Education Grounded in Christian Values
Igniting Hearts and Minds
Founded in 1964, Rockford Lutheran School is proudly grounded in the Lutheran tradition of Christian education, but is open to students of all faith backgrounds. All programs and activities of the school are infused with our values of keeping Christ at the center, seeking excellence in all endeavors, valuing harmony and diversity, and living lives of service to others.
Our MISSION To provide an exceptional college preparatory education in a challenging and inspiring Christian environment.
Our VISION To be known for our program's quality, with graduates sought after by colleges and universities as grounded, well-rounded, and highly prepared for the rigors of collegiate higher learning, and to be held by teachers as one of the top schools at which to serve in our region.
Our CORE VALUES Everything we do is infused with our core values.
- Steadfastly Christ-centered: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
- Purposeful Formation: For those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
- Nurturing Community: Having gifts that differ according to grace given to us, let us use them.
- Servant Hearts: For we are coworkers in God's service: you are God's field, God's building.
- Faithful Witness: Boldly share the love of Christ through their words, actions, and daily walk of faith.
Code of Professional Conduct
Code of Professional Conduct
The expectations outlined below apply to all employees. The information below is being provided in compliance with Illinois School Code provisions enacted under Public Act 102-0676, referred to as Faith’s Law. This document describes the expectations for employees regarding maintaining a professional relationship with students, including but not limited to, expectations for staff-student boundaries, and recognizing the age and developmental level of students served. For employees include the following minimum standards:
1) All employees subject to these expectations are expected to adhere to the core principles, values, and responsibilities applicable to Illinois educators outlined in the Code of Ethics for Illinois Educators, 23 Ill. Adm. Part 22. The expectations contained in this document are in addition to all applicable federal and state law and regulations and applicable school policy and procedures.
2) All employees are explicitly prohibited from engaging in grooming behaviors or sexual misconduct with students. Sexual misconduct is any act, including, but not limited to, any verbal, nonverbal, written, or electronic communication or physical activity, by an employee with direct contact with a student that is directed toward or with a student to establish a romantic or sexual relationship with the student. Such an act includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
a) A sexual or romantic invitation.
b) Dating or soliciting a date.
c) Engaging in sexualized or romantic dialog.
d) Making sexually suggestive comments that are directed toward or with a student.
e) Self-disclosure or physical exposure of a sexual, romantic, or erotic nature.
f) A sexual, indecent, romantic, or erotic contact with the student.
This definition and standard will apply to Teachers and/or Staff. However, all other applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, practices or requirements also continue to apply.
3) Transporting Students.
a) If transportation is provided to students, employees should be accompanied by another Teacher or Staff member when transporting a student.
b) Employees should not transport students in their privately owned vehicle unless the Teacher and/or Staff member has obtained the prior permission.
c) When transporting a student in a privately-owned vehicle, permission from the parent/guardian should be obtained and documented in writing. If it is not feasible to obtain advance permission or notify a parent/guardian prior to transporting the student (such as an emergency situation or when a parent/guardian cannot be contacted), Employees should take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of the student; within a reasonable period of time following transportation of a student, employees should document what actions were taken and notify both the building administrator and the parent/guardian in a follow up communication.
4) Taking or possessing a photo or video of a student.
a) Employees are not permitted to take a photo or video of a student for their personal use. Photos and images of students for school sponsored activities used to further the school mission are permitted as follows:
i) All photos/video images of students shall be used in accordance with the authorization provided by parents/guardians to the school.
b) A photo or video of a student is a FERPA-protected education record when the photo or video is (1) directly related to a student and 2) maintained by an educational agency or a party acting for the agency or institution. These images may reveal personally identifiable information about students. A photo or video taken by employees in their professional capacity (such as a photo or video taken in a classroom) is entitled to protections as any other FERPA-protected student record. These images may not be disclosed without consent or as otherwise
permitted by law. These types of images should not be posted to a employee’s personal media accounts for any reason.
c) A photo or video would not be considered “directly related to a student” if, for example, a student’s image is incidental or captured as part of a background, or a student is shown participating in school activities open to the public without a specific focus on any individual.
i) A photo or video of students taken by employees who are also parents/guardians may not be used for school purposes without appropriate consent.
5) Meeting with a student or contacting a student outside of an employee’s professional roles.
a) Employees are generally not permitted to meet with a student or contact a student as a employee outside that individual’s professional role.
b) Employees are strictly prohibited from using any form of communication with students (including but not limited to e-mails, letters, notes, text messages, phone calls, conversations) that includes any subject matter that would be deemed unprofessional and inappropriate between employees and a student.
c) It is understood that employees live and work in our dynamic communities and may encounter students in the context of the Teacher and/or Staff member’s personal relationships outside of school. All employees are expected to avoid crossing a line that results in an actual or perceived inappropriate relationship.
Any violations of these standards or failure to report a violation of these standards may subject an employee to discipline, up to and including dismissal from employment. Other individuals (e.g. student teachers, volunteers, contractors) may be subject to corrective action or other appropriate consequences in accordance with applicable standards.