Safe and Accepting Schools
Building positive places to learn and work together
As a parent, nothing is more important than your child’s safety and well-being. At the
Peel District School Board, that’s our priority, too. We’re committed to providing a healthy, supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff. We know that students achieve their best when they feel safe, nurtured, welcomed, engaged, respected and included.
Years of research have shown that students are more successful at school and in life when they learn positive values from an early age. We work with parents and the community to help students develop social skills and appropriate behaviours as they learn and grow.
We help students to become responsible, respectful members of society. We:
- set high expectations
- reinforce positive attitudes and behaviour
- promote safe, healthy choices and respect for others
- encourage student participation and leadership
- foster parent and community involvement
Character attributes in action
As part of the
Ministry of Education’s focus on character development, we focus on important
attributes or traits which form the standard for the behaviour of our students and staff. The six attributes—caring, cooperative, honest, inclusive, respectful and responsible—are taught in school, and are the basis of our working relationships in schools and worksites.
Read our
school resource to physical activities that support Character Attributes in Action.
Climate for Learning and Working in Action
Download the
Climate for Learning and Working in Action.pdf
Keeping our schools safe is a shared responsibility
Peel schools are among the safest places in our communities—and, together, we share responsibility for keeping our schools safe. When staff, students and parents work together, we can make a powerful difference.
The Peel board’s Safe and Accepting Schools Policy is based on the Education Act and the Ontario Code of Conduct. Each school also develops its own Code of Conduct, based on provincial and Peel board policies. Copies of the school Code of Conduct are available from the school or available on school websites.
The school's responsibility:
- provide a safe, nurturing, engaging, welcoming, respectful and inclusive school climate
- teach positive behaviour and good citizenship
- teach respect for self and others
- provide tools to resolve conflicts constructively and respectfully
- encourage healthy, inclusive relationships
- apply consequences for inappropriate behaviour
- support victims of inappropriate behaviour
- communicate openly and honestly
The student’s responsibility:
- attend classes punctually and regularly
- treat others with respect and dignity
- exercise self-control and self-discipline
- take responsibility for his own actions
- practice honesty and integrity
- resolve conflict in a constructive and respectful way
- respect school and community property
- tell an adult if you or someone is being bullied
The parent’s responsibility:
- understand and support the school, Peel board and provincial codes of conduct
- communicate regularly with the school
- help your child follow school rules
- be actively involved in your child’s learning and progress
- model and reinforce positive behaviour at home
- monitor your child’s Internet use
- report any serious incidents to the school and to the police
Learn more
Call the board’s Leadership Development and School Support Services office at 905-890-1010 (or 1-800-668-1146) ext. 2640