Operating
a safe school is something that is in the best interest of the children, the
adults who work in the school, as well as the community that we serve. Quite
simply, being safe is the right thing to do. There are various aspects to
Safe Schools Guidelines including first aid/CPR, lockdowns and fire drills to
name a few. A number of these items require specific training and/or
practice on an ongoing basis. In some cases, all staff and students are
trained; in other cases, specific staff is trained. In all situations,
all staff members are aware of who has training in order to best serve our
school community. Below you will find a list of all of the aspects that
our school follows regarding safe schools:
FA/CPR:
Several
staff are trained in First Aid and CPR. We also have an AED located on
the north wall just outside of the office near the gym.
Fire
drills:
Fire
exits are posted and all students and staff are aware of evacuation
procedures. Fire drills happen ten times
per year.
Gender
Diversity:
Several
staff are trained in sensitivity to gender diversity concerns/issues.
Health
Concerns:
Students with specific health needs are planned for
using the URIS (Unified Referral and Intake System) program. Staff are trained annually to respond to
specific health care needs and more general situations (asthma &
allergies). If your child experiences health conditions that require
intervention while at school, please contact the school and complete an
application.
Private Washroom Facilities:
For those in need of a Private Washroom, there is one available to use located in the Guidance Office area. This is available to any student or adult attending or visiting our school. Students do not need any special permission to use this facility, but are welcome to ask any adult for clarification of where it is and how to access it.
Lockdowns:
All
students and staff receive training with regard to lockdown procedures. Drills happen twice per year.
Parents/Guardians/Visitors
in the school:
We
require all visitors to the school to check in at the office upon arrival so
that we may keep track of who is in our building. Visitors staying for an extended period of
time are also expected to check out at the office.
Severe
Weather:
All
students and staff receive training with regard to severe weather procedures. A severe weather drill occurs once a year.
Violent
Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) Fair Notice:
All
staff are aware of the Violence-Threat Risk Assessment procedures. As per
divisional policy, all incidents of threat to self-harm or to harm others will
be actively investigated. Please see the student
handbook for specific details of the threat risk assessment protocol.
Volunteers:
All
volunteers are required to complete a CAR (Child Abuse Registry check) and a CR
(Criminal Record check) prior to volunteering. Information and forms can
be obtained from the office.
Winter
Storms:
Cancellations
will be posted on the divisional and school websites; cancellations will also
be announced on CFAM. Miller also uses
Facebook and REMIND to push messages out to subscribed users.
If
you have any questions or concerns, please contact the office at 204-324-6416
or via email at pilkingtona@blsd.ca.