Handbooks & Policies

Right to an Equal Education

All students at Alma del Mar Charter School, regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, active military/veteran status, marital status, familial status, homelessness, ancestry, ethnic background, national origin, or any other category protected by state or federal law will be given equal access to educational services, including school admission, admissions to courses, access to course content, access to guidance services, and participation in extracurricular and athletic activities.

1. Non-Discrimination Policy Summary, Including Harassment and Retaliation

Alma del Mar is committed to maintaining an education and work environment for all school community members that is free from all forms of discrimination, including harassment and retaliation. The members of the school community include the School Board, employees, administration, faculty, staff, students, volunteers in the schools, and parties contracted to perform work for Alma del Mar.

Alma del Mar does not exclude from participation, deny the benefits or otherwise

discriminate against, individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, active military/veteran status, marital status, familial status, homelessness, ancestry, ethnic background, national origin, or any other category protected by state or federal law in the administration of its educational and employment policies, or in its programs and activities, and provides equal access to all designated youth groups. Alma del Mar requires all members of the school community to conduct themselves in accordance with this policy.

For our full Non-Discrimination Policy, see our online policy manual. Inquiries concerning Alma del Mar’s policies and protocols, compliance with applicable laws, statutes, and regulations, and complaints may be directed to Alma’s Director of Human Relations.

Inquiries about laws, statutes, regulations and compliance may also be directed to the

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education or the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 5 Post Office Square, 8th Floor, Suite 900, Boston, MA 02109; (617) 289-0111; E-mail: [email protected]; website: www.ed.gov/ocr.

1. Procedure for Filing Complaints Related to Discrimination or Harassment

Any member of the school community who believes they or another school community member has been the victim of any form of discrimination, including harassment and retaliation, should report the conduct or file a complaint. Students may make a report or complaint to any school faculty, staff, or administrator. Reports or complaints by any other member of the school community should be to the designated official specified in the applicable policy or grievance procedure or to the Director of Human Resources or Executive Director. Alma del Mar will promptly respond to and investigate all reports or complaints, formal or informal, written, oral, or otherwise given notice, of any discrimination, including harassment and retaliation, or other violation of civil rights. Please contact the Director of Human Resources for copies of these protocols, or for reporting forms.

Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex. Title IX regulations issued by the Secretary of Education took effect on August 14, 2020, amended the regulations that implement Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Accordingly, Alma del Mar has issued new protocols for reporting and investigating Title IX sexual harassment.

Alma del Mar’s Director of Human Resources is designated as the District ADA, Title VI, Title IX, and Sexual Harassment Coordinator, and Grievance Officer for the School Committee, administration, faculty, staff, volunteers in the schools, and for parties who are contracted to perform work for the Alma del Mar. The Director of Human Resources may be reached at:

Director of Human Resources/Title IX Coordinator

Alma del Mar

777 Church Street

New Bedford, MA 02745

The Director of Network Scholar Support is the District 504 Coordinator and IEP Coordinator, and can be reached at:

Director of Network Scholar Support

Alma del Mar

777 Church Street

New Bedford, MA 02745

[email protected]