Standards of ethical conduct

Protecting Every
Student and Family

Our published standards guide professional conduct, student welfare, reporting responsibilities and child-safety protections.

MISSIONARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Standards of Ethical Conduct

Adapted from the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida and the Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida.

Core commitments

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.
Our primary concern is the student and the development of the student’s potential. Employees strive for professional growth and use the best professional judgment and integrity.

Instructional personnel responsibilities

Concern for the student requires that our instructional personnel:

Make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning, health, or safety.
Do not unreasonably restrain independent action in pursuit of learning.
Do not unreasonably deny access to diverse points of view.
Do not intentionally suppress or distort subject matter relevant to an academic program.
Do not intentionally expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.
Do not intentionally violate or deny a student’s legal rights.
Do not harass or discriminate against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, or social and family background, and make reasonable effort to protect each student from such harassment or discrimination.
Do not exploit a relationship with a student for personal gain or advantage.
Keep personally identifiable information confidential unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law.

Professional conduct

Our employees are aware of the importance of maintaining the respect and confidence of colleagues, students, parents, and the community, and display the highest degree of ethical conduct. Concern for the colleague and the community requires that they:

Maintain honesty in all professional dealings.
Do not deny a colleague professional benefits, advantages, or participation in any professional organization on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, disability (if otherwise qualified), sexual orientation, or social and family background.
Do not interfere with a colleague’s exercise of political or civil rights and responsibilities.
Do not engage in harassment or discriminatory conduct that unreasonably interferes with an individual’s performance of professional or work responsibilities or with the orderly processes of education, or that creates a hostile, intimidating, abusive, offensive, or oppressive environment, and make reasonable effort to protect each individual from such harassment or discrimination.
Do not make malicious or intentionally false statements about a colleague.

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.

Reporting misconduct

All employees, educational support employees, and administrators must report misconduct by instructional personnel and school administrators that affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student. Examples include obscene language, drug or alcohol use, disparaging comments, prejudice or bigotry, sexual innuendo, cheating or testing violations, physical aggression, and accepting or offering favors.

Reports concerning employees: Karla Fonseca, Director/Principal — missionarychristianschool@gmail.com

Reports concerning administrators: Rev. David N. Zamora, President — pastor@lamisionera.org

Legally sufficient allegations of misconduct by Florida certified educators will be reported to the Office of Professional Practices Services. Reporting policies and procedures are posted in the MCS Main Office.

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 the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE or report online at DCF Abuse Reporting.

Signs of physical abuse

The child may have unexplained bruises, welts, cuts, injuries, broken bones, or burns. A child may seem withdrawn or depressed, afraid to go home, shy away from physical contact, be aggressive, or wear 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 the genital area, or a sexually transmitted disease. A child may have unusual knowledge of sex, 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 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, is immune from civil or criminal liability as provided by F.S. 39.203.

An employer disclosing information about a former or current employee to a prospective employer is immune from civil liability unless clear and convincing evidence shows the information was knowingly false or violated a civil right protected under Chapter 760, Florida Statutes, as provided by F.S. 768.095.

Protecting EveryStudent and Family