Warning: This multi-part series deals with the physical abuse of vulnerable children in the public school system. If you or someone you love is experiencing trauma-related symptoms from physical abuse, please seek help. Resources in Canada can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/stop-family-violence/services.html For children, Kids Help Phone: Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868.
Where are the children who were harmed at Jack Hulland Elementary?
Who are the children who were harmed at Jack Hulland Elementary?
In May, 2022, the Yukon Department of Education shared some of the findings of their “internal investigation” into the use of restraints and seclusion at Jack Hulland Elementary School. The “internal investigation” was conducted by Mitha Law Group, a Vancouver Law Firm. In particular, Sandra Cunningham conducted the investigation. She interviewed numerous educators over a period of about 3 months, and then provided the Department of Education with a report on her findings on April 19, 2022.
The report has never been released to the public. The Department of Education claimed for 18 months that the report was “sealed” as a result of the RCMP investigation.
An ATIPP request for the report was met with this response on September 20, 2022:
“Can you please thank the applicant for the access request but unfortunately this report is protected under a Production Order with a Sealing Order warrant through the Yukon Courts and will be withheld. Please ask the applicant if they would like to withdraw the access request or continue with this access request with the understanding this report will be withheld.“
Here is a snippet of the CBC Report from Jackie Hong when the Department chose to release a small part of the internal report:
From this release, we know the Yukon Department of Education was fully aware that staff were using inappropriate methods of discipline that caused physical harm to children.
Staff harmed children. This is not in dispute. This is a point of agreement.
So where are the children who were hurt?
I don’t think I am being unreasonable in expecting that any public school system, which EXISTS for the purpose of ensuring children grow and thrive, would IMMEDIATELY attempt to find any child who had been harmed in a school and ensure they had the therapeutic supports needed to recover from trauma.
Families should never need a Class Action Lawsuit to get help for a child who was harmed by school staff.
But here we are.
Class Action Lawsuit: Were you (or someone you know) a student at Jack Hulland Elementary School in Whitehorse, Yukon during the years 2007 to 2022? You may be entitled to compensation as part of a class action lawsuit against the Yukon Department of Education. Please contact Tucker-Carruthers Yukon Law for more information. Website: https://tuckercarruthers.ca/ or contact Heather Jordan, Paralegal at 867-667-2099 or email hjordan@yukonlaw.com
Featured image by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
References
‘Not an acceptable use of force’: Holds and seclusion ‘routine’ at Yukon elementary school: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/jack-hulland-internal-review-interim-findings-1.6457327
The Kids of Jack Hulland Elementary
- Introduction
- Timeline Part 1 (Class Action Lawsuit)
- Timeline Part 2 (RCMP)
- Section 43 of the Criminal Code of Canada
- The Statement of Claim
- The Yukon Child and Youth Advocate’s Office
- The [Missing] Kids of Jack Hulland Elementary
- Week 1 Summary
- The Federal NDP Attempt to Repeal Section 43 of the Criminal Code of Canada (Bill C-273)
- UPDATE: Bill C-273
- UPDATE: Supreme Court of Yukon Decision March 27, 2024
- UPDATE: Yukon Child and Youth Advocate’s Office PODCAST
- No Pain, No Shame, No Blame (American Academy of Paediatrics)
- Senator Stan Kutcher and Bill S-251 to Repeal Section 43
- Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action 6
- The Rights of Children
- The Public Education System in the Yukon
- Ronald Morrish – Discipline that Harms
- Ethical Practice and the Teaching Profession
- Recap and FAQ
- Childhood Trauma – ACES
- The long-term impact of physical abuse of children
- What we know about corporal punishment of children
Who I Am: My name is Donna Miller Fry. I was Superintendent of Schools in Whitehorse, Yukon when I became aware that prior to my arrival, children at Jack Hulland Elementary School were being restrained and secluded as a method of discipline – for years. I (and others) reported this to the RCMP on November 29, 2021. Since then, the Department of Education has admitted the inappropriate use of restraints and seclusion. The victims have resorted to legal action to obtain professional support in addressing the impacts of trauma. This can never happen again in the public school system. By telling this story, I hope to empower education leaders to ensure vulnerable children are never again the victims of abuse in the very place that should be dedicated to their flourishing.
Hoodies are such an interesting topic! I don’t understand why they upset some adults so much! I don’t understand how someone (adult) would be su upset about a child wearing the hoodie that they would escalate it into such a situation as you describe. Every time a child in my class (grade 3) wears a hood, it is because they are crying and want to hide their face, or they just got a new haircut they don’t like. I suppose for some kids it’s about trying to exert some control over their own body. I don’t think any adult could ever give me a good reason for not letting a child wear the hood.
Thank you SO much for this beautiful comment, Lisa. I have faith that MOST educators know this. In fact, I have used this situation in many interviews and I have asked potential employees what they would do in the situation and nearly always, teachers know this about children. This is one of the reasons educators have such difficulty believing this story of abuse. It’s also why I didn’t detect it as soon as I should have. It was beyond – far beyond – what I thought possible in any school in this country. Thank you again for all you do for kids. You are the teacher I would ask for if my own children went to your school! 😊
Even though I leave blog comments with typos? LOL
With AI at the centre of everything, this is just proof you are for real!