Updated: Statement from Grand Erie
THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2023
A newspaper column and social media accounts have reported that a parent who is a police officer was not able to participate in a career day at a Grand Erie school.
While we have concerns with some of the details in these reports, we want to acknowledge that the initial communication to the parent was not correct. We apologize unreservedly for this miscommunication.
The parent was told directly that a mistake was made and that the parent was welcome in the classroom. As a board, we value the work and dedication of police officers, and as parents, they are welcome in our schools, whether in uniform or not.
We also want to confirm the One-Stop Grad Shop, a program to provide donated formal wear and accessories to graduating Grand Erie students, has not been cancelled, and is proceeding as planned.
Police programs in schools were paused during the pandemic, and in 2022, Grand Erie chose to extend the pause pending a review of police programs in schools to assess how well these programs are achieving their original goals and meeting student needs.
We want to protect the privacy of the student involved, and therefore, this statement is our only communication on this situation.