ACCOMMODATING PARENTS’ RIGHTS

From time to time, the Burnaby School District receives requests from parents or students to accommodate religious beliefs. For example, schools may receive requests related to participation in certain activities in physical education; the wearing of religious articles of clothing; accommodating religious holidays around exams, activities or field trips; or addressing sensitive topics in the career and health curriculum specifically related to sexual health.

The accommodation of religious beliefs in a secular public school system, with prescribed learning outcomes mandated by the Ministry of Education, raises complex issues. As it addresses requests for religious accommodation, the District must consider not only the rights of the students who request accommodation, but also the need to maintain a positive and welcoming learning environment for all students consistent with the values of tolerance and diversity.

The Burnaby School District recognizes that in certain situations outside of the Health and Career Education curriculum, the School District may be obligated to accommodate particular individual circumstances to ensure a non-discriminatory environment exists, provided that the accommodation sought is reasonably possible and does not undermine the rights of other members of the school community or the objectives of the secular public school system.

Principals in Burnaby Schools are guided by the Accommodating Religious Beliefs - Guidelines for Principals when responding to questions regarding accommodation for religious or moral beliefs.

• Policy # 5.45, Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity
• Policy # 5.45 Development Background
• The Superintendent’s Report on Public Input
• Media Release
• Policy # 5.45 Next Steps
• Frequently Asked Questions