Addressing Parent Concerns

Black Gold School Division acknowledges that parents/guardians and caregivers have a legitimate right to participate in educational decision-making for their children, and to express their concerns within appropriate channels. At the same time, we do have a responsibility to provide our staff with a safe and respectful workplace environment free from harassment, abuse, or threats.

As a Black Gold parent/guardian or caregiver, you can expect to be treated as a valued partner in your child’s education by your school. In return, you are expected to:

• Treat all staff with dignity and respect
• Interact with other parents and children in a polite manner
• Work to resolve differences in a positive, proactive manner
• Encourage your child(ren) to be respectful

Interactions with staff should always be:

• Private
• Professional and respectful
• Focused on your child’s best interest

Communicating with staff

We welcome your questions and concerns, and make every effort to address them in a timely manner.

1. As situations are best resolved at the school level, parents/guardians can communicate directly with their child(ren)’s teacher* if they have any questions about their child(ren)’s programming, behaviour, or other classroom-related concerns.
   *The Division respects our employees’ wellness.  If you plan on communicating with teachers or school administration by telephone or email, please do so between the hours of  8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.  Staff will reply at their earliest practical opportunity.
2. If your concern is not resolved after speaking with the teacher, communicate the concerns to your school principal, then the superintendent of schools, and finally your school board trustee.

See below for the steps you should take when reaching out to us.

Social media considerations

Parents/guardians are encouraged to help the Division, schools, and staff to minimize social media harm and support a safer, more welcoming, caring environment online. Before parents/guardians post to social media, they are encouraged to ask themselves:

• Is it true?
• Is it necessary?
• Is it kind?
• Have I spoken to the people that can address this issue before posting about it online?

Visiting school property

School grounds and buildings are private property. There are procedures in place to ensure the safety of students, staff, and visitors. Parents/guardians are required to sign in to all buildings, and are confined to the office area unless permission is specifically given otherwise. Additionally, no person shall:

• Disrupt the proceedings of the school
• Loiter or trespass in the building or grounds
• Conduct themselves in a manner that is disrespectful to students, staff, or other parents

In order to maintain a high level of cooperative and collaborative parent-school interaction, we expect parents/guardians to foster positive and respectful relationships with teachers, principals, and with other school staff and professionals who provide supports and services to students in the school (as per the Alberta Education Act Part 3 Section 32 d, e, f – Parent Responsibilities).

Action may be taken against members of the public whose conduct has resulted in any form of harassment of employees, students, parents, volunteers, visitors or representatives of the Division. These may include, but are not limited to:

• Restricted access to property and persons
• Charges of slander, libel or defamation
• Trespass notice
• Charges being laid under the Criminal Code