Horizon of Hope Academy
Standard for Ethical Conduct

SCHOOL VALUES
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 is the freedom to learn and to teach and the guarantee of equal opportunity for all.

PRIMARY CONCERN
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 STUDENTS
Concern for the students requires that our instructional personnel:
a. shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to
learning and/or to the student’s mental and/or physical health and/or safety.
b. shall not unreasonably restrain a student from independent action in pursuit of
learning.
c. shall not unreasonably deny a student 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 because 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 during
professional services, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required
by law.

ETHICAL CONDUCT
We must be aware of the importance of maintaining respect and confidence for colleagues, of students, parents, and of 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 base upon race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political
beliefs, marital status, handicapping conditions 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 which create a hostile, intimidating,
abusive, offensive, or oppressive environment; and, further, shall make reasonable
efforts to assure that everyone is protected from such harassment or discrimination.
e. shall not make malicious or intentionally false statements about a colleague.

TRAINING REQUIRMENTS
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 instructional personnel, educational support employees, and school administrators have an obligation to report misconduct by instructional personnel, educational support employees and school administrators which affect 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 on the misconduct of employees should be made to the Director of Education of Horizon of Hope Academy. Reports of misconduct committed by administrators should be made to the Executive Director of Heart of Florida Youth Ranch.
Legally sufficient allegations of misconduct by Florida certified educators will be reported to the Administration Office of Professional Practices Services. Policies and procedures for reporting misconduct by instructional personnel or school administrators which affect the health, safety, or welfare of a student are stated in our employee and staff handbook and posted in the administration building.

REPORTING CHILD ABUSE, ABANDOMMENT OR ABUSE
All employees and agents have an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Call1-800-96-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 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, stealing food, or appearing overly needy for adult attention.

PATTERNS OF NEGLECT
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)

Horizon of Hope Academy
Standard for Ethical Conduct Training Acknowledgment Form

I______________________________ hereby acknowledge have been trained in the Standards for Ethical Conduct by_________________________________________ on this ______ day of _________________, By signing this form I acknowledge I have been given the opportunity to ask important questions of concerns regarding the training and have been given a copy of this employee and staff handbook, which has these Standards for Ethical Conduct listed within it.

Name__________________________________ Date________________
Trainer__________________________________ Date________________