Christopher Columbus High School
A Catholic School for Young Men in the Marist Tradition since 1958
About Us
Promotion of a Safe Environment
Providing a Healthy & Safe Learning Environment
Christopher Columbus High School employees strive for professional growth and exercise the best professional judgement and integrity in the promotion of a safe environment for minors and vulnerable persons. The school requires all employees to abide by the Principles of the State of Florida Ethics in Education Act and remain VIRTUS certified.
Reporting Child Abuse, Abandonment or Neglect
All employees and agents of the school 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 A child experiencing physical abuse may seem withdrawn or depressed, seem afraid to go home or may run away, shy away from physical contact, be aggressive, or wear inappropriate clothing to hide injuries.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A child experiencing sexual abuse may have unusual knowledge of sex or act seductively, fear a particular person, seem withdrawn or depressed, gain or lose weight suddenly, shy away from physical contact, or run away from home.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.
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 instructional employees should be made Mr. David Pugh, dpugh@columbushs.com, (305) 223-5650, ext. 2216. Reports of misconduct committed by non-instructional personnel and administrators, including the Principal, should be made to Mr. Thomas Kruczek, tkruczec@columbushs.com, (305) 223-5650, ext. 2277. Reports of misconduct committed by the President or Principal should be made to the Superintendent of Schools of the U.S. Marist Province, Br. Br. Tom Schady, Marist Brothers Provincial Office, 70-20 Juno Street, Forest Hills, NY 11375, (718) 480-1306.
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 instructional employees should be made Mr. David Pugh, dpugh@columbushs.com, (305) 223-5650, ext. 2216. Reports of misconduct committed by non-instructional personnel and administrators, including the Principal, should be made to Mr. Thomas Kruczek, tkruczec@columbushs.com, (305) 223-5650, ext. 2277. Reports of misconduct committed by the President or Principal should be made to the Superintendent of Schools of the U.S. Marist Province, Br. Br. Tom Schady, Marist Brothers Provincial Office, 70-20 Juno Street, Forest Hills, NY 11375, (718) 480-1306.
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.
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)
Christopher Columbus High School | 3000 SW 87 Avenue | Miami, FL 33165 | (305) 223-5650
Brotherhood, Faith, and Scholarship define the Marist Brothers Catholic education at Christopher Columbus High School. By making Jesus Christ known and loved and creating an inspiring academic and extracurricular environment, we prepare young men for higher learning and a life-long commitment to leadership and service through Gospel and Marist values.
Columbus is fully accredited by Cognia and is a member of the Marist Association of Secondary schools, the National Catholic Education Association and the Independent Schools of South Florida.
