Morning Star Academy

MEMORANDUM
To: Jane Cannon
From: Cassidy Martenson
Date: February 4th, 2021
RE: Evaluating Faculty/Parent Relationships

I am the lead kindergarten teacher at the South Bend location, and I have been in this position
for nearly 5 years. My supervisor has asked me to contact you directly since I frequently speak
with kindergarten personnel and have observed inappropriate relationships forming between
parents and faculty. The purpose of this correspondence is to request approval to add a section
to the employee handbook about relationships between staff and families.
I frequently observe the classes to ensure that staff are on track with their lesson plans and do
not require teaching assistance. I also am present at drop-off and pick-up to help my students
to their vehicles. Over the past three weeks, I have noticed interactions between parents and
faculty that are not professional. Many conversations with these individuals have led me to
believe that parents and staff are pursuing romantic relationships with each other.
Relationships with co-workers are addressed within the handbook, but relationships with
student family members are not mentioned. We should amend the handbook to include a
section about appropriate relationships with parents and families. The new addition would
include:

 A definition of an appropriate relationship.

 Protocol if staff/faculty feels as though an inappropriate relationship is forming with a
parent.
 Ways to handle inappropriate advances from parents.
 Reporting incidents or relationships to the human resources department.
At your earliest convenience, please review the attached amendment to the handbook. Please
respond with suggestions or approval of the amendment by March 1, 2021. You may reach me
at 574-807-2642 or by email at cgmarten@iu.edu. Thank you for your time and I look forward
to speaking with you.