Faith Accommodation - Halton District School Board

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3. Prayer The Board recognizes the significance of prayer in faith practice. All Board facilities will make reasonable efforts to accommodate individuals’ requirement for daily/weekly prayer by providing an appropriate location within the building for students and staff to participate in prayer. This may mean a quiet space in the library, an empty room, or wherever it is mutually satisfactory for the school and the student or staff member requesting the accommodation. Particular accommodation for prayer may include late school arrival, early school leaving or seasonal adjustment. Adult presence should be for supervision purposes only. Supervision may include parent volunteers, community volunteers or staff volunteer. Respect for faith diversity is a shared responsibility. While our Board works to ensure that students and staff are able to observe the tenets of their faith, free from harassment or discrimination, it is also the responsibility of the students, staff and the community to help the schools by highlighting and providing understanding of the needs of the many faith-based communities in Canada. Ceremonial Practices Many FNMI students may have unique spiritual observances which are not necessarily reflected on the Board’s Multi-Faith calendar, but may require accommodation. Remember that spiritual, cultural and ceremonial practices among FNMI students and their families are wide ranging. They are dependent on many variables (e.g. the communities from which they come, their tribal identity and their families). FNMI students may not refer to their spiritual practices as “religious holidays”, but rather, as a way of life. FNMI students may observe National Day of Solidarity for Aboriginal People also referred to as National Aboriginal Day on June 21 st . You can refer to the Board’s Religious and Faith-Based Accommodation for Students Policy for more information about accommodating FNMI students. Some FNMI students may want to smudge at school as a way to cleanse and purify. Smudging: “Medicine” to Aboriginal people does not just mean the type that one ingests or with which one coats one’s body. First Nations use medicine in ways that they believe will clear energy within and around them. They believe that it is not only the physical ailment that must be cleansed, but also the mind, spirit and emotion must also be cleared and cleansed. One of the ways First Nations cleanse the energy around them is through a process called smudging. Some of the plants used by First Nations in their abalone smudge bowls are: Sage - Used to cleanse and purify thoughts and prepare to share and receive during ceremonies.
Sweet grass –Is used to welcome the grandfathers and to remind them of the connection between the physical, spiritual and mental aspects of their being. Cedar - When burned, cedar carries their words to the Great Spirit and brings in positive energy. Once the plants are blessed and thanked, they are placed into the abalone bowl and/or smudge bowl and lit. The smoke from the plant is used to “cleanse” their being. 4. Dietary Restrictions The Board is sensitive to the different dietary restrictions of various faith groups. Such sensitivity includes attending to issues related to the menus provided by catering companies, snacks in elementary schools, and food provided within schools, at school-sponsored activities and community events. Breakfast and lunch programs in all HDSB facilities will consider relevant dietary restrictions in their menu planning. Availability of vegetarian, Halal, and/or Kosher options is recommended as a form of inclusive design. When serving vegetarian, Halal or Kosher food, care should be taken to keep utensils separate. Culturally responsive menus are strongly encouraged. Special attention needs to be given to overnight outdoor education activities, as well as field trips that extend over a mealtime period. 5. Fasting The Board is sensitive to periods of fasting as a faith observance. Board schools will endeavour to provide a choice of an appropriate space, other than cafeterias or lunchrooms, for individuals who are fasting in faith observance. The Board recognizes that students who are fasting may need a modification or exemption from certain physical education classes, sports, and Board schools should make reasonable efforts to provide appropriate accommodations. 6. Faith Dress “Dress Code” is the appropriate dress policy established by a school, and may include a school uniform. Such policies should be designed inclusively, taking into account common faith needs that may exist. The Board recognizes that there are certain faith communities that require specific items of ceremonial dress. The Board understands that some faith attire, which is a requirement of faith observance, may not conform to a school’s Dress Code. Board schools will reasonably accommodate students with regard to faith attire. Faith attire is an expression of faith observance Faith attire that should be reasonably accommodated in Board schools includes, but is not limited to: Head covers: yarmulkes, turbans, Rastafarian headdress, hijabs Crucifixes, Stars of David, etc. Items of ceremonial dress Longer or loose clothing
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Faith Accommodation - Halton District School Board

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