For many students and staff in York Region
public schools, there are a number of situations in which the practice of their
religion will result in requests for
accommodations on the part of the school and/or the Board. These situations may
include:
• Religious holidays and celebrations
• School opening or closing exercises
• Prayer
• Dietary requirements
• Fasting
• Religious attire
• Modesty requirements
• Participation in daily activities and
curriculum
When concerns related to beliefs and
practices arise in schools, collaboration among school, student, family, and
religious
community is often needed in order to
develop appropriate accommodations. Building trust and mutual respect is an
important
aspect of accommodation. Administrators and
teachers are to ensure fairness and respect for the diverse
religious beliefs and practices of students
and staff in the school system. However, school administrators and teachers
should
not be placed in positions of monitoring a
child’s compliance with a religious obligation.
D.3 Prayer
Schools should make every reasonable
effort to accommodate the requirement for daily prayer by providing an
appropriate
location within the building for prayer.
This may mean a quiet space in the library or an empty room, or wherever it is
mutually
satisfactory for the school and the
student or staff member.
Some accommodation for late school
arrival or early school departure may be necessary. For some religions, the
time for
prayer changes with the seasons or lunar calendar.
At Bayview Hill ES, we have designated a room in our school for students, staff and/or occasional staff to accommodate their need for prayer. Parents, please encourage your child to go to the office at the time that a space is needed, and we will provide access to the room. If you have any questions, please speak to Admin Carol Takagi or Jen Branch in the office.
