BSD suspends 150 students in first semester

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This article was published 29/02/2024 (927 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A total of 197 student suspensions were handed out across the Brandon School Division during the first semester of the 2023-24 academic year, Supt. Mathew Gustafson reported Monday to the board of trustees.

The suspensions involved 150 students from kindergarten to Grade 12, Gustafson said.

“The cumulative effect of these disciplinary measures resulted in 1,109 days of suspension,” he told the Sun. “While there has been a decline in K-8 suspensions compared to the same period last year, high school statistics indicated an increase, particularly in cases of assaultive behaviour.”

The total number of suspensions recorded this year reflects an increase of 17 suspensions (9.44 per cent) compared to the same period last year and a 59-suspension increase (41.73 per cent) when compared to the 2021-22 academic year. During the corresponding periods, there were 180 suspensions last year and 139 suspensions in 2021-22.

In the report presented to the board, student suspensions were categorized by grade level and behaviour type.

For kindergarten to Grade 8, a total of five students were suspended. Among them, three faced disciplinary action for inappropriate behaviour, three for assaultive behaviour and one for the possession of drugs or alcohol.

In Grades 9-12, eight students were suspended. Within this group, three faced disciplinary action for inappropriate behaviour, five for assaultive behaviour and one for vaping. No students in either grade levels were suspended for the possession or use of weapons.

The statistics stated that a single suspension may involve more than one category, indicating the multifaceted nature of disciplinary incidents.

A total of 133 suspensions were issued to 104 K-8 students, and high school students accounted for 64 suspensions among 46 individuals, according to the report.

Meanwhile, a concerning trend emerged with some students facing multiple suspensions. One student received two suspensions and 10 students were given three or more.

While suspensions are a last resort, Gustafson said, they are a reactive measure following the violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

Regarding preventive measures, Gustafson highlighted a multifaceted approach that includes wrap-around services, behaviour plans and communication with parents.

“The schools aim to address complex situations by providing support and assistance, intervening before a situation escalates to a point requiring suspension.”

Gustafson said there hasn’t been an expulsion from the school division for a long time.

“Instead, efforts are focused on providing support to students struggling with multiple suspensions, ensuring they meet expectations outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.”

He noted there are times when students who may be struggling in terms of receiving multiple suspensions start to avoid school. “Our priority is ensuring that our students not only attend but also excel, all while maintaining a safe environment for our school building and the students within it.”

BSD communications co-ordinator Terri Curtis told the Sun in an email the administrative procedure for the Student Code of Conduct is currently undergoing a review, noting the commitment to fostering a safe, caring and inclusive learning environment.

Schools, Curtis said, actively create opportunities for both students and staff to enhance their comprehension of behaviour, encouraging them to respond to unwanted behaviour through alternative means. She underscored the philosophy that supportive student discipline is fundamentally rooted in teaching and learning.

“Rather than employing a suspension, when possible and appropriate, supportive strategies are used and reframed as learning opportunities, fulfilling a need the student has identified through their behaviour,” she said. “Providing students an opportunity to reflect on their behaviour and repair relationships is paramount to this learning.”

This approach, she said, seeks to replace suspensions with supportive strategies whenever feasible, transforming them into valuable learning experiences that address the underlying needs identified through student behaviour.

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