Page 263 - 2021-2022 New Hire Benefits

What are Unacceptable Behaviors?
Even the most professional adult can cross boundaries without realizing it. In general, activities that take an
employee beyond the expectations of the employer could easily qualify as boundary violations. These might
include:
• connecting with students on social media platforms for at least one year after graduation
• becoming too personally involved with students
• acting too much in the role of a surrogate parent
• seeing students in private or non-school settings
• writing or exchanging improper notes, letters, emails, or text messages
• serving as a confidant with regard to a student's decision about his/her personal issues
• giving gifts or money to students
• inviting students to one's home and/or staying overnight
• driving individual students to or from school without the consent of parents
• giving one student or group of students' undue attention to the exclusion of others
• being alone with a student (except in an emergency)
• sharing your personal problems with a student
• sharing personal information about a student with a third party
• initiating/allowing physical contact

Are there Protective Strategies?
All employees must be ever vigilant – in advance – of situations that place them in vulnerable positions.
The following are some common-sense guidelines:

• have another adult with you when attending to the personal needs of a student
• compliment or commend students without hugging or touching them
• report any reasonable suspicion of child abuse to the proper authorities
• obtain parents' and administrators' approval regarding all activities off school property
• let students know when they are overstepping your personal boundaries
• seek input from colleagues or other professionals if you are unsure of the appropriateness of your
actions or plans
• actions should be observable, interruptible and necessary.

How will Renbrook Heighten Employee Awareness of Boundary Issues?
On an annual basis, the school will disseminate training materials as a component of the required Child
Protection program.

To Whom should Concerns be Reported?
If comfortable, employees who feel that colleagues are engaged in inappropriate activities are encouraged to
speak directly to the individual involved. In the event that such communication is difficult, impractical, or
ineffective, concerns should be reported to the Division Head (for faculty), and Chief Financial Officer (for
staff).

RECORDS MANAGEMENT POLICY
Renbrook School follows the records retention guidelines as published by the National Association of
Independent Schools (NAIS) and Independent School Management (ISM). Copies of the NAIS and ISM
guidelines are located in the office of the Head of School's administrative assistant.

The NAIS and ISM guidelines detail which records should be retained and for how long before (if ever) they
may be destroyed.

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