Educator Misconduct Reporting & Child Abuse Information
Bethany Christian School is committed to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all students. Below are our policies and procedures for reporting educator misconduct and child abuse, in accordance with Florida law.
Educator Misconduct Reporting
All instructional personnel, educational support 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, but are not limited to:
- Obscene language
- Drug and alcohol use
- Disparaging comments
- Prejudice or bigotry
- Sexual innuendo
- Cheating or testing violations
- Physical aggression
- Accepting or offering favors
Failure to report misconduct may result in penalties up to termination of employment and revocation of an educator’s certificate.
Reports of misconduct of employees should be made to:
Pastor Andrew Morsicato
Phone: 321-727-2495
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Stephen Wynn, Jennifer Batson, or Bethany Hughes
Phone: 321-727-2038
Emails: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Reports of misconduct of administrators should be made to:
Pastor Andrew Morsicato
Phone: 321-727-2495
Email: [email protected]
Resources
- BCS Ethical Conduct Standards (PDF)
- What is Educator Misconduct?
- Code of Ethics & Principles of Professional Conduct
- Reporting Misconduct & Abuse
If Someone Reports Misconduct to You, Be a LEADER:
L – Listen to the report
E – Ensure the individual is safe
A – Affirm they did the right thing
D – Document exactly what was shared
E – Encourage them to report it
R – Report it immediately to the proper contact
Child Abuse Reporting
Every year in Florida, tens of thousands of children are abused, neglected, or abandoned by their parents or other caregivers. Most victims are younger than five years old. Many of them are preverbal and cannot ask for help. Some are isolated and do not know where to turn. All of them need a responsible adult to step in and make a report to the Florida Abuse Hotline. It is not necessary for the reporter to know all the facts or be able to prove abuse or neglect has occurred. If you suspect abuse, report it.
Signs that a child might be a victim include:
- Unusual fearfulness
- Lack of hygiene or inappropriate dress
- Delayed emotional, intellectual or language development
- Frequent injuries
- Feeding disorders
- Rocking, self-inflicted pain
- Sleep disorders, bed-wetting
- Lack of eye contact, poor socialization
- Acting out in school
- Unexplained scars or bruises
- Malnutrition
- Many school absences
All employees and agents of Bethany Christian School have an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Reports must be made immediately to the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) Abuse Hotline.
To report abuse:
Phone: 1-800-962-2873
Fax: 1-800-914-0004
Online: reportabuse.dcf.state.fl.us
Emergencies: Call 911
Reporting child abuse is everyone's responsibility. School staff are not required to notify administrators or supervisors prior to making a report.
Failure to report suspected abuse or neglect is a crime. Individuals who knowingly and willfully fail to report can be charged with a third-degree felony.
All reports are confidential and may be made anonymously.
