A Statement from Director of Education Loretta Notten
Findings of Independent Investigation “a Blueprint for Further Action”
Says Director of Waterloo Catholic District School Board
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Board calls on province to address “critical support gap” for students in crisis
Waterloo Region, ON — Yesterday, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board received the results of the independent investigation into police involvement at a school. Loretta Notten, Director of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board says, “We deeply regret the obvious hurt and distress caused to this young child in our care, and to his family, and indeed the Black community. I want to assure the family, and the community, that we are committed to doing better. We will do what needs to be done locally. We will also highlight the changes that need to happen provincially to support students in crisis.
Says Notten, “With this investigation complete we now need to work at the changes that need to happen to ensure the best possible experiences for the students in our care. The report is a blueprint for further action for us — on anti-Black racism, on how we support a student in crisis, and on our relationships with parents. “
Notten stresses, “There is a significant issue highlighted in this report — and it requires both a response from the Ministry of Education and our local school board. There is a critical support gap for students in crisis — one that must be solved in our protection of students and school staff safely moving forward.”
Explains Notten, “Everyone in education knows that there are more students than ever presenting with violent behaviors that risk and cause physical injuries to the student themself, as well as other students and staff. It is likely quite challenging for someone outside of the education realm who has not experienced such a situation, to imagine a scenario with a child so young, yet this is a reality in schools across the province.
As boards, we put every single measure in place to support that student, and that can include a comprehensive safety plan. Unfortunately, when every educational strategy is exhausted, by our expert, caring staff and the student remains in crisis with an on-going risk of self-harm, or harm to others, the final option for school boards is to call 911 and emergency services.
That is not a choice any educator ever wants to make. We care deeply for the children entrusted to us. We also know these choices are not neutral, even if the policy is. That a call to police for a Black student has an impact that is different, that it is more significant as a result of a history of systemic racism. We need provincial assistance in knowing who to call when in the discretion of the principal, under their duty of care, they decide that an emergency call is necessary.
The school system needs to be able to work with its community partners to provide a variety of options for interventions that are culturally responsive and can meet the needs of our diverse community. This is not a unique or rare circumstance. It is common across the province. It needs a provincial response. One that better support the student in crisis, and also the staff and other students at the school.”
At the same time, Notten explains there is more need for work at the local level, specifically around anti-Black racism. Says Notten, “Waterloo Catholic prides itself on being Heart of the Community, providing Success for Each and A Place for All. It is clear we have more to do when it comes to Black students and families feeling that vision is equally true for them. We are engaged in this work — which we have undertaken over the course of the last number of years — with renewed energy and commitment. I will share at the April 4th Committee of the Whole Board meeting a more fulsome response to the review and some of the progress to date and the plans moving forward. We know we need to hear with open hearts and minds the genuine concerns of parents of Black students. That we also need to support Black parents as they navigate our systems and processes – and to change systems and processes that are systemically racist. We will do this critical work.”
Concludes Notten, “We are an organization that places the care of children at the centre of all we do. Our staff care deeply about the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of each and every child. We will do whatever it takes to make that care felt by each child we serve. That’s a promise.”
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