Why schools aren't safe

Why schools aren't safe
CARLOS OSORIO/TORONTO STAR
Julian Falconer, left, chair of the School Community Safety Advisory Panel, and Gerry Connelly, Toronto District’s director of education, present the panel’s report yesterday.
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Why schools aren't safe
Report summary
Key recommendations for safer schools
Few fears among students
DiManno: Where are parents of juvenile thugs?
Tale of survival at Westview high school
Excerpt: Intolerance, ignorance and one girl's pain
Questionnaires pull back curtain at two schools
Speak Out: School searches?
Voices: School searches
VOICES
I made a brief announcement before lunch (about the report) and the fact that the media was at Jefferys, and I urged students to continue to focus on the future and to try and move this momentum that we've gained to a higher level.
Jim Spyropoulos, principal, C.W. Jefferys
If there are people who are experiencing violence, or are afraid to talk about violence that they are experiencing, that's unacceptable. Is it my experience that there's a pervasive culture of fear or violence in the Toronto board? No, that is not my personal experience.
Education Minister Kathleen Wynne, involved in the Toronto board as parent and trustee
The big picture is not that schools are going into the ditch – because they're not. But are there kids who need assistance? Of course, and the Ontario government should cut a cheque right away for more social workers, psychologists, more adults supervising in schools.
Stu Auty, chair, Canadian Safe School Network
I'm not disagreeing there is some culture of fear in schools – some scary things happen and there are certain places in some schools where teachers don't want to go, even in pairs, even with walkie-talkies. But if the report gives the impression schools are a war zone, I'm not happy because overall, most kids are okay.
Doug Jolliffe, president, Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation, Toronto District
Our whole approach to community safety is exactly that, building partnerships in neighbourhoods. That's why our recreational strategy, for example, significantly increases the access to recreational programs of people of low income, very dramatically. All governments, and the private sector and the non-profit sector have a role to play.
Toronto Mayor David Miller
Just as rural and northern schools have particular issues, so do urban schools and it is imperative we address them. Let's focus on prevention rather than finding more ways to simply lock down our schools. There must be increased funding for social workers, psychologists, guidance counsellors and youth workers.
Annie Kidder, executive director, People For Education
Tale of survival at troubled Westview high school
Kimone Hyman didn't recognize the student barrelling toward her, but four years later she still remembers his face – and the bloodstained knife.
Jordan Manners' death illustrates how board lacks resources to help the students it serves
Jan 11, 2008 04:30 AM
Kristin Rushowy
Louise Brown
Education Reporters