Valor Christian Leadership Academy (VCLA) expects its Directors, Employees, Volunteers, and Independent Contractors to conduct themselves according to the ethical standards outlined below.

 

• Honor God in all speech, demonstrations, and activities relating to VCLA, its directors, colleagues, students, families, volunteers and visitors.

• Treat others in a Christ-like manner, when interacting with directors, colleagues, students, families, volunteers and visitors; displaying the Fruit of the Spirit, outlined in Galatians 5:22-23; love, joy peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, humility, and self-control.

• Value the worth and dignity of VCLA directors, colleagues, students, families, volunteers and visitors.

• Maintain honesty in all professional business.

• Exercise best professional judgment and integrity.

• Exemplify love while educating all students.

• Guarantee the opportunity for all students to learn equally.

• Assist each student in reaching his/her full potential.

• Seek opportunities for and participate in professional development classes and training.

 

CONDUCT TOWARDS STUDENTS

Display concern for all students at VCLA by adhering to the following:

• Protect each student from harmful conditions that interfere with learning and jeopardizes any students’ mental health, physical health and/or safety.

• Do not unreasonably restrain a student from independent action in pursuit of learning.

• Do not unreasonably deny a student access to diverse points of view.

• Do not intentionally suppress or distort subject matter relevant to a student’s academic program.

• Do not intentionally expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.

• Do not harass or discriminate against any student on the basis of race, color, gender, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, socio-economic status, marital status, handicapping condition, or social and family background and shall make reasonable effort to assure that each student is protected from harassment or discrimination.

• Do not exploit a relationship with a student for personal gain or advantage.

• Protect personal identifiable information and confidential information obtained in the course of professional service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law.

• Discourage the mistreatment of any student by another student and immediately make reasonable effort to defuse any hostile, intimidating, abusive, offensive, or oppressive actions

 

CONDUCT TOWARDS COLLEAGUES

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:

• Do not on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, socio-economic status, marital status, handicapping condition, or social and family background deny to a colleague professional benefits or advantages or participation in any professional organization.

• Do 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 each individual is protected from such harassment or discrimination.

• Do not make malicious or intentionally false statements about a colleague.

 

TRAINING REQUIREMENT

All school staff are required as a condition of employment to complete training on this code of ethical standards.

 

REPORTING MISCONDUCT BY INSTRUCTIONAL PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATORS

All school staff have an obligation to report misconduct by any VCLA staff member which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student. Examples of misconduct include obscene language, drug and alcohol use, disparaging comments, prejudice, bigotry, sexual innuendo, cheating or testing violations, physical aggression, and accepting of offering favors. Reports relating to the misconduct of employees or administrators should be made aware by calling (863) 229-7893.

Policies and procedures for reporting misconduct by school staff which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student are posted between the restroom the administrator office.

 

REPORTING CHILD ABUSE, ABANDONMENT OR NEGLECT

All school staff have a duty to report all actual abuse 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 garments, 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 and 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)

Any 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 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). Valor Christian Leadership Academy holds all professional staff to standards of excellence.