Child Protection Policy Statement

The Board of Directors of IAA has adopted a Child Protection Policy to guide our staff and families in matters related to the health, safety and care of children in attendance at our school. We are required by this policy to send a letter to parents at the beginning of each school year. Thus with this letter not only are we fulfilling the assigned duties; We also have the opportunity to talk about this important aspect of our school’s program.

The IAA Child Protection Policy is based on international law and on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child of which Ecuador is a signatory, as well as in Ecuadorian Law within the Código de la Niñez.

These two key articles from the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child are important and we wish to draw your attention to them:

“Article 19 – Protection from abuse and neglect The State shall protect the child from all forms of maltreatment by parents or others responsible for the care of the child and establish appropriate social programs for the prevention of abuse and treatment of victims.”
“Article 34 – Sexual exploitation The State shall protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse, including prostitution and involvement in pornography.”

By enrolling your child at IAA, you agree to work in partnership with the school and abide by the policies adopted by the Board of Directors of IAA. All of us at IAA want you to know that we genuinely value our partnership with you in providing for the safety and care of your children. It is for this reason that IAA has endorsed a Child Protection Policy that defines the standards by which all IAA students should be treated with respect and dignity at all times.

As part of our overall educational programs and specific to our shared responsibility to educate children and to ensure a safe environment, in which all children can learn and grow, IAA will:

1. Provide age appropriate lessons for all grade levels to help students understand personal safety, needs and rights.

2. Provide parents information sessions to help you better understand our programs and policy.

3. Annually train faculty, parents, volunteers and staff to recognize and report issues of abuse and neglect.

Let’s work together at home and school to ensure that our children are safe and knowledgeable about their rights and responsibilities to themselves and to each other so they can grow and learn free of fear in a safe and supportive environment. We thank you for your support of our efforts and invite you to contact your school counselor or principal regarding any specific questions you may have in this regard.