AGENDA

THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES, PROGRAM AND RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Thursday, October 6, 2005
7:00 p.m.

1. Memorials and Prayers.

2. Roll Call and Apologies.

3. Approval of the Agenda.

N.B. Staff would be pleased to walk the Trustees through any report on this agenda at the direction of the Chair.

4. Declarations of Interest.

5. Approval and Signing of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held September 8, 2005 for PUBLIC SESSION p.1-p.4.

6. Presentations:

7. Delegations:

a) Mark Jagla, Fairness Inc. regarding Conflict Resolution Program for Children “What’s Okay” -

i) Redirecting “Meanness towards Taking Care of Yourself”.
ii) Redirecting being “Too Nice” towards Being “Nice”.

8. Trustee Matters:

9. Unfinished Business:

10. Matters referred/deferred to this Committee by the Board and other Committees:

11. Reports of Officials and Special Committees Requiring ACTION by the Board.

a) Victims Rights Policy p.5-p.20.

That the Victim’s Rights Policy (V.P.12) and regulations be approved.

Policy:

In every school setting and every school-sponsored activity, each actual or intended victim (as and when identified) who has suffered or may be reasonably expected to suffer intentionally inflicted harm, whether physical, mental or emotional, as a result of the action of one or more others, as has right:

· of access to immediate required care and physical assistance,

· to emotional, spiritual and moral support, and

· to reasonable and adequate protection against future harm, to the extent required in the circumstances.

Regulations:

1. An actual or intended victim is a person who suffers injury or hurt as a result of the intentionally inflicted or threatened harm caused or permitted by one or more other persons. Such harm can take many forms: actual or threatened assault, mental or emotional violence of any sort including harassment or bullying. Regardless of the form or the reasons underlying the harm caused, and regardless of the consequences imposed upon the person(s) who may have caused the harm, the victim is entitled to care, support and protection, all as is reasonably necessary in the circumstances.

2. AS THE FIRST AND IMMEDIATE RESPONSE when a student has suffered intentionally inflicted harm or is threatened due to the action of one or more others, the victim and the inflictor(s) of the harm shall be separated, and any required care and medical and other attention to the victim shall be provided.

3. This shall be promptly followed by contact with the parent(s)/ guardian(s) to inform them of the state and status of the victim. In addition, the principal shall ensure that appropriate referrals are offered for counselling and/or support as appropriate to the needs of the victim; these could include referrals to community services, or a transfer to another school.

4. As to the student(s) who may have caused the harm, the Board’s Violence Prevention Policies, V.P.01 through V.P. 12, and the Safe Schools Policies, S.S.01 through S.S.08, addresses the procedures to be followed, authority to be exercised and the consequences to be imposed.

5. Depending upon the circumstances, the principal should consider a consultation with the Supervisory Officer and/or the school social worker.

6. In due course, the principal shall determine through an inquiry that emphasizes confidentiality whether the separation of the actual or intended victim and the student(s) who may have caused or intended to cause the harm should continue beyond the immediate aftermath of the incident, or whether, without compromise to the interest of all students involved, the best interest of all may continue to be served through continued participation of the perpetrator(s) as before the incident. In making this judgement, the principal shall consider:

a) whether criminal charges have been laid against the student(s) who may have caused the harm;

b) whether there are bail or other court imposed conditions requiring distance separation between the actual or intended victim and the other student(s);

c) whether and when the intellectual or emotional conditions of the actual or intended victim and the other student(s) can reasonably be expected to tolerate an end to the separation;

d) the nature, validity and suitability of any demands or requests made by the actual or intended victim and/or his/her parent(s)/ guardian(s);

e) the nature, validity and suitability of any demands or requests made by the student(s) who may have caused the harm, and/or his/her/their respective parent(s)/guardian(s).

7. Whenever a choice must be made as to which of the actual or intended victim, or the student(s) who may have caused the harm, must be transferred, generally (though not always), it will be the student(s) who may have caused the harm who will be required to transfer to another school.

8. These regulations shall be applicable, with necessary variations, whenever the actual or intended victim is a member of the teaching or other staff of the Board.

9. Ultimately, subject to requirements of law and of other Board policies, the principal shall determine what is in the best interests of all of the students involved, both the actual or intended victim and the student(s) who may have caused the harm, balancing where necessary, the competing interests, to produce a fair and equitable result in harmony with Catholic traditions and values, and teaching and learning philosophy. The onus is on the principal to consider first and foremost the impact on the victim if the perpetrator is allowed to remain in the school.

b) Renewal: Trillium SMS Software Maintenance Agreement p.21-p.22.

That the Board renew the annual maintenance agreement with SRB International for the Trillium Student Management System for the period September 1, 2005 to August 31, 2006 in the amount of $145,219.70 plus net sales taxes of $14,870.50 for a total of $160,090.20.

c) Toronto Catholic District School Board Special Education Plan p.23-p.237.

That the Special Education Advisory Committee and the Board approve this plan for submission to the Ministry of Education as per Regulation 306.

12. Reports of Officials and Special Committees for INFORMATION of the Board.

a) Parent Perception Survey p.238.

Receive.

13. Approval of Matters for which no trustee has requested debate.

14. Communications:

a) Verbal Communication from the Director of Education regarding Trustee and Senior Staff Meeting.

Receive.

15. Inquiries and Miscellaneous:

N.B. Private Inquiries must only be related to matters as outlined in the reference to legislation on the inside cover of the Private Agenda.

16. Update of Pending List:

ANNUAL REPORTS

17. RESOLVE INTO PRIVATE SESSION.