Policy 18: Instruction in Human Sexuality, Religion or Patriotic Exercises

Preamble

The Board is committed to fostering strong partnerships with parents/guardians through open and transparent communication on all matters concerning their children. The Board believes that parents should receive notice and be provided with opportunity to give informed consent, or to withdraw their children from explicit instruction in human sexuality, or religion, or patriotic instruction and exercises. 

Explicit Instruction

Explicit instruction includes instructing or presenting instructional materials in subject matter that deals primarily and explicitly with human sexuality, or religion, or patriotic exercises. Providing notice to parents/guardians shows respect for the rights and responsibilities of parents in sensitive matters of human sexuality, religious or patriotic instruction and thereby enhances trust in the school and its staff.

Specifically

1. When a teacher (or other person) provides instruction, or uses instructional materials that deal primarily and explicitly with religion or human sexuality, and the teacher receives a written request signed by a parent/guardian of a student that the student be excluded from the instruction, or from the use of such instructional materials, the teacher or other person shall, in accordance with the request of the parent, permit the student, without academic penalty:

1. to leave the classroom or place where the instruction, course or program of study is taking place or the instructional materials are being used for the duration of the part of the instruction, course or program of study, or the use of the instructional materials, that includes the subject-matter referred to in subsection (1), or
2. to remain in the classroom or place without taking part in the instruction, course or program of study or using the instructional materials.
1. Staff shall respond to written requests from parents/guardians in a respectful and confidential manner and provide other learning activities for the student to use in an alternate, supervised setting where the student will not participate in the explicit instruction in human sexuality or religion or patriotic exercises.  Only with written parental consent, will the student remain in the classroom where the instruction is occurring.
2. A parent/guardian may appeal to the Board as per the Act s. 42 in any case of noncompliance.
3. The Principal is responsible for ensuring appropriate and timely Notice to Parents in relation to explicit instruction on human sexuality or religion or patriotic exercises. Notice must include the opportunity for parents to review the instructional materials that will be part of the instruction. 
4. Notice does not apply to incidental or indirect references to religion, religious themes or human sexuality. Staff are expected to use prudent, wise and respectful judgment in situations of incidental or indirect references so as not to jeopardize parental expectations for Notice.

Adopted: January 2023

Amended:

References: Education Act s.58.1, 58.2