Safe and Caring Schools

Feature Story

2007 – 2008 Release of Suspension and Expulsion Data

This data along with other data gathered across our system, is a valuable part of the analysis conducted prior to introducing new programs in our schools and preparing recommendations to our Board for consideration.

Overall, the results for 2007-2008 indicate;

·         an approximate 0.29% reduction in suspension rates; and

·         a decrease in the number of student expulsions (from 258 to 202).

We continue to strive to make our schools safe, caring and welcoming places for learning. We are pleased to share that Bill 212 funding has resulted in 33 different Alternative Safe Schools Programs to support both secondary and elementary students. The TDSB continues to strive to make our schools safe, caring and welcoming places for learning. We are working with schools to expand our progressive discipline strategies and alternative in-school programs.  We will work with superintendents who have schools with high suspension and expulsion rates to identify ways to improve support for their schools 

This statistical information is made available because we want to ensure that principals, teachers, parents and the community have the information they need to work together in a meaningful way in order to benefit our students. Together, we can ensure a higher level of success for all students.

These reports include:

1. Student Discipline Report 2007-2008 - The Student Discipline Report details information about suspensions, expulsions, violent Incident reports, police involvement, and safe schools student transfers.  To be posted

      2. Number and Rate of Student Suspensions, 2006-2007 to 2007-2008 Comparison,

     All Schools by Alpha 

      3. Number and Rate of Student Suspensions, 2007-2008, All Schools by Ward 

4. Number and Rate of Elementary Student Suspensions, 2007-2008, Total by Ward 

5. Number and Rate of Secondary Student Suspensions, 2007-2008, Total by Ward 

Addition Reference Information:

1. Key Messages – Fact Sheet 

2. Chart and Map of Elementary Alternative Safe and Caring Schools Programs - Chart   Map 

3. Chart and Map of Secondary Alternative Safe and Caring Schools Programs - Chart     Map 

4. Safe and Caring Schools Support Staff 2008 - 09 

Further Inquiries:

Speak to your school principal.

 

 

 

Welcome to Safe and Caring Schools

 The Safe and Caring Schools team of administrators, advisors, child and youth counsellors and court liaison workers provides direction support to administrators, staff, parents, students and communities. Safe and Caring Schools are enabled through:

1. Strong school leadership, with consistent discipline policies and procedures;

2. School-wide safe and caring schools programs and instructional components focused on inclusive contributions;

3. Evolving and expanded prevention based knowledge and skills;

4. Ongoing support and professional growth in emotional intelligence, conduct management, prevention oriented strategies, mediation and violence prevention;

5. Inclusive and developmentally appropriate materials, activities and programs are championed and utilized;

6. Strong efforts to develop relationships and partnerships within the entire school community;

7. Clear assessment, evaluation and monitoring of student performance, combined with differentiated programming.

Board policies and procedures have been developed in accordance with provincial legislation and Ministry directives to ensure that  our schools are safe and caring communities

Parental Information and Resources for Bill 212 Implementation

Background Information

As part of its commitment to safe schools, the Ontario Ministry of Education recently conducted a review of Part XIII of the Education Act which deals with Behaviour, Discipline and Safety. The Ministry created a Safe Schools Strategy that allows children in Ontario schools to learn in a safe and secure environment. The Strategy has helped shape a comprehensive new approach to school safety outlined in the Safe Schools Action Team's report.

The key components to the Ministry’s Safe Schools Strategy include:

  • progressive discipline and promoting positive student behaviour
  • provincial and school board Codes of Conduct·      
  • discipline approaches combined with strategies that provide opportunities for students to continue their education
  • bullying prevention and intervention
  • programs for expelled students and those on long-term suspension
  • parent and community involvement and partnerships

In June, 2007, Bill 212 was enacted to revise the existing Part XIII of the Education Act (Behaviour, Discipline and Safety). Within the Bill were provisions for school boards to develop new policies or revise existing policies in a number of areas.  In addition, the Ministry chose February 1, 2008 as the effective date for the change to take place. In October, 2007, the Ministry released the Policy and Program Memorandum that supported the new and revised policies. Since that time, members of the TDSB Safe and Caring Schools and Legal Departments have worked to develop draft policies and procedures in time for the February 1, 2008 implementation.

The following are the new or revised policies and procedures passed by Board June 25, 2008

  • The Code of Conduct - click here to view
  • Progressive Discipline and Promoting Positive Student Behaviour - click here to view
  • Bullying Prevention and Intervention - click here  to view
  • Programs for Students on Long-term Suspensions and Expulsion - click here to view
  • Consequences of Inappropriate Student Behaviour - click here  to view


The policies and procedures listed above are working copies that will guide staff members in the implementation of Bill 212 in the 2008 school year. Since the time frame has been very short for the development and consultation phase, a number of meetings will be held with a variety of groups over the next few months. In May, staff proposes to take the final policies to the Board for approval once all suggestions and enhancements have been considered.  If you would like to provide direct feedback it can be sent by mail or email to the Central Safe Schools Office at 5050 Yonge St. Click here for more information.   
 

Bill 212 Highlights

Emphasis on Progressive Discipline

Whole-school approach that utilizes a continuum of interventions, supports and consequence to address student behaviour with emphasis on early and ongoing interventions  

Click here to view the new policy

Required Programs for Suspended and Expelled Students

  • Offered for any suspension over 5 days
  • Homework for all programs and for any length of suspension
  • Voluntary for students


Click here to view the new procedure regarding programs
For more information regarding these programs contact:
Alternative Programs Administrator: Kevin Battaglia, 416-395-5125

Impact on School Climate

  • Disciplined for off-school conduct i.e. cyber bullying      

Click here to view the new policy on bullying

Suspension Changes - Much More Discretion

  • Replaces existing mandatory suspensions and expulsions with a more discretionary model

Click here  to view the new suspensions

  • Parents information provided on how to appeal a suspension or expulsion
  • 10 school days for parents to provide written notice of an intention to appeal a suspension

Click here to view the Guidelines for Appealing a Suspension
Click here to view the Notice of Intent to appeal

Referral to Committee of the Board for a possible expulsion

  • Limited expulsions no longer imposed by Principal
  • Principal can refer to the Board for an expulsion hearing

Click here to view what may be referred for expulsion
Click here to view the Guidelines for Expulsion Hearings
Click here to view the Guidelines for Appealing an Expulsion
The Committee hearing the expulsion must have at least 3 Trustees
To view Bill 212 click  Bill 212 - the Education Amendment Act (Progressive Discipline and School Safety), 2007

 

Revised Forms and Guidelines - Quick Links

Forms and Guidelines

1. What are the new guidelines for appealing a suspension?

Click here to view the guidelines

Click here to view the Notice of Intention to Appeal a Suspension

2.  What are the new guidelines for an expulsion hearing?

Click here to view the guidelines for an expulsion hearing

3. What are the new guidelines for appealing an expulsion?

Click here to view the guidelines for appealing an expulsion

4. What are the complete TDSB rules of procedures for appeals and hearings?

Click here  Rules of Procedure for Suspension Appeals and Expulsion Hearing

 

 

Some New Quick Links

    Revised Police-School Board Protocol Procedure November 21, 2006 view

Empowered Student Partnerships

E. S. P.
Toronto Police Empowered Student Partnerships program
More >>
Grid of Consquences

"New" Chart of Consequences
Details the Education Act mandatory suspensions and expulsions and the TDSB discretionary suspensions and expulsions.

Translation is presently underway in 13 other languages
More >>

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this web site is not intended to be legal advice nor does it supercede the specific details outlined in Ministry of Education’s legislation, policy or procedures. Moreover, information contained in this web site does not supercede the Toronto District School Board’s policies, procedures, or other recognized documents. This web site is developed and maintained by the Safe Schools Office for general information only. The Safe Schools Office in particular and the Toronto District School Board in general disclaims all responsibility for all consequences of any person acting on, or refraining from acting in reliance on, information contained in this web site.

Requests for more specific information on any issue should be addressed to your local school or you can e-mail the Safe Schools Office of the Toronto District School Board at: safeschools@tdsb.on.ca.