Important: This notice summarizes our Policy Regarding Immigration Enforcement Activity. The complete policy is available in the school office and on the MATES website. OUR COMMITMENT TO ALL STUDENTS We provide a safe, welcoming environment for all students regardless of immigration status or religious beliefs. We limit immigration enforcement activities at our facilities consistent with California law. YOUR RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS Non-Discrimination: We prohibit discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying based on immigration status, nationality, race, ethnicity, citizenship status, religion, national origin, or ancestry. We promptly investigate all complaints and take appropriate action. Enrollment: We do not request citizenship or immigration documentation for enrollment, other than documents we might review but not retain to establish a child’s birthdate. We accept various documents to establish residence (utility bills, rental agreements, declarations of residency) and age (birth certificates, passports, or affidavits). Students experiencing homelessness may enroll even without typical documentation if otherwise eligible. Privacy of Information: We do not collect or maintain information about students' or families' citizenship or immigration status except when required by law for specific education programs. If we do, we collect such information separately from enrollment and do not use it to discriminate or prevent school attendance. Social Security Numbers: We do not require Social Security numbers for enrollment. We may request the last four digits of an adult household member's number only to establish eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. Students can still qualify without providing this information if they meet income requirements. INFORMATION SHARING LIMITS We do not share student information that might indicate immigration or citizenship status unless authorized by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) or required by valid court orders, warrants, or subpoenas. We provide parents notice before responding to such requests (except in child abuse cases or when prohibited). Immigration Enforcement Officers: Without written parental consent, we do not provide student information to immigration enforcement officers unless they present a valid judicial warrant, judicial subpoena, or court order signed by a judge. ICE administrative warrants do not authorize access to nonpublic school areas or student information. CAMPUS ACCESS PROCEDURES Immigration enforcement officers carrying out immigration enforcement activities may not enter nonpublic school areas without a valid judicial warrant or court order. In the event of an enforcement activity authorized by a judicial order, our staff will: • Request credentials and documentation from any officer • Contact the schoolsite administrator before granting access • Request that officers not interrupt instruction • Document all interactions and notify parents, staff, and students pursuant to the procedures outlined in our Comprehensive School Safety Plan • Report attempts to access campus or students to the California Department of Justice and to the Charter School Board of Directors ANTI-BULLYING AND HATE CRIMES We educate students about respecting all peers and the harmful effects of bullying based on protected characteristics. We train staff to eliminate hostile environments and respond to harassment. Students who experience hate crimes have the right to report them. Review our complete Harassment, Discrimination, Intimidation, & Bullying Policy and Uniform Complaint Procedures in the main office or on the MATES website at matescharter.org. SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES Emergency Contacts: You may update your student's emergency contact information anytime. We encourage you to include a trusted adult or multiple adults who can care for your child if you become unavailable. We use this information only for emergencies. Caregivers Authorization Affidavit: We encourage families to support relative caregivers in completing a Caregivers Authorization Affidavit. We will rely on a signed, completed Affidavit to allow an authorized caregiver to enroll a student in school and to consent to school-related medical care. A parent’s signature is not required on the Caregiver Authorization Affidavit. This form is available here:
https://www4.courts.ca.gov/documents/caregiver.pdf If Parents Are Detained: We release students to emergency contacts or anyone with a Caregiver's Authorization Affidavit. We contact child protective services only if we cannot arrange care through provided contacts. Family Safety Plans: We encourage families to develop safety plans identifying trusted adults who can care for students and locations of important documents (birth certificates, passports, medical information). Resources for Detained Family Members: • ICE Detainee Locator:
https://locator.ice.gov/odls#/search • Legal Assistance: California organizations accredited by Board of Immigration Appeals at
https://www.justice.gov/eoir/recognition-accreditation-roster-reports; Self-Help Centers at
http://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-selfhelpcenters.htm • Consulates/Embassies: Contact your country of origin's consulate for assistance