Pregnant, Lactating, Teen Parent

Pregnant and Parenting Teen Resources

General Information

Whittier Union High School District wants to support our pregnant and parenting teens so that they can continue their education, attain strong academic and parenting skills and promote the healthy development of their children.

 Pregnant and parenting teens have the right to participate in any comprehensive school or educational alternative program.  Educational and related support services shall be provided, either through the district or in collaboration with community agencies and organizations, to meet the needs of pregnant and parenting students and their children.  Services include, but are not limited to:

1. Child care and development services for the children of parenting students near the school site during the school day and during school-sponsored activities.

2. Parenting education and life skills instruction

3. Tobacco, alcohol and drug prevention and intervention services

4. Academic and personal counseling

5. Supplemental instruction to assist students in achieving grade-level academic standards to progress toward graduation

Absences

Pregnant and parenting students may be excused for absences related to confidential medical appointments in accordance with Board Policy/Administrative Regulation 5113- Absences and Excuses.

Students may be granted a leave of absence due to pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy and recovery, when it is deemed necessary by a physician.  When returning, the student shall be reinstated to the status held before the leave began.

Absences are excused for the illness or medical appointment of a child to whom the student is the custodial parent.

Accommodations and Lactation Needs

When necessary, the district shall provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant and parenting students to enable them to access the educational program.  A pregnant student has the same access to any services available to other students with temporary disabilities or medical conditions.

Schools will provide reasonable accommodations to any lactating student to express breast milk, breastfeed an infant child or address other needs related to breastfeeding.  Students will not incur academic penalties  for using any of these accommodations, and will provided with  the opportunity to make up work missed due to such use. Reasonable accommodations include:

1. Access to a private and secure room, other than a restroom, to express milk or breastfeed an infant child.

2. Permission to bring a breast pump or other necessary equipment used to express breast milk to school

3. Access to a power source for a breast pump or other necessary equipment used to express breast milk.

4. Access to a place to store expressed breast milk safely

5. A reasonable amount of time to accommodate the student's need to express breast milk or breastfeed an infant.

To access support for pregnant and parenting teens, speak to a school counselor.

Complaints

Any complaints of discrimination on the basis of pregnancy or parental status or noncompliance should first be addressed with the Assistant Principal of Guidance and then with the Principal.  For concerns that are unable to be addressed at the site level, please contact Student Support Services.  If complaints cannot be resolved at the  site or district level, or at any point in the process, you may file a complaint through a Uniform Complaint Procedure (UCP).  You may contact the Educational Services Office for information related to UCP.