Dear families,
Each year we review and refresh the safety practices and resources in place across our schools. From health supports to emergency planning, our goal is to ensure students and staff are prepared for a wide range of scenarios and that schools remain welcoming, supportive environments for learning.
Please take a moment to review some of the important safety measures we have in place.
School Drills
All schools practice important safety techniques to keep students and staff safe during emergencies. These include fire drills (3 in spring and 3 in fall), earthquake drills (2 per year, as well as participation in The Great BC Shakeout), and lockdown drills.
School Safety Notification System
Working with Ridge Meadows RCMP and other community partners, the school district has developed procedures to keep our schools safe. The notifications below describe the responses we practice to ensure readiness in an emergency.
- Hold and Secure – Used when there is a security concern in the neighbourhood of the school.
- Evacuate – Used to move people out of the school when a hazard exists inside, such as flooding, a fire risk, or a bomb threat.
- Room Clear – Used to move people away from a hazard contained in one room or area.
- Shelter in Place – Used to protect students and staff from potential dangers outside the school, such as severe weather, a dangerous animal on school grounds, or a missing child.
- Lockdown – Used to prevent intruders from entering occupied areas of the school, or when it is necessary to isolate students and staff from a danger inside or outside the building.
Learn more about the School Safety Notification System at https://www.sd42.ca/school-safety-notification/.
Opioid Education and Response Plan
As part of our response to the ongoing opioid crisis affecting communities across British Columbia, our district introduced in spring an Opioid Education and Response Plan. This plan, approved by the Board of Education, strengthens prevention and education while ensuring schools are prepared for emergencies. Naloxone kits are now available at every school – securely stored in main offices at elementary schools and placed in multiple key locations at secondary schools. As part of their health education, Grade 10 students will receive expanded learning about substance use, with a focus on the risks of opioids, how to recognize the signs of an overdose, and the role naloxone can play in saving lives. Families will be notified in advance of these sessions and will have an opportunity to review the full presentation and resources before the lessons take place.
Framework for Responding to Disruptions in Classrooms and Schools
Finally, this fall, in collaboration with representatives from CUPE, the Maple Ridge Teachers’ Association, the Maple Ridge Principals and Vice Principals Association, and the District Parent Advisory Council, the district introduced a Framework for Responding to Disruptions in Classrooms and Schools. The framework ensures that when significant disruptions occur, they are addressed with compassion, consistency, and a focus on safety. It outlines immediate steps to protect the learning environment, provides supports for staff and students, and ensures clear communication with families. It also includes a supportive process to help students rejoin their learning environment in a way that acknowledges the impact, restores relationships, and fosters a safe, positive transition. You can review the full framework on the district website at https://www.sd42.ca/assets/media/Framework-for-Responding-to-Disruptions-web.pdf.
Taken together, these practices reflect our district’s dedication to care, professionalism, and equity. We are committed to creating schools where every student feels safe, supported, and ready to learn.
Thank you for your continued partnership and trust as we work together to provide safe, caring, and thriving learning environments for all students.
Sincerely,
Teresa Downs
Superintendent of Schools