JEG-R: Exclusions and Exemptions from School Attendance

EXCLUDING STUDENTS FOR MEDICAL REASONS

In accordance with Section 91(2), (4), and (5) of the School Act, when a student is suspected to be suffering from a communicable disease or other physical, mental, or emotional condition that would endanger the health or welfare of the other students, the procedures outlined below will be followed to medically exclude the student.  Such exclusions are used rarely.  They are most often applied when the student and/or the student’s family is unwilling to follow through on recommendations for medical intervention or in the cases in which the student’s behaviour is becoming progressively more dangerous.

Procedures

• The principal shall arrange a meeting to discuss the intended exclusion with the Associate Superintendent - Area and the unit medical officer (acting as delegate of the school medical officer).
• The principal shall notify the parents/guardians in writing that the student is suspended and the school medical officer has been requested to exclude the student. This letter shall be sent by double registered mail, or courier if necessary, and copied to the Associate Superintendent - Area, the Associate Superintendent -District Learning Services, and the school medical officer. The exclusion shall be noted on the student’s permanent record card.
• The principal shall request in writing that the school medical officer exclude the student.  All such requests must include detailed documentation of the incidents that have necessitated this action.
• The school medical officer shall inform the parent by letter that the student may not return to school until he/she has been assessed by a psychiatrist or registered psychologist as appropriate, treatment initiated/completed, and a written report has been provided to the school medical officer. Copies of the school medical officer’s letter to the parent shall be sent to the Principal, the Associate Superintendent - Area and the Associate Superintendent - District Learning Services.
• The Associate Superintendent - Area shall inform the Superintendent of Schools of the exclusion and shall include detailed documentation of the incidents that have necessitated this action. All medical exclusions are then brought to the Board of School Trustees (the “Board”)  for information in private session.
• Home instruction shall be assigned by the District Learning Services Division
• The District Learning Services will discuss the student with representatives of community agencies as appropriate and the unit medical officer (or delegate) to ensure that responsibilities for follow-up are clearly designated.
• The student’s status will be reviewed every month by District Learning Services staff with the unit medical officer until he/she returns to school or is placed for treatment.
• The student’s status will be reviewed every three months by District Learning Services with the unit medical officer (or delegate) after exclusion.         
• The school medical officer will send a certificate to the parent/guardian lifting the exclusion once the written report referred to above has been received and he/she is satisfied with the student’s current status.  Copies of this certificate will be sent to the associate superintendent - area, the Associate Superintendent - District Learning Services, the unit medical officer, and the principal of the suspending school.  Appropriate placement is determined by the recommendations of the District Learning Services Division in consultation with the school medical officer (or delegate).

DMT Responsibility: AS-F