CESAR CHAVEZ PCS GRIEVANCE POLICIES
The following are the official school policies:
Cesar Chavez PCS values the input of students, parents and guardians, and encourages parents to offer feedback on any aspect of the school program. A quality educational program for students a can be achieved best by all individuals working together harmoniously. There will be times, however, when an individual may feel the need to file a complaint. When complaints or concerns occur, they should be resolved at the school or at the lowest possible administrative level through an informal process of cooperative agreement among the affected individuals.
Anyone, including students, parents, guardian, or other third parties can make a complaint.
INFORMAL COMPLAINT PROCESS
Cesar Chavez PCS encourages any party to make an informal complaint prior to filing a formal complaint to bring any concern to the attention of school-based staff. Informal complaints should be directed to any of the individuals listed below:
- Teacher
- Assistant Principal
- Dean
- Head of School
These individuals will seek to address the concern through a process of cooperative agreement among the affected individuals.
FORMAL COMPLAINT PROCESS
However, when the informal process fails to provide resolution, an individual is entitled to file a formal complaint and seek a review of any administrative decisions made by school system staff members.
When a concern or complaint is not resolved through the informal process, you may initiate the formal complaint process outlined below.
The first step in the formal process is to obtain a Formal Complaint Form from the school’s website or school main office. You may attach descriptive or supportive information to the form. Formal Complaint forms, along with any relevant documents, should be provided by mailing, emailing, or handing it to the Assistant Principal. You should submit this form within 90 days of (a) the alleged issue, or (b) receiving an unsatisfactory resolution of an informal complaint. We recommended that you keep a copy of these documents for your records.
Steps in the Formal Complaint Process
- When your complaint form is received at the school, the Assistant Principal or designee should contact you within three (3) school days to establish the date, time and place of a meeting to discuss your concern, if such a meeting is warranted. Usually, this meeting will take place within ten (10) school days.
- Cesar Chavez PCS will conduct a thorough and impartial investigation of the issues raised in the Formal Complaint.
- Cesar Chavez PCS will provide you with a written summary of findings based on this investigation, including a determination of whether the complaint was substantiated, and if so, a proposed resolution. Cesar Chavez PCS will strive to provide this summary within 30 school days after the receipt of the Formal Complaint.
If you are not satisfied with the written decision, or if you do not receive a reply to your formal complaint within the specified time, you may request that your complaint be considered by the Head of School or his/her designee. You must file your request for review within 15 calendar days of the written response or the date when a decision was made.
If you wish to request a review you must do so in writing and include:
- The Formal Complaint Form
- Any relevant evidence
- An explanation of the reason you are seeking an appeal
Cesar Chavez PCS' Head of School or his/her designee shall contact you to schedule a telephone or in-person meeting. The meeting will usually occur within ten (10) school days from when the written appeal was received.
The Head of School or his/her designee will provide a final written response explaining the outcome of the appeal. This final written response will typically be provided within thirty (30) school days after receiving the written request for appeal. All formal grievances must abide by the school’s grievance policy available on the school’s website.
If you have a concern or grievance that you wish to share with Cesar Chavez PCS Board of Trustees, please contact the Chair of the Board. Please see the section Board of Trustees for contact information.
Prohibition against Retaliation
Cesar Chavez PCS prohibits retaliation against any individual who has made a complaint pursuant to this policy in good faith, assisted in an investigation, or otherwise exercised rights protected by law. Cesar Chavez PCS also prohibits taking any adverse action against an individual based on an unsubstantiated allegation or rumor of harassment.
Modification
Cesar Chavez PCS may approve modification of the foregoing procedures in a particular case if the modification (a) is for good cause, and (b) does not violate due process rights or policies of Cesar Chavez PCS.
Contact Information
Sanjay Mitchell, Interim Head of School
Cesar Chavez Public Charter School
3701 Hayes Street, NE
Washington, DC 20019
[email protected] 202-398-2230
Cesar Chavez PCS Board of Trustees
[email protected]
TITLE IX
NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
In accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VI”), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 504”), Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (“The Age Act”), and the District of Columbia Human Rights Act of 1977, applicants for admission and employment, students, parents, employees, sources of referral of applicants for admission and employment, and all unions or professional organizations holding collective bargaining or professional agreements with Cesar Chavez PCS are hereby notified that Cesar Chavez PCS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, source of income, status as a victim of interfamily offense, or place of residence or business in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities.
Students, parents and/or guardians having inquiries concerning Cesar Chavez PCS compliance with sexual harassment and or bullying policy implementation, Section 504, ADA, Title VI, Title IX, the Age Act, and/or DC Human Rights Act as they apply to students, employees or third parties or who wish to file a complaint regarding such compliance should contact: Ashley High, COO, [email protected] who has been designated by Cesar Chavez PCS to coordinate its efforts to comply with the regulations implementing Section 504, ADA, Title VI, Title IX, the Age Act, and the DC Human Rights Act.
Employees found to have engaged in prohibited discrimination will be subject to disciplinary action.