Standards of Ethical Conduct
Lake Preparatory School, Inc.

 (adapted from the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida and Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida)

1. 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 achieving these standards are the freedom to learn and to teach and the guarantee of equal opportunity for all.
2. Our school’s primary professional concern will always be for the student and the development of the student’s potential. Therefore, The educator will strive for professional growth and seek to exercise the best professional judgment and integrity.
3. Concern for the student requires that our instructional personnel:
a. Shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning and/or 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 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 a 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 in the course of professional service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law.

4. Aware of the importance of maintaining the respect and confidence among colleagues, students, parents, and other community members, our school employees 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, 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.
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 or which creates a hostile, intimidating, abusive, offensive, or oppressive environment; and, further, shall make a reasonable effort to assure that each individual is protected from such harassment or discrimination.
e. Shall not make malicious or intentionally false statements about a colleague.

Reports of misconduct committed by administrators should be made to F. Haupt, Executive Director, at lakeprepschool@hotmail.com

Legally sufficient misconduct allegations 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 that affect a student's health, safety, or welfare are posted in the teachers’ lounge/ storage area and the front office bulletin board.

Website at https://lakeprepschool.com/ 

Training Requirement All employees, educational support, instructional personnel and administrators are required as a condition of employment to complete training on these standards of ethical conduct.

Reporting Professional Misconduct

All employees, educational support, instructional personnel, and administrators have an obligation and legal responsibility to report misconduct by instructional personnel and school administrators that affects a student's health, safety, or welfare. 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. Failure to report misconduct may result in a written reprimand, suspension with or without pay, termination of employment, or discipline/ sanctions on an educator’s certificate. Report allegations or suspicion of misconduct to the Administrator. Make sure that you document all of your activities in your INCIDENT LOG. Try to gather evidence, if applicable.

Those things deemed by the State of Florida to be issues of professional misconduct by a school’s administration, faculty, and staff are:
      Ø  Being alone with a student in a dark or closed room or secluded area
      Ø  Behaving in an overly friendly or familiar way or failing to maintain an appropriate professional boundary with a student
      Ø  Using forceful or unnecessary physical contact with a student
      Ø  Administering discipline not compliant with the school’s discipline policy
      Ø  Accepting or offering gifts in return for a favor or privilege from a student or colleagues
      Ø  Badgering or habitually teasing a student
      Ø  Mocking or belittling a student
      Ø  Chronically embarrassing a student
      Ø  Displaying prejudice or bigotry against a student (see “Statement of Nondiscriminatory Policy”)
      Ø  Suspicion of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol
      Ø  Failure to properly supervise students or to ensure student safety
      Ø  Cheating, falsifying information or testing violations
      Ø  Retaliating against a student or a colleague for reporting misconduct
      Ø  Bantering or engaging in colloquial or slang communications with a student
      Ø  Directing or using profane, offensive, or explosive language in the presence of students
      Ø  Making lewd or suggestive comments or overtures towards a student or colleague

REPORTING PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT IS THE MORAL, ETHICAL,
And PROFESSIONAL & RIGHT THING TO DO!