The highest priority of the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is the safety, security and well-being of the students and staff in schools and workplaces. The Board supports this priority through policies and procedures, the development and nurturing of relationships with local community organizations and agencies, a commitment to ongoing learning in the areas of school and community safety, and through the development and sharing of best practices.
It is important to note that schools are a reflection of the larger community within which they exist. As such, when communities are challenged by issues of violence, schools will also be challenged. Creating safer schools goes beyond the work of a single school board – it is the collective responsibility of all levels of government, communities and all Greater Toronto Area school boards. Many elements go into the creation of caring and safe schools and workplaces. The most critical component is working through relationships with all internal and external stakeholders to build positive school climates where students and staff feel valued, heard and cared for irrespective of identity or social standing.
The updated Collaborative Approach to School and Community Safety Action Plan combines a number of proactive, research based approaches and interventions aimed at making TDSB schools and sites as safe as possible. Among the highlights of this plan are:
- Allocating additional staff to schools in the areas of School Based Safety Monitors, Child and Youth Workers, Social Workers, Caring and Safe School Advisors, and Teachers
- Enhanced mandatory staff training in the areas of emergency preparedness and threats to school safety
- Expansion of community driven tutoring, mentoring and employment programs for youth outside of regular school hours
- Ongoing working relationships with the Toronto Police Service Youth Safety Unit and Neighbourhood Community Officers Unit
- Partnership with the City of Toronto though the SafeTO initiative
- The installation of updated security systems, including cameras and vape detectors at TDSB schools.
All of this work is framed by the Board’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, Human Rights, Equity, Anti- Racism and Anti-Oppression and the elimination of streaming. In TDSB, the work of creating positive school climates and making schools and workplaces safe, welcoming and inclusive is a part of everyone’s role regardless of position, title or affiliation.