Webber Academy Fined $26,000 Over Religous Issue

[Masked Bandit]

http://globalnews.ca/news/1945581/we...udent-prayers/

So a few years ago, a couple of muslim kids were told not to conduct their prayers on school property as Webber is a non-denominational institution. They continue and as such are denied enrollment the following year. They complain and the result is $26,000 in fines against Webber.

So has anyone been to Webber? Is it truly non-denominational? I can't imagine that in this day & age Webber didn't have some solid legal council before proceeding.

[zipdoa]

Had friends who went to Webber, it's definitely non-denominational. Pretty risky to tell these kids they can't pray on school property - I'm not surprised they got fined.

It makes me wonder how long it will take the Pastafarians to make similar claims.

[HiTempguy1]

Does it matter though? If the school stands behind the "non-denominational" stance, what is a $26k fine? If that is the price to pay and the kids still aren't allowed... I applaud them for their stance

[Masked Bandit]

Originally posted by HiTempguy1
Does it matter though? If the school stands behind the "non-denominational" stance, what is a $26k fine? If that is the price to pay and the kids still aren't allowed... I applaud them for their stance

I don't know that its the $26,000 per se, but the fact that it sets a precedent. With the financial demographics of the schools past & present student body, they could find that money in the couch cushions. But it opens the door to future issues and forces the institution to compromise one of it's core values. It's the principle, not the money.

[Tik-Tok]

If your family is a practicing religious one, why would you even send your kids there?

[Xtrema]

Originally posted by Tik-Tok
If your family is a practicing religious one, why would you even send your kids there?

This family claims policy unclear. They are the best school in the province tho. So I can understand why people want their kids there.

I think Webber may not be on the right with the law in respecting religions. But on that stance alone, Webber definitely got my money if I have kids and can afford that kind of education for them.

[VWEvo]

My kid attends Webber and there is a little more to the story. When the parents asked if Webber can accommodate their kids to pray in a quiet environment 5 times a day (according to islamic requirements), the school said they would . They accommodated the children for 2 weeks, finding a quiet area which proved to be extremely challenging for the school. At one point the parents complained to Weber that the kids are feeling embarrassed with the accommodations Webber made. At this point, Webber told the parents it couldn't accommodate their requests. The children weren't offered spots the following year by Webber Academy.

I can say that the school stands by its decision and has learned from the experience. The parents, including parents of all religious denomination (even islamic) emphatically support the school. Its rather an unfortunate situation given that there are schools in this city that will accommodate various religious groups and their requirements.

[turbotrip]

^The school claims they don't have a single empty room/closet for these 2 students to use?

[codetrap]

.

[spikerS]

public versus private.

If you don't agree with the school's policies, don't send your kids there.

The kicker is, they PAID to send their kids there, and then complain after....

fuck em. This is just like Skyview residents complaining about airplane noise...

[sabad66]

Originally posted by spikerS
public versus private.

If you don't agree with the school's policies, don't send your kids there.

The kicker is, they PAID to send their kids there, and then complain after....

fuck em. This is just like Skyview residents complaining about airplane noise...

Did you read what VW wrote above? The parents specifically asked if they could be accommodated and were told that they could. If they were told no from the beginning then it's a diff story.

[you&me]

Originally posted by sabad66

Did you read what VW wrote above? The parents specifically asked if they could be accommodated and were told that they could. If they were told no from the beginning then it's a diff story.

But they were accommodated, but those accommodations seemingly didn't meet expectations.

From what I've been told by friends with children in Webber (which parallels VWEvo's take), the kids were accommodated as agreed, but then found the space they were offered inadequate, so their parents complained, leading Webber to not renew their enrolment.

The prevailing opinion I've heard is that the students / their parents asked for more and more than should reasonably be expected and Webber finally said 'no'; 'thanks but not thanks'.

Good for them.

[suntan]

Originally posted by turbotrip
^The school claims they don't have a single empty room/closet for these 2 students to use?

Those are taken by student-teacher sexy time.

[codetrap]

.

[spikerS]

Originally posted by codetrap
spikerS comment still stands. Private school, private rules. This is clearly the case where the school gave an inch to be accommodating and the parents ended up trying to push the issue. Webber pushed back and said "GTFO with your stupid demands. We don't need you."

And Rage2 says that kids are entitled these days... lol.. they learned that shit from their parents. You don't blame the dog when it crap's on your carpet, you blame yourself for not teaching the dog better.

Shit, did we just agree on something?

[msommers]

For the price of admission, the parents probably expected the school to bend to their will, exactly how it was in their minds. Problem is there are 100 people behind them willing to also pay and not make a fuss.

[codetrap]

.

[TomcoPDR]

Originally posted by suntan
Those are taken by student-teacher sexy time.

Oh Lordy.

[J-D]

“Our courts have said that no one should be expected to park their religious beliefs at the door of any public institution – whether it’s a court room, school…people have a right to express themselves based on their religious beliefs in this country, and that’s just reflected in this decision.”

It's funny because I'm pretty sure the denominational schools require staff to be from the same religion and for students to only practice the one religion... but non-denominational schools have to try and accommodate requests from all faiths?

[Sugarphreak]

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