A. Relationship to Non-Discrimination Laws

Consistent with state and federal laws, and the policies of the school or district, no person shall be discriminated against in admission to a public school of any town or in obtaining the advantages, privileges and courses of study of such public school on account of actual or perceived differentiating characteristics including race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, socioeconomic status, homelessness, academic status, gender identity or expression, physical appearance, pregnant or parenting status, sexual orientation, mental, physical, developmental or sensory disability or by association with a person who has or is perceived to have one (1) or more of these characteristics. Nothing in the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan prevents the school or district from taking action to remediate discrimination or harassment based on a person’s membership in a legally protected category under local, state, or federal law, or school or district policies.

B. Relationship to Existing Disciplinary Regulations

In addition, nothing in the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan is designed or intended to limit the authority of the school or district to take disciplinary action or other action under M.G.L. c. 71, §§ 37H, 37H½, 37H3/4, other applicable laws, or local school or district policies in response to violent, harmful or disruptive behavior, regardless of whether the plan covers the behavior.

C. Relationship to Other District Policies

This plan is related to the following district policies:

ACAB - SEXUAL HARASSMENT
ACF - NON-DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF GENDER IDENTITY
EDUCATION JIC-E-1 – STUDENT CONDUCT
JICCC-R - STUDENT CONDUCT ON SCHOOL BUSES
JK-R - STUDENT DISCIPLINE
JKD/JKE-R STUDENT SUSPENSION/EXPULSION
LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY