Volunteering / Safe Environment
Volunteer at ECCS!
Volunteering at ECCS offers a unique opportunity to build strong community ties while supporting a learning environment rooted in faith, compassion, and shared values. As a volunteer, you play a direct role in fostering both their academic growth and moral foundation. Knowing you provide a safe, encouraging presence, offers a quiet joy and warmth that stays with you long after the day ends.
Safe Environment Training (SET)
At Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School, the safety and well-being of children and vulnerable adults is a shared responsibility. As Christian adults, we are entrusted by God with their spiritual, emotional, and physical care.
For all activities within or sponsored by the Diocese of Venice and Epiphany Cathedral Catholic School, we are committed to providing a safe, nurturing environment. The Safe Environment Training Program supports that commitment by:
- Providing required education for employees, clergy, religious, volunteers, parents, and others regularly involved with minors regarding the detection, prevention, and reporting of child abuse.
- Providing age-appropriate safety training for children and young people in Catholic schools and religious education programs, including guidance about personal safety, appropriate boundaries, and seeking help from a trusted adult.
- Thoroughly screening and evaluating diocesan employees and volunteers who work with children and young people.
- Holding all who minister in the name of the Church of Venice to Christ-centered and professional codes of conduct.
Background Screening and Safe Environment Training
Volunteers at school and Diocese events must complete background screening and Safe Environment Training requirements.
New volunteers will be guided through creating a Virtus account and scheduling a background screening, including fingerprinting. Required online Safe Environment Training will be assigned within the Virtus account for approved volunteers and new hires to complete.
Important reminders:
- If you already have a Diocese of Venice Virtus account, do not create a new account.
- If you have a Virtus account through another diocese, you must still create a Diocese of Venice account because each diocese is administered separately.
- If you do not remember your Diocese of Venice Virtus account information, use the account-retrieval option on the Virtus Online login page.
- Google Chrome is recommended when using the Virtus system for training or fingerprint scheduling.
Meet Our School Resource Officer
Officer Bill Long, a member of the Venice Police Department, serves as our School Resource Officer. Officer Long helps maintain a safe and secure environment for our students, faculty, and families while also serving as a positive and familiar presence on campus. His responsibilities include monitoring campus safety, assisting with arrival and dismissal, responding to safety or security concerns, supporting emergency preparedness, and working closely with school administration. Just as importantly, Officer Long builds relationships with our students and helps strengthen the partnership between our school and the Venice Police Department.
Resource Documents
Access the following documents for guidance on safe-environment expectations, professional conduct, and the protection of children and vulnerable adults.
Reporting Information
Training Requirement
All instructional personnel, educational support employees, and administrators are required, as a condition of employment, to complete training on standards of ethical conduct.
Reporting Misconduct
All employees, educational support employees, and administrators have an obligation to report misconduct by instructional personnel or school administrators that affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student. Examples may include obscene language, drug or alcohol use, disparaging comments, prejudice or bigotry, sexual innuendo, cheating or testing violations, physical aggression, and accepting or offering favors.
Reports involving employees should be made to:
Roberto Pugliares, Principal
Email Roberto Pugliares
941-488-2215
Reports involving administrators should be made to:
Department of Education, Diocese of Venice
941-484-9543
Legally sufficient allegations involving Florida-certified educators will be reported to the Office of Professional Practices Services. Policies and procedures for reporting misconduct are posted in the school’s main office and teacher break room.
Reporting Child Abuse, Abandonment, or Neglect
All employees and agents have an affirmative duty to report actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.
Report by phone: 1-800-96-ABUSE
Report online: Florida Abuse Hotline
Signs of Physical Abuse
Possible signs may include unexplained bruises, welts, cuts, burns, broken bones, withdrawal, depression, fear of going home, running away, aggression, or clothing that appears intended to hide injuries.
Signs of Sexual Abuse
Possible signs may include torn, stained, or bloody underwear; trouble walking or sitting; pain or itching in the genital area; sexually transmitted disease; unusual sexual knowledge or behavior; fear of a particular person; withdrawal; sudden weight changes; or running away from home.
Signs of Neglect
Possible signs may include unattended medical needs, little or no supervision, poor hygiene, appearing underweight, frequent tiredness or hunger, stealing food, or an unusually strong need for adult attention.
Patterns of Abuse
Serious abuse often involves a combination of factors. While a single sign may not be significant on its own, a pattern of physical or behavioral signs is a serious indicator and should be reported.
Liability Protections
Individuals, officials, and institutions participating in good faith in an act authorized or required by law — including reporting suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect — may be protected from civil or criminal liability under applicable law.
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)