Attending School

Do I have to go to school?

Yes, if you are between the ages of 7 and 16, you must go to school.

Parents or guardians must make sure that children between the ages of 7 and 16 go to school. If a child does not go to school, the parent or guardian can be charged with an offence.

How long can I attend school?

Between the ages of 6 and 21 you have the right to attend public school. If you drop out of school before graduating, you may return at any time before you turn 21.

Where can I go to school?

You can go to the school in your division closest to where you live.

You may apply to go to another school within your school division or outside of your school division.

You may go to a private school, but you will have to pay money to attend.

Will I be guaranteed a spot at the school of my choice?

No, because a school will only enrol a student if there is room in that school.

Does it cost anything to go to a school of my choice?

No, not in most cases.

It does, however, cost money to go to a private school.

Will I get bus transportation to a public school of my choice?

The only time you will get bus transportation to a school outside of your division is if the outside division provides a program that your local division does not, and if you qualify for transportation under the regular transportation policy of the outside division.

What happens if I skip school?

If you skip school without a good excuse, the Principal must report your absence to the school attendance officer. The school attendance officer may look for you and either takes you home or back to school.

If you are absent from school too often, child welfare services may be called.

If you skip school too much during high school, you may be denied credit and not be able to graduate.

When can I quit school?

You can quit school when you turn 16. You do not need your parents' approval.

You can quit school at age 15 if you have permission from your parents and school officials.

Causing Trouble at School

What is not allowed at school?

If your actions cause a disturbance or interruption during school activities you may be asked to leave school premises.

All schools have a strict zero tolerance policy for violence, drugs, alcohol and weapons.

Written codes of conduct are now required for all schools in Manitoba. These codes contain specific provisions to deal with bullying, as well as minimum punishments for certain behavior.

What kind of punishment can the school give?

If you are caught with alcohol, drugs or tobacco, or if you make threats, use violent behaviour, carry a weapon, cause a disturbance or violate some other school rule, the Principal can:

- schedule an interview with you and your parents;

- give you detention;

- remove you from the classroom;

- take away privileges including recess or sports;

- make an appointment for you with social workers or counsellors;

- suspend you;

- expel you; or

- contact the police.

If you are caught with a weapon, you or your parents may be fined up to $100.

What happens if I am suspended?

If you are suspended, you cannot go to school for the length of time stated by the school. Your parents are also notified.

If the suspension is for more than 5 days, your parents may appeal the suspension to the school board.

What happens if I am expelled?

f you are expelled, you will not be allowed to return to that school at all. Before the expulsion is final, however, there will be a hearing in front of the school board at which you or your parents are allowed to appeal the decision. You are given the chance to speak on your own behalf if this happens.

Are teachers or the Principal allowed to punish me using physical force?

Each school has a different policy regarding the use of physical force.

A teacher or principal may use physical force to punish you, as long as the force does not exceed what is reasonable in the circumstances.

Can school officials search my locker or me?

Your locker is considered school property and can be searched by school officials.

School officials can search you when they have reasonable grounds to believe that you have violated a school rule and that a search would provide them with evidence of the violation.

Reasonable grounds may include:

- information from one student thought to be believable;

- information from more than one student;

- information from a teacher's or a principal's own observations; or

- any combination of these pieces of information.

School Records

What is a school record?

When you start kindergarten, the school begins to keep a record on you. This record is passed along with you whenever you change schools. This record contains information about your attendance, grades, health, suspensions, and any letters to and from parents.

Can I see my student record?

You cannot see your student record until you turn 18.

Can anyone else look at my student record?

Yes, your parents can look at your student record until you turn 18. After you turn 18 they will need your permission to look at your record.

The school attendance officer can also look at student records to find out the names, ages and addresses of students.

Religious Classes in Public Schools

Do I have to take religious classes?

If your parents want you to take religious classes and the parents of at least 25 students petition for it, the school must provide religious classes for these students.

If your parents do not want you taking religious classes, you may be excused from them.

Who teaches the classes?

A clergyman, priest, rabbi or other spiritual leader must teach the classes.

How long are the classes?

The religious classes cannot take up more than 2.5 hours per week.

Religious Exercises in Public Schools

What are religious exercises?

Religious exercises are prayer, a scripture reading and possibly the singing of a hymn.

Do I have to pray in school?

You do not have to pray in school if your parents do not want you to.

You do have to pray in school if your parents want you to and at least 60 other parents petition to have religious prayer in school. If the school has less than 80 students, at least 75 per cent of the parents must petition to have prayer in school.

How long do religious exercises last?

Religious exercises cannot exceed 10 minutes per day and cannot take place during regular instruction hours.

Patriotic Observances

What are patriotic observances?

Patriotic observances are activities involving taking pride in being Canadian. This would include the singing of the first verse of O Canada each morning and the singing of the first verse of God Save the Queen at the end of each school day. Also, once a year the school will perform Remembrance Day ceremonies.

Do I have to sing O Canada and God Save the Queen?

If your school provides it, you do have to sing with the other students unless you are excused because of a medical condition or other grounds that have been approved by the school board.

Do I have to stand while singing?

If your school provides it, you do have to stand while singing, without talking or causing any other disturbance.