Non-Discrimination
Community Charter School of Cambridge does not discriminate in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment of its services, programs and activities, on the basis of race, color or national origin, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI); on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, marital status, familial status, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, including in admission and employment, in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; on the basis of disability, in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and the Individual with Disabilities Education Act of 2004; on the basis of gender identity, in accordance with Chapter 199 of the Acts of 2011, or on the basis of age, in accordance with the Age Discrimination Act of 1974 (Age Discrimination Act). Nor does it discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin or sexual orientation, in accordance with Chapter 622 of the Acts of 1971 (M.G.L. c.76, §5) and Chapter 151B of the General Laws. Nor does it discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, sex, gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age, ancestry, athletic performance, special need, proficiency in the English language or a foreign language, or prior academic achievement in accordance with M.G.L. c.71, §89 and 603 CMR 1.06.
Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity
CCSC requires that all classrooms, programs, activities, and employment practices be free from bias and discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. CCSC works hard to create a culture where transgender and gender nonconforming students and staff feel safe, supported, and fully included, and provides educational opportunities for all students. We aim to achieve inclusion of transgender and gender nonconforming students and staff, while maintaining students’ and staff’s rights to privacy.
Definitions
Understanding the terminology associated with gender identity is important to providing a safe and supportive school environment for all students. The definitions provided below are not intended to label or limit students’ or staff’s individual identities or experiences, but rather to assist in understanding our legal and moral obligations. Although these are the most commonly used terms, students or staff may or may not choose to use these terms to describe their gender identity, appearance, or behavior.
- Gender Identity: Defined under Massachusetts law as “a person’s gender-related identity, appearance, or behavior, whether or not that gender-related identity, appearance, or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person’s physiology or assigned sex at birth.”
- Gender Expression: The manner in which a person represents or expresses gender to others, often through behavior, clothing, hairstyles, activities, voice, or mannerisms.
- Transgender: A person whose gender identity or expression is different from that traditionally associated with the assigned sex at birth.
- Gender Nonconforming: People whose gender identity and/or gender expression do not conform to traditional societal expectations or norms. The terms “gender variant” or “gender atypical” may also be used.
- Queer: While historically and sometimes currently considered an offensive term, “queer” has been reclaimed by many members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community as a term of empowerment. The term generally refers to a member of the LGBT+ and/or gender nonconforming community. This term may be used by someone who identifies as a member of the LGBT+ community, but who does not specifically consider themselves to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. Since this term has a negative history, it should only be used to describe individuals who identify themselves as queer and give permission for others to use that term to describe them.
- Transition: The process by which a person goes from living and identifying as one gender to living and identifying as another. Transitions may include physical, social, and/or medical processes. Not all transgender or gender-nonconforming people transition or desire to transition in the same way. Transitions are private, and personal information about a transition should not be discussed unless the conversation is initiated and led by the transgender or gender-nonconforming student or staff member.
Bias-based Conduct, Discrimination, and Harassment
It is the policy of CCSC to maintain a safe and supportive learning and educational environment that is free from bias-based conduct, discrimination or harassment on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity or expression. We strive to ensure that transgender and gender nonconforming students and staff have a safe school environment. Reports of bias, discrimination or harassment based on a person’s actual or perceived gender identity or gender nonconformity are handled in the same manner as other reports of bias-based conduct.
Names and Pronouns
The School supports and respects all individual’s identities. In Massachusetts, an individual may adopt a name that is different from the name that appears on their birth certificate, provided the change of name has no fraudulent intent. When a school receives a request for a name change, schools should accurately record the student or staff member's chosen name on all school-based records. A court-ordered name or gender change is not required, and the student or staff member does not need to change their official school record.
After a student or staff member requests a name change, CCSC staff and students should use the individual's chosen name and pronouns appropriate to their gender identity, regardless of their assigned birth sex. For individuals who remain in the same school following a gender transition, it is important to develop a plan for ensuring the use of the chosen name and pronouns consistent with their gender identity.