Legal Notices

Terms of Use

Conditions/Copyright

This website is owned and operated by Belmont Day School (also referred to as Belmont Day). Text and images made available on the website are created to provide an educational resource to the public, and are the sole property of Belmont Day and protected by copyright. The reproduction, redistribution and/or exploitation of any materials and/or content (data, text, images, marks, or logos) for personal or commercial gain is not permitted. Provided the source is cited, personal, educational, and non-commercial use (as defined by fair use in US copyright law) is permitted.

All parties using, printing, or downloading the materials and/or content of the Belmont Day web pages in any manner, represent and warrant (1) that they understand and will observe the limitations on the use of the materials and/or content; and (2) that they will not infringe or violate the rights of any other party.

Belmont Day School shall not incur any responsibility for an individual’s use of this website. Belmont Day reserves the right to delete or decline to post content submitted to this website by users.

The school has the right to modify the terms and conditions concerning the use of this website at any time, and will post any such modifications on this page.

Information Gathering and Privacy Policy

This privacy policy applies to information collected online from users of this website. In this policy, you can learn what kind of information we collect, when and how we might use that information, how we protect the information, and the choices you have with respect to your personal information.

What personal information is collected through this website and how is it used?
We collect information about our users in three ways: directly from the user, from our Web server logs and through cookies. Belmont Day takes extensive precautions to protect website users’ privacy and personally identifiable information.

The school uses your IP address to help diagnose problems with our server and to administer the website by identifying which parts of the site are most used;
User sessions are tracked by cookies but users remain anonymous;
User search terms entered into the website search engine powered by Google, but this monitoring is never associated with individual users.

User-supplied information
Belmont Day encourages members of the school community to provide updates as needed to assure that the school has accurate, current contact information. These updates can be provided via the website or directly to either the registrar’s office or the alumni office, as the case applies.

Any personal information provided by users via the website—including admission inquiries, online giving forms, or the enrolled family and alumni directories—is used by Belmont Day School exclusively for official school business.

How is personal information protected?
We take certain appropriate security measures to help protect your personal information from accidental loss and from unauthorized access, use or disclosure. However, we cannot guarantee that unauthorized persons will always be unable to defeat our security measures.

Who has access to the information?
We will not sell, rent, or lease mailing lists or other user data to others, and we will not make your personal information available to any unaffiliated parties, except as follows: to agents, website vendors and/or contractors who may use it on our behalf or in connection with their relationship with us; if we are unable to assist with your matter, but know an unaffiliated attorney or firm that may be able to help you, we may refer you and share information you provided us with that party; and as required by law, in a matter of public safety or policy, as needed in connection with the transfer of our business assets (for example, if we are acquired by another firm or if we are liquidated during bankruptcy proceedings), or if we believe in good faith that sharing the data is necessary to protect our rights or property.

How can I correct, amend, or delete my personal information and/or opt out of future communications?
You may opt out of any future contacts from us at any time. Contact us via the phone number, contact form, or mailing address on our website at any time to:

see what data we have about you, if any;
change/correct any data we have about you;
ask us to delete any data we have about you; and/or
opt out of future communications from us.

Web Server Logs

When you visit our website, we may track information about your visit and store that information in web server logs, which are records of the activities on our site. The servers automatically capture and save the information electronically. Examples of the information we may collect include:

your unique Internet protocol address;the name of your unique Internet service provider;
the town/city, county/state and country from which you access our website;
the kind of browser or computer you use;
the number of links you click within the site;
the date and time of your visit;
the web page from which you arrived to our site;
the pages you viewed on the site; and
certain searches/queries that you conducted via our website.

The information we collect in web server logs helps us administer the site, analyze its usage, protect the website and its content from inappropriate use, and improve the user's experience.

Cookies

In order to offer and provide a customized and personal service, our website and applications may use cookies and similar technologies to store and help track information about you. Cookies are simply small pieces of data that are sent to your browser from a Web server and stored on your computer's hard drive. We use cookies to help remind us who you are and to help you navigate our sites during your visits. Cookies also can tell us where visitors go on a website and allow us to save preferences for you so you won't have to re-enter them each time you visit. The use of cookies is relatively standard. Most Internet browsers are initially set up to accept cookies, but you can use your browser to either notify you when you receive a cookie or to disable cookies.

If you wish to disable cookies from this site, you can do so using your browser. You should understand that some features of many sites may not function properly if you don't accept cookies. For more information about using browsers to manage cookies, please see All About Cookies. You can opt out of Google's use of cookies by visiting Google's Ad Settings.

By visiting this website, you consent to the use of cookies and similar technologies in accordance with this Privacy Statement.

Third-party Services

We may use services hosted by third parties to assist in providing our services and to help us understand the use of our site by our visitors. These services may collect information sent by your browser as part of a web page request, including your IP address or cookies. If these third-party services collect information, they do so anonymously and in the aggregate to provide information helpful to us such as website trends, without identifying individual visitors.

In addition, we may use services provided by third parties to display relevant content, products, services and advertising to you. These third parties may use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to collect or receive information from this website and elsewhere on the internet. They may then use that information to provide measurement services so we can understand your interests and retarget advertisements based on your previous visits to this website. Please keep in mind that we do not share your personal information with any third-party advertiser, ad server or ad network.

You may be able to opt-out of the collection and use of information for ad targeting by some third parties by visiting the Digital Advertising Alliance; you can opt out of Google's use of cookies by visiting Google's Ad Settings; you can opt out of AdRoll's and their partners' targeted advertising.

Passwords

Members of the school community must keep website passwords, and password-restricted content confidential. Users are solely responsible for password confidentiality and security, and bear complete responsibility for any use of the password. Users should notify Belmont Day immediately at communications@belmontday.org of any theft or unauthorized use of one’s password.

Children's Online Privacy Protection Act

Belmont Day complies with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which requires that website operators never knowingly collect personally identifiable information from anyone under the age of 13 without prior verifiable parental consent.

Links to Other Sites

The school’s website contains occasional hyperlinks to other sites not administered by Belmont Day. Please be aware that Belmont Day is not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites.

School Contact Information

If users have any questions regarding our privacy policy, please contact us at:

Email: communications@belmontday.org
Mail: Belmont Day School, Communications Office, 55 Day School Lane, Belmont, MA 02478

Non-discrimination Policy

The school will always be maintained as a nonsectarian institution. The school complies with all legal requirements in connection with admissions and access to any programs or facilities and employment practices.

Belmont Day School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Belmont Day School is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other protected characteristics. The EEO Is the Law poster is available here.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

Consistent with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), Belmont Day School (the “School”) does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, recruitment, admissions, course offerings, financial aid, athletics, or employment. In addition to this Title IX policy, the School has established separate policies, that, among other things: (1) outline the School’s mandated reporting guidelines; (2) outline the School’s processes for managing interpersonal relationships safely and appropriately; and (3) seek to prevent sex-based discrimination, harassment, and violence. Please see the School’s [Student Handbook and Faculty Handbook], as applicable, for further information about these policies.

Students, parents/guardians, and employees are also encouraged to communicate with the head of school, the assistant head of school and/or the business office with any questions or concerns regarding these policies. The School believes that open communication about these sensitive topics is integral to preventing serious misconduct from occurring and is essential to fostering a culture of personal responsibility, mutual accountability, and positive leadership.

Title IX Complaint Form

Title IX Policy

Compliance Coordinator

The Compliance Coordinator is responsible for administering and ensuring the School’s compliance with Title IX. In order to ensure compliance with Title IX in all facets of the School’s operation, the Compliance Coordinator will coordinate with the School’s Administration to implement and administer this policy and the School’s related grievance procedures for resolving Title IX complaints. The Compliance Coordinator is also responsible for investigating complaints of sex-based discrimination, harassment, violence, or other allegations regarding violations of Title IX; working with law enforcement regarding such complaints when necessary; and ensuring that complaints are resolved promptly and appropriately to the extent possible.

The Compliance Coordinator may delegate these duties to other school employees or external investigators, as necessary and in his or her sole discretion, to ensure the prompt and appropriate resolution of any complaint. The Compliance Coordinator (or his or her designee) may also meet with the School’s students, parents/guardians, and/or employees regarding their rights and obligations under Title IX and to address any questions regarding the School’s compliance with such obligations.

Inquiries concerning this policy, Title IX, and any related issues of sex-based discrimination should be directed to the School’s Compliance Coordinator:
Name: Bea Rooney
Title: Human Resources Manager
Office Address: 55 Day School Lane, Belmont, MA 02478
Telephone Number: (617) 932-3893
Email Address: brooney@belontday.org

Sex-Based Harassment

The School prohibits sex-based harassment by students, employees, or third parties when the conduct is sufficiently serious to deny or limit a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the School’s educational programs and activities; submission to or rejection of such conduct is made, either explicitly or implicitly, a term or condition of admission or employment or the basis for an admission or employment decision; or such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, humiliating, or sexually offensive learning or work environment.

Title IX prohibits several types of sex-based harassment. For the purposes of this policy, the following definitions apply. Sex-based harassment means unwanted conduct that is related to an individual's sex or the sex of another person. Sexual violence is a form of sex-based harassment and refers to physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person’s will or where an individual is incapable of giving consent (e.g., due to the individual’s age or use of drugs or alcohol, or because an intellectual or other disability prevents the individual from having the capacity to give consent). A number of different acts fall into the category of sexual violence, including rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual abuse, and sexual coercion. Gender-based harassment is another form of sex-based harassment and refers to unwelcome conduct based on an individual’s actual or perceived sex, including harassment based on gender identity or nonconformity with sex stereotypes, and not necessarily involving conduct of a sexual nature. All of these types of sex-based harassment are forms of sex-based discrimination prohibited by Title IX.

Harassing conduct may take many forms, including verbal acts and name-calling, as well as nonverbal behavior, such as graphic and written statements, or conduct that is physically threatening, harmful, or humiliating. The more severe the conduct, the less need there is to show a repetitive series of incidents to prove a hostile environment, particularly if the conduct is physical. Indeed, a single or isolated incident of sexual violence may create a hostile environment.

Sex-based harassment may occur between students, between students and employees, between employees, between students and third parties, and between employees and third parties, regardless of the genders of the victim and harasser.

Complaints and Investigation Process

The responsibility to investigate complaints (and/or designate other individuals to conduct investigations) under this policy has been assigned to the Compliance Coordinator. Students or employees who experience or witness conduct in violation of this policy should immediately report it to the Compliance Coordinator or any member of the School’s Administration. Any member of the School’s Administration receiving a complaint is required to immediately report it to the Compliance Coordinator.

Complaints may be reported orally or by using the School’s Title IX Complaint Form. The Title IX Complaint Form may be obtained from the Compliance Coordinator, the Head of School, or the Business Office.

Upon receipt of a complaint, the Compliance Coordinator (or his or her designee) will promptly conduct an investigation in such a way as to maintain confidentiality to the extent practical under the circumstances. The Compliance Coordinator (or his or her designee) will conduct the investigation in compliance with the School’s Title IX Grievance Procedures.

Any student or employee who is found to have harassed another student or employee will be subject to disciplinary action (up to and including expulsion and/or termination of employment). The School will also take appropriate corrective action to address harassment by third parties.

Prohibition Against Retaliation

Retaliation or reprisal by any student or employee against complainants, witnesses, or any other individual who reports allegations of sex-based harassment, discrimination, and/or violence or provides information to assist in an investigation is strictly prohibited. Individuals who believe they have been retaliated against in connection with such action should immediately report such conduct to the Compliance Coordinator.

Any student or employee who is found to have retaliated against a student or employee in connection with a good-faith report of sex-based harassment or discrimination will be subject to disciplinary action (up to and including expulsion and/or termination of employment).

Title IX Grievance Procedures

Sex-Based Harassment

Title IX prohibits several types of sex-based harassment. For the purposes of these grievance procedures, the following definitions apply. Sex-based harassment means unwanted conduct that is related to an individual's sex or the sex of another person. Sexual violence is a form of sex-based harassment and refers to physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person’s will or where an individual is incapable of giving consent (e.g., due to the individual’s age or use of drugs or alcohol, or because an intellectual or other disability prevents the individual from having the capacity to give consent). A number of different acts fall into the category of sexual violence, including rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual abuse, and sexual coercion. Gender-based harassment is another form of sex-based harassment and refers to unwelcome conduct based on an individual’s actual or perceived sex, including harassment based on gender identity or nonconformity with sex stereotypes, and not necessarily involving conduct of a sexual nature. All of these types of sex-based harassment are forms of sex-based discrimination prohibited by Title IX.

Complaint Process

All complaints regarding sex-based discrimination, harassment and/or violence experienced by students or employees in violation of Title IX shall be submitted to the School’s Compliance Coordinator:

Name: Bea Rooney
Title: Human Resources Manager
Office Address: 55 Day School Lane, Belmont, MA 02478
Telephone Number: (617) 932-3893
Email Address: brooney@belmontday.org

Step 1: Reporting Complaints
Complaints may be reported orally or by submitting the School’s Title IX Complaint Form to the Compliance Coordinator. The Title IX Complaint Form may be obtained from the Compliance Coordinator, the Head of School, or the Business Office.

The complaint, whether reported orally or in writing, shall contain information that describes the conduct that has allegedly occurred and caused the violation of the School’s policy and Title IX prohibitions against sex-based discrimination, harassment, and/or violence and identifies the complainant, respondent(s), and any witnesses to the alleged conduct. Complaints may be reported by employees or students (or on their behalf) as detailed above. While the School encourages the reporting individual to reveal his or her name to facilitate investigation, complaints reported anonymously will be investigated to the fullest extent possible under the circumstances.

Step 2: Determining Applicability of Procedures
Upon receipt of a complaint, the Compliance Coordinator will review the information provided to determine whether the matter falls within the scope of these procedures. Within ten (10) days after receipt of a complaint, the Compliance Coordinator will either begin an investigation or inform the complainant in writing that the conduct alleged in the complaint is not within the scope of these procedures and an investigation will not be conducted. If the matter does not involve allegations of sex-based discrimination, harassment, or violence within the scope of these procedures, the Compliance Coordinator will forward the matter to the appropriate School administrator to handle a review in accordance with applicable School policies and procedures.

Step 3: Investigation
If the complaint falls within the scope of these procedures, the Compliance Coordinator will initiate an investigation. The Compliance Coordinator may conduct the investigation or designate other school employees or an external investigator (the “Investigator”) to assist with an investigation, as necessary, in his or her sole discretion. The Compliance Coordinator will advise the parties of the name of the Investigator assigned to the complaint. To the extent practicable, the Investigation shall include interviews with all the parties identified in the complaint as well as other witnesses, students, or employees whom the Investigator determines may provide information relevant to addressing the complaint. Both the complainant and respondent(s) will have an opportunity to identify witnesses to be interviewed and provide documentation or other relevant evidence for review by the Investigator.

The Investigator may take any additional actions as necessary to complete the investigation. The Investigator will maintain documentation of all proceedings related to the investigation, which may include, but is not limited to, notes or transcripts from witness interviews, evidence provided by witnesses or involved parties, audio recordings, or written findings of fact.

Step 4: Closure of Complaint
The Investigator will provide written notice of the results of the investigation, including the Investigator’s findings and conclusions (based on the preponderance of the evidence) supporting the determination, promptly after the complaint is resolved, to the complainant and respondent, and in the case of minor students to their parents/guardians. The written notice shall also advise the parties of their right to appeal an adverse decision to the Compliance Coordinator or the Head of School (or his or her designee).

If the Investigator determines that the preponderance of the evidence supports the allegations of discriminatory conduct, the Investigator, in consultation with the Compliance Coordinator, shall also provide recommendations for: (a) immediately ending the discriminatory conduct; (b) ways to remedy the effects of the discriminatory conduct on the complainant, and if applicable, the School community; and (c) steps to be taken to prevent the recurrence of any discriminatory or harassing conduct found to have occurred.

The School will strive to complete investigations, including issuance of written notice of the Investigator’s findings and conclusions to the complainant and respondent, in as timely and efficient a manner as possible within sixty (60) days of receipt of a complaint. However, this timeframe may be extended based on factors such as, but not limited to, schedule and availability of witnesses, holidays or semester breaks including summer break, and complexity of the complaint. If an investigation cannot be completed within sixty (60) days of receipt of the complaint, then the Investigator will notify the complainant and respondent of that fact and provide a timeframe for completing the investigation. Both parties will be given periodic updates throughout the investigation process.

Step 5: Appeal Rights
Any party not satisfied with the result of a Title IX investigation or the suggested recommendations of the Investigator and/or Compliance Coordinator may submit a written appeal to the Compliance Coordinator and/or the Head of School (or his or her designee). Appeals shall be decided by the Head of School.

The written appeal shall state the nature of the disagreement with the result of the investigation, the reasons supporting the appeal, and how the outcome would be changed by reconsideration of the determination. The Head of School (or his or her designee) will consider all issues presented by the appealing complainant, respondent, or their parent/guardian and the relevant documentation. The Head of School (or his or her designee) will issue a written determination within a reasonable timeframe after receipt of the appeal.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality will be maintained to the greatest extent practicable during the complaint and investigation process. Any information gathered during the investigation will only be shared with those who the Compliance Coordinator determines has a need-to-know, except in limited circumstances, including but not limited to, when the School is required by law to report the information, in order to further an investigation and/or stop a discriminatory practice, or when such disclosure is necessary to protect the health, safety, or well-being of members of the School community.

Interim Measures During Complaint Process

The School will take steps to strive to ensure equal access to its educational programs and activities and protect the complainant as appropriate, including taking interim measures before the final outcome of an investigation, once it has notice of a complaint. The School will notify the complainant of his or her options to avoid contact with the respondent and/or change his or her academic and extracurricular activities, living, transportation, dining, and working situation as appropriate. Other interim measures will be based on the complaint and may be based on a variety of considerations, such as: any specific need expressed by the complainant; the ages of the individuals involved; the severity or pervasiveness of the allegations; any continuing effects on the complainant; whether the complainant and the respondent share class, transportation, or extra-curricular activities; and whether any other measures have been taken to protect the complainant.

The School will ensure that the complainant is aware of his or her rights under Title IX and any other available resources that may be applicable, such as academic support, counseling, and health and mental health services.

Relationship Of These Procedures And Timelines To Law Enforcement Activities

Though the School has jurisdiction over all Title IX complaints, nothing in these procedures should in any way be deemed to discourage the complainant from reporting acts subject to these procedures, including acts of sexual violence, to local law enforcement.

In the event that an allegation includes behavior or actions that are under review by law enforcement authorities, the school will consider whether continuing its own investigation will interfere with a criminal investigation. The School may defer its investigation to avoid compromising the criminal process, but once it is clear that any such concerns have passed or can be mitigated, the School will promptly resume its investigation.

In the event the School elects to delay temporarily the fact-finding portion of a Title IX investigation while local law enforcement officials are investigating, the School may impose interim measures to protect the complainant during that time. The School will also continue to update the parties on the status of the investigation and inform the parties when the School resumes its Title IX investigation.

Right to Additional Complaint Procedures

The School’s Title IX Policy and Grievance Procedures are designed to prevent and address sex-based discrimination, harassment, and violence under Title IX promptly and appropriately. These grievance procedures are not intended to be the exclusive remedy for such violations. School community members, complainants, respondents, and their parents/guardians are entitled to pursue additional avenues of recourse, which may include reporting or filing charges with appropriate legal, state, and federal agencies, initiating civil action, or reporting perceived criminal conduct to the appropriate authorities, including but not limited to:

The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination
Office for Civil Rights
Boston Office
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108

U.S. Department of Education
5 Post Office Square, 8th Floor
Boston, MA 02109-3921

Disciplinary Action

The Compliance Coordinator will refer the matter to the Head of School (or his or her designee) to administer or initiate disciplinary action against anyone found to have engaged in discriminatory conduct or retaliation in connection with an investigation under these procedures.

The School recognizes that false accusations, especially of sex-based harassment, discrimination, and/or violence may have serious effects on innocent persons. Any individual found to have made false accusations of sex-based harassment, discrimination, and/or violence may also be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.

Anti-bullying Policy

Belmont Day School is committed to providing our students and adults equal educational opportunities and a safe learning environment free from harassment, bullying, discrimination, and hate crimes, where all school community members treat one another with respect and appreciate the rich diversity in our school.

It is important for us all to remember that we are educating children from the age of four to the age of fourteen, all of whom are learning the importance of living within a healthy community while discovering their own individual identities. It is essential that we keep in perspective the wider vision of cognitive and social development of our students as we evaluate the intent of their actions. Reasoned and respectful investigation, analysis, and resolution are our goals.

Belmont Day School will not tolerate any unlawful behavior in our school or school-related activities, including any form of harassment, bullying, discrimination, or hate crimes based on race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, age, or disability, or for any other reason. The school will promptly investigate all reports or complaints of these actions and take action aimed at ending that behavior and preventing its reoccurrence. The school will support this policy in all aspects of its activities, including its curricula, instructional programs, summer sessions, vacation programs, staff development, extracurricular activities, and parental involvement. The school will also not tolerate retaliation against persons who take action consistent with this policy.

This policy applies to all students, trustees, school employees, independent contractors, school volunteers, parents and legal guardians of students, and visitors to Belmont Day where the conduct occurs on school premises or in school-related activities, including school-related transportation and technology use. Violation of this policy is a serious offense. Violators will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action to correct and end the conduct, prevent its reoccurrence, and protect the complainant and other similarly situated individuals from harassment, discrimination, hate crimes, retaliation, and bullying in the future.

Definition of Term

Bullying: {The definition written below has been taken directly from the Massachusetts Anti-bullying Law.}
“The repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof, directed at a victim that: (i) causes physical or emotional harm to the victim or damage to the victim’s property; (ii) places the victim in reasonable fear of harm to himself or of damage to his property; (iii) creates a hostile environment at school for the victim; (iv) infringes on the rights of the victim at school; or (v) materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school. For the purposes of this section, bullying shall include cyber-bullying.”

Informal Reporting Procedure
(This process has been drawn from documents provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.)

Procedures to follow when it is observed or a report has been received that a student or adult may be experiencing bullying:

Upon receipt of a bullying or retaliation report, the principal or designee must promptly conduct an investigation. If the principal or designee determines that bullying or retaliation has occurred, he/she must: (1) notify the local law enforcement agency if he/she believes that criminal charges may be pursued; (2) take appropriate disciplinary action; (3) notify the parents of the perpetrator; and (4) notify the parents of the victim, and to the extent consistent with state and federal law, notify them of the action taken to prevent any further acts of bullying or retaliation.

At Belmont Day School the head of school, the assistant head, and the division heads will be the designees who will respond to any report regarding incidents of bullying.