The Unified School District’s Commitment to Inclusion and Equality

The Dos Palos Oro Loma Joint Unified School District is on a mission to provide an educational environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying. This commitment is integral to ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, feels safe, valued, and empowered to thrive.

Protecting Students’ Rights

At the heart of the district’s efforts is a staunch commitment to protecting students’ rights against any form of discrimination. This encompasses a wide range of characteristics, including:

• Ancestry
• Age
• Color
• Disability
• Gender
• Gender identity and expression
• Nationality, citizenship, or immigration status
• Race or ethnicity
• Religion
• Sex
• Sexual orientation
• Pregnancy or parental status
• Marital or family status
• Military status

School personnel are required to intervene immediately when they witness any acts of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying, ensuring a prompt and effective response to safeguard the well-being of all students.

Resources and Support for Title IX Compliance

The district offers comprehensive training materials and resources for Title IX personnel to ensure compliance and effectiveness. Any questions or complaints regarding alleged discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying should be directed to the appropriate district officials for swift resolution.

The district’s statement reads, “The Unified School District of Two Palos Gold Loma prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying in educational programs, activities or employment for reasons of racial or perceived ancestry, age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, citizenship or immigration status, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy or potential parental, family, or marital status, or military status with a person or a group with one or more of these real or perceived characteristics.

Ensuring Equitable Education for Students with Disabilities

To ensure that all students have access to a quality education, the district offers free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment. This includes support for students with disabilities from ages 3 to 21. Special education services are customized to cater to various needs and may sometimes be provided in a private nonsectarian school when necessary. For more specific information, contact the local director of special education, who can address these concerns and provide appropriate services. The official statement notes:

The official statement notes, “State and Federal law require that a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment be offered to qualified pupils with disabilities ages 3 through 21 years. Students classified as individuals with exceptional needs for whom a special education placement is unavailable or inappropriate may receive services in a private nonsectarian school…” For inquiries about Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, refer to the district official identified.

Enhancing Educational Opportunities

Further, the district is committed to ensuring that students who experience disabilities that hinder their educational opportunities receive the assistance they need. Whether it’s navigating through special services or fostering an inclusive learning environment, every student’s unique needs are given the utmost consideration, according to the official statement: “…services are available for students who have a disability which interferes with their equal access to educational opportunities…”.

Director of Special Education

The local director of special education is responsible for addressing questions or concerns regarding services under Section 504, ensuring that every student can access educational opportunities to the fullest extent. The district official responsible for requests under Section 504 is available to help and address complaints and provide any necessary inquiries to be directed accordingly.