SCOPE
This document applies to all adults, including parents, guardians, step-parents, grandparents, extended family, caregivers, visitors, faculty and staff and any others, where appropriate, while involved in activities or communication related to Academia Cotopaxi including IMAGINE and The ONE Institute. It is compliant with the applicable Ecuadorian Law and aligned with Academia Cotopaxi’s Child Protection Policies, WhatsApp Guidelines, and what is requested of students in their Student/Parent Handbook and Responsible Use Policies.
WHAT CAN CAREGIVERS AND THE SCHOOL EXPECT FROM EACH OTHER?
Adults play a key role in the education of our students and should act in the best interests of students, our families, staff and the School community. The School values its diverse community and respects the rights, beliefs and practices of individuals and our families. We welcome constructive feedback at all times. With this in mind, Academia Cotopaxi strives to create a culture that supports our common purpose of educating our students and enriching our learning community through strong and growing Student-Teacher-Parent partnerships. Recognizing the importance of caregivers in this endeavor, the School defines the following expectations of the School and caregivers.
| School will provide the following: | Caregivers will colaborate with the school in the following areas: |
| 1. A safe, healthy and secure learning environment is provided for students by ensuring:
a. A welcoming environment that seeks to be free from intimidation and harassment, physical, sexual, verbal, or digital abuse. b. Support for students’ physical, mental and social-emotional well-being. c. Staff members who model respectful behavior. d. Appropriate security precautions and trained personnel, including emergency procedures and drills. e. On-site medical services. f. Healthy food options. g. A drug-free and smoke-free campus. h. Well-maintained facilities where the risk of harm is minimized. i. A clear safety policy for bus transportation that includes the required documentation, safety inspections and training on security and customer service. j. A clear dress code for each division. |
1. In creating a safe, healthy and secure learning environment by:
a. Providing up-to-date contact and medical/health information in case of emergency. b. Informing the school if students are unwell and keeping students home for 24 hours, especially when they have contagious or communicable diseases (colds, flu, fever, conjunctivitis, etc.) c. Making appropriate arrangements for adult supervision and providing the relevant power of attorney if and when both caregivers travel out of Quito. d. Modeling and teaching respectful behavior to their students including respecting people and property. e. Supporting students in arriving at school well rested, well nourished, and in adherence to the dress code. |
| 2. A modern, differentiated education in order to prepare students for a changing world by offering:
a. Rigorous, challenging, and developmentally appropriate opportunities for learning, including social-emotional skills and new literacies. b. Information accessible for caregivers regarding curriculum, instruction and assessment. c. Opportunities for caregivers to learn how to support their student in learning. |
2. Supporting a modern, differentiated education in order to prepare students for a changing world by:
a. Being actively involved in the student’s learning. b. Seeking to understand the School’s approach to education and learning by engaging with the opportunities provided. c. Maintaining open and constructive communication and feedback with our community. d. Supporting students in developing positive habits for learning (i.e punctuality, thoroughness, curiosity, reflection.) |
| 3. Maintain effective communication with caregivers by ensuring:
a. Timely, respectful & relevant communications. b. School policies and procedures are accessible. c. Information regarding student progress, events, programs, emergencies and relevant news is appropriately shared with the community. d. Response to inquiries, concerns, complaints or grievances is done in a timely manner. |
3. Maintaining effective communication with all school personnel by:
a. Communicating in a timely, respectful & relevant manner. b. Contacting the appropriate person at school when there is a question or concern, starting with the person closest to the issue. c. Informing the School of any special needs that the student may have, or of any circumstances at home that might affect the student’s performance at school. |
EXPECTATIONS OF ALL ADULTS
1. Participate in school life
The School offers several opportunities for caregivers and other adults, including Staff and friends of the School, to participate in School Life. Understanding that there are different ways to engage within our community, we invite participation at grade, division, School-wide, extra-curricular and Board level, events and activities. We encourage all to read our regular communications, sign-up to participate, follow us on social media, and stay informed about the latest announcements on what is happening.
2. Manage your own behavior appropriately
The School expects a high standard of personal behavior from all adults because we are students’ most significant role models. The following behavior is mandatory for all adults.
- Refrain from disrespectful actions towards others, including the use of foul language, an inappropriate tone, physical aggression, or sexual
- Refrain from engaging in malicious or judgmental gossip, either directly or
- Refrain from actions and behavior that constitutes bullying, threatening, harassment, discrimination, or
- Refrain from offensive, insulting or derogatory language or conduct at all times, including online, and at sports and other events. This includes refraining from wearing clothing with offensive language or
- Refrain from smoking, vaping, consuming or possessing alcohol or any other illegal substances on School
- Avoid attending School events if affected by alcohol or any other illegal
- Refrain from serving alcohol to minors in accordance with local
- Avoid damaging School property or the property of
- Comply with all emergency and safety
- Abide by all local laws and regulations with regard to treatment of , including protection of their reputation and identity.
- Addressing any concerns or questions directly to the proper school authorities.
3. Use social media appropriately
Social media can be defined as how we use technology to communicate and connect with others. Despite the range of positive uses for social media, there are also a number of ethical and legal issues associated with its use. Many people may hold the mistaken belief that anything published online will be without legal consequence. However, there are a number of potential legal liabilities that may arise, particularly in relation to issues pertaining to reputational damage and defamation.
The School expects adults to refrain from:
- Mentioning or discussing the School and/or Staff in a negative or defamatory
- Sharing contact information of caregivers, staff and students without their express
- Comporting oneself in a manner that reflects positively on Academia Cotopaxi, IMAGINE, and The ONE
- If you befriend parents or external community members, refrain from posts, comments, etc. that are contrary to Academia Cotopaxi’s mission and core
WHAT TO DO IF AN INTERACTION BECOMES INAPPROPRIATE
- Request that the person cease their inappropriate
- Inform the person that unless the inappropriate behavior ceases, she or he may put an end to the phone call, meeting or
- Request another staff member be present for the remainder of the meeting, if deemed necessary to proceed with
- Lodge a grievance against the offending person according to the Administrative Procedures.
CONSEQUENCES OF INAPPROPIATE BEHAVIOR
The School Director or designee will determine the severity of such actions and will decide on the consequences of exhibiting these actions or behaviors. Depending on the gravity and nature of the breach, consequences may include one of the following:
- The School may ban an adult from entry to School grounds or from attending extra-curricular activities or other
- In the case of inappropriate behavior at a school event, sporting or intercollegiate event, the School may ask the individual to leave the
- In the case the person is unruly or violent, the School may request security or police officers to escort her or him from the
- The School may direct that an adult may only communicate with members of staff through a designated School
- The School may take other such steps as it deems appropriate, including involving other authorities, according to the nature of the breach or extreme or prolonged breach of this Code of Conduct.
Academia Cotopaxi’s mission drives our school – it is the compass that guides us ever forward to the future. Like Ecuador’s history, we are a school in motion, blending familiar traditions with new ideas, adapting to a fast-paced, changing world. Establishing norms for best behavior is how we foster a school culture that lives up to our mission:
Revised in January, 2022
Academia Cotopaxi’s mission drives our school – it is the compass that guides us ever forward to the future. Like Ecuador’s history, we are a school in motion, blending familiar traditions with new ideas, adapting to a fast-paced, changing world. Establishing norms for best behavior is how we foster a school culture that lives up to our mission.