Code of Conduct

(California law AB 500 requires the following information to be posted on our website.)

MMS believes that positive interactions between MMS employees and students is very important. We would like to make you aware of the school's policies regarding these issues, which are listed below.

Student Relations

The School encourages close, warm relationships between students and the School faculty and staff. At the same time, each employee’s conduct must always be professional. Employees must maintain appropriate boundaries between themselves and students to ensure that they avoid even the perception of inappropriate conduct. Some activities may seem innocent from an employee’s perspective, but can be perceived as flirtation or sexual insinuation from the perspective of a student or parent. The objective of this policy is not to restrain positive relationships between employees and students, but to prevent relationships that could lead to, or may be perceived as, sexual misconduct. Employees must ensure that they do not cross the boundaries of a professional relationship.

Unacceptable Behavior

Below is a list of examples of conduct that may involve inappropriate crossing of the boundaries of the professional relationship:

• Giving gifts to an individual student that are of a personal or intimate nature;
• Unnecessary physical contact with a student in either a public or private situation;
• Making or participating in sexually inappropriate comments;
• Sexual jokes, stories, or jokes/comments with sexual innuendo;
• Seeking emotional involvement with a student for an employee’s benefit;
• Discussing an employee’s personal troubles or intimate issues with a student;
• Becoming involved with a student so that a reasonable person may suspect inappropriate behavior;
• Inappropriate use of social media with or about students;
• Excessive attention toward a particular student;
• Texting with students;
• Using personal email or social media to communicate with students rather than using the school email;
• Sending communications to students of a personal nature if the content is not about school activities; or
• Failing to keep the appropriate administrator or counselor informed when a significant issue develops about a student.
• Swearing or using inappropriate language in the presence of students
• Unnecessary time alone with a student.

Reporting Concerns

The School encourages parents or other members of the school community who have concerns about adults crossing appropriate boundaries with students to inform the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, or Chair of the Board of Trustees.

The School will not retaliate against anyone who reports conduct that may violate this policy.  An employee who retaliates against an individual who makes a report under this policy will be subject to discipline.

Outside Employment by Current MMS Families

No employee should accept any outside employment with a current MMS family. Outside employment includes babysitting or other personal services. MMS employees may not receive compensation for tutoring services for current MMS students. Occasionally, exceptions are granted for summer vacation time, but the Head of School must give approval in writing first. 

These types of arrangements may appear to be preferential treatment toward that student or family. Avoiding these kinds of activities also helps to create a greater sense of equity in the community through sensitivity toward the range of families’ economic backgrounds. Please discuss this with the Head of School when in doubt or needing clarification.