Policy on Racial and Ethnic Students and Community Members
The purpose of this policy is:
(1) to foster an educational environment that is safe, welcoming, and free from stigma and discrimination for all students, families, and community members, regardless of race or ethnicity,
(2) to facilitate compliance with local, state, and federal laws concerning bullying, harassment, privacy, and discrimination,
(3) to ensure that all students have the opportunity to safely express their racial or ethnic identity and live authentically.
Scope
This policy covers conduct that takes place in the school, on school property, at school-sponsored functions and activities, and on field trips. This policy also pertains to the usage of electronic communication, including all forms of social media that occurs in the school, on school property, at school-sponsored functions and activities, and on school computers, networks, forums, and mailing lists, as well as any electronic communication that is directed at a student or community member and which substantially interferes with the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by the school. This policy applies to the entire school community, including educators, school staff, students, parents, and volunteers.
Bullying, Harassment, and Discrimination
Definition of Bullying: Written, verbal, or physical conduct, including electronic communication that is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive to limit a student’s ability to participate in, or benefit from, a program or activity of a public school or local educational agency; or to create a hostile or abusive educational environment, adversely affecting a student’s education, including acts of verbal, nonverbal, or physical aggression or intimidation. This includes bullying that is based on a student’s actual or perceived race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, or another distinguishing characteristic. This also includes conduct that targets a student because of a characteristic of a friend, family member or other person or group with whom a student associates. Bullying is frequently referred to as harassment when it pertains to a characteristic protected by non-discrimination laws.
Discrimination, bullying, and harassment on the basis of race or ethnic identity are prohibited. It is the responsibility of the school and all staff to ensure that all students have safe school environments. The scope of this responsibility includes ensuring that any incident of discrimination, harassment, or bullying is given immediate attention, including investigating the incident, taking age and developmentally-appropriate action, and providing students and staff with appropriate resources and supports. Enforcement of anti-bullying policies focuses on education and prevention rather than exclusionary discipline. Complaints alleging discrimination or harassment based on a student’s actual or perceived gender identity or expression are taken seriously and handled in the same manner as other discrimination, bullying, or harassment complaints.
Whom to contact:
- For further information or for complaints involving discrimination, bullying, or harassment among students should be directed to Sharla Paul, Head of School, at sharla.paul@urbanprairie.org.
- For further information or for complaints regarding discrimination, bullying, or harassment among faculty, staff, or the community should be directed to Jen Kang, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, at jen.kang@urbanprairie.org.