School boards advise staff how to handle verdict

The Regina Catholic School Division sent a memo to students’ families this week addressing a jury’s decision last Friday finding Gerald Stanley not guilty of Colten Boushie’s death.

“While it is not our place to pass judgment on the decision, we do need to listen to our students and staff as they/we process this news,” director of education Domenic Scuglia wrote in an email sent to families on Monday.

The reason for the memo, RCSD communications co-ordinator Twylla West said Thursday, is that “we knew that this had the potential to be divisive amongst people in our schools in different ways,” which would be contrary to the division’s work on truth and reconciliation.

“We just wanted to get that message out and make it clear that it’s certainly not our place to make judgment calls, but that if any of our students, if any of our staff are struggling, we can help to make connections for them, to make sure help is available,” said West.

“Our staff would deal with this the same way they would any other current event that can impact any of our students.”

Terry Lazarou, communications director for the Regina Public School Division, said his school division did not have similar communication with staff or families.

“(Teachers are) not getting any direction from the school division on this,” said Lazarou. “Our teachers are professionals who know how to work with their classes, and some will probably talk about this, others might not, depending on the interest level of the classes.”

At Tuesday’s Regina Public School Board meeting, trustee Aleana Young had a message for Indigenous students. More than a week before the verdict, she met some Grade 12 students at the division’s Indigenous student forum.

“They started talking about the impact that the Stanley trial had had on them,” said Young. “They were being approached by other students and members of the community to stand in basically as representatives for every Indigenous person in the province.

“I’ve kept thinking about the Grade 12 students who spoke so eloquently, but personally, about how much this had impacted them and their ability to feel safe or to learn.”

Young ’s message for the students was “don’t give up.” She encouraged them, as well as any community members, to become engaged citizens.

“We talk about student engagement and citizenship, and my worry is that the kids who were at (the) forum feel like they weren’t heard and that they’re not going to be heard going forward in life.”

Staff at Saskatoon public schools have been asked to “focus on objectivity.”

“Our province is currently experiencing many emotions in response to the verdict and will require time to determine the path needed to heal. Until such time that the case and verdict can be an effective teaching tool, we need to ensure our responses are appropriate so as to not add to the distress that many are feeling,” read a memo sent this week to principals of Saskatoon public schools.

The memo recommends that public school staff avoid “verdictfocused debate and activities that are divisive or require students to choose a side” and warns that assemblies, rallies or announcements about the verdict “may elevate feelings that get in the way of learning.”

Staff have been told that if students ask about the trial or the verdict, staff should provide information that is “factual with no speculation about the reasons for the outcome” and are cautioned that sharing videos responding to the verdict “may evoke emotions that cause unnecessary stress.”

If students are highly emotional about the verdict, they should be connected to a school counsellor, the memo says.

In an emailed statement, a spokesman for Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools said a message was sent to principals and senior administrators in light of the Stanley verdict.

“Staff, students and families all have different experiences and needs with respect to the complex issues raised by the trial and verdict,” spokesman Derrick Kunz said in an email. “Our role as Catholic educators is to be instruments of compassion, and we can play an important part in supporting peaceful responses through our actions and supports offered.

“As we do for any major community issue or event, our role is to listen and be attentive to the needs of individuals and groups, to provide safe environments for people affected or hurt, to conduct age-appropriate, respectful dialogue, and to remain objective in providing opportunities to learn. As a faith community, we also provided a variety of prayers for peace and reconciliation for staff to use as they see appropriate. With the start of the liturgical season of Lent, we have an enhanced opportunity to pray for peace, healing and reconciliation.”