Schools need to be places that promote responsibility, respect, civility, and academic excellence in a safe learning and teaching environment. A positive school climate exists when all members of the school community feel safe, included and accepted, and all members of the school community actively promote positive behaviour and interactions.
All students, families and school staff have the right to be safe, and to feel safe, in their school community. With this right comes the responsibility to contribute to a positive school climate. The promotion of strategies and initiatives such as student success and character development, along with the employment of prevention and intervention strategies to address inappropriate behaviour, fosters a positive school climate that supports student achievement and the well-being of all students.
Provincial and Board Codes of Conduct set clear standards of behaviour for a safe and positive school climate. Physical, verbal, written, sexual, or psychological abuse, bullying, discrimination and the willful damage of property are not tolerated. These standards of behaviour apply to students whether they are on school property, on school buses, at school-related events or activities, or in other circumstances that could have an impact on the school climate. They also apply to all individuals involved in the publicly-funded school system – principals, school staff, families, volunteers and community groups.
Safe schools board procedures
All LDSB procedures for safe and caring schools are available on our Policies and Procedures webpage, including:
- Administrative Procedure 350: Codes of Conduct
- Administrative Procedure 358: Student Suspension
- Administrative Procedure 359: Student Expulsion
- Board Policy 17: Student Suspension Appeals, Exclusion Appeals, Minutes of Settlement, Expulsion Hearings, Expulsion Appeals
Safe schools legislation
- Creating Safe and Accepting Schools: Information for Parents about Accepting Schools Act (Bill 13)
- Suspension and Expulsion: What Parents Need to Know
- Student/Parents' Guidelines for Expulsion Hearings
- Student/Parents' Guidelines for Suspension Appeals
Community threat assessment protocol and threats to school safety
- Administrative Procedure 141: Threats to School Safety
- Community Threat Assessment Protocol
- Threat/Risk Assessment Notification and Process
- Police/School Board Protocol (DRAFT)
Fostering safe working and learning environments resources
- MEND (Mediating Ends Negative Disagreements) Approach
- Limestone District School Board Code of Conduct
- LDSB Safe Schools and School Improvement Plan - Elementary
- LDSB Safe Schools and School Improvement Plan - Secondary
- Submit a Safe School Incident (Reporting Form)
- Help Protect Your Child from Cyberbullying
- Bullying - We Can All Help Stop It
- Your Child's Education: A Parent Guide to Our School System
- Prevnet: Bullying
Back on Track by the YMCA
A 3– to 5–day out-of-classroom program that provides students aged 12 to 17 who are having difficulties at school with the opportunity to take a step back. It offers a positive and restorative experience that fosters personal growth, autonomy, and the development of social skills in lieu of disciplinary measures.
The Back on Track Program is a preventative approach for students:
- Gain perspective and take a breath to stop the downward spiral.
- Find motivation in a new, welcoming, and reassuring environment.
- Receive the support of a qualified youth worker, through one-on-one meetings, and small group workshops.
- Start the reflection process and define goals.
- Get back on track to social activities and school in a harmonious manner.
- Benefit from helpful follow-ups with school staff and parents or guardians.
By participating in the program, students can:
- Keep up with their schoolwork.
- think about their interests, behvaiour, and the future.
- Develop new skills to better cope with life.
- Take part in group workshops with other young people going through the same thing as them.
- Clearly define goals and commit to achieving them.
- Benefit from the support of a trusted youth worker.
Example Schedule
Below is an example schedule. The stay i the program can last 3, 4, or 5 days.
Day | Morning | Afternoon |
|---|---|---|
Day 1 | Welcome One-on-one meetings to set objectives School work | Group workshop |
Day 2-3 | One-on-one meetings School work | Group workshop Outing Preparation for a return to school |
Day 4 | Return to school in the company of a youth worker |