Parents and Local Guardians

Boarding Handbook 2020-21

Parents must partner with Branksome Hall to ensure continuity of care and encourage their child to advocate for their own needs. If a student is having a problem, who should they reach out to for support and guidance? If a student has first tried to resolve an issue without success, parents are invited to contact the Director of Boarding. Ensure you have shared your concerns so that we can follow up with your child in a timely and thoughtful manner. Remember, we are all on the same team and have the same goal: helping each student to grow into their best self!

Responsibilities of Local Guardians

For those students for whom the school is their legal custodian, every effort will need to be made to ensure that students also have a local contact person to be a guardian (extended family member or family friend over the age of 25) to aid the school in caring for that student. The school’s role is to simplify the process for students as they apply for a study permit or student visa through the Canadian government and to support their daily needs; however, the school’s responsibilities will not extend to making decisions on the parent’s behalf without prior discussion.

Local contacts and guardians must act as in loco parentis for Boarding students, including:

1.	Providing supervision and accommodation for illness or disciplinary matters if either requires that the student live off campus.
2.	Providing supervision and accommodation during school closures, should the student be unable to return home to her parents.
3.	Providing transportation to and from the airport, as required for travel during school closures or long-weekend trips.
4.	Providing assistance with documentation such as visas and student permits for all travel that is not sponsored by Branksome Hall.
5.	Providing storage during the summer for returning students, as needed. Returning Boarding students are permitted to leave two boxes, provided by Branksome Hall, over the summer. All students are required to sign a summer release form acknowledging that Branksome Hall is not responsible for any lost or damaged contents.