Student Safety

Strengthening Background Checks
In addition to the already required Vulnerable Sector Checks, the PSB will request international declarations or criminal records checks where possible (not available for all countries). As of 2025/26, a legal declaration for all applicants is required, including explaining any gaps in employment history by routinely contacting previous employers when possible.

Expansion of Policy and HR Teams
The PSB has expanded and adapted its policy and human resources teams to accommodate its renewed priorities and strategic goals, including a focus on improving student safety and transparency, for the upcoming years.

Implementing Canadian Centre for Child Protection Training
Working with DEEY, the PSB is ensuring staff complete the Canadian Centre for Child Protection’s "Commit to Kids" training, which teaches them how to recognize and prevent child sexual abuse. New and existing school staff undertook refresher training; mandated as regular training going forward. The next session of training for key leaders is scheduled for January.

Strengthening Reporting
There is continued work with CPS and law enforcement to strengthen communications and relationships. Principals, vice-principals, and school counselors have met with CPS to review proper reporting procedures. PSB leadership and trustees met with law enforcement to learn more about limitations around Vulnerable Sectors Checks and clarify roles/responsibilities.

Existing investigation processes have been reinforced so that when a formal investigation is initiated on any staff member, they are immediately removed from working with students until the matter is resolved.

Safe and Caring Learning Environment Policy and Duty to Report
At the beginning of this school year, the PSB ensured that all its administrators reviewed the existing Safe and Caring Learning Environments Policy and Duty to Report requirements with their staff. This policy will evolve with the creation of new policies, such as a dedicated sexual misconduct policy and others.

Focused Professional Development
Through the spring and summer of 2025, key staff attended national conferences on educational law to gather information on what other jurisdictions are doing. Key members of the HR team completed workplace investigation training and threat assessment training through a trauma informed approach.

Student Voice
In the winter of 2024, the PSB created Student Focus Groups to hear directly from students about their experiences and concerns on several topics, one of which included safety. With the continued promotion of the “Report It!” tool, students are encouraged to anonymously share concerns, allowing follow-up and resolution when possible.

Collaborative Problem-Solving
Starting in 2024, the PSB established working groups bringing together union partners, Ministry representatives, trustees, and PSB staff to work collectively on safety improvements. This included collaborating with administrators, counselors, and community partners including CPS and law enforcement, to identify gaps and solutions.

Improved Reporting Management Systems
Through the spring and summer of 2025 the PSB strengthened internal procedures to ensure that reports go to the appropriate department. Also, clear processes have been established for the secure storage and effective management of all related documentation.

Establishment of a Sexual Misconduct Policy
In spring 2025, the PSB began a process to create its first stand-alone Sexual Misconduct Policy. Consultations began in November 2025, with various community partners, including - but not limited to - trustees, government, Child Protection Services, school staff, home and school associations, students and families. It is the intention of the PSB that the policy will include clear definitions and guidance on early identification of grooming behaviour and all other forms of sexual misconduct. It will also provide clear procedures in response to reports of sexual misconduct. 

Communicating with the Community
Communications have been designed with the intention to respond to families and media in a timely and transparent way while respecting privacy and legal requirements. Through this website and updates, the PSB will continue to report on progress.

Tracking and Transparency
This year, the PSB is implementing regular data reviews in its existing tracking system to identify any trends with the ultimate goal being the implementation of a more comprehensive incident tracking system. 

Beginning in 2026, the PSB will publicly report annual sexual misconduct statistics in its annual report.

Annual Safety Training 
Using scenario-based training, the PSB will encourage staff to apply policies and procedures to real situations from other jurisdictions. Every staff member will complete annual refresher training on:

• Recognizing predatory behavior and grooming
• Duty to Report requirements
• Professional boundaries and conduct
• Our policies and procedures

Safe and Caring Learning Environment Policy
An update to the Safe and Caring Learning Environment Policy will ensure it is in line with the new Sexual Misconduct Policy and better reflect the work being done to modernize procedures.

Clear Procedures and Expectations
Establishing a Sexual Misconduct Policy as a cornerstone, the PSB will embed clear definitions of misconduct, inappropriate conduct, and grooming in all policies. Regularly reviewing every policy to make sure they are written in plain language that everyone can understand and are adaptive to the evolving needs of the education system.

Implementing Report Findings
The PSB anticipates that further recommendations and considerations raised in the upcoming report by Commissioner Jenkins will be considered for implementation.

Supporting the Students
The PSB will continue to explore options with outside agencies which might contribute to overall students’ well-being and safety. 

Regular Policy Review
The PSB will establish a schedule to review all policies and procedures regularly which includes keeping its website updated with current policies/procedures and learning from best practices in other provinces, territories and their school districts.

Systemic Improvements
A comprehensive organizational review will be done to identify where there are needs for additional resources to support students and staff. Early findings show needs such as:

• HR staff to properly handle investigations and reporting properly
• More robust IT systems for tracking and monitoring
• Establishment of policies and procedures to clarify roles and responsibilities

Continued Transparency
The PSB will continue to:

• Report annually on reported cases of sexual misconduct
• Share progress on implementing new policies and procedures
• Listen to students, families, and staff about what's working and what needs improvement
• Learn from incidents and continuously improve systems

If you’re a student:

• Know your rights: You deserve to feel safe at school
• Report concerns: Talk to a trusted adult or use the Report It! tool
• Your voice matters: Participate in focus groups and share your experiences

If you're a parent or guardian:

• Talk to your children: Have age-appropriate conversations about personal safety, boundaries, and trusted adults
• Report concerns: If you have concerns about any adult's behavior toward children, report it immediately to the school principal, Child Protection Services, police or using Report It!
• Stay informed: Check our Student Safety webpage regularly for updates and resources

If you're a staff member:

• Know your Duty to Report: You are legally required to report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect immediately to the police and Child Protective Services
• Complete your training: Participate in all required training and ask questions if anything is unclear
• Speak up: If you see something concerning, say something - student safety always comes first