Staff members are to remember that they serve as professional, adult role-models before the students (Titus 2:7, 8). Relationships between staff members and students are to be friendly and courteous, not familial or intimate. Staff members are to be careful that any physical contacts and verbal interchanges with each other and with students avoid even the appearance of impropriety (I Peter 2:12). Flirtation, sexual innuendoes, casual disrespect toward authority, excessive familiarity, etc. are examples of the kind of unprofessional and inappropriate behavior that will not be tolerated. Necessary and cautionary measures required to limit these kinds of behaviors should be corporately and individually taken. If it is necessary for a male staff member to spend time alone with a female student or staff member, it should be arranged that they are easily visible to the public (e.g. an open door, windowed room, etc.) Staff members shall not travel alone in a car with one student.

COMMUNICATION WITH STUDENTS
Any private electronic communication between staff and students, including the use of social networking websites like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, instant messaging, texting, etc. is prohibited. All communication between staff and students must be transparent. The following are example of appropriate and inappropriate electronic communication:

Appropriate

• Sending and replying to emails and text message from students ONLY when copying in a supervisor or the parent/guardian.
• Communicating through “organization group pages” on Facebook or other approved public forums.
• “Private” profiles for staff and volunteers which consumers cannot access.

Inappropriate

• Harsh, coercive, threatening, intimidating, shaming, derogatory, demeaning or humiliating comments.
• Sexually oriented conversations.
• Private messages between staff and volunteers with students.
• Posting pictures of organization participants on social media sites.
• Posting inappropriate comments on pictures.
• “Friending” participants on social networking sites.

Physical Contact

• Physical contact should be limited, appropriate, and only for educational, safety, or comfort purposes (e.g., a congratulatory handshake, helping with an activity).
• Any contact that could be perceived as inappropriate or overly familiar is not permitted.

Off-Campus Interactions

• Staff should not meet students off-campus outside of school-sponsored activities or without prior approval from administration and parental consent.

Reporting Concerns

• Staff are required to immediately report any suspicion or knowledge of boundary violations, inappropriate conduct, or potential abuse to administration or as required by mandatory reporting laws.
  

Training and Compliance

• All staff will receive regular training on appropriate staff–student boundaries and reporting obligations.
• Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.