SAFE, CARING & ORDERLY SCHOOLS

Background

The District is committed to fostering safe, caring and orderly schools that support optimal learning in welcoming, nurturing environments.  The District recognizes that “a strong relationship exists between feelings of safety and belonging and a student’s ability to learn” (BC Safe, Caring and Orderly Schools – A Guide p.3).  Each child needs to feel accepted and respected, regardless of his/her ability gender, race, culture, religion, or sexual orientation.

Schools are to be places where students are free from harm and where the presence of intoxicating or banned substances, weapons (or replica weapons), violence, explosives and intruders or trespassers is not tolerated. Its emphasis would be on prevention and engaging students in learning to solve problems in peaceful ways, to value diversity and to defend human rights.

Schools are to have clear expectations of acceptable behavior based on School Codes of Conduct.  Incidents of bullying, cyber bullying, harassment, threat and intimidation, violence; verbal, physical or sexual abuse, discrimination in any form, theft and vandalism will be addressed quickly, effectively and in ways that restore or strengthen relationships.  In this District this includes incorporating restitution and restorative practices.

An important component of this Administrative Procedure will be the Community Threat Assessment Protocol in which District staff along with community agency personnel are trained to assess threatening situations involving individuals who have made a threat whether to him/herself or others and to determine appropriate interventions that promote safety.

Procedures

1. The Community Threat Assessment Protocol shall be followed when any student or adult displays threat-making behavior.
2. An effective discipline process based on clear procedures is a necessity when establishing a safe, caring and orderly environment in which students can learn to become responsible citizens.
3. The District, schools, parents, community members, social and law enforcement agencies share the responsibility for an effective discipline program.
4. The District will promote understanding and acceptance of the interactive roles shared among schools, students, parents, community members, social and law enforcement agencies, including the resolution of critical safety concerns.
5. The District encourages an emphasis on preventative procedures and the provision of appropriate early interventions in order to foster and maintain a safe working environment for all students, staff, parents and community members.
6. School Codes of Conduct are to be reviewed annually to refine and revise common expectations.
7. Adult and student behaviors are governed by the School Act, District procedures, as well as the application of Provincial or Federal legislation that pertain to school safety and security.Adult behavior also may be governed by contractual agreements and ethical standards.
8. The District recognizes that a culture of a safe community can be nourished when socially responsible behaviors are taught, modeled and encouraged within schools.
9. Principals will guard the privacy rights of students but “it may be important and/or necessary for the school to assure members of the school community that school officials are aware of the misconduct and are taking appropriate actions to address it. In such instances student identities and specific details of the incident would not be disclosed” (BC Safe, Caring and Orderly Schools, p.22). 
10. Disciplinary actions arising as a result of students not adhering to the School Code of Conduct shall be based on District procedures and regulation and may include but are not limited to: loss of privileges, counseling, the outcome of restorative practices, detention, community service, making restitution, a school based education review or a District student review, involvement of the police and/or suspension from school.
11. The District will:
    1. Designate a Safe Schools Coordinator who will promote safe, caring and orderly schools through the development of a comprehensive safe schools plan using tools such as the Threat Assessment Protocol;
    2. Have the Safe Schools Coordinator monitor the Ministry’s online student report site for bullying, maintain direct communication with the Ministry of Education, manage the ongoing relationship with community partners, and co-ordinate the delivery of multi-level training to address threats and prevent bullying thus ensuring safe and caring school communities;
    3. Ensure that School Codes of Conduct are communicated in written form at the beginning of each school year to students, parents and staff members;
    4. Review School Codes of Conduct annually to assess their effectiveness;
    5. Ensure that School Codes of Conduct include a duty to report and are consistent with the Human Rights Code including “The prohibition of discrimination on the basis of an individual’s or a group’s race, color, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or age”;
    6. Support prevention and intervention strategies applied at the school level including those outlined in school based education reviews and maintain student reviews at the District level with the goal of creating successful education plans for students;
    7. Ensure that it has consistent procedures in place that can help educators and other partners take action to address bullying and harmful behaviors;
    8. Continue to encourage schools to incorporate evidence based intervention programs (i.e., WITS and Roots of Empathy) and,
    9. Demonstrate leadership in the development of procedures and practices that promote school safety.
12. Principals will:
    1. Have an understanding of the Community Threat Assessment Protocol and follow through with responsibilities for its implementation;
    2. Notify parents of potentially suicidal students and follow Threat Assessment Protocol;
    3. Communicate behavioral expectations and the School Code of Conduct to students, parents, staff and community members through written form;
    4. Ensure the School Code of Conduct is shared with students;
    5. Examine the School Code of Conduct with students, staff, and parents annually to ensure any necessary revisions are made and submit suggestions for changes to the Safe School Coordinator;
    6. Investigate all reported or suspected incidents of misconduct, and as appropriate, notify parents and authorities;
    7. Follow a graduated list of consequences for incidents, consulting with District personnel for serious offenses;
    8. Ensure that they and their staff take advantage of anti-bullying training and threat assessment training provided by the Ministry of Education and/or the District;
    9. Consistently reinforce clear expectations of acceptable conduct while modeling and teaching problem solving skills to staff and students;
    10. Encourage and enable parents to advocate for their children’s well being;
    11. Keep records of all reports of unsafe conditions or actions and the school’s response to them;
    12. Conduct searches of students, lockers, and any other property found on school premises in accordance with the procedures set out in relevant District documents for the purposes of enforcing school rules; and,
    13. Participate in the development of procedures and practices that promote school safety.
13. Teaching and Support Staff will:
    1. Model ethical and appropriate behavior while being vigilant for the well being of students;
    2. Develop a clear set of behavioral expectations with students and ensure that all students are aware of the School Code of Conduct;
    3. Respond to incidents in a fair and reasoned manner, using interventions that repair harm, strengthen relationships and restore a sense of belonging;
    4. Make it easy and safe for students and their parents to inform school authorities of presently or potentially dangerous situations;
    5. Take advantage of anti-bullying training and threat assessment training provided by the Ministry of Education and/or District when available;
    6. Participate in the Community Threat Assessment Protocol when appropriate; and,
    7. Participate in the development of procedures and practices that promote school safety.
14. Students will:
    1. Participate in maintaining behavioral expectations including the School Code of Conduct;
    2. Seek to prevent violence and potentially violent situations;
    3. Neither take part in nor condone (provoke, encourage or support) bullying, harassment, threats and intimidation, verbal, physical or sexual abuse in any form including when using electronic resources;
    4. Refrain from using, possessing or displaying any weapon or replica weapon and not use, possess or sell any intoxicating, banned or controlled substance at school or any event that is organized or sponsored by a school;
    5. Show respect for others and themselves, by demonstrating a commitment to learning, using respectful language, practicing academic honesty, and respecting the property of others; and,
    6. Seek out adult assistance when there is need for counselling or assistance in handling a dangerous or potentially dangerous situation.
15. Parents are requested to:
    1. Familiarize themselves with the Community Threat Assessment Protocol found on the District’s website;
    2. Adhere to all Board policies, District procedures and their child’s School Code of Conduct;
    3. Demonstrate appropriate academic and social support for their child while communicating with and working in partnership with schools;
    4. Support the role of the school and the District in taking disciplinary action when their child or other children have not modeled appropriate behavior.