Background:

Every student in British Columbia should feel safe, accepted and respected, regardless of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. In accordance with the BC School Act, which outlines the responsibility to provide safe and inclusive environments for learning and instruction, the District, together with the Government of British Columbia, is committed to ensuring school safety. Our procedures align with the Province’s Expect Respect and a Safe Education (ERASE) strategy to help prevent, identify, and stop harmful behaviours.

All incidents involving significant risk or threat within the school system are to be treated with the same seriousness as similar situations in the broader community; however, the educational context requires responses that prioritize learning, growth and restorative practices rather than solely punitive measures. The District believes that an administrative procedure addressing threatening or high-risk behaviour must be implemented to protect students and staff.

The District has assembled and trained both District and school-based risk, and threat, assessment teams. The primary purpose of these teams is to identify indicators that suggest a student may pose a risk to themselves or others. While protocols and procedures will be followed to prevent harm, the District emphasizes that responses occur within an educational framework that prioritizes learning, growth and support. The goal is not only to ensure safety but also to provide the student, or adult, with the assistance and resources needed to address the underlying issues contributing to the concerning behaviour.

Procedures:

District protocol and procedure is as follows:

1. As part of the implementation of the District Risk and Threat Assessment processes all students, staff, and parents shall be provided with information about the protocols and procedures, so that “fair notice” is given that:

1.1 Threat behaviour is strictly prohibited and will be addressed with appropriate educational consequences

1.2 Threat behaviour will be taken seriously and investigated

2. Any District employee having knowledge of threat-making behaviour to self or others will promptly report the information to the Principal or designate who will respond accordingly.

 

Reportable behaviours are defined in the categories below. This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Staff must err on the side of caution and report any behaviour that may compromise safety or well-being.

 

2.1 Immediate Risk Behaviours: are behaviours that pose an urgent threat to the safety of self or others and require prompt intervention.

ACTION: Call 911 immediately and activate school-based initial response team (SIRT).

2.1.1 Actions or statements indicating imminent harm, such as threats of violence, possession of weapons or suicidal intent.

2.2 High Risk Behaviours: are behaviours that indicate a significant potential for harm to self or others but may not require immediate emergency intervention.

ACTION: Activate school-based initial response team (SIRT).

2.2.1 Possessing a weapon, including

2.2.2 Serious violence with intent to harm or

2.2.3 Making threats to a school (e.g. bomb, fire).

2.2.4 Making verbal or written threats to harm or kill

2.2.5 Using the internet or other electronic media to threaten to kill or injure

2.2.6 Sexual intimidation, sextortion, or nonconsensual sexual

2.2.7 Gang-related intimidation or

2.2.8 Persistent incidents of bullying or harassment

2.2.9 Targeted hate incidents motivated by factors including but not limited to race, culture, religion, gender diversity and/or sexual orientation.

2.3 High Profile Threat Related Behaviours: are behaviours that involve serious, credible threats or actions likely to cause significant harm or disruption which require immediate reporting and coordinate response.

ACTION: Activate school-based initial response team (SIRT).

2.3.1 Public threats (e.g. bomb or shooting threats)

2.3.2 Viral social media posts suggesting violence

2.4 Worrisome Behaviours: are behaviours that raise concern for a student’s safety or well-being but do not include an immediate or high-level threat

ACTION: Complete and submit worrisome screener.

2.4.1 Sudden withdrawal from peers or

2.4.2 Noticeable changes in mood appearance or academic performance

2.4.3 Preoccupation with violent themes in writing, art, or online

2.4.4 Vague statements about hopelessness or harm without a clear plan

2.4.5 Increased agitation and difficulty managing situations

1. 3. The District has established a District Risk Assessment Team (DRAT), composed of trained members including secondary, elementary, and district administrators; district counselors; school psychologists; and school liaison police officers. The DRAT’s role is to conduct comprehensive, formal assessments of threat-related behaviours, ensuring compliance with provincial guidelines and coordinating with external agencies (e.g., police, mental health) to support educational safety. The DRAT also provides ongoing consultative support to each School-based Initial Response Team (SIRT).
   4. Each school must establish a School-based Initial Response Team (SIRT), and the District is responsible for providing appropriate training and ongoing consultative support. The SIRT includes a District administrator, a school administrator, a school counselor, and the WVPD liaison officer. The SIRT’s role is to quickly assess situations, ensure safety, and activate an immediate on-site response to concerning or threatening behaviour.
   5. All reported behaviours will be assessed by the Principal or designate. If the Principal or designate deems it necessary, he or she will activate the school-based initial response team (SIRT), the District team (DRAT), or both.
   6. Regardless of activation of School-based Initial Response Team (SIRT), District Risk Assessment Team (DRAT) or both, the administrator will contact the Superintendent or designate to consider and discuss the threat.
   7. In accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA), the District is committed to protecting the privacy of all individuals involved in risk and threat assessments. Staff who report threat-related behaviour will be informed of the actions taken, as appropriate. When necessary, all staff at the site will be notified of incidents and the preventative measures or procedures followed, ensuring that only information essential for safety and operational purposes is disclosed. Personal details will be protected unless disclosure is required by law. The District’s Privacy Management Program guides all information handling, reporting, and breach response
   8. School district established District Risk and Threat Assessment procedures, Worrisome Screener and Suicide Risk Assessment protocols will be followed.
   9. District Incident/Accident reporting protocols will be followed in accordance with WorkSafeBC regulations and provincial requirements.

November 2025