Non-Discrimination/Harassment

The Governing Board desires to provide a safe school environment that allows all students equal access and opportunities in the district’s academic and other educational support programs, services, and activities. The Board prohibits, at any district school or school activity, unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and bullying of any student based on the student’s actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, nationality, ethnicity, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation ,gender, gender identity, or gender expression or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

This policy shall apply to all acts related to school activity or to school attendance occurring within a district school (Education Code 234.1)

Unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, or bullying, includes physical, verbal, nonverbal, or written conduct based on any of the categories listed above. Unlawful discrimination also shall include the creation of a hostile environment when the prohibited conduct is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it affects a student’s ability to participate or benefit from and educational program or activity; creates an intimidating, threatening, hostile, or offensive educational environment; has the effect of substantially or unreasonably interfering with a student’s academic performance; or otherwise adversely affect a student’s educational opportunities.

Unlawful discrimination also includes disparate treatment of students based on one of the categories above with respect to the provision of opportunities to participate in school programs or activities or the provision or receipt of educational benefits or services.

The Board also prohibits any form of retaliation against any individual who files or otherwise participates in the filing or investigation of a complaint or report regarding an incident of discrimination. Retaliation complaints shall be investigated and resolved in the same manner as a discrimination complaint.

The Superintendent or designee shall facilitate student’s access to the educational program by publicizing the district’s nondiscrimination policy and related complaint procedures to students, parents/guardians, and employees. He/she shall provide training and information on the scope and use of the policy and complaint procedures and take other measures designed to increase the school community’s understanding of the requirements of the law related to discrimination. The Superintendent or designee shall regularly review the implementation of the district’s nondiscrimination policies and practices and, as necessary, shall take action to remove any identified barrier to or participation in the educational program. He/she shall report his/her findings and recommendations to the Board after each review.

Students who engage in unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, retaliation, or bullying, in violation of law, Board policy, or administrative regulation shall be subject to appropriate consequence or discipline, which may include suspension or expulsion for behavior that is severe or pervasive as defined in Education Code 48900.4. Any employee who permits or engages in prohibited discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, retaliation, or bullying, shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.

No-Discriminación/Acoso

La Mesa Directiva desea proveer un entorno educativo seguro que permita oportunidades educativas equitativas para todos los alumnos en programas académicos y en otros programas de apoyo educativo, servicios, y actividades del distrito. La Mesa Directiva prohíbe la discriminación ilegal en cualquier escuela del distrito o actividad escolar, incluyendo el acoso discriminatorio, la intimidación, y abuso de cualquier alumno basado en la raza real, el color, la ascendencia, el origen nacional, la nacionalidad, la etnicidad, la identificación con un grupo étnico, la edad, la religión, el estado civil o estado familiar, la discapacidad física o mental, el sexo, la orientación sexual, el género, la identificación de género, la expresión de género o la asociación con una persona o grupo con una o más de una de estas características actuales o percibidas.

Esta política deberá aplicar a todas las leyes relacionadas con las actividades escolares o asistencia escolar dentro del distrito escolar (Código de Educación 234.1)

La discriminación ilegal, incluyendo el acoso discriminatorio, la intimidación, o abuso, incluye el comportamiento físico, verbal, no-verbal, o escrito en cualquiera de las categorías antes mencionadas. La discriminación ilegal también incluye la creación de un ambiente hostil cuando el comportamiento prohibido sea tan grave, persistente, o generalizado que llegue a afectar la habilidad de un alumno de participar o beneficiarse del programa o actividad educativa; crea un entorno educativo intimidante, peligroso, hostil, u ofensivo; tiene el efecto de interferir con el desempeño académico del alumno de una manera sustancial o no razonable; o afectar de manera negativa las oportunidades educativas del alumno.

La discriminación ilegal también incluye el trato desigual del alumno basado en una de las categorías antes mencionadas con respecto a la provisión de oportunidades para participar en programas o actividades escolares o a la provisión o recepción de beneficios o servicios escolares.

La Mesa Directiva también prohíbe cualquier forma de represalias en contra de cualquier individuo que presente o que participe en la presentación o investigación de una queja o reporte sobre un incidente de discriminación. Quejas que conciernen represalias deberán ser investigadas y resueltas de la misma manera que las quejas de discriminación. El Superintendente o su designado deberán facilitar el acceso de los alumnos al programa educativo promoviendo la política de no-discriminación del distrito a alumnos, padres/tutores, y empleados al igual que procedimientos de queja relacionados. Ellos deberán proporcionar capacitación e información sobre el alcance y el uso de los procedimientos de políticas y de queja y tomar otras medidas diseñadas para aumentar la comprensión de la comunidad escolar de los requisitos requeridos por ley relacionados con la discriminación.

El Superintendente o su designado deberán revisar regularmente la implementación de las políticas y prácticas de no-discriminación del distrito y, conforme sea necesario, deberán actuar para eliminar cualquier obstáculo identificado del programa educativo o de la participación en éste. Ellos deberán reportar los resultados y recomendaciones a la Mesa Directiva después de cada revisión.

Los alumnos que participen en un acto de discriminación ilegal, incluyendo el acoso discriminatorio, la intimidación, represalias, o abuso, infringiendo la ley, políticas de la Mesa Directiva, o regulaciones administrativas deberán ser sujetos a las consecuencias y castigos adecuados, los cuales pueden incluir una suspensión o expulsión por conducta grave o persistente como se define en el Código de Educación 48900.4. Cualquier empleado que permita o participe en un acto de discriminación prohibida, incluyendo el acoso discriminatorio, la intimidación, represalias, o abuso, deberá ser sujeto a acciones disciplinarias, incluyendo hasta su despido.

Non-Discrimination in District Programs and Activities

The Governing Board is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals in education. District programs and activities shall be free from discrimination based on gender, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or genetic information; the perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. The Board shall promote programs which ensure that discriminatory practices are eliminated in all district activities.

District programs and facilities, viewed in their entirety, shall be readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. In addition, new construction and alterations to facilities existing before January 26, 1992, shall be accessible when viewed in their entirety.

The Superintendent or designee shall review district programs and activities to ensure the removal of any barrier that may unlawfully prevent an individual or group in any of the protected categories stated above from accessing district programs and activities, including the use of facilities.

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that the district provides auxiliary aids and services where necessary to afford individuals with disabilities equal opportunity to participate in or enjoy the benefits of a service, program or activity. These aids and services may include, but are not limited to, qualified interpreters or readers, assistive listening devices, note takers, written materials, taped text, and Braille or large print materials.

Individuals with disabilities shall notify the Superintendent or principal if they have a disability that requires special assistance or services. Reasonable notification should be given prior to the school-sponsored function, program or meeting.

The Superintendent or designee shall notify students, parents/guardians, employees, employee organizations and applicants for admission and employment, and sources of referral for applicants about the district’s policy on nondiscrimination. Such notification shall be included in each announcement, bulletin, catalog, application form or other recruitment materials distributed to these groups. (34 CFR 104.8, 106.9)

The Superintendent or designee shall also provide information about related complaint procedures.

To the extent possible, the district’s nondiscrimination policy shall be published in the individual’s primary language.

Married/Pregnant/Parenting Students

The Governing Board recognizes that early marriage, pregnancy or parenting may disrupt a student's education and increase the chance of a student dropping out of school. The Board therefore desires to provide instruction and community resources designed to assist in pregnancy prevention. The Board also desires to support male and female expectant and parenting students to attain strong academic and parenting skills and to promote the healthy development of their children.

The district shall not discriminate against any student on the basis of the student’s marital status, pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or related recovery. (Education Code 230; 34 CFR 106.40)

For school-related purposes, married students under the age of 18 are emancipated minors and have all the rights and privileges of students who are 18, even if the marriage has been dissolved. (Family Code 7002)

Education And Support Services For Pregnant And Parenting Teens

Pregnant and parenting students shall retain the right to participate in any comprehensive school or educational alternative program. The classroom setting shall be the preferred instructional strategy unless an alternative is necessary to meet the needs of the student and/or his/her child. School placement and instructional strategies for participating students shall be based on the needs and learning styles of individual students.

The Superintendent or designee shall collaborate with the County Superintendent of Schools and other community agencies and organizations to ensure that appropriate educational and related support services are available to meet the needs of pregnant and parenting teens and their children.

Absences

The Superintendent or designee may grant a student a leave of absence due to pregnancy, childbirth or abortion. At the conclusion of the leave, the student shall be reinstated to the status she held when the leave began. (34 CFR 106.40)

A pregnant or parenting student also may request exemption from attendance because of a physical or mental condition or because of personal services that must be rendered to a dependent. (Education Code 48410)

Students shall be enrolled in programs for pregnant and parenting students on an open-entry and open-exit basis. (Education Code 54745)

Pregnant or parenting students may be excused for absences related to confidential medical appointments in accordance with BP/AR 5113 – Absences and Excuses.

Pregnancy Prevention Program

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that age-appropriate, culturally sensitive instruction and community resources are available to assist in the prevention of pregnancy among minors. The district’s program shall be based on strategies that have proven effective in delaying the onset of sexual activity and reducing the incidence of pregnancy among school-age youth. Instruction shall be consistent with the district’s family life/sex education curriculum.

Reasonable Accommodations

When necessary, the district shall provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant and parenting students to enable them to access the educational program.

A pregnant student shall have access to any services available to other students with temporary disabilities or medical conditions. (34 CFR 106.40)

The school shall provide reasonable accommodations to any lactating student to express breast milk, breastfeed an infant child, or address other needs related to breastfeeding. A student shall not incur an academic penalty for using any of these reasonable accommodations, and shall be provided the opportunity to make up any work missed due to such use. Reasonable accommodations include, but are not limited to: (Education Code 222)

1. Access to a private and secure room, other than a restroom, to express breast milk or breastfeed an infant child
2. Permission to bring onto a school campus a breast pump and any other equipment used to express breast milk
3. Access to a power source for a breast pump or any other equipment used to express breast milk
4. Access to a place to store expressed breast milk safely
5. A reasonable amount of time to accommodate the student’s need to express breast milk or breastfeed an infant child.

Complaints

Any complaint alleging district noncompliance with the requirements to provide reasonable accommodations for lactating students also may be filed in accordance with the district’s procedures in AR 1312.3 – Uniform Complaint Procedures. A complainant who is not satisfied Saddleback Valley Unified School District BP 5146 Page 3 of 4 with the district’s decision may appeal the decision to the California Department of Education (CDE). If the district or the CDE finds merit in an appeal, the district shall provide a remedy to the affected student. (Education Code 222; 5 CCR 4600-4687)

Sexual Harassment

The Governing Board is committed to maintaining a school environment that is free from harassment and/or bullying based on gender, gender identity, or gender expression. The Board prohibits sexual harassment of any student by another student, an employee or other person, at school or at a school-sponsored or school-related activity. The Board also prohibits retaliatory behavior or action against any person who complains, testifies, assists or otherwise participates in the complaint process established in accordance with this policy.

The district strongly encourages any student who feels that he/she is being or has been sexually harassed on school grounds or at a school-sponsored or school-related activity by another student or an adult to immediately contact his/her teacher, the principal, or any other available school employee. Any employee who receives a report or observes an incident of sexual harassment shall notify the principal or a district compliance officer.

Complaints regarding sexual harassment shall be investigated and resolved in accordance with law and district procedures specified in AR 1312.3 - Uniform Complaint Procedures. Principals are responsible for notifying students and parents/guardians that complaints of sexual harassment can be filed under AR 1312.3 and where to obtain a copy of the procedures.

The Superintendent or designee shall take appropriate actions to reinforce the district’s sexual harassment policy.

Instruction/Information

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that all district students receive ageappropriate information on sexual harassment. Such instruction and information shall include:

1. What acts and behavior constitute sexual harassment, including the fact that sexual harassment could occur between people of the same sex and could involve sexual violence.
2. A clear message that students do not have to endure sexual harassment under any circumstance.
3. Encouragement to report observed instances of sexual harassment even where the alleged victim of the harassment has not complained.
4. A clear message that student safety is the district’s primary concern, and that any separate rule violation involving an alleged victim or any other person reporting a sexual harassment incident will be addressed separately and will not affect the manner in which the sexual harassment complaint will be received, investigated, or resolved.
5. Information about the district’s procedure for investigating complaints and the person(s) to who a report of sexual harassment should be made.
6. Information about the rights of students and parents/guardians to file a civil or criminal complaint, as applicable.

Disciplinary Actions

Any student who engages in sexual harassment or sexual violence at school or at a school-sponsored or school-related activity is in violation of this policy and shall be subject to disciplinary action. For students in grades 4 through 12, disciplinary action may include suspension and/or expulsion, provided that in imposing such discipline the entire circumstances of the incident(s) shall be taken into account.

Any staff member found to have engaged in sexual harassment or sexual violence toward any student shall be subject to discipline up to and including dismissal in accordance with applicable policies, laws, and/or collective bargaining agreements.

Record Keeping

The Superintendent or designee shall maintain a record of all reported cases of sexual harassment to enable the district to monitor, address and prevent repetitive harassing behavior in its schools.