Final Report on School Safety

TDSB Board Decisions May 21, 2008: TDSB Accepts LAT Recommendations

TDSB Trustees received the Leadership Action Team (LAT) report in response to the School Community Safety Advisory Panel Report (SCSAP) released on January 10, 2008.  The report’s recommendations, which set out to make schools safer and foster a culture of trust and openness, include new on-line access to the Student Safety Line, an Extension of the Safe Spaces initiative, additional community police presence, a focus on wraparound services and intensive training for staff. The recommendations will be implemented in three phases, with the first phase already underway. Trustees agreed to seek funding from existing Ministry grants and other sources of provincial funding and external partnerships.

TDSB Recommends Strong Measures to Support Students and School Safety
Board responds to the School Community Safety Advisory Panel’s report

On May 20, 2008, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB)’s Leadership Action Team (LAT) announced a groundbreaking plan to make our schools safer, fairer and more caring.

The LAT’s recommendations are in response to the TDSB-commissioned report by the School Community Safety Advisory Panel (SCSAP) released on January 10, 2008.

“We said we would listen and we would act. This is exactly what we have done and will continue to do with even more initiatives to support student success and safety in our schools,” said Gerry Connelly, Director of Education for the TDSB. “Our plan provides the framework to move our Board forward to make our schools safer, enhance our culture of trust and openness, and improve our accountability and reporting process.”

The SCSAP report made recommendations designed to create safer school environments for all students, and to improve success for our most marginalized and vulnerable students. The TDSB has taken action over the last five months and made measurable progress on many of the issues identified in the report, resulting in positive changes for schools and communities since the death of Jordan Manners one year ago.

The LAT carried out an exhaustive review of every program and initiative currently in place to address the needs identified in the Panel’s report. The Team sought input not only from educators and TDSB staff, but a range of experts, community members, legislators and others. The Team considered creative and innovative ways to partner with others to provide the support our students need, access new funding from the government, and explore new avenues of cooperation with community partners and others.

The Leadership Action Team identified major themes and actions that could be taken to affect real change in each area. Those six theme areas are: equity; gender-based violence; partnerships/integrated services; support for marginalized youth; silence; and safety.

The LAT’s theme-based recommendations include new programs, services and initiatives to support students, staff training and new positions, new policies and procedures, and the integration of programs and services.

“We are committed to working together with the Province to discuss new opportunities, and we will apply for funds under the Ministry of Education’s new Urban and Priority High Schools Grant and Student Support Leadership Initiative to boost direct support to our students and schools,” said John Campbell, Chair of the TDSB.

In our efforts to find solutions for additional funding and policy changes, the Board will engage all levels of government and seek further collaboration with other agencies to help reach the shared goal of success for all students. The TDSB also looks forward to insight from the Province’s Roots of Youth Violence report due later this fall.

“The LAT’s recommendations tie directly to TDSB’s larger vision and our role in supporting children, youth, families and communities,” said TDSB Trustee Cathy Dandy, Chair of the School Community Safety Workgroup. “As the TDSB, among others, has previously identified, only integrated, wrap-around services can truly address the core needs of our marginalized students. Policy decisions, supported by real dollars, are imperative to ensure resources are in place to help our most vulnerable students succeed in school and in life.”

The LAT report will presented to the Board of Trustees at the regular Board meeting tomorrow, May 21, 2008.

Background:
The Board appointed the School Community Safety Advisory Panel (SCSAP) on June 5, 2007, following the death of student Jordan Manners at C.W. Jefferys C.I. on May 23, 2007. The panel, made up of lawyer Julian Falconer (Chair), Linda MacKinnon and Peggy Edwards, was convened with the goal of understanding the events leading up to the tragic death. On January 10, 2008, the TDSB released the Panel’s Final Report on School Safety. In late January 2008, the Director of Education established the Leadership Action Team, representing staff from across the Board, to develop a comprehensive analysis of the Panel’s report, coordinate the overall strategy for addressing the report, develop an implementation plan, recommend priorities and timelines, and oversee the process for responding to the SCSAP report.

TDSB LAT Report -- ON THE ROAD TO HEALTH (1533K 5/20/2008)

The LAT report to the Board of Trustees for May 21, 2008

TDSB Actions to Date

Update: May 5, 2008

In January 2008, School Community Safety Advisory Panel report made a number of recommendations to improve the culture of safety, trust and openness in our schools. The TDSB has made significant progress in these areas, as well as improving our accountability and reporting processes. We have also introduced new programs to support vulnerable students with complex needs. Below are some of our milestones to date:

• Since its activation on January 21, the Student Safety Line has been meeting the needs of students and school communities by providing an anonymous way for them to report personal and school-related safety concerns. As of mid-April, the program has received more than 400 calls.
• Established in late January, the Leadership Action Team (LAT), including staff representatives from across the Board, has taken a comprehensive review of the Panel’s report. Over the last few months, LAT has engaged in discussions with staff, parent groups and stakeholders regarding their opinions about the report’s recommendations and the proposed action plan for the TDSB. Based on this work, the TDSB’s overall strategy and action plan will be considered by Trustees at the Board meeting on May 2.
• The Gender-Based Harassment and Abuse Action Team was also established in January to review all TDSB policies and procedures related to sexual and gender-based and the prevalence of gender-specific classrooms. Representing different functional areas of the Board, the team will continue to report to LAT with their findings.
• The TDSB announced the 10 character attributed that define what character means for school communities at the Character Development program launch on March 5. On May 5, the new TDSB Character Development in Action Slogan was announced: “Build Character, Build Success” submitted by York Humber H.S. These attributes will serve as an overarching guide to our ongoing Character Development initiatives within the TDSB, and as a foundation for everything we do. To assist in framing discussions, events, and initiatives across the TDSB, starting in September 2008, each month will have a theme reflecting one of the attributes: September – Respect; October – Responsibility; November – Empathy; December – Kindness & Caring; January – Teamwork; February – Fairness; March – Honesty; April – Cooperation; May – Integrity; and June – Perseverance.
• An Open Communication Policy was developed and approved in March 2008, with Board approval for the consultation phase in April 2008. The TDSB will consult with staff and community members about how to make the proposed policy even better.
• Since February, three new Safe and Caring Schools Alternative Programs have been available to support expelled and vulnerable students with complex needs: (1) Sisterhood Media Project offers female students a chance to earn credits while exploring career pathways in the media; (2) Habitat for Humanity Project provides students an opportunity to earn credits and gain invaluable hands-on experience in the home construction industry; and (3) Business of Sport Project gives students the chance to explore the business side of sports media production, equipment design and coaching, while earning credits.
• An Interactive Voice Response System will be piloted in several schools in mid-May. The news system allows schools and central departments to get information out to parents and communities quickly in the event of a crisis situation.
• To support safe and caring schools, the TDSB developed two new policies and revised one policy and one procedure (these are currently being reviewed by school principals for additional input). The new Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policy (P065 CUR adopted January 30, 2008) and new Progressive Discipline and Promoting Positive Student Behaviour Policy (P064 CUR adopted January 30, 2008) provide a framework to enable, support and maintain a positive school climate. Revised January 30, 2008 the Code of Conduct Policy (P044 SCH) establishes a code of conduct for students, employees, and parents and community members when present on school board property in accordance with various legislated requirements. Revised January 30, 2008 the Consequences of Inappropriate Student Behaviour Operational Procedure (PR697 SCH) provides guidelines to assist school administrators and teachers when determining disciplinary measures.
• This spring, the TDSB established the Leadership and Mentoring Program for Visible/Racial Minority and Aboriginal Teachers. The Board will develop an expansion plan to incorporate support staff in the leadership and mentorship program for Winter 2008.

Read the Final Report on School Safety

Read the Director's Blog: The Director launched the on-line blog in September 2007 to update parents, students, staff, and the public on the latest actions and initiatives the Board is taking to support student success and safety in its schools. Visit these entries on the Director's Blog to find out more:

• Tuesday, 6 May 2008: Children’s Mental Health Week
  Wednesday, 30 April 2008: update on the Model Schools for Inner Cities project
• Monday, 21 April 2008: example of “Character in Action”
• Friday, 21 March 2008: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
• Friday, 7 March 2008: learn about the Gender Based Harassment and Abuse Action Team
• Wednesday, 5 March 2008: learn about the TDSB's Character Development initiative
• Friday, 29 February 2008: learn about the latest developments at our First Nations School
• Wednesday, 30 January 2008: learn about the Improving Success for Black Students report

Board Reports

January 30, 2008 Board Meeting: Initial Staff Report re the Final Report of the School Community Safety Advisory Panel

Summary of Decisions re: Initial Staff Report re the Final Report of the School Community Safety Advisory Panel (1219)
The Board decided:
(a) That the final report of the School Community Safety Advisory Panel be received;
(b) That the timelines for development of a comprehensive response to the issues raised in the final report of the School Community Safety Advisory Panel be approved.

Immediate Responses to the School Community Safety Advisory Panel’s Report

The following actions have been taken to date (Appendix B, January 30, 2008 Board Report). Also, click here to view the new accountability measures announced January 21, 2008.

• The Student Safety Line was launched on January 21, 2008 to provide a proactive and anonymous way for students to report personal and school-related safety concerns.
• A Leadership Action Team has been established, representing different functional areas of the Board, co-chaired by Penny Mustin and Uton Robinson. The team will coordinate the overall strategy for addressing the Panel’s report, recommend priorities and timelines for implementation, and oversee the process for response. The team will bring a progress report to Trustees in the March-April cycle.
• A review of all policies and procedures related to sexual and gender-based violence has been initiated by a cross-functional staff team.
• The Character Development Program has been launched. Each school community has
  been invited to define what character means to them. A final list of the ten attributes which collectively define what character means for all will be announced in February 2008.
• A draft Open Communication Policy has been developed. The policy will come to the Board for consideration at the end of February 2008.
• Three new Safe and Caring Schools Alternative Programs for expelled students will be established by February 2008:
  • Sisterhood Media Project, an experiential learning project where girls 12 years and older earn credits and explore pathways;
  • Habitat for Humanity Project, where students over 16years earn credits and gain handson experience in the home construction industry; and
  • Business of Sport Project, where students 12 years and over earn credits while designing their own sport-related business enterprises.
• An Automated Tracking of Safety Incidents is under development and will be piloted this spring and summer, with implementation this fall.
• An Interactive Voice Response System with multilingual capability to provide information to our communities quickly in a crisis situation is under development and will be implemented in April 2008. 

Director of Education Announces New Accountability Measures
and Launches Student Safety Line

21 January 2008

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) today was pleased to activate the new Student Safety Line 416-395-SAFE (www.tdsb.on.ca/395SAFE).

As well, Director of Education Gerry Connelly today announced new accountability measures including the creation of a Leadership Action Team, an automated tracking of safety incidents, an Interactive Voice Response System, an Open Communication Policy, and the board-wide Character Development initiative. 

“As Director of the Toronto District School Board, it is my responsibility to ensure that we are doing everything we can to enhance our culture of trust and openness, and make our schools the safest, fairest learning environments possible, so that all our students can achieve and succeed,” said Connelly.

The Director also announced new programs to support vulnerable students with complex needs.  These include the Sisterhood Media Project, an experiential learning program that offers girls a chance to earn credits while exploring career pathways in the media.  The Habitat for Humanity Project gives students over 16 valuable hands-on experience in the home construction industry as they gain credits.  And through the Business of Sport Project students explore the business side of sports media production, equipment design and coaching, while earning credits.

“These are just some of the steps we are taking immediately.  As we move ahead, TDSB staff will be looking to the Trustees’ School Community Safety Workgroup for guidance and direction regarding next steps,” said Connelly.  “We will continue to work closely with the provincial government, including the Ministry of Education, with the City, with Toronto Police Services, and with all our community partners.”

Director commits to changing TDSB culture
Conversations on culture, concrete actions to follow

14 January 2008

Director of Education Gerry Connelly this morning announced her personal commitment to a culture of trust and openness in the TDSB.  Speaking in response to the Final Report on School Safety and to calls from across the community and the country for more openness and accountability, Connelly promised Lorraine Small that the shooting death of her son Jordan Manners would not be in vain. Read the Media Release

Message from the Director of Education

12 January 2008

Thursday's formal release of the School Community Safety Advisory Panel final report The Road to Health was an historic event for the TDSB.  Our decision to commission this unprecedented review of the circumstances leading to the tragic death of Jordan Manners last May has brought to light a tremendous amount of important information that will generate a positive change in this organization.  I’m very pleased that the report is now out in the public arena and that people are talking seriously about the issues it raises.  Today and over the next few weeks, there will be intense media and public scrutiny of the report and the operations of the TDSB, and frankly I think this is a good thing.   Read more from the Director's Blog.

Message from the Chair of the Board and Director of Education

10 January 2008

This afternoon, the TDSB released the Final Report on School Safety from the School Community Safety Advisory Panel.  We commissioned the report in early June 2007, with the goal of understanding the events leading up to the tragic death of student Jordan Manners at CW Jefferys CI last May.

We want to express our sincerest thanks to our students, school staff, parents and members of the broader community for courageously and honestly sharing their views and supporting this process through their participation.  

We welcome this report, which provides insight on important issues that will help us enhance our culture of trust and openness.  It will guide us in improving our accountability and our reporting processes so that we can make our schools the safest, fairest learning environments they can be.

The Toronto District School Board has a mission statement that is simple and clear:  to enable all students to reach high levels of achievement and to acquire the knowledge, skills and values they need to become responsible members of a democratic society. That is our goal and we will not be satisfied with anything less. 

We have great confidence in the ability of our staff to guide and support our students. The TDSB is home to wonderful, caring people who put their souls into their work. Every day, our principals, vice principals, teachers and support staff work with students to give them hope and optimism.

As we have demonstrated throughout this precedent-setting process, we will continue to be completely accountable and open with the public and with our staff as we move forward.  Regular updates on our website and through the media will ensure that our staff, students, parents, and communities remain confident in the work that we are doing every day to support every single one of our students. 

Yours truly,

John Campbell, Chair of the Board
Gerry Connelly, Director of Education

Read the Final Report on School Safety

Read the media release

Read the Interim Status Report

Message from the Chair of the Board and Director of Education

10 January 2008

Good Morning,

Due to the premature release by the media of a draft copy of the School Community Safety Advisory Panel report, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has moved up the official release of the report to today (January 10, 2008).

This Report is the result of the TDSB’s proactive response early last June, examining the events leading up to the tragic death of student Jordan Manners in one of our schools in May.

The TDSB welcomes this report with the insights it provides on important issues. We are confident that these insights will guide us in working to make our schools the safest, fairest learning and working environments possible so that all our students can learn and achieve success.

We are committed to keeping our staff and communities informed as we review the report’s recommendations and take action.  The Final Report will be available on this website after 4 p.m. today when it is officially released.

Thank you,

John Campbell, Chair of the Board
Gerry Connelly, Director or Education