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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)

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  1. Providence Christian School values the worth and dignity of every person, as presented in Scripture, 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 spiritual, emotional, and academic potential. Instructional personnel will therefore strive for professional growth and will seek to exercise the best biblical and professional judgment and integrity.

  3. With the utmost concern for the students meeting admission requirements, our instructional personnel:

    • a) Shall make a reasonable effort to protect all students meeting admission requirements from conditions harmful to learning and/or to the student's spiritual development and mental and/or physical health and/or safety.

    • b) Shall not unreasonably restrain any student meeting admission requirements from independent action in pursuit of learning.

    • c) Shall not unreasonably deny a student meeting admission requirements access to diverse points of view. 

    • d) Shall not intentionally suppress or distort subject matter relevant to a student's academic program.

    • e) Shall not intentionally expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement. 

    • f) Shall not intentionally violate or deny a student's legal rights.

    • g) Shall not harass or discriminate against any student meeting the admission requirements 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.

    • h) Shall not exploit a relationship with a student for personal gain or advantage. 

    • i) 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, students meeting academic requirements, parents, and the community, employees of our school must display the highest degree of ethical conduct. This commitment requires that our employees: 

    • a) Shall maintain honesty in all professional dealings. 

    • b) 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.

    • c) Shall not interfere with a colleague's exercise of political or civil rights and responsibilities.

    • d) 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 each individual is protected from such harassment or discrimination.

    • e) Shall not make malicious or intentionally false statements about a colleague. 

 

    Reporting Misconduct by Instructional Personnel and Administrators

5. All instructional personnel, educational support employees, pastoral staff, and administrators have an obligation to report misconduct by instructional personnel, staff members, school administrators, and pastors which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student attending PCS and PELC. Examples of misconduct include obscene language, drug and alcohol use, disparaging comments, prejudice and bigotry, sexual innuendo, cheating or testing violations, physical aggression, neglect, and accepting or offering favors.

  • a) Reports of misconduct of employees should be made to the School Administrator Ron Sainsbury (813-661-0588) or the PELC Director Becky Gideons (813-685-2421). 

  • b) Reports of misconduct committed by the administrator or PELC director should be made to the Senior Pastor Mark Duff (813-689-7127).

  • c) Reports of misconduct by a pastor should be made to the administrator and the chairman of the deacon board.

  • d) Policies and procedures for reporting misconduct by staff, instructional personnel, administrators, and pastors which affect the health, safety, or welfare of a PCS or PELC student can be found in the faculty manual, administration manual, and school web page www.pcsknights.org.

6. Training Requirements – All instructional personnel, educational support employees, pastoral staff, and administrators are required as a condition of employment to complete training on these standards of ethical conduct.  

 

 

   Reporting Child Abuse, Abandonment, or Neglect

  1. All employees and agents of PBC, PCS and PELC have an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.  Call 1-800-96ABUSE or report online at: http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/report/. 

  2. Signs of physical abuse

    • a) The child may have unexplained bruises, welts, cuts, or other injuries; broken bones; or burns. 

    • b) 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 bruises or injuries.

  3. Signs of sexual abuse 

    • a) 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 or infection. 

    • b) The child may have an 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.

  4. Signs of neglect

    • a) The child may have unattended medical needs, little or no supervision at home, poor hygiene, or appear underweight. 

    • b) A child experiencing neglect may be frequently tired or hungry, steal food, or appear overly needy for adult attention.

  5. Patterns of Abuse

    • a) A 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

  1. Any person, official, or institution participating in good faith in any activity authorized or required by law or reporting in good faith any instance of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to the department of children and families 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)

  2. An employer who discloses information about a former or current employee to a prospective employer 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)

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