Policies

Non-Discrimination Statement 

Crane Country Day School (Crane) prohibits discrimination against and harassment of students and/or school employees on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, ancestry or national origin, age, pregnancy, marital status, disability, and/or any other protected characteristics under any other applicable law or school policy. 

Students and employees are entitled to an employment and educational environment that is free of discriminatory harassment. This policy is intended to provide notice of compliance with federal and state civil rights laws to all employees, students, parents/guardians, applicants for admission and employment, and other interested persons, as appropriate. Crane will require all persons, agencies, vendors, contractors, and other persons and organizations doing business with or performing services for the school to adhere to this policy and to all applicable federal and state laws pertaining to school operations. 

Crane does not tolerate discriminatory harassment of any employee, student, visitor, or guest. Protected class harassment constitutes a form of discrimination that is prohibited by Crane policy. Harassment in this context is defined as unwelcome conduct by any member or group of the school community on the basis of actual or perceived membership in a class protected by policy or law. 

Crane will act to remedy all forms of harassment when reported, whether or not the harassment rises to the level of creating a hostile environment. A hostile environment is one that unreasonably interferes with, limits, or denies an individual’s educational or employment access, benefits, or opportunities. This discriminatory effect results from harassing verbal, written, graphic, or physical conduct that is severe, persistent and/or pervasive, and objectively offensive. This policy also prohibits retaliation, which is defined as any materially adverse action taken because of a person’s participation in a protected activity. Protected activity includes reporting an incident that may be a violation under this policy, participating in the grievance process, supporting a person who is engaging in a process as described under this policy, or assisting in providing information relevant to an investigation under this policy. 

When harassment rises to the level of creating a hostile environment, Crane may also impose disciplinary action. Harassment/sexual harassment of students by school employees is considered grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including discharge. Harassment/sexual harassment of students by other students is considered grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion. The Head of School will determine appropriate sanctions for harassment and creation of a hostile environment (discriminatory harassment). 

Designation of Responsible Employee (and contact information) 

Ashley Herles is the designated individual who responds to actual notice of an allegation and serves as the Responsible Employee under this policy to oversee its implementation. The Responsible Employee is the individual or individuals who has the primary responsibility for coordinating Crane’s efforts related to investigation, resolution, and implementation of corrective measures and monitoring to stop, remediate, and prevent discrimination, harassment, and retaliation prohibited under this policy. 

The Responsible Employee shall make specific and continuing steps to notify students, parents/ guardians, employees, applicants for admission and employment, and all unions or professional organizations holding collective bargaining agreements, and the public of where and how to initiate the grievance process described in this policy. The Responsible Employee will ensure adequate non-discrimination procedures are in place, recommend new procedures or modifications to procedures, and monitor the implementation of this policy. 

Responsible Employee Contact Information 

Allegations of violations of this policy, or questions about this policy, may be made internally to: 

Ashley Herles, HR Advisor Title IX Coordinator
Crane Country Day School 1795 San Leandro Lane Santa Barbara, CA 93108
805-616-3322
aherles@hracademia.org 

Mark K. Schmidt, Title IX Deputy Coordinator of Student Services
Crane Country Day School 1795 San Leandro Lane Santa Barbara, CA 93108
805-969-7732 x. 104
mschmidt@craneschool.org 

Inquiries may also be made externally to: 
Office of Diversity, Inclusion & Civil Rights (ODICR)
U.S. Small Business Administration
409 3rd Street, S.W. Suite 6400
Washington, DC 20416 Phone: 202-205-6750 TTY/TTD: 1/800-877-8339
Web: https://www.sba.gov/offices/headquarters/odicr 

Mandatory Reporter Policy 

Under this policy, all employees of Crane are designated as mandatory reporters. All employees are expected to report knowledge of or reports of incidents of discrimination or harassment of students or employees that are made to them, or which they become aware, to the Responsible Employee and may also make a report to law enforcement, when the latter is required or desired by the party involved. The Responsible Employee will act accordingly when an incident is reported to them. If the matter involves possible abuse of a minor, then a report must immediately be made as required under state and/or local law, including to child welfare services and/or local law enforcement, and as required under Crane’s mandated reporter policy. 

Grievance Procedure 

A. Any individual who has experienced discrimination or harassment, or believes that a student or employee has been discriminated against or harassed should report their concern promptly in writing to the Responsible Employee. Individuals who are unsure whether discrimination or harassment has occurred, or who need assistance in preparing a written complaint, are encouraged to discuss the situation with the Responsible Employee. 
B. Employees are expected to promptly report possible incidents of discrimination or harassment of students or employees to the Responsible Employee. Parents/guardians and other adults are also encouraged to report any concerns about possible discrimination or harassment of students. 
C. Students, employees, and others will not be retaliated against for making a complaint or participating in an investigation. 
D. Retaliation is illegal under state and federal nondiscrimination laws and any retaliation by students or school staff will result in disciplinary measures, up to and including expulsion or dismissal. 

Complaint Handling and Investigation 

A. The Responsible Employee shall promptly inform the Head of School and the person(s) who is the subject of the complaint (hereinafter, “respondent”) that a complaint has been received. 
B. The Responsible Employee may pursue a prompt and equitable informal resolution of the complaint with the agreement of the parties involved. Any party to the complaint may decide to end an informal resolution process and pursue the formal process at any point. The informal resolution is subject to the approval of the Responsible Employee, who shall consider whether the informal resolution is in the best interest of the parties and the school unit in light of the particular circumstances and applicable policies and laws. 
C. Crane will conduct an adequate, reliable, and impartial investigation. Typically, a complaint will be investigated by the Responsible Employee, unless the Responsible Employee designates another person to investigate it on his/her behalf. Any complaint about an employee who holds a supervisory position shall be investigated by a person who is not subject to that supervisor’s authority. Any complaint about the Responsible Employee should be submitted to the Head of School who may consult with legal counsel concerning the handling and investigation of the complaint.

a. The respondent will be provided with an opportunity to be heard as part of the investigation. The complainant shall not be required to attend meetings with the respondent but may choose to do so as part of the resolution process. 
b. The complainant and the respondent may suggest witnesses and/or submit materials they believe are relevant to the complaint. 
c. When the complaint involves allegations relating to conduct that took place away from school property, school-sponsored activities, or school transportation, the investigation may include inquiries related to these allegations to determine whether they resulted in continuing effects such as harassment or a discriminatory impact in school settings. 
d. Privacy rights of all parties to the complaint shall be maintained in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. 
e. The Responsible Employee shall keep a written record of the investigation process. 
f. The Responsible Employee may take interim remedial measures to reduce the risk of further discrimination or harassment while the investigation is pending. Examples of interim measures include, but are not limited to, ordering no contact between individuals, changing schedules or classes, etc. 
g. The Responsible Employee may consult with the Head of School concerning the investigation, conclusions, and any remedial and/or disciplinary actions. 
h. The investigation shall be completed promptly. Typically, investigations are completed within 21 business days of receiving a complaint, if practicable. The Responsible Employee may extend this time frame at his/her discretion for good cause. 

D. If the Responsible Employee determines that discrimination or harassment occurred, he/she shall, in consultation with the Head of School: 

a. Determine what remedial action, if any, is needed to end the discrimination or harassment, remedy its effects, and prevent recurrence; 
b. Determine what disciplinary action should be taken against respondent, if any; and 
c. Inform both the respondent and the complainant in writing of the results of the investigation and its resolution (in accordance with applicable state and federal privacy laws). 

E. If the complainant and/or respondent is dissatisfied with the resolution, an appeal may be made in writing to the Head of School within 10 business days after receiving notice of the resolution. The Head of School shall review the investigation report and may conduct further investigation if deemed appropriate. The Head of School’s decision shall be provided in writing to the parties within 10 business days, if practicable. The appeal decision shall be final.
 
Adoption date: 8/14/20
 

Crane Country Day School admits students of any race, color, religion, or national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion in the administration of its educational programs, admission and tuition assistance policies, and athletic or other school-administered programs.

This policy is in accordance with California law AB 500.

Crane Country Day School encourages respectful, caring relationships between CCDS faculty/staff and students. Faculty/staff are expected to be professional at all times and maintain appropriate boundaries between themselves and students to ensure they avoid even the perception of inappropriate conduct. Employees must ensure that they do not cross the boundaries of a professional relationship.

Guidelines for Appropriate Behavior with Students

• An adult must not be alone with a student in a space that cannot be observed by others (e.g., an office without windows, an automobile).

• An adult must not socialize with a student or group of students off campus, outside of school-sponsored activities.

• An adult must not conduct private, personal communication of any kind with a current or past student under the age of 18 on any social media platform (e.g., “friending” or following a student)

• An adult must not interact with current students by text, email or letters, unless the communication is exclusively related to the adult’s professional work with the student (e.g., a class, a sports team). When emailing students, employees must use the school’s email system.

• An adult must not offer preferential treatment or disproportionate/excessive personal attention to any student.

• An adult must not give gifts that are personal or intimate in nature to an individual student.

• An adult must not have unnecessary physical contact with a student in either a public or private setting.

• An adult must not make or participate in sexually inappropriate comments, sexual jokes, stories, or jokes/comments with sexual innuendo around students or while acting as representative of CCDS.

• An adult must not seek emotional involvement with a student for an employee’s benefit.

• An adult must not discuss personal troubles or intimate issues with a student.

• An adult must keep parents informed when a significant issue develops concerning a student.

Furthermore, the guidelines above are expected of all employees with interactions with minors with whom the adult interacts with as part of his/her employment at CCDS.

Duty to Report

If an employee finds himself or herself in a difficult situation related to boundaries with students, the employee should ask for advice from a division head, the school’s counselor, or the head of school. When an employee becomes aware of another employee crossing appropriate boundaries with a student, the employee must report the matter to their division head or head of school. Furthermore, in some circumstances, employees must also report such conduct in accordance with the mandated reporter requirements.

Copyright Information

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Disclaimer

Crane Country Day School and its employees and contractors have used their best efforts in preparing these pages and publications. Crane Country Day School and its employees and contractors make no warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, with regard to the responses or the information contained here. This website and the information contained herein is provided “as is”, and we make no express or implied representations or warranties regarding this document or the information. Crane Country Day School reserves the right to change the content of this website at any time. Without limiting the foregoing, Crane Country Day School does not warrant that the website or information will be error-free or will meet any particular criteria of performance or quality. We expressly disclaim all implied warranties, including, without limitation, warranties of merchantability, title, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, compatibility, security, and accuracy.

Your use of this website and information is at your own risk. You assume full responsibility and risk of loss resulting from the using this website or any information within. We will not be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages or any other damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, statute, tort (including, without limitation, negligence) or otherwise, relating to the use of this website or information.

No Endorsement

Crane Country Day School is not responsible for the quality, accuracy or appropriateness of content on other sites to which we refer to, or in which links have been provided, on Crane Country Day School pages. Our referring to, or linking to, these other sites is not a guarantee or warrantee of the content or fitness of those sites for any purpose, and should not be considered an endorsement of those sites.

Limits of Liability

Crane Country Day School and its employees and contractors shall not be liable in the event of incidental or consequential damages in connection with, or arising out of, the providing of the information offered here. Crane Country Day School and its employees and contractors make no warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, with regard to the responses or the information contained here.

Information Collected via Gifts/Online Registrations

Whenever you make a gift or register for information using this site, information will be requested on a form. The information requested could include name, address, and financial information, such as a credit card number and expiration date. This information is used only to obtain payment from the appropriate clearinghouse and to fulfill the visitor's request.

We want everyone who visits the Crane Country Day School website to feel welcome and find the experience rewarding.

What are we doing?

To help us make the Crane School website a positive place for everyone, we've been using the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. These guidelines explain how to make web content more accessible for people with disabilities, and user friendly for everyone.

The guidelines have three levels of accessibility (A, AA and AAA). We’ve chosen Level AA as the target for the Crane School website.

How are we doing?

We've worked hard on the Crane School website and believe we've achieved our goal of Level AA accessibility. We monitor the website regularly to maintain this, but if you do find any problems, please get in touch.

Let us know what you think

If you enjoyed using the Crane School website, or if you had trouble with any part of it, please get in touch. We'd like to hear from you in any of the following ways:

• email us at mwren@craneschool.org
• call us on 805-969-7732 ext:130