'We must do more': CBE responds to Calgary high school walkouts
The Calgary Board of Education is responding to student walkouts held throughout the city, saying staff will work with students to keep schools safe.
The walkouts started last week amid sexual assault allegations at Western Canada High School.
Students at the school staged a walkout on Nov. 16 in an effort to show support for survivors of sexual assault and to bring to light what they said was a lack of support by school administrators.
On Friday, the CBE's chief superintendent of schools Christopher Usih sent a letter to parents and guardians of high school students.
"We have heard from our high school students, staff and administration that there are concerns with the way our system and our schools manage, respond to and address student concerns and complaints related to sexual harassment and assault," he said in the letter.
"A significant number of CBE students have expressed their concerns by walking out of class, staging protests, and sharing their stories through social media, news media, and directly to their school leadership and my office."
Usih said he met with high school principals this week and asked them to consider what additional supports may be required.
"These situations are complex for many reasons and respecting the privacy of those involved is very important. However, it is clear that we must do more," he said.
"School leaders are supporting ongoing dialogue and further fostering an environment where all students know how to report a concern, and where the concerns expressed by students and staff are acknowledged appropriately."
The CBE said "senior leaders" will be reviewing the feedback from students to determine the actions they can take to ensure a welcoming, caring and respectful environment at these schools.
"We will continue to further this work with our school communities and I encourage you to share your thoughts and concerns with your child’s principal."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Apple unveils new iPad Pro with 'outrageously powerful' AI-powered chip
Apple is hoping its latest iPad lineup will breathe new life into its sluggish tablet market. In a pre-recorded live streamed event from its Cupertino, California headquarters, the company introduced the latest versions of its iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets, and an all-new Apple Pencil Pro.
Katy Perry's mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.