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Title IX Resources

Title IX Discrimination Resources

Each student and employee has a right to learn and work in an environment that is free from unlawful discrimination. No District student or employee shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to harassment or other discrimination in any academic, extracurricular, research, occupational training, or other program or activity on the basis of actual or perceived age, ancestry, ethnicity, parental status, pregnancy status, color, mental or physical disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical information, nationality, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. This applies to all acts related to school activity or school attendance within any school under the jurisdiction of the superintendent of Redwood City School District. (California Education Code [EC] sections 200, 220, 221.5, 234.1[a], 234.7, and 260; California Government Code [GC] Section 11135; California Penal Code [PC] Section 422.55; California Code of Regulations, Title 5 [5 CCR] sections 4900, 4902, and 4960).

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is one of several federal and state anti-discrimination laws that ensure equality in education. Title IX prohibits discrimination, harassment, exclusion, denial, limitation or separation based on sex or gender. Title IX applies to both male and female students in any educational institution receiving federal funding.

Pregnant students and teen parents have a right to equal education, full participation, and to enroll in any school or program for which they would otherwise qualify at any stage of the pregnancy. They have the right to remain in their regular or current school program, including elementary or secondary schools, honors and magnet programs, special education and non-public school placements, alternative/options programs, migrant education, free and reduced lunch programs and services for English Learners, and any others for which they are otherwise qualified. This would also include participation in the following: graduation, awards, ceremonies; field trips; student clubs, councils, after-school activities, and any other school-related programs. Students cannot legally be expelled, suspended, or otherwise excluded from, or required to participate in school programs solely on the basis of their pregnancy-related conditions, or marital or parental status.

California Education Code Sections 200 through 282 and Redwood City School District Board Policy 5145.3 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender, and gender identity or gender expression. Students have the right to fair and equitable treatment and shall not be discriminated against based on sex. Students have the right to be provided with an equitable opportunity to participate in all academic extracurricular activities, including athletics. The law requires that every school district or institution have a Title IX/Bullying Complaint Manager to whom concerns or complaints regarding sex discrimination can be made.

Where Can Students/Parents Obtain Further Information or Assistance?

For Assistance:

School: Speak to the site Principal who is also the Title IX Complaint Manager/Designee.
District Office: Speak to the Educational Equity Compliance Office, Title IX Coordinator.
PHONE: 650-423-2251
ADDRESS: 750 Bradford Street, Redwood City, CA 94063

Who is the Title IX Coordinator for the Redwood City School District?

The District’s Title IX Coordinator is:

Wendy Kelly
Deputy Superintendent
Redwood City School District 
750 Bradford St.
Redwood City, CA 94063

Phone: (650) 423-2251
Email: wkelly@rcsdk8.net

Each school site Principal is also a Title IX Complaint Manager

Where can I get more information on the rights of a pupil and the public and the responsibilities of the public school under Title IX?

The following Internet resources are available to find more information regarding rights and responsibilities under Title IX:

Is there a statute of limitations for filing an alleged incident of harassment or discrimination?

Any parent, guardian, individual, organization has the right to file a written complaint of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying on the basis of a protected characteristic within six months from the date the alleged incident occurred or the complainant first obtained knowledge of the facts of the alleged incident.

How are discrimination complaints investigated?

The District’s Educational Equity Compliance Office timestamps new complaints of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying when received and provides an acknowledgment letter framing the allegations under the jurisdiction of the Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) and referring a complainant to appropriate offices and resources for issues not under UCP jurisdiction. The investigator assigned has 60 calendar days from office receipt to investigate the complaint and to send a letter with findings to relevant parties. The 60-day timeline may be extended only by mutual agreement of the complainant and the District. During the investigative process, the investigator contacts complainant and other applicable parties requesting data and responses. The District includes an opportunity for the complainant to present evidence or information to support the allegations. The District will ensure that, within 60 days of receipt of the written complaint, the complaint has been resolved and/or investigated and that a written report of findings is issued to the complainant. The written report of the investigative findings contains the allegations, method of investigation, policy, findings, conclusions, appeal options and corrective actions, if applicable.

Any individual, public agency or organization may file a written complaint alleging a violation by the District of federal or state laws or regulations governing the programs and activities by completing the form here.

Wendy Kelly, Deputy Superintendent
Redwood City School District 
750 Bradford St.
Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: (650) 423-2251
Email: wkelly@rcsdk8.net

A complaint may be filed anonymously if it provides evidence or information leading to evidence to support an allegation of noncompliance. Complainants making a verbal complaint shall be referred to an administrator/designee who will assist any person with a disability or unable to prepare a written complaint.

Otherwise, a discrimination complaint may be filed with the Office for Civil Rights:

San Francisco Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
Phone: (415) 486-5555
Email: ocr.sanfrancisco@ed.gov

United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights Complaint Form

Who is the District’s Equity Officer?

Antonio Perez
Director of Student Services
Redwood City School District
750 Bradford Street
Redwood City, CA 94063

Office (650) 482.2457
Fax (650) 482.2204

Title IX Complaint Manager Resources (for employees only)

Title IX training for Coordinators, Investigators and Decision Makers

Additional Employee Trainings; www.targetsolutions.com/rcsdk8

Boundary Invasion (25 minutes):

An incident of sexual misconduct between school staff and a student is always shocking to colleagues. They often think, “How could this happen in my school?” or “But that teacher is so respected and popular! Surely he/she isn’t capable of something like that….” This course highlights the shocking prevalence of misconduct in the educational setting, while also reinforcing the importance of establishing professional boundaries in the workplace. Available in Spanish.

Bullying Recognition/Response (42 Minutes):

:The Keenan Safeschool’s Bullying: Recognition and Response course trains staff how to recognize and react to bullying situations. The course helps users understand the complexities of bullying by examining its characteristics, development, and underlying causes. It also discusses the roles of victims, bullies, and bystanders and offers ways for staff to deal with each. Addresses the “Safe Place to Learn Act”.

Diversity Awareness: Staff to Student (25 minutes):

A lack of diversity awareness and acceptance in a school community can create problems including harassment or discrimination claims. Keenan SafeSchools’ Diversity Awareness: Staff-to-Student course provides school staff members with an overview of issues related to staff-to-student diversity; equips staff to recognize and respond to incidents of harassment, bigotry, and prejudice; and how diversity policies apply to staff-to-parent communications as well. The course also offers positive reinforcing behaviors that show respect for a diverse student population and discusses the importance of staff to student boundaries.

Human Trafficking Awareness (22 minutes):

The goal of Keenan SafeSchools Human Trafficking Awareness course is to build awareness among employees regarding the trafficking of minors. This course will help all school employees learn to identify – and potentially prevent – occurrences of human trafficking.

Mandated Reporter: Child Abuse and Neglect (32 minutes):

The Keenan SafeSchools Mandatory Reporter course provides staff with an overview of laws regarding mandated reporting of child abuse, including child abuse and neglect detection, mandated reporter obligations and procedures (CANRA) and information on the consequences for failure to report. Available in Spanish.

Online Safety: Predators (15 minutes):

This course covers the dangers that exist online and what you can do to prevent an incident from occurring in your school.

Sexual Misconduct: Staff-to-Student (30 minutes):

While the vast numbers of school staff members are competent, capable and caring professionals, sexual misconduct by staff members involving students unfortunately does happen. Sexual misconduct has a profound and lasting impact on the student, school, community and staff members as well. The goal of this course is to educate teachers, coaches and support staff members about the standards of care required for the education profession – including the legal requirements. In addition, the course will explain the law that requires all school staff members to act as mandatory reporters of sexual abuse of students. Available in Spanish.

The Redwood City School District does not allow discrimination, intimidation, harassment (including sexual harassment) or bullying based on a person’s actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, nationality/national origin, immigration status, ethnic group identification/ethnicity, age, religion, marital status/ pregnancy/ parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, medical information or association with a person or group with one of more of these actual or perceived characteristics. For questions or complaints, contact Title IX Compliance Officer: Wendy Kelly, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, 750 Bradford St, (650-482-2251), (wkelly@rcsdk8.net).

Título IX DISTRITO ESCOLAR DE REDWOOD CITY

El Distrito Escolar de Redwood City no permite la discriminación, intimidación, acoso (incluyendo acoso sexual), acoso escolar (bullying) basado en la raza real o percibida, color, origen, nacionalidad/ país de origen, estado migratorio, identificación con un grupo étnico/ etnia, edad, religión, estado civil/ embarazo / estado parental, discapacidad física o mental, sexo, orientación sexual, género, identidad de género, expresión de género, información genética, información médica o asociación con una persona o grupo con una o más de estas características reales o percibidas. Para preguntas o quejas, contacte a la Oficina de conformidad con el Título IX: Wendy Kelly, Superintendente Adjunto de Recursos Humanos, 750 Bradford St, (650-482-2200), (wkelly@rcsdk8.net).