Fair Notice
Fair Notice
What behaviours warrant a Threat Assessment to be initiated?
A Threat Assessment will be initiated for behaviours including but not limited to serious violence or violence with intent to harm or kill, verbal/written threats to harm or kill others, online threats to harm or kill others, possession of weapons (including replicas), bomb threats (making and/or detonating explosive devices), fire setting, sexual intimidation or assault and gang-related intimidation and violence.
Duty to report
To keep school communities safe and caring, staff, parents/guardians, students and community members must report all threat-related behaviours.
What is a threat?
A threat is an expression of intent to do harm or act out violently against someone or something. Threats may be verbal, written, drawn, posted on social media platforms or made by gesture. Threats must be taken seriously, investigated and responded to.
What is a Threat Assessment Team?
Each school has a Threat Assessment Team. The team may include the principal, teachers, counsellor(s) and a member of the local police agency.
What is the purpose of a threat assessment?
The purposes of a threat assessment are:
• To ensure the safety of students, staff, parents and others
• To ensure a full understanding of the context of the threat
• To understand factors contributing to the subject of concern’s behaviour
• To be proactive in developing an intervention plan that addresses the emotional and physical safety of the person of concern
• To promote the emotional and physical safety of all
What happens in a threat assessment?
All threat-making behaviour by a student shall be reported to the Principal, who will activate the threat assessment process for the initial response. Once the team has been activated, interviews may be held with the student(s), the subject of concern, parents and staff to determine the level of risk and develop an appropriate response to the incident. Intervention plans will be developed and shared with parents/guardians, staff and students as required.
Can I refuse to participate in a threat assessment process?
It is important for all parties to engage in the process. However, if the subject of concern or parent/guardian is reluctant to participate, the threat assessment process will continue to promote a safe and caring learning environment.
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Collection Notice
Schools and school districts are subject to personal information privacy laws and will undertake the collection of this information in compliance with the requirements of such laws. This will include limiting the collection to information that is relevant and necessary to address a risk or threat and ensuring that information collected from an online source is only obtained from open-source sites. Schools and school districts will not collect information as part of a threat assessment unless there is reason to believe that a risk exists. Information collected as part of a threat assessment may be provided to police agencies in appropriate circumstances. Information collected will be retained and handled within current records management procedures and guidelines.
