JEG: Exclusions and Exemptions from School Attendance

Although school attendance is compulsory for all persons from the first school day of the year in which they attain 6 years of age until they turn 16, there are certain circumstances in which a child may be exempted or excluded from attending a public school in the district.

Exemptions may be permitted if:

• a child is attending an independent school, a provincial school or an educational institution operated by the Crown in right of Canada or by a band as defined in the Indian Act (Canada);
• a parent has registered a child for home education;
• a child is prevented from attending school by illness or other unavoidable cause (the Board of School Trustees (the “Board”) will continue, however, to provide such students with an educational program).

Exclusions may be for disciplinary reasons or for medical reasons.

Exclusions for disciplinary reasons are outlined in codes JGD/JGE, Student Suspension/Exclusion.  A student 16 years of age or older may also be excluded for failure to apply himself or herself, or failure to comply with the code of conduct and other policies outlined in the School Act; such exclusions are at the discretion of the principal and the Superintendent of Schools, subject to Board approval.

Exclusions for medical reasons are permitted under the School Act, Sec. 91(2),  (4), and  (5), if the school medical officer considers a student's health condition endangers  the health or welfare of students or the employees of the Board.  If a teacher or administrator suspects a student is suffering from a communicable disease or other physical, mental, or emotional condition that would endanger the health or welfare of the other students, the teacher or administrator shall report the matter to the school medical officer, to the principal, and to the Superintendent.   Students who are medically excluded by the school medical officer are not permitted to return to school until a certificate is received from the  school medical officer stating the exclusion is lifted.

A student excluded for medical reasons shall continue to be provided with an educational program through home instruction, as determined by the District Learning Services Division.

DMT Responsibility: AS-F