FORMAL STUDENT SUSPENSIONS

Background

Every student has the responsibility to be a self-disciplined and responsible member of the school community and the community at large.  At all times students are to contribute to a safe, caring and orderly learning environment.  Each student is expected to respect the rights and property of others, and to comply with the District procedures and individual school codes of conduct/citizenship.

The District recognizes that when students participate in extreme behaviour of a serious and/or chronic nature, suspensions from school may be necessary.

Principals must have procedures designed to deal with students who receive a suspension as a result of contravening school codes of conduct/citizenship.

According to the mandate of the District and in accordance with the School Act and its regulations, students may be suspended for a specific period of time.  The District authorizes principals and vice-principals to suspend students in accordance with the School Act provisions.

The Superintendent will ensure that once a more than five day suspension has been effected, the Student Review Process is initiated to resolve the situation and, where possible, to the satisfaction of the parents and the school(s) concerned.

Procedures

1. The suspension of students must only be implemented in situations where all other attempts to correct the student’s inappropriate behaviour(s) have failed or in circumstances which dictate that an immediate removal of the student is warranted.
2. All principals are expected to consider the following District expectations when promoting and reinforcing responsible student behaviour.
   1. Create school cultures that focus on preventing the behaviours that result in suspensions;
   2. Provide alternatives to suspensions that attempt to help students change their inappropriate behaviour and promote positive student behaviour;
   3. Provide supportive mechanisms when suspension is the appropriate discipline strategy;
   4. Assist students in maintaining a positive connection with the school community.
   5. Provide appropriate accommodations and support for vulnerable students and/or those identified with a Ministry designation.
3. Pre‑Suspension Procedure
   Before initiating the process of formal suspension according to Sections 26 and 85(2)(c)(i),(ii)(d) and (3)(a),(b) of the School Act, wherever possible, the Principal must ensure that the following interventions/processes have been undertaken:
   1. Articulate school philosophy related to the code of conduct/citizenship for students (reviewed annually by school staff).
   2. Document inappropriate behaviour, including all pertinent dates of incidents, actions taken and any written communication with the parents.
   3. Complete a detailed investigation into the inappropriate behaviour/incident.
   4. Inform parents of inappropriate behaviour and discuss measures for improved behaviour.
   5. Complete an educational assessment and initiate supportive measures where applicable.
   6. Initiate referral procedure with the Director of Instruction, Diversity and Inclusion where the situation warrants more resources or support.
4. Exceptions To Pre‑Suspension Procedures
   In certain situations immediate suspensions may be effected even though all of the pre‑suspension procedures have not been carried out, e.g.,
   1. In a crisis situation to protect the child, other children or adults.
   2. In situations where administrative procedures indicate suspension is the consequence for the offence.
5. Process For Formal Suspension
   1. The process of suspension is a legal act and has serious implications.The District categorizes two types of suspension:
      1. Five school days or less (see following);
      2. More than five day suspension (see following).
         Principals shall report all suspensions to a member of the executive as soon as possible using the District form “Student Suspension ‑ Incident Form.” (Form 355-1)
   2. Procedures for Five School Days or Less
      1. The Principal shall make contact with the student and with the parents to inform them of the reasons for suspension, the duration of such a suspension, and any restrictions applied to the student during this suspension.  This contact is to be made as soon as possible.
      2. The Principal shall also request that the parents personally attend the school to receive their child.  If the parents are unable/unwilling to personally receive their child from the school, the Principal shall retain the student until dismissal time, or make other arrangements.
      3. The Principal shall then send a letter regarding the suspension to the parents.
      4. A copy of the District Student Suspension Incident Form (Form 355-1) shall be forwarded to a member of the executive.  A copy of the suspension letter to the parents shall also be forwarded.
      5. During the suspension period, the Principal shall make an educational program available to the student.
      6. The Principal shall outline in writing the specific conditions with respect to the student's return to school and shall communicate these to the parents, and to the student.  The Principal may extend the suspension if the student has not yet demonstrated a willingness to abide by the conditions of the suspension and the school code of conduct/citizenship.  Support services will be offered to the student where applicable.
      7. Conditions stipulated by the Principal may include:
         1. The completion of the educational program prepared by the school;
         2. The attendance of the parents with the child on the date of reinstatement, in order to consult with the Principal regarding the child's educational program and behaviour. The Principal may choose to consult with parents in writing or by telephone instead.
      8. A referral procedure with the Director of Instruction, Diversity and Inclusion shall be initiated where the situation warrants more resources or support.
      9. Prior to the student's re-entry to school, the Principal and appropriate staff shall review the reasons for suspension and provide support required to help ensure the student is successful upon returning to school.
   3. Procedures for more than Five Day Suspension
      1. A suspension of more than five (5) days occurs in consultation with a member of the executive and when:
         1. In the opinion of a Principal, a student's behaviour is considered to be of a serious nature (i.e., drug/alcohol use or possession, violence, etc.); or
         2. In the view of a Principal, a student violates the school code of conduct/citizenship to a significant extent and has not responded to an incremental series of suspensions of less than five days.
      2. The Principal shall make contact with the student and with the parents to inform them of the reasons for suspension, the duration of such a suspension and any restrictions applied to the student during this suspension. This contact is to be made as soon as possible.
      3. The Principal shall also request that the parents personally attend the school to receive their child.  If the parents are unable/unwilling to personally receive their child from the school, the Principal shall retain the student until dismissal time, or make other arrangements.
      4. The Principal shall then send a letter regarding the suspension to the parents.
      5. The Director of Instruction, Diversity and Inclusion will be forwarded a copy of the more than five day suspension letter with a copy of the District Student Suspension Incident Form (Form 355-1).
      6. During the suspension period, the Principal shall make an educational program available to the student.
      7. The Principal shall prepare full documentation for presentation to the Student Review Committee (refer to student review checklist).
      8. The Director of Instruction, Diversity and Inclusion, upon receipt of the information regarding the more than five day suspension shall convene a meeting of the Student Review Committee as soon as possible.
      9. The Student Review Committee shall convene a meeting with the student, the parents and the Principal.
      10. The material submitted by the Principal to the Review Committee will be provided to the parent at least 48 hours before the review meeting.
      11. In some instances, new information related to the suspension may emerge fewer than 48 hours prior to the review which needs to be considered in the review meeting.  The Director of Instruction, Diversity and Inclusion will ensure that the parent and student have adequate time to read, ask questions and present their views about the new information.
6. Student Review Committee
   1. The Student Review Committee shall consist of, but not be limited to:
      1. Principal from another District school;
      2. A member/(s) of the District staff;
      3. The Director of Instruction, Diversity and Inclusion;
      4. A member of the WSANEC School Board (WSB), when the committee is dealing with the suspension of an Indigenous Student.
   2. The Chair of the Student Review Committee shall be appointed by the Superintendent.  This Committee's responsibility is to review the case carefully and to make a series of recommendations for the resolution of the suspension which will include future educational programming.
   3. The Student Review Committee, as part of its agenda, will provide opportunities for both the Principal, the suspended student and parents to provide additional information and make a response.
   4. The Student Review Committee shall receive a written report from the Principal.This report is to include the following items:
      1. Cover Sheet:
         1. Student profile, strengths and challenges
         2. Interventions/support
         3. Outside agency involvement (if applicable)
         4. Reason for suspension
         5. School concerns
      2. Attachments
         1. Current timetable
         2. IEP (if applicable)
         3. PR card
         4. Achievement records/report card
         5. Attendance
         6. Copy of suspension letter(s)
   5. The Director of Instruction, Diversity and Inclusion shall make a decision regarding the student under suspension after considering the recommendations of the Student Review Committee.  Possible outcomes could be:
      1. That the suspension be lifted and the student returns to the same school;
      2. That the suspension be lifted and the student be placed in a different school;
      3. That specific conditions be established as part of the student's educational program;
      4. That the student be referred to a District Program or alternative educational setting;
      5. That upon re-entry of a student to a school, the parents be required to accompany the child to consult with the Principal, regarding the student's educational program and supports offered.
   6. The Director of Instruction, Diversity and Inclusion will provide the parents a written copy of the Student Review Committee’s decision.
   7. The parents have the right to appeal the decision to the Superintendent.
7. Appeal Procedure (refer to Board Policy 16 - Appeals Bylaw)