Requirements for Principals
Narrator
Now we’ll turn to requirements for principals once a staff reports.
After a report is submitted the principal must:
* Provide a written acknowledgement of the receipt of the report on the Safe Schools Incident Reporting Form – Part II to the employee who reported. Information that could identify the student(s) involved must not be part of the acknowledgement.
* Identify if action has been taken or no action is required. Possible actions taken can include anything on the progressive discipline continuum For example, a warning, contacting parents, removal of privileges, or suspension.
Once again, the Safe Schools Incident Reporting Form – Part II is simple and easy for principals to acknowledge receipt of a report.
This paper acknowledgement does not replace a conversation between the employee and the principal. Principals and employees are encouraged to talk about the incidents regardless of action taken.
The purpose of reporting is to ensure that the principal is aware of all student behaviour that must be considered for suspension or expulsion.
Another new requirement for principals is to disclose information to parents or guardians of victims.
* The Education Act requires principals to inform parents or guardians of students who have been harmed as a result of any incident for which suspension or expulsion must be considered.
* This amendment does not allow a principal to notify a parent or guardian of a student who is 18 years or older; or is 16 or 17 years old, and has withdrawn from parental control. This does not prohibit the principals from contacting parents or guardians if the student gives consent.
* Principals are not permitted to inform the parents of a victim when, in the principal’s opinion, doing so would put the victim at risk of harm from the parent.
For example, during an investigation of an incident of homophobic bullying, a student discloses to the principal that he is gay and that he has not shared, and is not ready to share this information about his sexual orientation with his parents. He says that if his parents are told, they will force him to leave home. He says he would rather commit suicide than face his parents on this issue.
* If the principal makes the decision not to notify the parent/guardian of a victim, the principal must:
* document the rationale for the decision not to notify the parent or guardian of a pupil;
* inform the appropriate supervisory officer of this decision;
* inform the teacher of the decision, if a teacher reported the harm to the principal; and
* inform other board employees of the decision not to notify a parent or guardian of the pupil, if they determine it is appropriate to do so.
Now we’ll see a scenario that involves possible expulsion for an off-property incident, reporting to the principal, and disclosing information to parents.
Phillip
Where is she? Why won’t she answer my calls?
Sarah
Why would she? She’s so over you. I can’t believe you did that!
Phillip
Were you at the party last night? No! So don’t talk about what you don’t know.
Laura
We didn’t have to be there. We’ve talked to Katy and we’ve seen the marks on her.
Sarah
You hurt her Phillip! You should have stopped when she said no!
Laura
Boyfriends aren’t supposed to leave bruises!
Phillip
Tell her to call me back.
Sarah
Forget it!
Caretaker
It was really disturbing.
Principal
Well, she’s been absent for three days with the flu.
Caretaker
Based on what I just told you, I don’t think she has the flu.
Principal
You know, this really does shine a new light on the situation. I think I’m going to have to investigate this further.
Narrator
An investigation proves the caretaker’s suspicions to be correct. Phillip has been suspended pending an expulsion hearing. Katy is receiving support.
Principal
Good evening Ms. Clarke. This is the principal at Katy’s school calling. I’d like to speak with you about a serious incident related to her recent absences.
Narrator
What Must Be Disclosed to Parents has been clearly defined.
* When notifying the parents or guardians of a victim, the Education Act requires a principal to disclose the following:
* the nature of the incident that resulted in harm to the student;
* the nature of the harm to the student; and
* the steps taken to protect the student’s safety, including the nature of any discipline in response to the incident.
* Principals must not share the name of the aggressor or any other identifying or personal information with the parent of the victim beyond what is listed above.
For example, a principal may share that the aggressor received a suspension or that the aggressor’s parents have been called, but may not share information regarding a referral to counseling or any other personal information.
