ATLANTIC MONTESSORI CHARTER SCHOOLS REPORTING CHILD ABUSE & STAFF MISCONDUCT School reporting procedures and notice | Updated October 19, 2026 2550 S Flamingo Rd, Davie, FL 33325 Applies to the AMCS school community, including schools 5029 and 5164. IMMEDIATE DANGER: CALL 911 FLORIDA ABUSE HOTLINE: 1-800-962-2873 (1-800-96-ABUSE) SCHOOL CONTACT: Dr. Monica B. Duenas, Executive Director & Principal mduenas@amcharterschool.org | 954-423-9704 BOARD CONCERNS: Chima Burey, Governing Board President Board contact route: Ms. Liudmila Garcia | lgarcia@amcharterschool.org | 954-423-9704 REPORT SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE, ABANDONMENT, OR NEGLECT IMMEDIATELY All school employees and agents have an affirmative duty to report known or reasonably suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect directly to the Florida Abuse Hotline. Anyone with a concern may report. You do not need proof before making a report. Call 1-800-962-2873 (1-800-96-ABUSE), available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 first. DCF also provides online reporting for non-emergency concerns through its official reporting website. Do not wait for permission, a school investigation, or a response from an administrator before reporting to DCF. Informing a supervisor, filing a school complaint, emailing the school, or submitting a FortifyFL tip does not replace a required DCF report. School email is not an emergency reporting service. REPORT STAFF MISCONDUCT AFFECTING A STUDENT Report alleged misconduct by educational support employees, instructional personnel, or school administrators that affects a student's health, safety, or welfare promptly to Dr. Monica B. Duenas, Executive Director and Principal, at mduenas@amcharterschool.org or 954-423-9704. Describe what happened, when and where it occurred, the people involved, and any immediate safety concern. Share relevant information with the reporting authority; do not delay a report to gather more evidence. Do not conduct your own investigation or repeatedly question a child. If the concern also involves suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect, make the DCF report immediately in addition to reporting the staff misconduct. If the concern involves the principal, direct it to Chima Burey, Governing Board President. The Board's published contact route is through Ms. Liudmila Garcia, Office Manager and Parent Liaison, at lgarcia@amcharterschool.org or 954-423-9704. State that the communication is for the Governing Board President. You may also deliver a written report addressed to the Governing Board President at the school address. Do not route a report through the person whose conduct is being reported. Concerns about certified educator misconduct may also be referred to the Florida Department of Education's Professional Practices Services using its official reporting guidance. School reporting does not replace any independent duty to report to DCF or law enforcement. REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES AND PROTECTIONS Employees and agents must comply with child protective investigations and applicable child-protection law. People who report in good faith have the protections provided by Florida law. Confidentiality is governed by law; the school cannot promise absolute secrecy. Report facts honestly and preserve relevant records. A knowingly false report is different from a good-faith report that is not substantiated. Do not discourage or prevent another person from making a required report. PENALTIES FOR FAILING TO REPORT Under section 39.205(1), Florida Statutes, knowingly and willfully failing to report known or suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to the central abuse hotline, or knowingly and willfully preventing another person from reporting, is a third-degree felony. Under section 1012.795(1)(b), Florida Statutes, an educator's knowing failure to report child abuse or reportable misconduct can result in disciplinary action against the educator certificate, including suspension or revocation, as authorized by law. Failure to fulfill reporting duties may also result in applicable employment discipline. Reports involving criminal conduct must be handled by the appropriate authorities. OFFICIAL RESOURCES Florida Abuse Hotline — DCF https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/abuse/abuse-hotline DCF online reporting https://reportabuse.myflfamilies.com/ Florida DOE — Reporting Misconduct & Abuse and sample posters https://www.fldoe.org/teaching/professional-practices/reporting-misconduct-abuse.stml Florida Statutes 1006.061 — School reporting notices https://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=1000-1099/1006/Sections/1006.061.html Florida Statutes 39.205 — Failure-to-report penalties https://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0039/Sections/0039.205.html Florida Statutes 1012.795 — Educator discipline https://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=1000-1099/1012/Sections/1012.795.html Public website page: https://amcharterschool.org/reporting-abuse-misconduct