Standards of Ethical Conduct

 All prospective and currently employed personnel are advised that Oakstone Academy Palm Beach requires employees to adhere to the Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida pursuant to Rule 6A-10.081 of the Florida Administrative Code. Ethics training is held annually. Prospective and current employees who have been found not to adhere to the Florida Code of Ethics in Education may be disciplined, terminated, or be ineligible for consideration for initial employment or rehiring. All potential violations of the code of ethics are to be reported to administration without delay. To view the Florida Code of Ethics in Education in its entirety, visit the link below.

http://www.fldoe.org/teaching/professional-practices/code-of-ethics-principles-of-professio.stml

Oakstone Academy’s Implementation of the FLDOE Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida aligns with the state’s published code. The following statement was adapted from the published code.

• We value every person, the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, acquisition of knowledge, and the nurture of democratic citizenship
• We recognize the freedom to learn and to teach and the guarantee of equal opportunity for all are essential
• Our primary concern is the student and the development of the student’s potential
• Personnel must strive for professional growth
• Personnel must exercise the best professional judgment
• Personnel must act with integrity
• Personnel must make reasonable effort to protect students from conditions harmful to learning and/or mental and/or physical health and/or safety
• Personnel will not unreasonably restrain a student from independent action in pursuit of learning
• Personnel will not unreasonably deny a student access to diverse points of view
• Personnel not intentionally suppress or distort subject matter relevant to a student’s academic program
• Personnel will not intentionally expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement
• Personnel will not intentionally violate or deny a student’s legal rights
• Personnel will 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
• Personnel will not exploit a relationship with a student for personal gain or advantage
• Personnel will keep in confidence personally identifiable information obtained in the course of professional service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law
• We recognize the importance of maintaining the respect and confidence of colleagues, of students, of parents, and of the community. Our employees must demonstrate the highest degree of ethical conduct
• Personnel will maintain honesty in all professional dealings
• Personnel will 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
• Personnel will not interfere with a colleague’s exercise of political or civil rights and responsibilities
• Personnel will 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

Personnel will not make malicious or intentionally false statements about a colleague.
 
Training RequirementAs a condition of employment, all instructional personnel and administrators are required as to complete training on these standards of ethical conduct

Reporting Misconduct by Instructional Personnel and Administrators

Employees have an obligation to report misconduct by instructional personnel or 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 should be made to school administrators including the principal. Multiple administrators are available to support timely reporting of concerns so they may be investigated and addressed. Reports of misconduct committed by administrators should be made to any other available administrator, or the school founder.

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 the employee handbook and on our Web site at https://oakstonepbc.org/teachers/

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: Unexplained bruises, welts, cuts, 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)