St. Thomas More Academy Policies and Ethics Statement

SAINT THOMAS MORE ACADEMY
 

Standards of Ethical Conduct


I. Introduction
These are the standards of ethical conduct that have been developed for Saint Thomas More
Academy, a school operating under the authority and management of the Society of St. Pius X.
Saint Thomas More Academy is a private Catholic school for grades K through 12 and is a 501(c)(3)
non-profit organization. Saint Thomas More Academy does not discriminate on the basis or race,
color, sex, national or ethnic origin in the administration and hiring of personnel, admissions, or any
other school administered programs.
The standards of ethical conduct are provided to instructional personnel and school administrators
of Saint Thomas More Academy, in compliance with the Ethics in Education Act.


II. School Mission and Philosophy
The mission of Saint Thomas More Academy is to provide children of Catholic families with a
thorough education founded upon traditional principles of education and discipline. Our ultimate
goal consists in forming good citizens and good Catholics, in such manner that the whole person
may be submitted to the reign of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the spiritual, moral, intellectual and
physical spheres.
The basic task of the Catholic school is to cultivate the soil in which the Faith and the love of God
can grow. The curriculum at Saint Thomas More Academy serves this end by exposing the pupil in
the various subjects to what is good, true, and beautiful; encouraging the child in body, mind and
heart first to appreciate, then to embrace, created good, and thus leading him to embrace ever more
firmly the Author of creation – the ultimate Good – God Himself. Although textbooks are a
necessary tool in this process, they remain only at the service of the teacher, who takes the child by
the hand, so to speak, and leads him along a wondrous path pointing things out, making distinctions,
and warning of pitfalls along the way. Learning is a profoundly human thing. It will be the love the
teacher has for the subject matter that will spark a fire in the child and foster in him a love of
learning which, it is hoped, will remain for the rest of his life.

Religion is integral to the education offered at Saint Thomas More Academy. All students must
submit to the entire curriculum, as offered. This means they must attend all religion classes,
conform to all school policies, and participate in all scheduled activities, religious or otherwise.


III. Disciplinary Measures
Saint Thomas More Academy applies the principles of Catholic education in disciplining its students.
The key to education is to win the heart of the student. The educator who shows that he has always
the students’ best interests at heart will be loved by them, and they will willingly allow themselves to
be formed by him. Personal contact with the students that demonstrates kindness, patience, and
charity is thus essential. The model of all teachers being Our Lord Jesus Christ, it is from Him that
this approach is learned, and experience shows it to be most effective in helping a child to overcome
vice and acquire virtue.
True charity at times obliges correction and even punishment. The goal of punishment is never
simply to make the offender suffer, but rather to lead him to correction and to purpose of
amendment.
Saint Thomas More Academy does not use corporal punishment. Disciplinary measures consist
chiefly in the restriction of activities and privileges. Recreational activities may be limited or denied,
depending on the circumstances. Manual labor, study hall, detentions, etc. may also be used in
student discipline.
Incidents requiring disciplinary action will be handled as follows:
Minor Infractions
These are incidents of a minor nature, attributed more to the thoughtlessness of youth than to
defective disposition on the part of the child. Examples of infractions falling into this category are
the following:
▪ Disorder in desks or lockers
▪ Incomplete uniform
▪ Excessive tardiness
▪ Neglect of school property
▪ Causing disturbance in class or during line-up
▪ Neglect or improper performance of academic duty
Infractions of this nature will be handled by the teacher who is present, and will be punished by in-
school detention, study hall or other means, at his discretion. Unless a pattern develops, parents will
not be informed of these offenses.
Major Infractions
These are incidents of a more serious nature, and include the following and like infractions:
▪ Use or possession of tobacco products
▪ Insubordination or deliberate disobedience
▪ Unexcused absence
▪ Lying or cheating
▪ Fighting
▪ Bad language
▪ Persistent failure to submit homework
▪ Failure to show up for a detention or minor (in-school) detention
▪ Excessive repetition of minor infractions such as those listed in the section above.
Infractions of this nature will be handled by the principal, and will be punished by a detention or
other means, at his discretion. A detention entails intense janitorial work or after-school study hall,
and may include exclusion from extra-curricular activities.
Grave Infractions
These are incidents of a grave nature:
▪ Conduct or spirit prejudicial to the school
▪ Repeated lying or cheating, or cheating of a grave nature, including plagiarism
▪ Any illegal activity
▪ Use, possession, purchase, attempts to purchase or sell drugs or drug paraphernalia or
alcohol
▪ Possession, purchase, or selling of weapons or fireworks
▪ Grave or repeated disrespect
▪ Stealing
▪ Vandalism or destruction of property
▪ Indecent fraternization
▪ Obscene expressions, gestures, writings, or conversations (including postings of such nature
on the internet)
▪ Possession of immoral material
▪ Excessive repetition of major infractions such as those listed in the section above.
Infractions of this nature will be handled by the principal, and will be punished by suspension or
expulsion, at his discretion. Suspensions may be of shorter or longer duration, depending on the
gravity of the offense. Work missed during the time of suspension may receive a zero, at the
principal’s discretion. Expulsion, once effected, will be for the duration of the academic year, at
which time re-admittance may be granted at the discretion of the principal.
Notice of Disciplinary Action
Parents will be officially notified of major and grave infractions and of the disciplinary measure
taken. This will be done by means of a disciplinary notice, a copy of which will be retained in the
student’s file. A meeting with the principal may be requested.


IV. Conduct Toward Students
In addition to the general guidance provided above, instructional personnel and school
administrators shall observe the following with respect to their conduct toward students.
Instructional personnel and school administrators:
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 intentionally suppress or distort subject matter relevant to a student's academic
program.
c. Shall not intentionally expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.
d. Shall not intentionally violate or deny a student's legal rights.
e. Shall not harass or discriminate against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, sex,
age, national or ethnic origin, or social and family background and shall make reasonable
effort to assure that each student is protected from harassment or discrimination.
f. Shall not exploit a relationship with a student for personal gain or advantage.
g. Shall keep in confidence personally identifiable information obtained in the course of
professional service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law.


V. Conduct In Professional Dealings
In all professional dealings, including those not specifically involving students of Saint Thomas
More Academy, school administrators and instructional personnel:
a. Shall maintain honesty in all professional dealings.
b. Shall not on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin,
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 legal 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 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.


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


VII. 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, and accepting or
offering favors.

Reports of misconduct of employees should be made to the contracts advisor, Justin Sauer (K-8:
email [email protected], telephone (860) 205-1260) or the high school vice
principal, Nick Leyva (9-12: email [email protected], telephone (386) 848-5988).
Reports of misconduct committed by administrators should be made to the assistant principal, or if
involving the assistant principal, to the principal, Fr. Marc Vernoy (email [email protected],
telephone (407) 872-1007).
Confidentiality agreements with instructional personnel or school administrators who are dismissed,
terminated, or resign in lieu of termination due to misconduct that affects the health, safety, or
welfare of a student are prohibited. Any reference provided to a potential employer in an
educational setting must disclose the misconduct.
Any instructional personnel or school administrator who is convicted of an act listed under Section
1012.315, Florida Statutes is automatically disqualified from further employment with Saint Thomas
More Academy.
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 school
office.


VIII. 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
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, 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.


XI. 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)