St. Michael's College School Board launches independent Respect and Culture Review
Independent experts named to conduct comprehensive examination of school's social and cultural practices
TORONTO, Dec. 13, 2018 /CNW/ - The Board of Directors of St. Michael's College School ("SMCS"), in collaboration with the General Council of the Basilian Fathers, today announced the chair and members of an independent committee that will conduct a comprehensive review of the school's social and cultural practices and related policies.
"Working with full autonomy and a clear objective, the independent committee will shine new light on any behaviour that does not align with or support the school's vision, mission, and values," says Michael Forsayeth, Chair of the Board of Directors. "This review is our Board's highest priority, reflecting our commitment to turn the pain of recent events into an opportunity for learning, healing, and long-term change."
The four-member SMCS Respect and Culture Review committee brings a wealth of experience to this work, and its members have no prior connection to the school. The committee will examine the school's traditions, social and cultural practices, policies, procedures and compliance, and make recommendations by summer 2019 on how to further ensure an environment of respect and safety for its students.
The committee will be chaired by Mark Sandler, a leading lawyer experienced in systemic reviews of this nature, and will include three other members: Debra J. Pepler, a Distinguished Research Professor of Psychology at York University, best known for her ongoing research on aggression, bullying, and victimization involving children and adolescents; Bruce Rodrigues, a former Ontario Deputy Minister of Education; and Priti Sachdeva, former legal counsel at the Office of the Children's Lawyer whose practice focused on areas of law affecting children and other vulnerable people.
"The important work of this committee – and its recommendations – will benefit both current and future students of St. Michael's College School, and reinforce our core values of goodness, discipline, and knowledge. The Board will also share this report and its recommendations with other educational institutions with the goal of helping to create safe, supportive, and respectful learning environments everywhere," added Mr. Forsayeth.
The review will examine unacceptable behaviour at St. Michael's College School, both current and past, and recommend definitive steps to eliminate it. The committee will hear from students, parents, alumni, current and former faculty and staff on the traditions and social and cultural practices at every grade level and in all areas of school life in the current school year, recent years, and the past. The Committee will also examine the policies, protocols or practices that exist at the school to address sexual, physical or verbal abuse, hazing or the recording of such misconduct, and what policies, protocols or practices should be created or changed.
The committee's work will begin immediately with a goal of delivering its final report by summer 2019. It may issue, in its discretion, an interim report. The school is committed to implementing the committee's recommendations in the 2019-20 academic year.
A summary of the committee's terms of reference, and additional information about its Chair and members, are attached and available here: www.smcsrespectandculture.com
SMCS RESPECT & CULTURE REVIEW:
BACKGROUND, FACTSHEET & TERMS OF REFERENCE
BACKGROUND
In November, 2018, two incidents involving allegations of student-on-student sexual and physical assaults at St. Michael's College School (SMCS) were reported. Some of this behaviour prompted criminal charges against a number of students. The criminal investigation by the Toronto Police Service is ongoing.
SMCS RESPONSE
SMCS has taken immediate steps to address the specific issues raised by these allegations. These steps were focused primarily on the safety and well-being of students, faculty, and staff. They include:
- cancelling events involving external groups, teams, and public performances until the end of 2018;
- cancelling mid-year assessments, but continuing on with in-class assessments for this calendar year;
- organizing student workshops and discussions pertaining to the issues raised by these events; and
- implementing an anonymous voicemail and an app for students to report inappropriate behaviours they have experienced, seen or heard about at the school
The SMCS Board and the SMCS leadership are committed to understand any systemic or social practices that may have contributed to, facilitated or encouraged this misconduct, to put every appropriate measure in place to prevent it in the future, and to build and maintain a culture of respect. It is equally important to SMCS that victims feel that they can report abuse or misbehaviour in a safe and supportive environment.
To ensure that these concerns are fully addressed, and that the SMCS community (students, teachers, faculty and staff, and their families, past, present, and future) and the public have confidence in how they are being addressed, the Board in collaboration with the General Council of the Basilian Fathers has appointed a four-person independent committee to examine these issues and make recommendations to the Board by the summer of 2019.
The independent Respect and Culture Review Committee ("Committee") members bring a wealth of experience to this work, and have no prior connection to SMCS. To ensure its independence, the Committee will decide on its own processes, choose its own staff, and have the resources it needs to conduct its work in a timely, effective, and complete way. The Committee crafted its own terms of reference that were approved by the Board.
As one of its highest priorities, SMCS is committed to implementing the recommendations of the Committee.
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
MARK SANDLER, Committee Chair
A lawyer for more than 38 years, Mark Sandler has served as counsel for or at 20 systemic reviews and public inquiries. He has conducted investigations for the Office of the Independent Police Review Director and the Ontario Civilian Police Commission, and is currently counsel to an independent civilian review into missing persons investigations in Toronto. His work has included serving as counsel for a systemic review on how to identify and prevent sexual misconduct in Ontario schools. The review's report led to significant legislative changes. Mr. Sandler was formerly a part-time member of the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal and has lectured extensively on legal remedies to combat hate.
DEBRA J. PEPLER, Ph.D, C.Psych
A Distinguished Research Professor of Psychology at York University, Debra Pepler is best known for her ongoing research on aggression, bullying, and victimization among children and adolescents. Her programs of research on peer and family relationships have been embedded in clinical and community programs. She is one of the co-founders of PREVNet, a federally funded national network to promote healthy relationships and prevent bullying for children and youth.
BRUCE RODRIGUES
Ontario's former Deputy Minister of Education, Bruce Rodrigues retired from public service in August, 2018 following a distinguished career in education during which he held several senior leadership portfolios including: Director of Education for the Toronto Catholic District School Board, Superintendent of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, and President of the Ontario Catholic Supervisory Officers' Association. In his capacity as Superintendent, Mr. Rodrigues sat on the committee for the development of the Safe Schools Act. As such, he was responsible for the implementation of the Act for the entire Board. Rodrigues spent 26 years as a high school teacher of math, English, computers, religion and physical education, and as a vice principal and principal. He has also coached at the secondary school and university level.
PRITI SACHDEVA
Called to the Ontario Bar in 1986, Priti Sachdeva practised law with the Ontario Public Service until her retirement in 2018. Her practice focused on areas of law affecting vulnerable people, particularly children and seniors. As counsel at the Office of the Children's Lawyer, she represented children in court proceedings, including child protection, custody access, estates and civil litigation disputes. She also served as counsel at the Legal Services Branch of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Whereas:
(1) |
Recent revelations have taken place about very serious sexual and physical abuse at SMCS. Some of these allegations have prompted criminal charges against a number of students. The criminal investigation by Toronto Police Service is ongoing. |
(2) |
These revelations are of deep concern to SMCS leading it to question the reasons that may have led to this misconduct taking place or what may have facilitated or encouraged it. |
(3) |
It is important that every appropriate measure be taken to prevent such misconduct from ever taking place, to ensure that a culture of respect is promoted and maintained and that St. Michael's College School regains the trust of the community. |
(4) |
It is equally important that students who are victimized feel that they can report in a safe and supportive environment. |
To ensure that these concerns are fully addressed, and that the SMCS community (teachers, faculty and staff, students and their families, and alumni) and the public have confidence in how they are being addressed, the Board is hereby appointing a four-person Independent Committee to examine these issues and make recommendations to the Board.
The Committee is to examine and report upon the following:
1. |
The traditions, social and cultural practices and values at SMCS, past and present, that did or may have contributed to any alleged student sexual or physical abuse at or associated with the school, and what steps should be taken to change any such traditions, social and cultural practices and values; |
2. |
What policies, protocols or practices exist at the school to address sexual, physical or verbal abuse, hazing or the recording of such misconduct, and what policies, protocols or practices should be created or changed; |
3. |
What policies, protocols or practices exist at the school to address the reporting of alleged misconduct to the police, and what policies, protocols or practices should be created or changed; |
4. |
What support processes are in place to promote the reporting by students who have been the victims of sexual, physical or verbal abuse, hazing or the recording of such misconduct, in a safe and confidential environment, and what support processes should be created or changed; |
5. |
Whether any additional measures are needed to restore confidence in St. Michael's College School culture and values, and promote healing going forward. |
The Committee's mandate includes examination of every grade level and all areas of school life.
The Committee must ensure that it does not interfere with, or prejudice, any criminal proceedings. Nor is it entitled, in law, to make findings of civil or criminal responsibility.
The Committee is entitled to employ, in the exercise of its own independent discretion, such additional resources, including experts, counsel, social workers, as it deems necessary to fulfill its mandate.
The Committee is to report to the Board by the summer of 2019. In its discretion, the Committee may also issue an interim report to the Board in the spring of 2019. The Board shall make the Committee's report(s) public, subject to redactions to protect required confidentiality.
SOURCE St. Michael's College School
Lianne Castelino, 416-316-7672, [email protected]; Michael De Pellegrin, 647-242-2226, [email protected]
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