New School Safety Rules Now In Effect
Ontario has become the first province in Canada to require all school staff to report serious student incidents – including bullying – to the principal
We all want to know that when our children head off to school, that they are going to be safe.
And now they are going to be safer than ever before.
With all the hubbub over the new Distracted Driving laws coming into effect, it seems not as much attention has been given to the equally-as-important new school safety measures that came into effect on February 1st.
Under these new measures, Ontario has become the first province in Canada to require all school staff to report serious student incidents – including bullying – to the principal.
Furthermore, principals are also required to contact the parents of the victim, also a first in Canada.
Students have a right to feel safe and be safe in their school.
Bullying is a serious issue and it is not acceptable on school property, at school activities or online.
Our government recognizes that bullying and harassment can affect a student's health, mental well-being and school success. This legislation makes schools safer and helps students achieve their full potential in a variety of ways.
First, it addresses the reporting gap between principals and teachers about all serious student incidents that must be considered for suspension or expulsion.
It also ensures that parents of students who are victims of these serious incidents are kept informed and principals are aware of serious incidents in the school so they can respond appropriately.
Finally, it requires school staff who work directly with students to respond to inappropriate, disrespectful behavior among students as well as activities which can lead to suspension and expulsion.
This new legislation is only the latest step in our government’s efforts to make our schools safer.
It was the McGuinty government that amended the Education Act to include bullying, including cyberbullying, as an infraction for which a student can be disciplined.
As part of our Safe Schools Strategy, we're providing funding for 170 more staff in our schools to work with at-risk students. This includes annual funding for additional psychologists, social workers, child and youth workers and attendance counselors
We ensured that more than 7,450 principals and vice-principals and more than 25,000 teachers have received training in bully prevention.
And more than 40,000 students are benefiting from a $3 million three year partnership with Kids Help Phone, which provides anonymous and confidential professional counselling, referrals, and information to students seeking assistance. As a result of this success, the partnership has been renewed until 2011.
Students need a safe and inclusive learning environment to focus on their studies and reach their full potential. By making schools safer, we are helping to boost student success. In doing this, we are helping them build a brighter future for themselves, and for Ontario.
For more information on what our government is doing to make our schools safe, contact my Constituency Office at 416-630-0080.