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Nondiscrimination Policy and Procedures for Addressing Bullying
Posted by Tara Seekins on 5/27/2020 11:30:00 AMNondiscrimination Policy
Willow Creek Academy prohibits discrimination and harassment based on an individual's sex (including sexual orientation or gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition); ethnicity (such as race, color, national origin, and ancestry); religion (including religious accommodation); disability (mental or physical disability or reasonable accommodation); age; marital status; or any other basis protected by federal, state, local law, ordinance, or regulation. Harassment based on any of the above protected categories is a form of unlawful discrimination and will not be tolerated by Willow Creek. Harassment is intimidation or abusive behavior toward a student or employee that creates a hostile environment and can result in disciplinary action against the offending student or employee. Harassing conduct may take many forms, including verbal remarks and name-calling, graphic and written statements, or conduct that is physically threatening or humiliating.
This nondiscrimination policy covers admission to and employment by Willow Creek, as well as access to and participation in any of its educational, athletic, recreational, or other school-administered programs and activities. Willow Creek is committed to ensuring that the lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission to or participation in programs or activities.
The Head of School is designated to handle all inquiries or complaints regarding Willow Creek’s efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities related to discrimination or harassment based on a student's sexual orientation or gender identity (Title 5, CCR, §4910); race, color, or national origin (Title VI); or mental or physical disability (Section 504).
The Head of School is designated to handle all inquiries or complaints regarding Willow Creek's efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities related to discrimination or harassment based on a student's sex (Title IX). The Head of School is the Title IX coordinator for Willow Creek Academy.
Contact: Emily Cox, Head of Schoolecox@willowcreekacademy.org415-331-7530, ext. 213636 Nevada StreetSausalito, CA 94965School Procedures for Addressing Incidents Involving Bullying
Maintaining a healthy school culture where students feel valued and respected is of the utmost importance to our community. Fighting, bullying, and severe teasing are not allowed. This may include, but is not limited to, profanity, racial epithets, sexual harassment and any form of verbal abuse or bullying. Any bullying should be reported immediately the Assistant Head of School at 415-331-7530, ext. 240.
Administrative Response to Reports of Bullying
Assistant Head of School and/or Student Support Specialists will meet separately with all students involved to find out what happened. Information will be documented. Parents will be notified of their student’s involvement.
Depending on the incident, school staff may write a referral, issue a suspension, or recommend a student to a restorative process through our Maya Angelou Center for Restorative Practices.
School staff will contact the students' teachers to get more information and/or to notify them of the incident.
School staff will contact our school counselors to notify them of the incident and to develop a support plan.
With the student’s approval, school staff will meet with the students (either two at a time or with a small group if more than one other student is involved) to hold a Problem Solving Meeting. WCA staff members understand that restorative processes are not always appropriate for situations involving bullying because of power imbalances between the students involved. However, they can be extremely helpful when students are engaged in conflicts based on miscommunication or status rivalries. WCA staff will carefully facilitate any conversation between students.
Problem Solving Meetings include the following steps:
Step 1: Tell what happened and how you feel. (Each student takes a turn, while the other listens)
Step 2: Ask for what you need. (Each student takes a turn, while the other listens)
Step 3: Look for solutions. (Brainstorm on how to solve the problem)
Step 4: Keep the best solution. (Make an agreement about how to move forward)
Step 5: Set a date and time for the next check-in to see if there has been improvement.
School staff will continuously check in with the child/children involved to find out if there are ongoing issues, or if the issue has improved.
Year-long and Ongoing Strategies
Homeroom classes will hold daily morning meetings with each class, in accordance with our Responsive Classroom program. The purpose of morning meetings is to build classroom community, provide positive acknowledgement of each student, and to resolve problems as they arise.
Our Student Support Specialists administer our restorative practices program, facilitate girls’ and boys’ groups, and coach students on social skills and coping strategies. They are available to students throughout every school day.
Our school counselors are available five days a week to meet with parents and students. A counseling referral form must be filled out in order for a student to meet with the counselor regularly (based on availability).
Student Study Team meetings will be held at parent or teacher request to provide a forum for problem-solving around specific student issues.
As a general rule, a student will be held accountable for all text and/or images posted on his/her social media pages, blogs, or mobile phones. With this in mind, we strongly recommend each family closely monitor their student’s online activities, ensure that their student’s accounts are protected by strong passwords, and immediately deactivate any accounts when hacking or unauthorized use is suspected. Cellular phones must be turned off and left in backpacks or with teachers between the hours of 8:10 and 3:00 every school day.
