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Discussion
The Family Justice
Review Committee has received a number of complaints from children and parents
in regards to their treatment by school officials.
Some of the
complaints we receive include:
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That school
officials are preventing children from having contact with siblings and
parents at school when there is no court order preventing such contact.
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That school
officials are making their own interpreting of court Orders.
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That
non-custodial parents are being told that they cannot have access to a
child's school records without the permission of the custodial parent or
being told to go to the custodial parent for the records (which causes
conflict)
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That
non-custodial parents are being told that they cannot participate in
activities at their child's school because they are a non-custodial parent.
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That
non-custodial parents are being told by school officials that they cannot
take their child our for lunch like other parents just because they are
being told that it is not their regularly scheduled time to be with their
child.
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That teachers
are refusing to meet with non-custodial parents just because the parent is
the non-custodial parent.
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That schools
are helping parents to medicate children with psychiatric drugs such as
Ritalin and Risperdal.
In the matter of
children's schools, it is the position of the Family
Justice Review Committee:
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That parents
should have equal access and equal opportunity to involve themselves with
their children at school unless this is specifically not allowed by court
Order.
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That parents of
divorce and/or separation have the same right to take their children out for
lunch from school just as any other parent would be allowed unless their is
a court Order which specifically denies them contacting their child at
school.
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That schools
provide copies of report cards and school records to non-custodial parents
upon the request of the non-custodial parent.
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That all
schools boards should provide instruction to all school officials in their
jurisdiction in regards to the rights of children and parents and how school
officials should deal with the special issues which affect children and
families of separation/divorce.
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