Employee-Student Conduct Policy
Castilleja Employee-Student Boundaries Policy 2025-26
All Castilleja School employees, volunteers, and interns are expected and required to maintain professional relationships with Castilleja students whether on campus or away from campus.
Some activities may seem innocent from an employee’s perspective, but may be perceived as flirtatious, sexually suggestive, or otherwise inappropriate from a student’s or parent’s perspective. Because of the trusting nature of the student/educator relationship, these actions may interfere with an individual student’s progress at the School, or create an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment that is unacceptable. An appropriate educational environment must promote the psychological and emotional well-being of students, and employees, personnel, volunteers, and interns must be diligent to avoid any conduct that is or could be perceived as being unprofessional, inappropriate, flirtatious, and/or sexually suggestive. This policy is not intended to restrict positive and supportive relationships between employees and students, which are appropriate in an educational environment.
Sexual or sexualized conduct between an adult and a student is absolutely prohibited. Sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, expression of sexual or “romantic” interest, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature between adult employees and students are strictly prohibited. This includes sexual behavior by an adult toward any student, even if she is 18 years of age or older. No sexual behavior, “invited” or otherwise, by any employee toward any student, will be tolerated. Employees need to recognize that because of the differences in power and role between adults and students, any type of sexual behavior toward young people creates in them tremendous conflict, embarrassment, and often silence. Read more...
Reporting Misconduct
Castilleja encourages parents, students, alumnae or other members of the school community to report concerns about any violations of the Employee-Student Conduct Policy. Such reports will be kept as confidential as possible except as necessary for Castilleja to take appropriate action. Community members may elect to submit their reports to Castilleja anonymously, although this may impact our ability to follow up on a report. Castilleja prohibits retaliation against anyone who reports conduct that may violate the Employee-Student Conduct Policy.
Anonymous Reporting
Toll-Free Telephone:
English-speaking: 877-839-7968
Spanish-speaking: 800-216-1288
Castilleja Administrators
Reports of misconduct can be also made to the Castilleja administrators below:
Dr. Betty Noel-Pierre
Head of School
(650)470-7854
Kathy Layendecker
Associate Head of School for Finance and Operations
(650)470-7751
Peter Hatala
Head of Upper School
Laura Zappas
Head of Middle School
(650)470-7705
Wendy Cruz
Director of Counseling
(650)470-7763
Resources for Parents and Guardians:
RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, provides helpful age-appropriate guidance: