Safe and Welcoming Schools Policy

Gardner Pilot Academy, as part of The Boston Public Schools, is committed to maintaining an environment where individuals of all backgrounds and experiences are welcomed, encouraged, included, and can flourish free of discrimination.   We believe all families should feel safe, welcomed, valued and included so that they are able to fully engage as partners in their child’s education. We aim to eliminate all forms of bias and bigotry, including discrimination based on race, color, age, criminal record (inquiries only), physical or mental disability, homelessness, immigration status, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics, and military status.  We are committed to providing our students with equal education opportunities and a safe learning environment free from harassment, bullying, discrimination, and hate crimes, where all student community members treat each other with respect and appreciate the rich diversity in our school.

Gardner Pilot Academy will not tolerate discriminatory behavior, including intimidation, threats, or harassment.  Retaliatory conduct toward persons who have reported possible bias, discrimination, or inappropriate behavior, who have assisted in an investigation, or who have otherwise exercised their rights under this policy is also prohibited.   Unacceptable conduct includes any action, including verbal or nonverbal communication, that contributes to, promotes, or is passively or actively complicit in disrupting the school’s inclusive learning environment. Derogatory or intimidating statements, threats, acts of exclusion, or other mistreatment regarding a student’s membership in or association with a member of a protected group, whether made in person or by telephone, postal mail, e-mail, internet posting, or any other means, will not be tolerated toward students, members of students’ families, employees, contractors, or other parties who support or participate in district programming. 

Gardner Pilot Academy will vigorously implement and actively enforce this policy to ensure that all of its daily operations are characterized by fairness, respect, and equity.  GPA will not tolerate any behavior that violates the BPS Code of Conduct or non-discrimination policy, including any form of harassment, bullying, cyberbullying, discrimination, retaliation, or hate crimes in our schools or at school-related activities,  Any violation of this policy will be viewed as serious misconduct and may result in discipline, up to expulsion of the responsible student. Retaliation against any person who has testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding or hearing of a report of a violation of this policy, will similarly be viewed as serious misconduct and may result in discipline, up to and including expulsion.   Gardner Pilot Academy will promptly investigate all reports and complaints of harassment, bullying, discrimination, and hate crimes and take prompt, effective action to end that behavior and prevent its reoccurrence. Action will include, where appropriate, referral to a law enforcement agency. 

Examples of unacceptable behavior include but are not limited to the following: 

1. Speaking or communicating to or about a student or parent because of their membership in a protected group, such as his or her race, including the use of slurs;
2. Telling or electronically circulating jokes that are teasing  members of a particular group, such as a student of a particular religious faith; 
3. Using insulting nicknames for members of a protected group

To report any violation of our Safe and Welcoming Schools Policy please contact Erica Herman or Joe Sara at 617-635-8365.