Safe Schools

Creating safer schools and communities

When you send your children off to school each morning, you expect they will be in a safe and welcoming environment where students can focus on learning and teachers can concentrate on helping students to succeed.

We believe that safe schools are a prerequisite for student achievement and that bullying and violent behaviour are never acceptable in Ontario's schools or communities. This is why we have undertaken a series of initiatives to make schools safer, including:

• Programs to prevent bullying and cyber-bullying
• Bullying prevention training for teachers and principals
• Security access devices for schools to help staff better monitor visitors and limit points of access into schools
• Internet safety programs (CYBERCOPS – Mirror Image and Air Dogs programs)
• Legislative amendments that more effectively combine discipline with opportunities for students to continue their education
• Partnerships with parents, police and community groups such as Kids Help Phone (www.kidshelpphone.ca) and the Kids Internet Safety Alliance (www.kinsa.net).

To learn how we are making Ontario schools safer, visit www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/safeschools.html.

To download a copy of Bullying: We can all help stop it. A Guide for Parent of Elementary and Secondary School Students visit www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/safeschools/publications.html.