Family Handbook 2019-20

fullest extent practicable and appropriate under the circumstances. In particular, information obtained about an incident or complaint of harassment, including identifying individuals involved, will not be disclosed unless necessary for the purposes of investigating or taking corrective action or is otherwise required by law. All relevant documents and records regarding harassment allegations will not be accessible to any school staff other than the VP School Life & Student Wellness / designate, the school’s counsel, the Principal or appropriate supervisor. Frivolous or Vexatious Complaints The school does not condone frivolous or vexatious complaints. If it is determined as a result of an investigation that a complaint was made maliciously with intent to harm or made in bad faith, formal disciplinary action will be taken against the complainant, including, but not limited to, a letter of reprimand, suspension or possible expulsion, or if the complainant is an employee, termination for cause. Such disciplinary action will be placed in the student’s / employee’s file. The complainant has the right to receive written notification of this conclusion, including reasons and grounds, to respond to it and be represented at all subsequent proceedings. Parent Involvement In handling a complaint of harassment, the VP School Life & Student Wellness / Principal must inform the parents / guardians of the student responsible for the harassment and / or the victim involved, where a respective student is under 18 years of age. If the complaint involves students who are 18 years of age and over, the students may decide whether or not they wish their parents to be informed of the complaint. Where the respondent and / or complainant is a student, all the material gathered as part of the investigation will be forwarded to the Principal. The material should include: a. the names of complainants and respondents; b. the nature of the alleged harassment; c. correspondence between parties; d. meetings, including dates and names of attendees; and e. information regarding the investigation process and disposition of the complaint. Record Keeping

Last Edited: August 20, 2019 Havergal College Family Handbook 2019–20

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