Peel schools- building positive climates for learning
By Janet McDougald Chair

Peel District School Board

What comes to mind when you think about what makes a school safe?

Security cameras, weapon-sniffing dogs, uniforms, random spot checks, metal detectors?

These seem to be the things we're hearing in the media, but really, none of these strategies alone will improve the safety of staff and students. That comes from building school communities where students feel safe, nurtured, welcomed, respected and included.

In June 2007, the Ontario government passed Bill 212, the Education Amendment Act, (Progressive Discipline and School Safety). On Jan. 22, 2008, the Peel District School Board approved updates to its Safe Schools policy to reflect changes to the Education Act. As a board, we're well-positioned to implement this new legislation, which takes effect Feb. 1, because of our proactive work.

But just because there's a new policy in place, this doesn't mean our work in providing safe schools is done. A policy, on its own, does not ensure a safe school. A policy is a broad framework that governs the administration and operation of schools, but it's not magic. We can't simply resolve conflicts with the implementation of a solid policy.

Peel schools are among the safest places in communities, but this doesn't mean that we don't continue to look at how we make them even safer. The spirit of this new legislation promotes the building of positive school climates. As a school system, we have always had a focus on creating and maintaining safe and nurturing school environments, and systemwide supports for at-risk students. What's important is not so much our reactive responses to inappropriate behaviour, but our action to help prevent bad choices before they happen.

We're committed to providing students with the tools they need to constructively and respectfully resolve conflicts. And Peel board staff will continue to help students foster healthy relationships; relationships where individuals value each other's talents, character attributes, ideas and opinions, not only at school, but in the community as well.

Students spend a good portion of their day at school, but they spend even more time at home and in the community. Our control over safety is limited once students leave our schools, yet our commitment remains the same. This is why we consistently work with community partners, including the police and multicultural associations, to ensure that we all have the same goals.

The Peel board also has a number of effective practices that support safety in every Peel school including: • up-to-date criminal record checks for all staff and volunteers; • school codes of conduct that set high standards of behaviour for all members of the school community; • cameras in all secondary schools; • locking all exteriors doors, except the main entrance, during school hours at elementary schools; • "buddy systems" where elementary students can only leave the classroom if they are accompanied by another student; • regular rehearsals of fire drill and lockdown procedures

These practices, though valuable, will not accomplish much in the long-term unless there is a significant change in the way we provide community support for youth. The reality is that we need more stakeholders involved in the lives of children. School is only one place where students interact with others. Communities need to be involved and of course, parents are the key to children's future and ensuring the safety of our students at school, at home and in the community.

As a board, we understand and share the priority of parents in making sure schools are safe places to learn. Our schools are safe not because of a particular piece of equipment or legislation, but because of the tremendous work of our staff and the positive actions of students. We're counting on the support of the entire community to help keep our schools safe. Rest assured that you have our commitment to ensuring positive school climates that support learning and working for all.

For a copy of the Peel board's Safe Schools policy visit www.peelschools.org.