| Safe Schools Policies in Ontario |
| Kate Lancaster, Sam MacRitchie, Jessica Pellowe for ED4238 Sept 07 |
The Safe Schools Act (enacted in 2000), prohibits specific behaviours in every school in
Ontario and requires mandatory suspensions or expulsions for those individuals exhibiting
those behaviours. Prohibited behaviours are listed in the Ontario Schools Code of Conduct,
together with rights and responsibilities of all members of the school community. This
community includes parents, teachers, principals and school administrators, as well as
students.
The Ontario Schools Code of Conduct applies on school property, on school buses and at
all school-authorized events and activities. The Code is intended to ensure that all members of
the school community, especially those in positions of authority, are treated with respect and
dignity. The Code encourages the use of non-violent means to resolve conflict, promotes the
safety of all people in schools and prohibits the use or possession of alcohol, weapons and
illegal drugs.
Ontario and requires mandatory suspensions or expulsions for those individuals exhibiting
those behaviours. Prohibited behaviours are listed in the Ontario Schools Code of Conduct,
together with rights and responsibilities of all members of the school community. This
community includes parents, teachers, principals and school administrators, as well as
students.
The Ontario Schools Code of Conduct applies on school property, on school buses and at
all school-authorized events and activities. The Code is intended to ensure that all members of
the school community, especially those in positions of authority, are treated with respect and
dignity. The Code encourages the use of non-violent means to resolve conflict, promotes the
safety of all people in schools and prohibits the use or possession of alcohol, weapons and
illegal drugs.
When people talk about creating a safe school environment, the conversation quickly turns to
preventing bullying and promoting acceptance of all students. While this is an important part of a
safe school, there are several other equally important factors to consider. For example, students
must be kept safe from potentially dangerous (in any way) teachers, and teachers must be kept
safe from their potentially dangerous students. As well, students need to be kept safe from the
community and the community from the students, while nurturing and maintaining a positive
relationship between them. So, the issues are many, and they are not as straightforward as one
might assume at first thought. The purpose of this website is to briefly highlight some of these
issues, and to serve as a portal to a variety of helpful resources to help you create a safe school,
beginning in your classroom.
preventing bullying and promoting acceptance of all students. While this is an important part of a
safe school, there are several other equally important factors to consider. For example, students
must be kept safe from potentially dangerous (in any way) teachers, and teachers must be kept
safe from their potentially dangerous students. As well, students need to be kept safe from the
community and the community from the students, while nurturing and maintaining a positive
relationship between them. So, the issues are many, and they are not as straightforward as one
might assume at first thought. The purpose of this website is to briefly highlight some of these
issues, and to serve as a portal to a variety of helpful resources to help you create a safe school,
beginning in your classroom.