	Summary of Changes
03.2026	Manal Nachef	Principal / Board	Initial adoption

digiTIES Vision, Mission & Values – Policy Alignment Reference

VISION

By 2030, digiTIES will stand among the world’s most respected virtual schools – a premier destination for Muslim youth seeking rigorous academics, global opportunity, and a community rooted in faith and integrity.

MISSION

digiTIES delivers a rigorous, WASC-accredited virtual education that prepares Muslim youth for competitive university pathways and meaningful futures. We combine academic excellence, innovative digital learning, and a values-driven community rooted in the Islamic tradition to develop confident, ethical, and future-ready leaders.

CORE VALUES ALIGNMENT

Before adoption, confirm this policy supports: Academic excellence · Islamic values · Digital innovation · Student agency · Community partnership · Continuous improvement

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