Title IX

Notice Of Non-Discrimination and Equal Educational Opportunity

PA Virtual does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other classification otherwise protected by law in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, hiring policies, scholarship and aid programs, and all other policies and operations, nor may a student be subject to disciplinary action on account of race, sex, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other classification.

PA Virtual Title IX Policy

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq., protects students from discrimination based on sex in educational programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance. Title IX states that:

No person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any academic, extracurricular, research, occupational training, or other education program or activity operated by a recipient, which receives Federal financial assistance. This policy reaffirms the commitment of Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School to comply with Title IX. This policy covers student on student as well as employee on student sexual harassment.

For the purpose of this policy, “sex” shall be inclusive of sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity; and will provide an educational environment free from discrimination on the basis of sex.

PA Virtual Title IX Staff

Title IX Officer: Jason Fitzpatrick- jfitzpatrick@pavcs.us or 484-680-7729

Decision-Maker: Chief Academic Officer or Chief Human Resources & Marketing Officer

Appeal Decision-Maker: McKenna Snyder LLC

Official Complaint Form Instructions

1. Download the PA Virtual Complaint Form Here

2. Please complete all sections of the form.

3. Be as specific as possible when discussing the incidents. Your complaint is not limited to the space provided. You are encouraged to attach additional materials, which may assist in the investigation process.

4. Please be sure to include the: the date(s), the incident(s) that occurred, the name(s) of the person(s) involved, and the name(s) of those who may have witnessed the incident(s).

5. Sign it and email the form to either the District Title IX Coordinator, Jason Fitzpatrick: jfitzpatrick@pavcs.us or any building Principal.

If you have questions regarding the complaint process and/or complaint form, please contact the Title IX Officer:

Jason Fitzpatrick- Title IX Officer

Phone: 484-680-7729

Fax: 1-866-521-2956

Mailing Address:

Jason Fitzpatrick Title IX Officer

630 Park Avenue

King of Prussia, PA 19406

Title IX Grievance Procedures

Title IX Sexual Harassment

These grievance procedures provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints made by students, employees, or other individuals who are participating or attempting to participate in the School’s education program or activity, or by the Title IX Coordinator, alleging any action that would be prohibited by Title IX or the Title IX regulations.

Sexual Harassment:

Title IX prohibits the following conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:

Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the school’s education program or activity.

· A School employee conditioning educational benefits on participation in unwelcome sexual conduct, otherwise known as “Quid pro Quo” harassment.

· “Sexual assault,” as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1092(f)(6)(A)(v) “dating violence,” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(10) “domestic violence,” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(8), or “stalking” as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(30).

Complaints:

The following people have a right to make a complaint of sex discrimination, including complaints of sex-based harassment, requesting that the School investigate and make a determination about alleged discrimination under Title IX:

1. A “complainant,” which includes: a student or employee of the School who is alleged to have been subjected to conduct that could constitute sex discrimination under Title IX; or a person other than a student or employee of the School who is alleged to have been subjected to conduct that could constitute sex discrimination under Title IX at a time when that individual was participating in or attempting to participate in the School’s education program or activity;

2. A parent, guardian, or other authorized legal representative with the legal right to act on behalf of a complainant; or

3. The School’s Title IX Coordinator.

Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to the School’s Title IX Coordinator, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or both.

The School’s Title IX Coordinator is:

Jason Fitzpatrick, Principal of Pupil Services and Title IX Coordinator 630 Park Avenue, King of Prussia, PA 19406 jfitzpatrick@pavcs.us

484-680-7729

The full PA Virtual policy, grievance timeframes and definitions can be found at: https://go.boarddocs.com/pa/pavcs/Board.nsf/Public?open&id=policies

TRAINING

Title IX Technical Assistance:

Title IX Webinars:

Title IX Blog Entries:

Title IX Staff Training PowerPoint:

2020: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XddKcqqcSJM-wUv05vpIfXeEbL4S_5ef/view?usp=sharing

Title IX Staff Training Modules:

2021:Training Module 1: Sexual Harassment Under Title IX
2022:Training Module 2: School Climate and Learning
2022: Training Module 3: Developmentally Appropriate Strategies to Prevent, Intercede, and Respond
2023: Frontline: Harassment Awareness
2024 Training: May 2024 | Title IX: New Regulations and New Compliance Requirements for K-12 Schools-Wed, May 22, 2024. Presenter: Wed, May 22, 2024 2:00 PM-Presenter Vector Solutions: Megan C Farrell
August 2024: Harassment Awareness
December 2024: Kevin McKenna LLC all staff training highlighting new regulations for the 24-25 SY.

Certification Training:

2022: Title IX Officer Certification (K-12)

Resources:

Confronting Anti-LGBTQI+ Harassment in Schools: A Resource for Students and Families