Adabestan Persian School (“APS”) is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for all students, families, volunteers, and staff. We believe that every student should be able to learn and participate in school activities free from harassment, discrimination, and violence. This policy applies to all Sunday school classes, events, and school-sponsored activities.

Academics and Participation

• I will support my child's learning and progress by reading teacher's notes, monitoring homework assignments, and submission of the completed work. 

• I will maintain open communication with my child's instructor or the school administrator to address any academic, technical, scheduling, or behavioral concern. 

•  I will notify the teacher at least 24 hours in advance if my child cannot attend a class.  I understand that more than two consecutive unreported absences in one month or more than four unreported absences in one semester can result in termination of the registration. If misses a class, I will coordinate with the school for additional academic support, so my child does not fall behind.

•  I understand that there will be no tuition refund after the third session of the classes.

  
  

Conduct and Safety

• I understand that the Adabestan Persian School is not responsible for monitoring the students during the drop off and pick up times. Parents, caregivers and/or designated drivers are responsible for the safety of their children and are expected to walk the student across the parking lot and sign the sign-in sheet, both at drop off and pick up time.

•  I understand that students attending Adabestan Persian School are expected to maintain a respectful attitude toward their classmates and staff the entire time. Unsafe or unacceptable behavior will result in a warning from the teacher and/or school staff followed by a notification to the parents. Parent's intervention is expected to address disruptive or unsafe behavior. The student may be removed from the class and/or group activity if the problem persists after several warnings and intervention(s) by the school teacher or staff.

•  I understand that immediate suspension may result from, but is not limited to, the following specific offenses: overt abusive language and/or physical aggression toward teacher(s), staff, or other students; damage to school property and/or unauthorized use of school equipment; chronic bullying of peers; or possession of items that are potentially dangerous, such as pocket knives. 

• I will not bring my child to the school if he/she is ill. I understand that students will be sent home if fever or clear signs of illness are present.

• I understand that the Adabestan Persian School is not responsible for the personal belonging of the students of their family members, attending the school.

Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment

APS is committed to providing an environment that is free of unlawful discrimination and harassment and requires all participants to treat each other with dignity and respect. In keeping with this commitment, APS maintains a strict policy prohibiting unlawful harassment and discrimination at the school and during school activities, including sexual harassment, by any staff member, volunteer, and participant. In addition, any discrimination or harassment of a staff member or participant on the basis of race (including traits associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles), religion, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, reproductive health decisionmaking, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, military status, veteran status, uniformed service member status, sexual orientation, transgender identity, citizenship status, pregnancy, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws is also strictly prohibited. APS also prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment based on any combination of protected characteristics, the perception of having any of those characteristics or any combination of those characteristics, or the perception of being associated with a person who has, or is perceived as having, any of those characteristics or combination of characteristics. Harassment can come in many forms, including verbal harassment (e.g., epithets, derogatory comments, or slurs), physical harassment (e.g., assault, touching, impeding or blocking movement, or any physical interference with normal work or movement), or visual harassment (e.g., images or gestures) directed towards an individual on the basis of a protected characteristic or any combination of protected characteristics.

Sexual Harassment

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, widespread sexual favoritism, and other verbal, physical, or visual conduct of a sexual nature constitute unlawful sexual harassment if (i) submission to such conduct is made an explicit or implicit term or condition of participation in APS’s activities; (ii) submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for decisions affecting an individual; or (iii) such conduct has the purpose or effect of either (a) unreasonably interfering with an individual’s school activities or (b) creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive school environment. Sexual harassment includes gender harassment and harassment on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, and also includes sexual harassment of a staff member or participant of the same gender as the harasser.

Examples of conduct which may violate this policy include, but are not limited to: offensive or unwelcome sexual flirtations, advances, or propositions; threats and demands to submit to sexual requests; offering employment benefits in exchange for sexual favors; making or threatening reprisals after a negative response to sexual advances; widespread sexual favoritism; verbal abuse of a sexual nature; graphic verbal commentaries about an individual’s body; sexually degrading words used to describe an individual; sexually-oriented jokes, e-mails, or written materials; visual conduct, including leering, making sexual gestures, displaying of sexually suggestive objects or pictures, cartoons, or posters; accessing sexually explicit, pornographic, and/or socially offensive websites, chat rooms, or other material on the internet or other computer systems; and the unwelcome physical touching of others.

Complaint Procedure

If an individual believes that the individual has been discriminated against or has been harassed by a staff member, volunteer, participant, or anyone else; has witnessed possible discrimination and/or harassment; or believes that APS or another individual has violated any applicable law in the conduct of its business, the individual has a duty to immediately bring the incident(s) to the attention of the Director. As an alternative, the individual may report any complaints by contacting (408) 418-6082 or by email to info@adabestanpersianschool.org. The description of the incident(s) can be given verbally or in writing.

APS will investigate all reports or complaints of harassment or discrimination thoroughly, promptly, fairly, and discreetly.  The investigator will be impartial and qualified, and will document the investigator’s progress throughout the investigation.  The investigator will afford all parties appropriate due process and will reach a reasonable conclusion based on the evidence collected. It is the obligation of all individuals to cooperate fully in the investigation process. To the extent possible, the confidentiality of an individual or any other person who has reported a problem and that of any witnesses and the alleged harasser will be protected against unnecessary disclosure.  The outcome of the investigation and a timely resolution of each complaint will be reached and, in appropriate circumstances, communicated to the individual and the other parties involved.  If an investigation has concluded that harassment or discrimination occurred, APS will take appropriate remedial corrective action, up to and including removal from the school.

APS will take action to deter any future discrimination and/or harassment. APS considers any discrimination and/or harassment to be a serious offense which can result in disciplinary action for the offender, up to and including removal from the school. In addition, disciplinary action will be taken against any participant or staff member who attempts to discourage or prevent another individual from bringing discrimination, harassment, and/or a violation of law to the attention of management.

Prohibition Against School Violence

APS has zero tolerance for violent acts or threats of violence against its volunteers, students, or participants. No individual shall commit or threaten to commit any violent act against a volunteer, student, participant, visitor, or any other third party associated with the APS. This includes discussions of the use of dangerous weapons or of bringing such weapons onto APS property or at an APS-affiliated event, even if in a joking manner.

Any individual who is subjected to or threatened with violence by a volunteer, student, participant, visitor, or any other third party associated with the APS, or who is aware of another individual who has been subjected to or threatened with violence, must report this information to the Director as soon as possible. Individuals should not assume that a threat is not serious. Instead, they should bring all threats to APS’s attention so that APS can deal with them appropriately. If a volunteer or participant encounters an individual who is threatening immediate harm, they should contact 911 immediately.

All such alleged acts and threats, even those made in a joking manner, will be taken seriously and will be thoroughly investigated, and, if substantiated, will lead to discipline and other corrective action, including removal from the school. All complaints that are reported to management will be treated with as much confidentiality as possible. No volunteer or other individual will be retaliated against for reporting complaints made pursuant to this policy to management.

Waiver and Media Release

I acknowledge, fully understand, and agree that certain risks of injury are inherent in the conduct of students while they are at the Adabestan Persian School premise, particularly during recess time. These types of injuries may be minor or severe and may result from a student’s own actions, the actions or inactions of others, events outside of anyone’s control, or any combination of these. By signing below, I, both on my own behalf and on behalf of my child, assume the risk of such injuries occurring, and I understand that Adabestan Persian School is not responsible for any accident or injury sustained by my child while they are participating in classroom, recess, or other activities while at Adabestan Persian School. In addition, by signing below, I hereby release Adabestan Persian School and its directors, administrators, employees, and volunteers from any and all liability and claims based upon such injuries. 

I acknowledge, fully understand, and agree that Adabestan Persian School has established certain rules with respect to the conduct of students, as indicated in this application, and may at any time, and from time to time, modify these rules. Such rules are designed for the safety and protection of the students and for the purpose of maintaining a healthy learning environment. I hereby undertake to inform my child to abide by these rules as I become aware of them. 

As legal guardian of the minor who participates in Adabestan Persian School’s activities, I accept unto myself all responsibility and all liability for any injury or loss or damage that occurs to me and/or to the minor as a result of the minor’s participation in Adabestan Persian School’s activities. I will indemnify and hold harmless APS and its agents from all claims, judgments, and costs incurred with any action that may be brought as a result of the minor’s participation in Adabestan Persian School’s activities.

I acknowledge, fully understand, and agree that in monitoring the students’ conduct, Adabestan Persian School personnel or volunteers may need to physically restrain one or more students that may pose a danger to themselves or others or may need to search a student’s person or belongings if the possession of a harmful item or substance is suspected. By signing below, I consent to Adabestan Persian School physically restraining my child or searching my child or his/her belongings under such circumstances. 

I hereby grant Adabestan Persian School to use my/my child's photograph(s)/video in any of its publications and other media (e.g., website), whether now known or hereafter existing, controlled by Adabestan Persian School. I will make no monetary or other claim against Adabestan Persian School for the use of the photograph(s)/video. l understand that these images may be used in print and digital formats and that my child's full name will not be used in any publications. I understand that Adabestan Persian school does not intend to use any of its photographs/videos for commercial purposes.