Miami Shores Community Church School Code of Ethics

(adapted from the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida and Principles of

Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida)

Responsibility to our students

As professional educators, our concern for the student requires that our instructional personnel and staff do the following:

1. Our school values the worth and dignity of every person, the pursuit of truth, devotion to

excellence, acquisition of knowledge, and the nurture of democratic citizenship. Essential

to the achievement of these standards are the freedom to learn and to teach and the

guarantee of equal opportunity for all.

2. Our primary concern is the student and the development of the student’s potential.

Employees will therefore strive for professional growth and will seek to exercise the best

professional judgment and integrity.

3. Concern for the student requires that our instructional personnel:
4. Shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to

learning and/or to the student’s mental and/or physical health and/or safety.

1. Shall not unreasonably restrain a student from independent action in pursuit of

learning.

1. Shall not unreasonably deny a student access to diverse points of view.
2. Shall not intentionally suppress or distort subject matter relevant to a student’s

academic program.

1. Shall not intentionally expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or

disparagement.

1. Shall not intentionally violate or deny a student’s legal rights.
2. Shall not harass or discriminate against any student on the basis of race, color,

religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status,

handicapping condition, sexual orientation, or social and family background and

shall make reasonable effort to assure that each student is protected from

harassment or discrimination.

1. Shall not exploit a relationship with a student for personal gain or advantage.
2. Shall keep in confidence personally identifiable information obtained in the course

of professional service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is

required by law.

4. Aware of the importance of maintaining the respect and confidence of colleagues, of

students, of parents, and of the community, employees of our school must display the

highest degree of ethical conduct. This commitment requires that our employees:

1. Shall maintain honesty in all professional dealings.
2. Shall not on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin,

political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition if otherwise qualified, or

social and family background deny to a colleague professional benefits or

advantages or participation in any professional organization.

1. Shall not interfere with a colleague’s exercise of political or civil rights and

responsibilities.

1. Shall not engage in harassment or discriminatory conduct which unreasonably

interferes with an individual’s performance of professional or work responsibilities

or with the orderly processes of education or which creates a hostile, intimidating,

abusive, offensive, or oppressive environment; and, further, shall make

reasonable effort to assure that everyone is protected from such harassment

or discrimination.

1. Shall not make malicious or intentionally false statements about a colleague.

Required Training for staff and school personnel

All employees, staff and administrators are required to complete training on these standards of ethical standards as a condition of employment.

Reporting Misconduct by Instructional Personnel and Administrators

All employees and administrators have an obligation to report misconduct by instructional personnel and school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student. Examples of misconduct include obscene language, drug and alcohol use, inappropriate comments, prejudice or bigotry, sexual innuendo, cheating or testing violations, physical aggression, and accepting or offering favors. Report of misconduct of employees should be made to the school Administrator in the school main office. Reports of misconduct committed by administrators should be made to the minister in the church office. Legally sufficient allegations of misconduct by Florida certified educators will be reported to the Office of Professional Practices Services. Policies and procedures for reporting misconduct by instructional personnel or school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student are posted in our school bulletin board and on our website at www.miamishorescommunitychurchschool.org

Reporting Child Abuse, Abandonment or Neglect

All employees and agents have an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child

abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Call 1-800-96-ABUSE or report online at:

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/report/.

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)

All employees, staff and administrators are required to complete training on these standards of ethical standards as a condition of employment.