“Piece of Heaven Christian Academy Inc”, (hereinafter, PHCA) is a private school founded by Ms. Maribel Rodríguez-Pérez in 2008. Maribel started school with her daughter Ashley as a homeschooler. In August 2011, PHCA opened its doors to the public. In 2015, speech therapy through Bilingual Therapy Services LLC was added and has continued to add more programs services. We now have a variety of different state certified therapists that conduct their services within our facilities one on one with needy students as a convenience to parents.
In 2017, our school came under new administration. The Christian Church, “The Knight of the Cross Inc.” and Pastors, the Reverend Dr. Jesus M. Morales & Rev. Nancy M. Morales have brought their vast experience in administration, teaching and Christian Education to our school and teamed up with the very dedicated Ms. Maribel Rodríguez-Pérez, and staff. PHCA has always and will continue to strive in achieving elite standards in education second to none and follow successful conservative philosophies under a faith-based education. Thus, we have obtained state and national accreditation (National Association of Private Schools (NAPS). Working with all major scholarships we ensure that all children, no matter what their nationality, disability, or economic status is, an equal opportunity is offered to all who desire. We are certified to instruct from K-12 and have now started an adult program by awarding an accredited High School Diploma.
Our trained and certified staff are people that have vast experience in the public and private, Christian education sectors. We are proud and at the same time humbled to say that we possess a combined total of over 135 years of teaching experience in a varied spectrum of teaching needs. PHCA was founded specifically to help children who would otherwise fall through the cracks in the public school system. Our current teacher/student ratio is 1 per 10 students, ensuring a smaller environment and highly individualized learning. We exist to provide a safe, stable, and rewarding environment for our students.
OBJECTIVES
- To provide an environment conducive to moral and spiritual fidelity, to the search for knowledge and understanding of wisdom, and to discerning the truth of error.
- Help our students learn and live to honor the Lord by fulfilling the daily responsibilities God has given them.
- Help each child find his or her purpose in life and in preparation for eternity.
- Encourage our students, through an emphasis on biblical principles, to dedicate their God-given gifts and skills to a life of service.
- Promote self-discipline and grace in each child through training in self-motivation, consistency, appreciation, responsibility and thoroughness.
- Teach the skill of independent study using the individualized and computer-enhanced curriculum of the “Morning School” by A.C.E.
- Instill appreciation and respect for the government and the Church, for officials in national and local places of authority, and for godly law and order.
- Give the student the spiritual, social and physical training necessary to prepare him to be responsible and a Christian citizen and mature employee.
Ethics in Education Policies and Procedures
Piece of Heaven Christian Academy Inc.
301 Church Street Kissimmee Florida 34741
1.Our school values the worth and dignity of every person, the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, acquisition of knowledge, and the nurture of democratic citizenship. Essential to the achievement of these standards are the freedom to learn and to teach and the guarantee of equal opportunity for all.
2.Our primary concern is the student and the development of the student’s potential. Employees will therefore strive for professional growth and will seek to exercise the best professional judgment and integrity.
3.Concern for the student requires that our instructional personnel:
a. Shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning and/or to the student’s mental and/or physical health and/or safety.
b. Shall not unreasonably restrain a student from independent action in pursuit of learning.
c. Shall not unreasonably deny a student access to diverse points of view.
d. Shall not intentionally suppress or distort subject matter relevant to a student’s academic program.
e. Shall not intentionally expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.
f. Shall not intentionally violate or deny a student’s legal rights.
g. Shall not harass or discriminate against any student based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition, sexual orientation, or social and family background and shall make reasonable effort to assure that each student is protected from harassment or discrimination.
h. Shall not exploit a relationship with a student for personal gain or advantage.
I. Shall keep in confidence personally identifiable information obtained in the course of professional service unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law.
4.Aware of the importance of maintaining the respect and confidence of colleagues, of students, of parents, and of the community, employees of our school must display the highest degree of ethical conduct.
This commitment requires that our employees:
a. Shall maintain honesty in all professional dealings.
b. Shall not base on race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition if otherwise qualified, or social and family background deny to a colleague professional benefits or advantages or participation in any professional organization.
c. Shall not interfere with a colleague’s exercise of political or civil rights and responsibilities.
d. Shall not engage in harassment or discriminatory conduct which unreasonably interferes with an individual’s performance of professional or work responsibilities or with the orderly processes of education or which creates a hostile, intimidating, abusive, offensive, or oppressive environment; and, further, shall make reasonable effort to assure that everyone is protected from such harassment or discrimination.
e. Shall not make malicious or intentionally false statements about a colleague.
f. Training Requirement: All employees, educational support, instructional personnel and administrators are required as a condition of employment to complete training on these standards of ethical conduct.
Reporting Misconduct by Instructional Personnel and Administrators: All employees and administrators have an obligation to report misconduct by instructional personnel and school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student. Examples of misconduct include obscene language, drug and alcohol use, disparaging comments, prejudice or bigotry, sexual innuendo, cheating or testing violations, physical aggression, and accepting or offering favors. Reports of misconduct of employees should be made to: Nancy M. Morales 407-486-1196. Reports of misconduct committed by administrators should be made to: Jesus M Morales 407-486-1543.Legally sufficient allegations of misconduct by Florida certified educators will be reported to the Office of Professional Practices Services. Policies and procedures for reporting misconduct by instructional personnel or school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student are posted on (i.e., bulletin board, front office, break room, classroom.) And on our Web site at (Piece of Heaven Christian Academy Inc. Facebook or Pieceofheavenca.com.)
Reporting Child Abuse, Abandonment or Neglect: All employees and agents have an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Call 1-800-96-ABUSE or report online at: http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/report/. Signs of Physical Abuse The child may have unexplained bruises, welts, cuts, or other injuries; broken bones; or burns. A child experiencing physical abuse may seem withdrawn or depressed, seem afraid to go home or may run away, shy away from physical contact, be aggressive, or wear inappropriate clothing to hide injuries.
Signs of Sexual Abuse: The child may have torn, stained or bloody underwear, trouble walking or sitting, pain or itching in genital area, or a sexually transmitted disease. A child experiencing sexual abuse may have unusual knowledge of sex or act seductively, fear a particular person, seem withdrawn or depressed, gain or lose weight suddenly, shy away from physical contact, or run away from home.
Signs of Neglect: The child may have unattended medical needs, little or no supervision at home, poor hygiene, or appear underweight. A child experiencing neglect may be frequently tired or hungry, steal food, or appear overly needy for adult attention.
Patterns of Abuse: Serious abuse usually involves a combination of factors. While a single sign may not be significant, a pattern of physical or behavioral signs is a serious indicator and should be reported.
Liability Protections: Any person, official, or institution participating in good faith in any act authorized or required by law or reporting in good faith any instance of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to the department or any law enforcement agency, shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability which might otherwise result by reason of such action. (F.S. 39.203) An employer who discloses information about a former or current employee to a prospective employer of the former or current employee upon request of the prospective employer or of the former or current employee is immune from civil liability for such disclosure or its consequences unless it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that the information disclosed by the former or current employer was knowingly false or violated any civil right of the former or current employee protected under F.S. Chapter 760. (F.S. 768.095)