JGD/JGE-R: Student Suspension/Exclusion

Procedures for Suspension

When a principal suspends a student, he/she must, in addition to complying with the School Act, Sec. 85(2)(c)(iv) and (d) and the Board of School Trustees (the “Board) policy JGD/JGE, follow these procedures.

For suspensions of five days or less

• Submit a written report to the parent on the day of suspension. The Board requires that this be done by double-registered mail or by courier to the parent or guardian and that the principal, if possible, notify the parent or guardian of the reasons for and duration of the suspension by telephone or in person.
• Submit a written report to the Associate Superintendent - Area also on the day of the suspension.

For suspensions of more than five days

• Follow the same procedures as above.
• In addition, consult with the Associate Superintendent - Area so that he/she may report the circumstance of the suspension to the Superintendent of Schools.
• Notify the chairperson of the Board’s Student Discipline Review Committee of the suspension.

The Student Discipline Review Committee is a special committee established by the Board to expedite the handling of students suspended from school for more than five (5) days. The committee shall consist of:

• associate superintendent (chairperson),
• district parent representative,
• principal,
• teacher.

When the suspension is for more than five days, the Student Discipline Review Committee convenes a meeting to consider the disposition of the suspension. The principal and the Associate Superintendent - Area will present the case to the Student Discipline Review Committee. The parent or guardian and the student will be notified of the time and place of the meeting and will have an opportunity to answer to the charges and to discuss the suspension with the committee before the disposition of the suspension.

When a student is under suspension, the principal or teacher will provide assignments to the student at the time of suspension, and may make the removal of the suspension conditional on the principal or teacher's assessment of the work done. Such conditions must be reviewed and approved by the Student Discipline Review Committee if a meeting with the committee is convened.

Procedures for Transfers

Transfers of students to other schools may be made for educational reasons, serious breaches of discipline, or violation of the Board's policy on alcohol and drug use (see codes JECC-R and JFCH/JFCI).

If parents refuse to accept transfers, principals may suspend students and must follow procedures outlined for suspensions of more than five days.

Procedures for Short-Term Absences

If a principal sends a student home to return with his/her parent or guardian, the principal must contact the parent before sending the student home and arrange an interview at the earliest convenient time. These short-term absences are looked upon as counselling procedures, and the procedures for suspension do not apply.

A student must never be sent home during school hours unless the principal has made certain a responsible adult is there to receive him/her.

Procedures for Exclusion

If the Student Discipline Review Committee receives a recommendation for exclusion following a suspension of more than five days or if a complaint is referred to the committee concerning a student's conduct from any other source, the chairperson of the committee shall consult on the matter with the Superintendent and convene a hearing to discuss the matter.  The parent or guardian and the student will be notified of the time and place of this meeting; the school administration will also have an opportunity to discuss the circumstances before the committee.  Following this review of the recommendation for exclusion, the Student Discipline Review Committee will recommend appropriate action to the Board.

The Board must act in all cases where the decision of the Student Discipline Review Committee is not accepted by the parents. The ruling of the Board shall be final and only the Board shall have the authority to exclude or to re-admit a student.

Procedures for Exclusion of Students over 16

If a student of 16 years of age or older fails to apply himself/herself to his/her studies or fails to comply with school regulations, the principal of the school shall:

• give him/her due warning,
• record the date of the warning and the reasons therefore in a book kept for that purpose,
• inform the parents of the student by letter that the student has been warned,
• send a copy of the letter to the Superintendent or his/her designee,
• arrange, when practicable, for an interview with the parent or guardian of the student at the school.

If, within a reasonable time after the warning, the student fails to make a reasonable effort to reform, the principal will consult with the Superintendent, or his/her delegate, and, if necessary, a joint recommendation from the principal and the Student Discipline Review Committee will be forwarded to the Board for the student's exclusion from further attendance.

The Board must act in all cases of appeal that cannot be resolved by the Student Discipline Review Committee.

DMT Responsibility: AS-F