To keep students safe, schools use many strategies including:
• requiring all parents and visitors to check in at the main office and obtain visitor passes
• the use of a "buddy system" – students can only leave the classroom if accompanied by another student (for example, going to the washroom)
• assigning teachers to supervise inside and outside the school during recesses, before and after school
• locking all exteriors doors, except the main entrance, during school hours
• encouraging staff to regularly review streetproofing skills with students
• expecting staff and students to report unidentified individuals to the office immediately
• holding fire drills and "lockdown" rehearsals
• having evacuation plans in place
• ensuring that all staff and volunteers have up-to-date criminal record checks
• working with the police to provide education on street-proofing
Notes Jim Grieve, director of education, "These strategies are designed to make sure we are prepared for incidents in schools. We are not doing this because we expect to have potentially violent incidents in our schools or because we believe violence is on the rise. In fact, we are doing everything possible to make our schools safe."
We feel that it is important that you also take this opportunity to review safe procedures with your child. Peel Regional Police have provided the following safety guidelines:
• Tell your children to never go anywhere with a stranger, not to talk to strangers and never take anything from them. You also have to teach them what a "safe stranger" is in case they need help. A safe stranger includes a police officer, a cashier, a fire fighter.
• Develop a "what if" game for children to get them thinking about how they would respond if they felt threatened or afraid.
• Know who your children play with and where they go. This includes keeping a list of their friend's addresses and phone numbers.
• Do not leave your child in unsupervised locations, such as cars, parks, public washrooms, arenas, malls and plazas, etc.
• Teach your children where and how to get help. Go with them on their regularly travelled routes. Find
out where the pay telephones are and show your child how to use 9-1-1 (no coins required).
• Your child's body is private. Tell your children that no one may touch the area their bathing suit covers. If someone tries to touch them, they should tell you immediately.
• Teach your children to talk to you immediately when someone does anything that makes them feel strange or uncomfortable. Listen when your children are trying to tell you about something that bothers them and provide them with support and understanding.
For more information about the safety at your school, review your school handbook or speak to your principal or teacher.