Other Forms of Discrimination or Harassment
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in education programs and activities. Moreover, the Virginia Human Rights Act, as amended by the Virginia Values Act, prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, or disability in education programs and activities.
Any student who believes that he or she has been subjected to discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or any other basis prohibited by law (with the exception of those laws governing the provision of special education services, which are the responsibility of the Associate Superintendent of Special Education and Student Services and the Director of Special Education); any parent of such a student; or any individual (including another student or a PWCS employee) who believes that a student has been, or is being, subjected to discrimination or harassment is encouraged to report the harassment to the student’s principal or to the PWCS Title IX Coordinator and Student Equity Officer.
Upon receipt of a report of discrimination or harassment on any basis prohibited by law, PWCS will initiate protective measures designed to stop the alleged harassment, protect one or more individuals, and restore or preserve equal access to the education program or activity. Protective measures may include, but are not limited to, counseling, extensions of deadlines or other course-related adjustments, changing seat and/or bus assignments, modifications of class schedules, restrictions on contact between the parties, altering school privileges, and increased security and monitoring of certain areas of the school campus.
PWCS will investigate any complaint of discrimination or harassment involving or directed at students. The Title IX and Student Equity Office will investigate or oversee the investigation and resolution process and also will serve as a resource to families. If it is determined that discrimination or harassment has occurred, PWCS will take appropriate action designed to prevent such discrimination or harassment from recurring; such action may include, but is not limited to, the short- or long-term removal of the offending student from the victim’s school.
Students, parents, and employees who would like additional information about the procedures by which allegations of harassment are investigated and resolved are encouraged to contact the Title IX and Student Equity Office. A complaint of discrimination or harassment can be submitted using the Complaint of Discrimination or Harassment Form (PDF).
Additional Information
Pertinent Policies And Regulations
PWCS is in the process of updating the following policies and regulations to ensure compliance with the United States Department of Education’s Title IX regulations that were issued on May 6, 2020. Policies and regulations under review and revision include: