Comments on: Homeschooling in Quebec: Starting Out http://canhomeschool.com/freehold/2008/01/31/quebec-start/ You Can Homeschool! Sun, 10 Jan 2010 04:57:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Ruby3881 http://canhomeschool.com/freehold/2008/01/31/quebec-start/comment-page-1/#comment-838 Ruby3881 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:32:24 +0000 http://ruby3881.wordpress.com/?p=201#comment-838 Josh, LBPSB do unfortunately have a reputation of being one of the most hostile towards homeschooling. I don't know the specifics of your situation, so I can't tell you whether they have justification to report you to the DYP. It may be an empty threat designed to frighten you into following their procedures, which are not necessarily required by law. However they may feel they have a good case, and you may hear from the Youth Protection in the future. It's best to be prepared should the situation arise, as I've known families who were reported even by neighbours & family members. Document everything - your educational activities, and the communications you have with the board. It will help you if you have to deal with the DYP or if you seek assistance from a lawyer. It does seem odd that the board would immediately reply to your letter of intent with a threat to report you, though. If something is not in order the Ministry expects them to work with you to correct the situation - not to jump right to a report of educational neglect! If you've just begun homeschooling this fall, I wonder just what they can have to complain about. Their main concern is usually assessment, which they seem to leave until June each year. Best of luck! Ruby Josh,

LBPSB do unfortunately have a reputation of being one of the most hostile towards homeschooling. I don’t know the specifics of your situation, so I can’t tell you whether they have justification to report you to the DYP. It may be an empty threat designed to frighten you into following their procedures, which are not necessarily required by law. However they may feel they have a good case, and you may hear from the Youth Protection in the future.

It’s best to be prepared should the situation arise, as I’ve known families who were reported even by neighbours & family members. Document everything – your educational activities, and the communications you have with the board. It will help you if you have to deal with the DYP or if you seek assistance from a lawyer. It does seem odd that the board would immediately reply to your letter of intent with a threat to report you, though. If something is not in order the Ministry expects them to work with you to correct the situation – not to jump right to a report of educational neglect! If you’ve just begun homeschooling this fall, I wonder just what they can have to complain about. Their main concern is usually assessment, which they seem to leave until June each year.

Best of luck!
Ruby

]]> By: Josh http://canhomeschool.com/freehold/2008/01/31/quebec-start/comment-page-1/#comment-782 Josh Sat, 15 Nov 2008 00:24:12 +0000 http://ruby3881.wordpress.com/?p=201#comment-782 Hello, We are homeschooling our 12 yr old. We sent in our letter of intent to the LBPSB and they have responded by sending us a letter warning us of their obligation to report us to Child Services. Is this simply a veiled threat or is there a legal standpoint that they have to do this? I did inform them of our rights pursuant to Section 15(4) already in the letter of intent. Any information or reply would be appreciated. Regards Josh Hello,

We are homeschooling our 12 yr old. We sent in our letter of intent to the LBPSB and they have responded by sending us a letter warning us of their obligation to report us to Child Services. Is this simply a veiled threat or is there a legal standpoint that they have to do this?
I did inform them of our rights pursuant to Section 15(4) already in the letter of intent. Any information or reply would be appreciated.

Regards Josh

]]> By: Michelle Wong http://canhomeschool.com/freehold/2008/01/31/quebec-start/comment-page-1/#comment-57 Michelle Wong Sun, 10 Feb 2008 00:44:21 +0000 http://ruby3881.wordpress.com/?p=201#comment-57 Thanks for the great information. I just suscribed to your blog feed. Michelle Thanks for the great information. I just suscribed to your blog feed.
Michelle

]]> By: Anonymous http://canhomeschool.com/freehold/2008/01/31/quebec-start/comment-page-1/#comment-56 Anonymous Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:01:14 +0000 http://ruby3881.wordpress.com/?p=201#comment-56 Hello Ruby, I read your wonderful article, and am going to follow thru with all your links as well. I am writing to you in somewhat of a panic state because a small minded self-righteous family member (yes I am angry!) called child protective services. The true reasons he called, are really nothing to do with homeschooling, but rather other more malicious family dynamics, but now I have no choice but to prove myself to "the powers that be". My son is 11 and we were in the school system for brief periods of time but it simply did not work for his individual needs. He is somewhat "gifted", easily bored, easily overstimulated and tends to be a magnet for bullies. The schools tended to ignore my concerns until the situation deteriorated and he started becoming aggressive towards teachers and other students. ..then suddenly they wanted to talk! I am actually trained as an art educator, and an art therapist, so my curriculum should really be no problem, but they are very determined and insisting on "requirements" that I believe legally I am not obliged to comply to. But it is hard to say no when Child Protective Services is questioning your competency as a parent! I know you cannot offer legal advice but I am rather isolated as an English homeschooler, newish to the area. I desperately need to hear some reassuring words and connect with some other supportive homeschoolers. Any support, suggestions, or referrals would be gratefully appreciated. Hello Ruby,
I read your wonderful article, and am going to follow thru with all your links as well. I am writing to you in somewhat of a panic state because a small minded self-righteous family member (yes I am angry!) called child protective services. The true reasons he called, are really nothing to do with homeschooling, but rather other more malicious family dynamics, but now I have no choice but to prove myself to “the powers that be”. My son is 11 and we were in the school system for brief periods of time but it simply did not work for his individual needs. He is somewhat “gifted”, easily bored, easily overstimulated and tends to be a magnet for bullies. The schools tended to ignore my concerns until the situation deteriorated and he started becoming aggressive towards teachers and other students. ..then suddenly they wanted to talk! I am actually trained as an art educator, and an art therapist, so my curriculum should really be no problem, but they are very determined and insisting on “requirements” that I believe legally I am not obliged to comply to. But it is hard to say no when Child Protective Services is questioning your competency as a parent! I know you cannot offer legal advice but I am rather isolated as an English homeschooler, newish to the area. I desperately need to hear some reassuring words and connect with some other supportive homeschoolers. Any support, suggestions, or referrals would be gratefully appreciated.

]]>