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2 - The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, May 9, 2000 BRstudent su*e'dd ftWY'èfusing religion class By KIM ARNOTT Special ta The Champion v A Halton student who declared he was no longer a Roman Cathotic in order to avoid cnmpulsory reli- gious education has been suspended for refusing to "T7hat was sort of the last straw. We got to thse point where enougis is enough."1 .......... m..................-........ participate in his religion class. Marcus Dagenais, a grade 1l student at Bishop Reding asked the Halton Catholic District School Board to exempt him Secondary School, renounced his religion earlier this year and fromn a required religious studies course. SAVE urTo200/o Ee»ON SUMC o»Ds -1ATTRESS SUPERSTORE"0 anm YOM'I Ses why our inatlessesno are a dream corne trie! aa.fsOaVbad 1 LFut 1kon l D Rgon 1uon IWIt¶4RRuu:IaLARGE1m SEm(I[sNsOF In February, tbe board refused his request, stating that he remained a Catholic in their eyes. It also told him that he must attend bis religion course or be suspended. Over the Iast two montha, according to bis father Don Dagenais, Marcus bas been attending tbe course, but refuaing to do any work. "We've instructed hlm not to. It's a protest." The matter came to a bead st week wben Marcus, who has a mark of 26 per cent in his religion course, refused to go on a field trip to a synagogue witb tbe clasa. As a resuit, tbe achool suspended hlm for 10 days. '1That was sort of the st straw," said Fred Sweeney, director of education for tbe board. "We got to, tbe point wbere enougb is enougb." Mr. Dagenais said Marcus refused because bie bas recently missed a month of sehoot due to illneas and couldn't afford any more time sway from clasa. He also said bie believes tbe achool board is trying to make a political point at the expense of bis son's education. "You get suspended for five days for having dope in achool. Tbey're absolutely rabid (atthe board office)." Mr. Sweeney admitted that most suspensions are only for tbree to five days, but said deug infractions woutd resuit in either a 20- day suspension or an expulsion. He added that Marcus' unwillingness to take part in tbe required course was disnuptive to other students and could set a dangerous precedent if ignored by thc board. Mr. Sweeney said the suspension will be lifted if the student agrees to return to clans, catch up on aIl of bis assignmrents and participate fully in the course. "tIf the parents are prepared to cooperate and (Marcus) la pre- pared to cooperate, we're prepared to, lift the suspension," hie said. T'he board and the famnily had plans to meet over the issue. Marcus, 17, had originally asked for an exemption from, the religion class in order to take an advanced weight training course, which hie said hie required for bis interest in competitive downhill mountain biking. When the board refused bis request, the Georgetown resident renounced bis religion and requested an exemption on the basis that hie wasn't Catholic. "hle the Education Act gises Catholic achool boards the right to, compel Catholic atudents to take part in religious studies, it also states non-Catholic students who request exemptions shaîl not be required to take thc courses. In February, achool board Chair Jim Sherlock told Mr. Dagenais that Marcus was originally enrolled as a Roman Catholic student so Uic board would not accept bis renuncistion of bis religion. He added that it is Uic board's position Uiat aIl Catholic secondary students must take religious education class- SinceIr U ISL'.()