Legal Notice

Professional Boundaries Policy

Crossroads School is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and respectful learning environment for all students. Positive relationships between students and adults are an essential part of a successful educational experience. At the same time, maintaining appropriate professional boundaries is necessary to protect student well-being, support effective supervision, and preserve the trust placed in members of the School community.

For purposes of this policy, professional boundaries are the limits that govern interactions among students, employees, volunteers, and contractors. These boundaries help ensure that relationships remain appropriate to the educational setting and consistent with the values and mission of the School.

Professional boundaries are intended to:

 

This policy supplements, and does not replace, other School policies concerning employee conduct, student supervision, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, confidentiality, mandated reporting, and student welfare.

All employees, volunteers, and contractors who work with students are expected to maintain professional, ethical, and appropriate relationships with students at all times, whether on or off campus.

Because an inherent power imbalance exists between adults and students, employees must exercise good judgment and avoid conduct that could reasonably be interpreted as favoritism, excessive familiarity, exploitation, or an abuse of authority. Employees should conduct themselves in a manner that would be appropriate in the presence of a student's parent or guardian, a supervisor, or the Head of School.

Employees are expected to:

 

Romantic and Sexual Conduct
Employees, volunteers, and contractors are strictly prohibited from engaging in any romantic, sexual, or sexually suggestive conduct with a student, regardless of the student's age or consent.

Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:

 

Professional Communications
Employees may not use language with students that is sexually suggestive, discriminatory, harassing, demeaning, or otherwise inconsistent with the School's standards of professional conduct. This prohibition includes sexual jokes, innuendo, discriminatory remarks, suggestive comments, slang, teasing, or other language that could reasonably be perceived as inappropriate in an educational setting.

One-on-One Interactions
Employees should conduct one-on-one meetings with students in locations that are reasonably visible or accessible to others whenever practicable. Employees should avoid isolated or closed-door settings and take reasonable steps to ensure that individualized interactions remain transparent and consistent with appropriate professional boundaries.

Off-Campus Contact
Employees may not meet with students off campus unless the interaction is part of a School-sponsored activity or serves a legitimate School-related purpose and has been approved in advance by School administration. Where appropriate, parent or guardian consent must also be obtained. Employees should avoid private or one-on-one off-campus interactions with students that could create actual or perceived concerns regarding professional boundaries.

Transportation
Employees may not transport students in personal vehicles unless specifically authorized by the School. Authorized transportation must be conducted in a manner that maintains appropriate professional boundaries and avoids private or unsupervised one-on-one interactions whenever reasonably possible. Routine transportation arrangements, including carpooling, are discouraged unless specifically authorized by the School or involving the employee's own child.

Physical Contact
Employees should respect students' personal space and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

Brief and age-appropriate contact, such as a handshake, high five, or a supportive gesture in limited circumstances, may be appropriate. Employees should always consider the student's age, comfort level, and the surrounding circumstances.

Emotional Boundaries
Employees should maintain supportive relationships with students while avoiding excessive emotional dependency or attachment.

Employees should not rely on students for emotional support or share personal information that is inappropriate for an educational setting. Discussions concerning an employee's romantic relationships, personal problems, sexual experiences, or similarly private matters are not appropriate topics for student conversations.

Employees may not discuss their own alcohol or drug use, whether past or present, with students except where specifically approved as part of a legitimate educational program or School-sponsored activity.

Favoritism and Gifts
Employees should avoid favoritism or conduct that could reasonably be perceived as favoritism.

Employees may not provide personal gifts, special privileges, or excessive attention to individual students except as part of a legitimate School activity approved by administration.

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Electronic Communications

Communication with students must be professional, School-related, and conducted in a manner that supports transparency, appropriate supervision, and student safety. Whenever possible, employees should use School-approved communication platforms and avoid using personal devices, personal email accounts, telephone numbers, or social media accounts for communications with students.

Employees may not establish or maintain personal social networking relationships with current students of any age or former students under the age of 18, including inviting, following, subscribing to, friending, or accepting such requests through personal social media accounts.

Employees should not share personal contact information with students unless expressly authorized for a legitimate School purpose. When questions arise regarding electronic communications or social media interactions with students, employees should consult their supervisor before engaging in the communication.

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Photographs and Video

Photographs and videos of students may be taken only for legitimate School purposes. Before taking any photo or video, employees must check the Communications Office’s opt-out list to ensure no non-consenting students are included. Employees should exercise sound professional judgment when photographing students and strictly comply with School procedures regarding the storage, sharing, and use of student images. Additionally, official accounts should be reviewed frequently to ensure all comments are appropriate, and any inappropriate content should be deleted immediately. 

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B. Professional Boundaries Among Adults

Crossroads expects all employees, volunteers, and contractors to model the values of professionalism, respect, and ethical conduct.

Professional boundaries among adults contribute directly to a safe educational environment and support effective collaboration on behalf of students.

Employees are expected to:

 

Violations of this policy may result in corrective action, up to and including termination of employment or separation from School service.

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Student Boundaries Policy

Crossroads School believes that respectful relationships are an essential part of a healthy learning environment. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that supports the dignity, safety, and well-being of all members of the School community.

Maintaining appropriate personal boundaries means understanding and respecting the rights, feelings, and personal space of others.

Students are expected to:

 

The School will respond appropriately to conduct that violates these expectations and may take disciplinary or educational action when necessary to support student safety and community well-being.