Misconduct | Creation Village World School

Creation Village World 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 will therefore strive for professional growth and will seek to exercise the best professional judgment and integrity.

Concern for the student requires that our instructional personnel:

Make reasonable efforts to protect students from conditions harmful to learning and/or to the students’ mental and/or physical health and/or safety
Not unreasonably restrain a student from independent action in pursuit of learning
Refrain from unreasonably denying a student access to diverse points of view
Refrain from intentionally suppressing or distorting subject matter relevant to a student’ academic program
Not intentionally expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement
Refrain from intentionally violating or denying a student's legal rights
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
Not exploit a relationship with a student for personal gain or advantage
Keep in confidence personally identifiable information obtained in the course of professional service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law.

Creation Village World School employees must display the highest degree of ethical conduct. This commitment requires that our employees:

Maintain honesty in all professional dealings
Not deny to a colleague professional benefits or advantages or participation in any professional organization 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
Not interfere with a colleague's exercise of political or civil rights and responsibilities.
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
Not make malicious or intentionally false statements about a colleague

All instructional personnel, educational support employees, and administrators are required as a condition of employment to complete training on these standards of ethical conduct. All instructional personnel, educational support employees, and school administrators have an obligation to report misconduct by instructional personnel, educational support employees and school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student. Examples of misconduct include obscene language, drug and alcohol use, disparaging comments, prejudice or bigotry, sexual innuendo, cheating or testing violations, physical aggression, and accepting or offering favors.

Reports of misconduct of employees should be made to Derek Cummings, Head of School or Sharlene Rolon, School Manager. Reports of misconduct committed by administrators should be made to Sharlene Rolon, School Manager or Sara Castillo, Dean of Early Years. 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 Team Breakroom and on our Website.

Penalties for failure to report

Instructional personnel, educational support employees, and school administrators are mandatory reporters under Florida law. The School has a zero tolerance policy for the failure to report to the appropriate authorities any suspected or actual child abuse, abandonment, or neglect, or alleged misconduct. Failure to report instances of suspected or actual child abuse, abandonment or neglect, or alleged misconduct by any instructional personnel or school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student, will cause such individual to be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. Failure to report may also result in disciplinary action against a Florida educator certificate under applicable Florida Statutes and may be considered a criminal offense in accordance with applicable Florida law.

How to report

Florida’s statewide toll-free telephone number for the central abuse hotline is:
1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873)
TTY/TDD 711 or 1-800-453-5145 or 1-800-955-8771

Call 911 IMMEDIATELY if a child or vulnerable adult is in immediate danger.

You may access the Department of Education’s website at www.fldoe.org for more information on reporting acts that violate Florida law. The Complaint form may be found here: https://web01.fldoe.org/IGComplaintSSO/ComplaintForm

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: https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/abuse/abuse-hotline.

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.

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)