The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario is ensuring their schools are safe.
The Ministry of Education’s Safe School Policy means boards must have safe school protocols in place to ensure a safe, accepting and inclusive environment. According to the school board creating intervention plans, as well as violence, threat and risk assessment plans, are key elements in supporting students with social, emotional or behavioural needs.
The CDSBEO have implemented several specialised programs that are intended to assist with the prevention and targeted intervention for at-risk students. At the last meeting of the board Pam Dunk and Shari King, Behaviour Crisis Consultants with the school board, presented an update on the Safe Schools Initiative. The school board has several programs in place including WITS (walk away, ignore, talk it out, seek help), Roots of Empathy, and the Zones of Regulation program.
On top of these programs the board has targeted intervention strategies like Individual Education Plans, student resiliency action plans and restorative justice to resolve any issues that may arise. According to the CDSBEO goal setting and strategies for keeping students on track are key components of success for at-risk students.
