Section 11 - Behavioral Policies

MPCS is to assist in training students so they become more self-disciplined and responsible. Students are nurtured in the acknowledgement of, acceptance of, and proper response toward biblical standards of behavior. For students, this involves responding to faculty, staff members, and peers with respect.

No Harassment Policy

We do not and will not tolerate unlawful harassment of our employees or students. Harassment includes, but is not limited to, slurs, jokes, epithets, threats, other offensive remarks, and other verbal, graphic, menacing, or physical conduct relating to an individual's age, race, color, sex, national origin, citizenship status, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status in accordance with the requirements of all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Prohibited harassment can occur through any type of communications method, including face-to-face communications, phone, text, email, postings on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat GroupMe, etc.), camera phones, or other forms of technology.

Sexual harassment includes, without limitation:

• Unwanted sexual advances;

• Visual conduct, such as leering, making sexual gestures, and displaying or posting sexually suggestive objects or pictures; cartoons or posters;

• Verbal sexual advances, propositions, requests, or comments;

• Sending or posting sexually-related messages, videos, or messages via text, instant messaging, or social media;

• Verbal abuse of a sexual nature, graphic verbal comments about an individual’s body, sexually degrading words used to describe an individual, and suggestive or obscene letters, notes, or invitations;

• Physical conduct, such as touching, pinching, grabbing, groping, assault, or blocking movement;

• Physical or verbal abuse concerning an individual’s gender; and

• Verbal abuse concerning a person’s characteristics such as pitch of voice, facial hair, or the size or shape of a person’s body, including remarks that a male is too feminine or a female is too masculine.

If you believe that a student is being harassed in any way by an employee, parent, student, or by an employee of a vendor, you should notify a school administrator immediately. Any such matter will be thoroughly investigated, and, where appropriate, disciplinary action will be taken.

Bullying and Cyberbullying Policy

No student shall bully another student or students; either expressed or implied. Bullying behavior is defined as repeated, willful attempts or threats to cause injury, to intimidate, to harass, or to embarrass that substantially interfere with a student’s education or the educational environment. Bullying can be expressed in but not limited to: physical contact, written, verbal, or electronic communication. Cyberbullying is a method of harming or intimidating another student by harassing them through the use of phone calls, text messages, instant messenger, posting or spreading hurtful comments, videos, or audio records online through personal websites and social networking websites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and any other method. MPCS will not tolerate any bullying or cyber-bullying actions. Cases of bullying will be dealt with in a manner appropriate for the age of the student and the incidents that have occurred.

If students are the victim of such behavior, they are encouraged to discuss the behavior with their parents. Parents and students are required to report any such behavior to a person in authority at school including a teacher, a counselor, or division head.

Offensive Materials

The school reserves the right to permanently confiscate and destroy immoral or offensive materials (books, magazines, posters, tapes, cards, and other media) brought to school. The administration reserves the right to determine whether an item meets this description and will determine if disciplinary action is necessary.

Right to Safety

In an effort to provide a safe learning environment for all students and staff, students who make verbal or written death threats toward a person or terroristic threats toward the school will be reported to law enforcement. The student’s parents will be contacted, and the student will be removed from campus. The student will receive a minimum three (3) days out of school suspension. MPCS administration may deem a greater consequence. If the student is allowed to return to school, he/she must be seen by a licensed psychologist and provide the school with a written mental health evaluation that states the student is not a threat to self or others.

Integrity Code

MPCS recognizes that developing and instilling integrity in its students is at the core of its mission. The MPCS Integrity Code states the following:

• MPCS students will refrain from lying, stealing, and cheating and will encourage others to do the same.

• Lying is making a false statement or intentionally omitting information that would create a false impression.

• Stealing is taking the property of another without consent.

• Academic dishonesty is unauthorized assistance sought, received, or offered on any schoolwork that could result in an unfair advantage. It is the representation of another’s work as one’s own.

The function the Integrity Code is to:

• Reveal God (Joshua 1:5);

• Develop and maintain a climate that allows the school to function in a decent and orderly manner (I Corinthians 14:40);

• Teach students submission to authority (Hebrews 13:17);

• Instill the values of Christian character (2 Peter 1:5-8);

• Promote and instill self-discipline (Psalm 119:165-168).

A student found guilty of a violation of the Integrity Code shall be subject to possible suspension from the school. Consequences will be determined by school administrators and may vary with the degree of severity of the violation.

Communication Between Home and School

In keeping with our mission to unite home and church with school, communication between parents and teachers is of paramount importance. Should a concern arise that requires one-on-one attention, the parent(s) or teacher should take the matter quickly and respectfully to the other. Each has the prerogative of requesting an administrator’s presence in conferences concerning students.

Our community is called to pray for each other, go to each other in love when dissensions or concerns arise, and hold each other accountable for the implications of their attitudes and conduct. (Matthew 18: 15-17)

No conduct code can hope to address every infraction that might occur. These regulations are not intended to be exhaustive but to provide general guidelines for acceptable behavior.

Sportsmanship Clause

Players and fans are expected to demonstrate appropriate behavior and to show respect for the opponents and fans. Rudeness, poor sportsmanship, and profanity in any form are prohibited and subject to disciplinary action, including exclusion from participating in athletic events.