Policies
Standards for Ethical Conduct
Preamble
Chesterton Academy of Vero Beach, grounded in the Catholic tradition and dedicated to the pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty, affirms the inherent dignity of every human person, the primacy of intellectual and moral formation, and the nurturing of virtuous citizenship. Essential to achieving these aims are the freedom to learn and teach within the context of truth revealed by faith and reason, and the guarantee of just opportunity for all.
Commitment to Students
Our primary concern is the student and the full development of the student’s intellectual, moral, and spiritual potential. Employees are therefore called to pursue professional growth in virtue and knowledge, and to exercise judgment with integrity, prudence, and charity.
Instructional personnel shall:
Make reasonable efforts to protect students from conditions harmful to learning or to their mental, physical, and spiritual health and safety.
Respect students’ freedom to engage in the pursuit of truth and independent thought, consistent with the Catholic intellectual tradition.
Provide access to a broad and truthful range of human knowledge, avoiding distortion or suppression of relevant subject matter.
Refrain from exposing students to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.
Uphold and protect students’ legal and moral rights.
Foster an environment free from harassment or discrimination on any unjust basis.
Never exploit a relationship with a student for personal gain or advantage.
Maintain confidentiality of personally identifiable information unless disclosure serves legitimate professional purposes or is required by law.
Commitment to Colleagues and Community
Recognizing the importance of collegial trust and collaboration, employees shall:
Maintain honesty and integrity in all professional dealings.
Refrain from denying a colleague professional benefits or opportunities based on unjust discrimination.
Respect colleagues' exercise of civil and political rights.
Avoid harassment or discrimination that disrupts professional responsibilities or creates a hostile environment.
Avoid making malicious or intentionally false statements about colleagues.
Training Requirement
All instructional personnel, educational support employees, and administrators must complete training on these standards of ethical conduct as a condition of employment.
Reporting Misconduct
All personnel are obligated to report misconduct by instructional personnel, educational support employees, and school administrators that affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student. Examples include, but are not limited to, use of obscene language, drug and alcohol use, disparaging comments, prejudice, sexual innuendo, cheating, physical aggression, or acceptance of favors.
Reports of misconduct by employees should be made to: Dr. Jonathan Day, Headmaster.
Reports of misconduct by administrators should be made to: Susan O’Connor, School Board Chair.
Legally sufficient allegations involving Florida-certified educators will be reported to the Office of Professional Practices Services.
The policies and procedures for reporting misconduct are posted in the school office and on the school's website at chestertonvero.org
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:
Recognizing Signs of Abuse and Neglect
Physical Abuse:
Unexplained bruises, welts, cuts, or other injuries; broken bones; burns.
Behavioral indicators include withdrawal, fear of going home, aggression, or inappropriate clothing.
Sexual Abuse:
Indicators include torn or bloody clothing, pain in the genital area, sexually transmitted diseases, unusual knowledge of sex, or withdrawal.
Neglect:
Indicators include unattended medical needs, poor hygiene, underweight appearance, frequent hunger, or extreme neediness.
A pattern of signs should prompt immediate reporting.
Liability Protections
Any individual who, in good faith, reports child abuse, abandonment, or neglect, or participates in an authorized action, is immune from civil or criminal liability (F.S. 39.203).
An employer who discloses information about a former or current employee in good faith to a prospective employer is immune from civil liability unless it is proven that the information was knowingly false or violated civil rights (F.S. 768.095).
Chesterton Academy of Vero Beach stands united in its commitment to uphold these standards of ethical conduct, fostering a community of virtue, scholarship, and joyful faithfulness to Christ and His Church.