Inclusion & Belonging: Our Policies
Our District Welcomes
- Students of all races, ethnicities, and nationalities
- Students of all abilities
- Students of all religions
- Students of all genders/gender expressions and sexualities
- Students of all family structures
- Students of all native languages
- Students from all socio-economic backgrounds
- Students of all body types
Wissahickon School District remains committed to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment, where all students and employees can achieve success. We are dedicated to ensuring that every learner has access to the District’s educational curriculum, programs, and activities. We believe that establishing a deep sense of belonging is fundamental to our District’s values and our students’ social, emotional, and academic experiences. Our commitment is reflected in the District’s mission and vision, official policies, and Achievement Gap Ten Year Attack Plan. Please navigate the tabs below for additional information.
- Disability & Accessibility
- Gender Identity & Biological Sex
- Nationality, Immigration & ELD
- Race & Ethnicity
- Religion & Spirituality
- Sexual Orientation
- Socioeconomic Resources
Disability & Accessibility
Disability and Accessibility
Wissahickon School District is committed to ensuring that all students with disabilities have access to District programs and activities and are treated with dignity– free from harassment and discrimination – in accordance with federal and state law, including, but not limited to, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The list below is a summary of related Board-approved Policies and Administrative Regulations. The policies are guidance and are subject to adaptation. Additionally, the content below is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all policies or procedures that may apply to a particular situation.
policy/Title |
Summary |
| This policy codifies the District's commitment to provide an equal opportunity for all students to achieve their appropriate potential through the educational programs and activities and not be subject to discrimination. The policy addresses district compliance with federal law and regulations under Title IX prohibiting sexual harassment. Similarly, Policy 103.1 prohibits discrimination against all qualified students with disabilities and codifies the district's responsibility to provide academic and nonacademic services and programs equally to students with and without disabilities. | |
| 104: Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices | Policy 104 ensures that all persons have equal access to all categories of employment in the District and not be subject to discrimination. The policies also prohibit retaliation. |
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113.1: Discipline of Pupils with Disabilities 113.3 Screening and Evaluation of Students with Disabilities 113.4: Confidentiality of Special Education Student Information |
Policies 113, 113.1, 113.2, 113.3, 113.4 and 113.5 ensure that all students with disabilities are identified, evaluated, and provided with appropriate educational programs and services, in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations.
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| 247: Hazing |
The District remains committed to maintaining a safe, positive environment for pupils and staff that is free from hazing. |
| 249.1 Bullying/Cyber Bullying |
The Board prohibits all forms of bullying by District students. |
Gender Identity & Biological Sex
Gender Identity & Biological Sex
The District is committed to creating a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students that is free from discrimination, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The District focuses on ensuring that each and every student has equal access to all components of the educational program.
The list below is a summary of related Board-approved Policies and Administrative Regulations. The policies are guidance and are subject to adaptation. Additionally, the content below is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all policies or procedures that may apply to a particular situation.
|
policy/Title |
Summary |
| This policy codifies the District's commitment to provide an equal opportunity for all students to achieve their appropriate potential through the educational programs and activities and not be subject to discrimination. The policy addresses district compliance with federal law and regulations under Title IX prohibiting sexual harassment. Similarly, Policy 103.1 prohibits discrimination against all qualified students with disabilities and codifies the district's responsibility to provide academic and nonacademic services and programs equally to students with and without disabilities. | |
| 104: Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices | Policy 104 ensures that all persons have equal access to all categories of employment in the District and not be subject to discrimination. The policies also prohibit retaliation. |
| 247: Hazing |
The district remains committed to maintaining a safe, positive environment for pupils and staff that is free from hazing. |
| 249.1 Bullying/Cyber Bullying | This policy prohibits all forms of bullying by District students. |
| 261: Transgender and Gender Expansive Students |
The district is committed to creating a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students that is free from discrimination, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The District focuses on ensuring that each and every student has equal access to all components of the educational program. |
Nationality, Immigration & ELD
Nationality, Immigration & ELD
Wissahickon School District seeks to ensure that its curriculum, programs, and practices are welcoming to all students regardless of their nationality and/or immigration status. By law, children have a constitutional right to have equal access to a free and appropriate K-12 public education regardless of their immigration status. Further, consistent with Pennsylvania school code, the District's enrollment policy and practices do not require information regarding immigration status for purposes of registering a student for enrollment in the District.
The District is also proud to serve families from around the world with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Currently, approximately 28 different languages are spoken by WSD students. Whether one comes to the District speaking little English or with more advanced skills, the District is proud to offer services to English learners of all levels. In addition to providing these services, we are committed to ensuring that students who are multi-lingual feel appreciated, valued, and included in our school community.
The list below is a summary of related Board-approved Policies and Administrative Regulations. The policies are guidance and are subject to adaptation. Additionally, the content below is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all policies or procedures that may apply to a particular situation.
Partnership for Translation Services
WSD is pleased to to work with TransPerfect, one of the world’s leading translation service providers, to offer translation services to our families who speak a language other than English. The district’s relationship with TransPerfect assists our teachers and staff in effectively communicating with parents, guardians, and caregivers about important school matters to better support all students and partner with all families. Communicating with our families is a district priority and is critical to developing strong relationships, a sense of belonging in our school community, and student success.
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Policy/Title |
Summary |
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103: Nondiscrimination in School and Classroom Practices
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This policy codifies the District's commitment to provide an equal opportunity for all students to achieve their appropriate potential through the educational programs and activities and not be subject to discrimination. |
| 104: Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices | Policy 104 ensures that all persons have equal access to all categories of employment in the District and not be subject to discrimination. The policies also prohibit retaliation. |
| 247: Hazing | The district is committed to maintaining a safe, positive environment for pupils and staff that is free from hazing. |
| 249.1 Bullying/Cyber Bullying | This policy prohibits all forms of bullying by District students. |
| 138: Language Instruction Educational Program for English Learners | This policy codifies the district's commitment to provide quality educational programs to increase the English language proficiency of students who are English Learners (EL), |
| This policy prohibits discrimination against individuals or groups by reason of their religious creed or ancestry and establishes the district's responsibility to develop in students an understanding of the role of religion in the context of history and culture and its subsequent educational value. Policy 140.1 further outlines the study of holidays as a significant way in which children learn about the importance of culture. | |
| 143: Controversial Issues and the School Program | This policy ensures opportunities for teachers and students to hear, discuss, and study issues that are controversial without fear of reprisal. |
Race & Ethnicity
Race & Ethnicity
The District embraces a leadership role in closing opportunity and achievement gaps to ensure the success of each and every student. By creating a culture of belonging through dignity and by maintaining excellence in curriculum, programs, and strategies, WSD is intentional in its steps to cultivate the full potential of all students.
The list below is a summary of related Board-approved Policies and Administrative Regulations. The policies are guidance and are subject to adaptation. Additionally, the content below is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all policies or procedures that may apply to a particular situation.
|
policy/Title |
Summary |
| This policy codifies the District's commitment to provide an equal opportunity for all students to achieve their appropriate potential through the educational programs and activities and not be subject to discrimination. The policy addresses district compliance with federal law and regulations under Title IX prohibiting sexual harassment. Similarly, Policy 103.1 prohibits discrimination against all qualified students with disabilities and codifies the district's responsibility to provide academic and nonacademic services and programs equally to students with and without disabilities. | |
| 104: Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices | Policy 104 ensures that all persons have equal access to all categories of employment in the District and not be subject to discrimination. The policies also prohibit retaliation. |
| This policy ensures opportunities for teachers and students to hear, discuss, and study issues that are controversial without fear of reprisal. | |
| 247: Hazing | The district is committed to maintaining a safe, positive environment for pupils and staff that is free from hazing. |
| 249.1 Bullying/Cyber Bullying | This policy prohibits all forms of bullying by District students. |
Religion & Spirituality
Religion & Spirituality
The District remains focused on creating an inclusive school community for all students. Wissahickon School District recognizes and understands its basic responsibility to develop in students an understanding of their diverse history and culture and the importance of religion through the literary, artistic, civic, and historical vantages. In fulfilling this purpose, teaching must be objective and demonstrate religious doctrines do not have the support of state authority. Such teaching must be fair and must expose a recognition of and respect for the variety and richness of humankind’s beliefs.
The list below is a summary of related Board-approved Policies and Administrative Regulations. The policies are guidance and are subject to adaptation. Additionally, the content below is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all policies or procedures that may apply to a particular situation.
policy/Title |
Summary |
| This policy codifies the District's commitment to provide an equal opportunity for all students to achieve their appropriate potential through the educational programs and activities and not be subject to discrimination. | |
| 104: Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices | Policy 104 ensures that all persons have equal access to all categories of employment in the District and not be subject to discrimination. The policies also prohibit retaliation. |
| 247: Hazing | The district is committed to maintaining a safe, positive environment for pupils and staff that is free from hazing. |
| 249.1 Bullying/Cyber Bullying | This policy prohibits all forms of bullying by District students. |
| This policy prohibits discrimination against individuals or groups by reason of their religious creed or ancestry and establishes the district's responsibility to develop in students an understanding of the role of religion in the context of history and culture and its subsequent educational value. Policy 140.1 further outlines the study of holidays as a significant way in which children learn about the importance of culture. | |
| 143: Controversial Issues and the School Program | This policy ensures opportunities for teachers and students to hear, discuss, and study issues that are controversial without fear of reprisal. |
Sexual Orientation
Sexual Orientation
The Wissahickon School District affirms that no person shall, on the basis of sex, disability, race, color, age, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, veteran’s status or genetic information be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any educational program or activity. The District seeks to ensure that its curriculum, programs, and practices are welcoming to all students regardless of their sexual orientation. ‘Sexual orientation describes patterns of sexual, romantic, and emotional attraction—and one's sense of identity based on those attractions’ (Psychology Today, 2021). Sexual orientation is distinct from gender identity, the internal sense of being male, female, or non-binary. Common terms used to describe sexual orientation include, but are not limited to heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer.
The list below is a summary of related Board-approved Policies and Administrative Regulations. The policies are guidance and are subject to adaptation. Additionally, the content below is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all policies or procedures that may apply to a particular situation.
|
policy/Title |
Summary |
| This policy codifies the District's commitment to provide an equal opportunity for all students to achieve their appropriate potential through the educational programs and activities and not be subject to discrimination. The policy addresses district compliance with federal law and regulations under Title IX prohibiting sexual harassment. Similarly, Policy 103.1 prohibits discrimination against all qualified students with disabilities and codifies the district's responsibility to provide academic and nonacademic services and programs equally to students with and without disabilities. | |
| 104: Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices | Policy 104 ensures that all persons have equal access to all categories of employment in the District and not be subject to discrimination. The policies also prohibit retaliation. |
| 247: Hazing | The district is committed to maintaining a safe, positive environment for pupils and staff that is free from hazing. |
| 249.1 Bullying/Cyber Bullying | This policy prohibits all forms of bullying by District students. |
| 261: Transgender and Gender Expansive Students | The district is committed to creating a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students that is free from discrimination, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression and to ensuring that every student has equal access to all components of the educational program. |
Socioeconomic Resources
Socioeconomic Resources
We believe that the Wissahickon School District has a basic responsibility to understand life circumstances – including socioeconomic status – that may impact a student’s learning opportunities. Additionally, the District recognizes its purpose to find solutions to remove those barriers that could impede upon a student’s learning experience. Through a variety of programs and practices, the District supports families and students in need of financial assistance in order to access curricular programs and activities.
The list below is a summary of related Board-approved Policies and Administrative Regulations. The policies are guidance and are subject to adaptation. Additionally, the content below is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all policies or procedures that may apply to a particular situation.
|
POLICY/TITLE |
SUMMARY |
|
This policy codifies the District's commitment to provide an equal opportunity for all students to achieve their appropriate potential through the educational programs and activities and not be subject to discrimination. The policy addresses district compliance with federal law and regulations under Title IX prohibiting sexual harassment. Similarly, Policy 103.1 prohibits discrimination against all qualified students with disabilities and codifies the district's responsibility to provide academic and nonacademic services and programs equally to students with and without disabilities. |
|
| 104: Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices | Policy 104 ensures that all persons have equal access to all categories of employment in the District and not be subject to discrimination. The policies also prohibit retaliation. |
| 122: Extracurricular Activities | The Board shall make school facilities, supplies and equipment available and shall assign staff members for the support of extracurricular activities for students. Such availability and assignment shall be in accordance with the Equal Access Act. Additionally, the Board shall maintain the program of extracurricular activities at no cost to participating students with certain exceptions. |
| 150: Title 1 - Comparability of Services | This policy requires that each district school receiving Title I funds must use state and local funds to provide services that, taken as a whole, are at least comparable to services in those schools in the district that do not receive Title I funds. |
| 235: Homeless Students | This policy ensures that homeless children and youths have equal access to the same educational programs and services provided to other District students. |
| 255: Educational Stability for Children in Foster Care | This provides administrative guidelines related to the enrollment/placement of children in foster care. |