Safe Schools
Creating Communities of Peace
The CDSBEO has developed a progressive discipline framework Called to Care… Called to Action … Called to Rebuild. It is our purpose to create safe and caring community schools which respect individuality, celebrate harmony, and strive to promote and develop responsible behaviour based on gospel values and shared discipleship. In response to Safe School legislation, policies and procedures, programs are being implemented in all our schools in consultation with our valued partners.
- A Safe School Resource and Administrative Manual provides resources and best practices.
- Anti-bullying prevention and intervention plans and procedures for tracking and reporting incidents are required.
- Progressive discipline with a continuum of interventions, supports and consequences are used to encourage students to make good choices and address inappropriate behaviour. The approach is corrective and supportive rather than punitive.
- Interventions are applied in consideration of mitigating circumstances and are consistent with the student’s strengths, needs, goals and expectations contained in his/her individual education plan.
- Empathy, social skill and anger management activities and programs are designed to encourage healthy relationships and positive behaviours.
- Training opportunities are provided and students are given leadership opportunities. The Board Catholic Code of Conduct is clearly outlined for staff, parents and community partners.
- All staff will report bullying incidents to the principal and parents, which will be responded to as per the Ministry guidelines.
Rooted in the positive relationships between home, school and parish, we recognize that students need to feel connected, capable and contributing members of our school and faith communities. All staff and students have been trained and are implementing Restorative Practices with a focus on building, maintaining and repairing relationships. Wrong doing and conflict result in harm to people. Classroom meetings and “talking” circles explicitly build positive relationship and enhance school climate. Restorative practices seek to heal and right the wrongs and focuses on the needs of the harmed, those responsible for the harm and the community. By meeting face to face, the restorative process encourages healthy communication, accountability, healing and closure for all.