2024 - 2025

Southside Middle School

Complaints Procedures

Introduction

Southside Middle School encourages all students and parents/guardians to demonstrate self-advocacy in a manner that allows the school to be open-minded and receive feedback to support families throughout our school year.

The objectives of this policy are to:

  • Outline the policy and procedures for parent/guardian complaints, and

  • Outline the policy and procedures for student complaints.

Principles of the Procedure (from the IB Complaints Procedure):

To ensure the complaints process is effective, the following principles are applied throughout the complaints process and provide a framework for communication between stakeholders and IB staff.

  • Fairness – we aim to have a fair complaints procedure that ensures everyone is treated equally.

  • Courtesy – all communication in relation to this procedure should be based on mutual respect, trust and courtesy.

  • Accessibility – we aim to have a complaints procedure that is easy to understand, easy to access and well publicized.

  • Timeliness – we aim to ensure that all complaints are dealt with in a timely manner.

  • Effectiveness – the complaints procedure is monitored and reviewed to ensure it continues to be effective.

  • Attentiveness – you will be given every opportunity to put forward your complaint, and you can be assured that we are listening. We will update you on the process and status of your complaint as appropriate.

General Guidelines:

  • To ensure a timely response and resolution, we ask that you submit the complaint within two weeks of the incident.

  • Parent/Guardians may share a concern/complaint to the front office by filling out a parent statement form that will be shared with the appropriate personnel upon receipt. An investigation will begin as needed to include gathering additional written statements from witnesses and follow-up provided per the district policy from the Office of Policy and Compliance.

  • Students may submit a concern/complaint to any school personnel by filling out a Student Statement Form. All statement forms will be turned into the Dean’s Office and shared with the appropriate personnel upon receipt. An investigation will begin as needed to include gathering additional written statements from witnesses and follow-up provided per the district policy from the Office of Policy and Compliance.

  • A member of Southside’s staff will reach out within 48 hours to follow-up on the concern/complaint and to work towards a resolution with the Parent/Guardian and/or student.

Sources: International Baccalaureate Organization.