Ontario - school board - ick

[kathymuggle]

Here goes:

I have been Hs for a number of years (7!). We are very loose, borderline US.

Every year, I send the school board an intent to HS. Every year they send me back a form letter saying DC are excused from school, and it is my responsibility to supply a satisfactory education at home and elsewhere. That is it. NOTHING else is required, and I like it that way!

This year, the school board sent an appendix with the form letter.

Long story short - they say it is the parents respoinsability to keep written records, have a portfolio, assesments available for perusal, etc, etc. The HS supervisor has the responsibility to meet with us once or twice per year, amd we are supposed to change our program if they so see fit.

I, poor record keeper, and a son with writing issues, am NONE too happy about this.

I am also pretty sure they (the school board) are working independantly of the education act. The education act says:

-children are to be excused to HS provided they get a satisfactory education

and

-the school board is to assume children are getting a satisfactory education unless there are grounds otherwise.

So, I am playing a what if game:

if a "HS supervisor" calls me up and wants to visit should I:

a) inform them they have no power here and to "be gone" (only in much nicer terms - "the education acts states children are excused, and to be assumed to be receiving a satisfactory education. As such I really do not feel the need for a meeting at this time"

or

b) keep records, kids work etc - and "play ball" with the HS supervisor in an attempt to keep them happy and make few waves.

WWYD? And did anyone else in Ontario receive such a fun letter?

Kathy

[moominmamma]

I'd get in touch with the OFTP before making any choice and feel out the climate amongst others in your school board area. My tendency would be to say "thanks but no thanks -- your policy isn't in my Education Act" but I think it's very helpful to get some solidarity with others in one's area and find out exactly what their intent is in designing this policy. In the meantime ... a little procrastination never hurts.

Miranda

[kathymuggle]

Thanks - I called OFTP and their mailbox is full (I wonder why?, lol!)

I did look up the school boards policy and apparently everyone in this district is getting such a letter (it is listed as "forms to be sent out to HS parents"). At least I am not personally being targeted.

i also looked up the education act - and it has not changed. There is no mandate for supervising Hs unless there is/are grounds.


I am pretty sure this is a moot point, as they probably have 1 supervision officer for a large school district, but who knows!

I am definiting not going to be proactive on this - if they call me, I will probably try the "thanks but no thanks" route and see how it goes.

I am just annoyed by the audicity of it.

kathy

[tankgirl73]

Keep trying with the OFTP, and see what other hs'ers in your area are doing about it. School boards often invent their own interpretations of the Act and give themselves powers they don't actually have...

I lived in Ontario until this summer and never had a problem. Mind you, I never sent in a letter either -- it's not "required", only "strongly suggested", especially if your kid has never been in school. I understand doing it for a kid who is being removed from school, since once they're in school it is the board's responsibility to keep track of the kid to make sure they're not truant.

Anyway, even though I never sent a letter, I had a friend who was on the school board. She knew all about us, even knew that we weren't sending a letter and why, and she was totally supportive. No problems whatsoever.

[BaBaBa]

:
'cause I'd like to homeschool

[melissabb]

Interesting. Coincidentally, I was just re-reading all the legal stuff on the OFTP website this morning. It is pretty clear that the Education act is in the favour of HSed children. And, because PPM 131 is just a 'policy' it is therefore NOT a law and so you are not breaking any laws by not co-operating. There were some interesting references to case law in the info I was reading. Basically, the law is in your favour as the old "innocent until proven guilty" right also applies to HSing families. They would have to prove that you were not providing "satisfactory education" in order to persue the matter further.

I think I would just print out the Education Act, PPM 131 and highlight the important areas and mail it back to them. I honestly think that educator think that they have the upper hand and that THEY are the ones who get to choose whether or not you can HS your child. Of course, this is not the case - but they don't know that. In my short (two week) experience with schools and HSing kids who previously attended, the administration is very unknowledgable about our rights.

I think I would take the direct approach and inform THEM that you wish them to stop harrassing you and for them to follow the letter of the law.

BTW....you aren't in London or area are you? I don't need them bugging us either. I also worry this is an Ontario thing rather than a local thing.

[kathymuggle]

Hi Melissa:

I am in the UCDSB (upper Canada district school board - it is in eastern Ontario).

While I was researching this, I found out nearby Ottawa - Carleton has a similar policy. I am inclined to think UCDSB realised they did not have a policy - so decided to "make one".

FWIW - I have been HS awhile and have never had any trouble. This is the first year I was sent the Boards HS'ing procedure - usually I am just mailed the "your child is excused from public school" form letter.

Kathy

[Karenwith4]

Originally Posted by kathymuggle

Hi Melissa:

I am in the UCDSB (upper Canada district school board - it is in eastern Ontario).

While I was researching this, I found out nearby Ottawa - Carleton has a similar policy. I am inclined to think UCDSB realised they did not have a policy - so decided to "make one".

FWIW - I have been HS awhile and have never had any trouble. This is the first year I was sent the Boards HS'ing procedure - usually I am just mailed the "your child is excused from public school" form letter.

Kathy

My sister homeschooled in Ottawa and now just outside Ottawa (can't remember her school district). She had a phone conversation with the Ottawa Homeschool Coordinator who she said was lovely and it was no biggie. I haven't heard if her new district has said anything.

I'd be inclined to tell them ...well.... I would just keep sending them copies of PPM 131 and the education act highlighted and regrain from engaging with them about any of it. This stuff really alarms me. What they are asking for is so far beyond the scope of what they are legally entitled to that it is scary.
Karen