Definitions

Student: "Student" means a child under the age of 18 or over the age of 18 if still enrolled in a public secondary school.

Boundary violation: crossing verbal, physical, emotional, or social lines that staff must maintain in order to ensure structure, security, and predictability in an educational environment.

TRESPASS: These interactions trespass acceptable professional boundaries and are NOT allowed:

• Giving gifts to students that are of a personal or intimate nature.
• Any type of unnecessary physical contact with a student beyond the APA side-hug, high five, fist bump, or handshake.
• Sexual conduct or any sexual contact or communication between a staff member and a student
  • A staff member and student sharing any sexually explicit or lewd communication, image, or photograph is considered sexual conduct.

•  Inappropriate conversations, jokes, comments, personal stories, etc.  (Sexual topics, even innuendo, are inappropriate outside of the approved Health curriculum.)
• Discussing personal or intimate issues with a student in an attempt to gain their support and understanding or for any reason
• Communication with students through social media, computer, or handheld devices
• Indoctrination of students (see definition above)
• Electronic communication outside of the acceptable standards detailed in APA's Staff/Student Electronic Communication Policy
• Photographing a student for a non-educational purpose or use

WARNING: The following activities are ONLY acceptable with parent permission and administrative notification.   In situations where a staff member's family socializes outside of the school setting with a student's family, such as at a church activity, community activity, or children's play-date, a staff member may

• Engage in a social activity with a student that is not school-sponsored and approved 
• Transport a student to/from a non-school related activity 

CAUTION: Staff should exercise caution and inform their supervisor of any circumstance if they are aware of the following interactions at the school:

• Being alone with a single student behind a closed door (see General Supervision Policy)
• Giving a student (or students) a ride to/from school or school activities without permission from an administrator and written parent permission
• Excessive attention toward or from a particular student
• Social activity with a staff member or "student" who is under the age of 21.

When any employee becomes aware of another staff member interacting outside of these professional boundaries, it is the duty of the employee to report the interaction to their administrator immediately.  All reports will be confidential insofar as this policy allows.  

Based on the urgency of the report, it is the duty of the administrator to a) safeguard the student(s), b) investigate the allegation, and c) report the situation to the Executive Director.