Toronto, ON, August 31, 2007 - The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has been closely monitoring concerns about potential violence at Westview Centennial Secondary School, as well as the issues raised in the Interim Report on School Safety from the School Community Safety Advisory Panel released this week.
“We are committed to a safe and welcoming learning environment in all of our schools,” said Gerry Connelly, Director of Education at the TDSB. “That is the priority for all staff. We are working with all of our school staff and the Toronto Police Service to implement safety and security strategies at Westview and other schools in order to ensure a safe learning environment.”
“In addition, at C. W. Jefferys we have increased staff resources and security measures to open this school year. Our analysis of the Interim Report on School Safety continues and we are committed to implementing improved programming and safety measures wherever possible.” Connelly said.
“We recognize that some of our students are disengaged and have lost hope. We are focusing our efforts on programs and services for these students. This leads to some of the issues identified by the Panel and threatens the security of our schools.
“As Director of Education for the Toronto District School Board, it is my responsibility to ensure the successful operation of our schools for all of our students. We deal with challenging societal pressures while providing a great education to our students,” Connelly said. “We now have before us one of the greatest challenges we have ever faced: reassuring our parents across this city that their children are safe in our schools. Working together towards long-term solutions, as pointed out by the School Community Safety Advisory Panel, is the only path forward.”
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The Toronto District School Board serves more than 280,000 students throughout 560 schools.
For more information, contact:
John Schmied
Communications and Public Affairs
416-395-2721
John.Schmied@tdsb.on.ca