A North Vancouver school support worker is temporarily off the job and the RCMP have been called in to investigate after a Grade 5 student at Norgate elementary was allegedly slapped in the face by a staff member.
A letter to parents at the school from John Lewis, superintendent of schools for the North Vancouver School District, went home Thursday stating that an “unfortunate incident” took place Wednesday between an employee and a student, who reported being struck.
The school district is taking the matter “very seriously” said Lewis in the letter, adding that the employee won’t be at work while the issue is addressed.
The employee involved is a support worker at the school, not a classroom teacher.
The incident between the worker and the student happened on school grounds and within school hours but not in the classroom, said Corp. Geoff Harder, spokesman for the North Vancouver RCMP detachment, which is now investigating.
Harder said there were witnesses to the confrontation, who are being interviewed by officers. He added the student did not suffer any lasting injuries as a result of the slap.
He added it will be up to investigators whether to recommend a criminal charge of assault when they have all the information about what happened.
Cindy McQueen, president of CUPE, which represents support workers at the school, said she could not comment on the incident.
In his letter to parents, Lewis said the school district is still considering the best course of action to take.
“It is the school district’s expectation that all students are treated in a respectful and caring way,” wrote Lewis. “It is also important that the parent community feel comfortable sending their children to our schools.”
Lewis declined to comment further on the issue Friday, saying the employee remains on leave until the investigation has concluded.
