Toronto District School Board
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Action Plan to Address School and Community Safety

We are proceeding with the first phase of an action plan to address the issue of school and community safety. This work will be anchored in TDSB’s ongoing commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, Human Rights, Equity, Anti-Oppression and Anti- Racism. This action plan reflects an intersectional perspective, which aims to eliminate disproportionate outcomes for students. Capturing and centering student voice is of critical importance in addressing issues related to school and community safety. Working in partnership with all internal and external TDSB stakeholders, including all levels of Government, community agencies, and faith-based groups is essential.

“The Board continues to act with great urgency and focus to address issues of school and community safety. In January, TDSB launched seven core strategies as part of the Collaborative Approach to School Safety and Wellbeing. This strategy has placed more child and youth workers, social workers, in schools, youth employment, and a greater investment in community partnerships focused on youth engagement after school. Responding to community safety and well-being is a shared and ongoing responsibility among many partners – educators, families, community organizations, youth, and governments. All levels of government must be involved as part of responding to this issue and it is necessary that local community agencies are engaged as well.”  -- Colleen Russell-Rawlins, Director of Education

This collaborative approach is focused on:

Expanding Caring Adults

Student Voice and Programming

Investing in Security Infrastructure

Supporting Positive Conflict Resolution

Enhancing Caring, Inclusive and Safe School Cultures

Providing Ongoing Emergency Preparedness Training

Increasing Student and Community Engagement & Intergovernmental Partnerships

Key Milestones:

Action Plan Milestone Arrows

December 2022: Developed A Collaborative Approach to School and Community Safety (Phase 1).

February 2023: Established an Expert Reference Panel on School Safety and Student Well-being. Learn more and review meeting minutes.

March 2023:

  • Created Local Safety Tables.
  • Worked with community partners to deliver March Break programming to 1860 students and employed 284 TDSB secondary school students.
  • Placed more social workers, child and youth workers, and school-based safety monitors in TDSB schools.

April and May 2023: Provided Restorative Practices Training for TDSB Staff.

June 2023: Planned the Scarborough Community Festival to connect students, families, and TDSB staff with community-based services.