Standards of Ethical Conduct

Foundational Principles

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 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.

Obligations Toward Students

Concern for the student requires that our instructional personnel:

1. 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.
2. Shall not unreasonably restrain a student from independent action in pursuit of learning.
3. Shall not unreasonably deny a student access to diverse points of view.
4. Shall not intentionally suppress or distort subject matter relevant to a student's academic program.
5. Shall not intentionally expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.
6. Shall not intentionally violate or deny a student's legal rights.
7. Shall not harass or discriminate against any student based on 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.
8. Shall not exploit a relationship with a student for personal gain or advantage.
9. Shall keep in confidence personally identifiable information obtained in the course of professional service unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law.

Obligations Toward Colleagues and Community

Aware of the importance of maintaining the respect and confidence of colleagues, of students, of parents, and of the community, employees of our school must display the highest degree of ethical conduct. This commitment requires that our employees:

1. Shall maintain honesty in all professional dealings.
2. Shall not based on 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.
3. Shall not interfere with a colleague's exercise of political or civil rights and responsibilities.
4. 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 everyone is protected from such harassment or discrimination.
5. Shall not make malicious or intentionally false statements about a colleague.

Each employee of Royalty Academy is expected to abide by this guidance as indicated and applied in the Royalty Academy Employee Handbook.

Employee Disciplinary Policy

Progressive Discipline / Gross Misconduct

Some offenses are so serious that they can result in termination without previous warnings. The following examples are listed for the guidance of all. This list is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all prohibited activities. The following actions may result in immediate termination:

• Inappropriate behavior toward parents. (All staff is expected to be always professional and courteous. If a parent is rude to you, please allow your Director to handle the situation).
• Neglect or physical abuse of a child.
• Withholding food, nap, or other comfort from a child.
• Failure to report to work three consecutive workdays without proper notification.
• Falsification of center records (i.e., employment application, time management clock, and your records).
• Working under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
• Conviction of a felony for any offense committed while employed by Royalty Academy.
• Fighting, threatening violence or boisterous or disruptive activity in the workplace.
• Leaving a child unattended (inside or outside).
• Allowing a child to leave the center with an unauthorized person.
• Sleeping while supervising children.
• Habitual absenteeism or tardiness without notice or unauthorized absences from workstation/classroom during the workday.
• Sexual or other unlawful or unwelcome harassment.
• Negligence or improper conduct leading to damage of employer-owned or customer-owned property.
• Insubordination that shows gross disrespect such as threatening, profanity, or yelling at the Director.
• Unauthorized use of telephones, mail system, email, computers, or other employer-owned equipment.
• Possession, distribution, sale, transfer, or use of alcohol or illegal drugs in the workplace, while on duty, or while operating employer-owned vehicles or equipment.
• Unsatisfactory performance or conduct.
• Sharing confidential information about the center or any of its employees.
• Promoting and sharing rumors or negative information about Royalty Academy employees.

Staff Trainings

All staff are expected to obtain annual in-service training in the following areas:

• Child Development.
• Care of Children with Special Needs.
• Adult and Child Health.
• Nutrition and Safety.
• Curriculum and or Lesson Planning.
• Risk Management and Facility Safety.
• Classroom Management.
• Identification and Care of ill Children.
• Recognition of Child Abuse, Neglect and Sexual Abuse and the Responsibility of reporting any incidents.
• Cultural Diversity.
• Character Development in Children.
• Professional Development.
• Professional Misconduct and Ethical Standards.
• Other Topics related to Early Childhood Learning and Development (approved by the Office of Early Learning, Family Central or the Dept. of Children and Families).

Abuse and Neglect

While Royalty Academy provides a safe environment for children, other types of harm may come to a child despite our best precautions. In particular, the abuse or neglect of a child is of paramount concern. To this end, all staff are required to read and sign all policies relating to identifying, documenting, and reporting child abuse. Mandatory training sessions on the subject are required.

Mandated Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect

Under the Child Protective Services Act, mandated reporters are required to report any suspicion of abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities. Florida Child Protective Services: 1-800-962-2873. At the time of employment, every Royalty Academy employee is also required to sign the Licensed Child Care Facility Child Discipline Policy and acknowledge receipt of the Identifying and Reporting Professional Misconduct Brochure.

Reporting Misconduct by Instructional Personnel and Administrators

All employees and administrators have an obligation to report misconduct by instructional personnel 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, Accepting or offering favors. Reports of misconduct of employees should be made to:

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 classrooms, the Employee and Parent Handbooks and on our website at royaltyacademyfl.com.

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 Florida DCF Abuse Report.

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)