Parent speaks up about religious accommodation
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A Wyoming father is hoping his simple suggestion may prevent miscommunication from happening over religious accommodations at local public schools.
Parent Curtis Bryce has brought forth the idea of using a form to keep teachers in the loop about religious accommodations. He presented this suggestion at Tuesday night’s Lambton Kent District School Board meeting.
Bryce offered a sample form he has used for his children who are going through the public school system.
The form allows parents to check off certain topics of instruction in which they’d be like to be notified about first before their children sit through lessons or activities on them. Some of these areas include environmental issues and sex education, including the topics of birth control and abortion.
“I have used this (form) at LCCVI and it can work well,” he told the board.
Bryce said he doesn’t expect the form to become mandatory. However, he wanted to present the form as a tool for interested parents and students.
“There’s a significant number of families in Lambton County that hold what may be termed as ‘traditional values,’” he said.
Bryce told the board he was prompted to act after reading about issues surrounding religious accommodation at larger school boards.
A Hamilton father launched a court challenge last fall against the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board. He claims education officials haven’t accommodated his Christian values on marriage, family and sexuality, according to QMI Agency.
Bryce said he also has some concerns about the Accepting Schools Act 2012, known as Bill 13.
Ontario school boards are updating their school climate regulations to reflect the legislation in areas such as bullying and progressive discipline.
The Lambton Kent District School Board approved its revised Safe Schools policy and regulations Tuesday night.
Education superintendent Dave Doey said many families have made similiar religious accommodation requests.
However, he noted not all of them have centred around religion.
“Sometimes there may be an activity at school that could put families in a difficult economic position,” he said, adding parents also bring in dietary guidelines for their children.
Doey said he was pleased to hear the Bryce family has had a positive experience at LCCVI.
“I think the common thread is that folks feel comfortable going into the school and asking that accommodations be made,” Doey said.
barbara.simpson@sunmedia.ca