NEAR NORTH DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Conference Promotes School Emergency Preparedness

Principals representing the four local school boards - Conseil scolaire catholique Franco-Nord, Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est de l'Ontario, Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board, and Near North District School Board - convened with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and North Bay Police Service (NBPS) for a Safe Schools Conference held on April 24 and 25 at the Best Western in North Bay.

During the conference, the OPP and NBPS provided invaluable insights into board/police protocols, prioritizing emergency preparedness. Their contributions aimed at ensuring that school leaders are equipped with the most current information to effectively train staff in areas pertinent to emergency preparedness, including bomb threats and lockdown procedures.

The Safe Schools Conference spanned two days and featured various sessions dedicated to student safety and well-being to over 125 participants. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from Constable Alison Haras, a member of the OPP's Threat and Behaviour Analysis Team, and Constable Chris Fox from the Durham Regional Police, who shared insights on violence threat assessments. These assessments serve as crucial tools in bolstering violence prevention efforts both within our communities and educational institutions. Additionally, participants engaged in mental health training facilitated by School Mental Health Ontario resources.

This initiative was spearheaded by Éric Foisy, Superintendent of Education at Conseil scolaire catholique Franco-Nord. Foisy emphasized, "Ensuring safe schools isn't merely a goal; it's a fundamental promise to every student, parent, and educator. Our conference aimed to unite voices and strategies, establishing a comprehensive framework for fostering safe, inclusive, and empowering learning environments where every child can thrive."

All school boards express their gratitude to the OPP and NBPS for their invaluable support in disseminating this vital safety information to our local school leaders.