Procedures

Division schools will be operated in such a manner as to minimize the possibility of accidents or crisis situations. Should such situations occur, the health and safety of students and employees will be of primary importance. Furthermore, these situations will be dealt with in an orderly and efficient manner to ensure proper and effective communication. See the system Crisis Response Manual for detailed procedures.

A.   Communication

1.  The principal shall have at his/her disposal a current directory with phone numbers of the following:
   Parents or alternates;
   Hospital;|
   Police department;
   Poison treatment centre;
   Fire department;
   Ambulance service;
   Gas company;
   Electrical company; and
   Transportation Supervisor.
2. The principal or designate shall phone the office of the Superintendent.
3. The principal shall make a determination as to involvement of the police.
4. A designation will be made for someone to stay near the telephone, which is to be kept clear for emergency calls only.
5. The principal should then get the facts firsthand by going to the scene or the hospital.
6. Lists of injured students, students who might be injured and all students present will be made. Accurate passenger lists, class lists and route maps will expedite this.
7. A list of all reliable witnesses shall be made.
8. Parents of all injured students will be contacted immediately. Where practical, all parents who believe that their child could have been involved should be contacted.
9. The Superintendent shall be advised of the current situation.
10. A written report shall be filed on the day of the accident, naming all of the students involved and any actions taken.
11. The principal shall cooperate with the police, fire department and insurance investigators in providing basic factual information. Before permitting students to give statements, parental permission must be obtained.
12. Communicating with the Media
    1. The Superintendent, in consultation with the Board Chair will serve as the spokesperson for the division with the media and the public in order to keep the message consistent and accurate.
    2. Only official division news releases or statements may be released to the media.
    3. Division staff shall not make comments to the media.
    4. The principal shall inform the staff about what information should be given to students and parents.

B.   First Aid

The principal may be required to take charge of an accident scene. If necessary, he/she shall: 

1. Send a reliable person for help and have that person report back to him/her when this has been accomplished.
2. Minimize the possibility of further injury by evacuating students to areas of safety.
3. Organize bystanders to assist in traffic control, crowd control and first aid.

C.   Specific Emergencies that Pose a Threat to General Student and Staff Safety

1. Fire
   1. In consultation with the local fire department or fire marshal, the school shall develop a reasonable program of fire drills.
   2. The school shall have a fire escape route map posted on the wall of each instructional area.
   3. The school shall have in place an overall plan for fire-related emergencies, including specific responsibilities for all staff members.
2. Vehicle
   All vehicle-related accidents, whether they occur on school property or they involve the transport of students by bus or private vehicle on school-related business, must be reported to the police.
3. Science, Practical Arts and Physical Education Classrooms
   The principal shall ensure that every teacher in charge of such classes is aware of safety procedures and is providing reasonable safety instruction to his/her students prior to any potentially hazardous activities.
4. Bomb Threat
   1. If the threat is received during the noon hour or class break, normal fire evacuation procedures shall be followed.
   2. If the threat is made during instructional time, students shall remain in their classrooms.
   3. Police shall be called immediately and assisted with conducting any appropriate search.
5. Threatening Individual on School Premises
   1. Visitors to the school are expected to report to the office.
   2. Appropriate signage at each school shall read:
      VISITORS
      Welcome to ____________ School
      Please Report Directly to the Office
   3. People who do not report to the office do not have to be extended an invitation to remain in the school. A person or persons seen in the school for no apparent reason shall be asked by a staff member if assistance is required. If there is no response or the reaction is hostile, the staff member shall retreat and the police should be called.
   4. The intruder shall be kept under surveillance, if possible, and a description of the person should be noted.
   5. The principal has the option of dealing with unwanted visitors under the School Act, Section 27(1)(c) and Section 277, which imposes penalty, or the Petty Trespass Act.
   6. Procedures for dealing with unwanted visitors shall be developed by each school.
6. Abduction or Attempted Abduction of a Student
   1. Any report of an abduction or attempted abduction of a student shall be relayed immediately to the RCMP or local police.
   2. The principal shall also immediately inform the parent of the situation and action taken to date.
   3. Following notification of the police and the parent, the principal shall contact the Superintendent, who shall immediately advise principals of other schools of the abduction or attempted abduction so they may take precautionary measures.
   4. The principal shall hold a staff meeting at the first available time to make professional and support staff aware of the situation. Should not all staff members be available to attend the meeting, the principal shall ensure those absent are personally informed as soon as possible.
   5. Wherever feasible, given the timing of the abduction or attempted abduction, parents having children in the school shall be notified either by written communication or a telephone fan-out advising them of the situation so they may take appropriate precautionary measures with their children, and asking that any information they may have be communicated to the RCMP or local police.
   6. Any public communication to the media shall be the responsibility of the RCMP or local police authorities.

Education Act

Crisis, emergency, communication.