Maintaining Safety and Trust During a Critical Incident

We know and agree that families care deeply for their children and need assurance of their safety while at school. We understand that transparency builds trust and are committed to transparency with our interactions with our partners in education. When something happens that may affect a school community, we follow established procedures designed to protect everyone involved and to respond quickly and thoughtfully.

What is a Critical Incident? 

A critical incident is any situation that may impact the safety or well-being of students or staff. This can include:

• a fire, gas leak, or other event requiring an emergency evacuation
• injuries, adverse reactions, or another medical emergency
• a person in distress and in need of support
• evidence of threatening behaviour or acts of aggression
• reports of a safety concern that requires investigation

What does the school do when there is a critical incident or a safety concern? 

We take every incident and safety concern seriously; responding quickly, effectively, and lawfully, is the priority. 

While reports of an incident at a school can spread quickly, it is the Division’s responsibility to investigate a report or review an incident thoroughly. Investigations or a review of incidents can take time, and are guided by Division policies, procedures, and legislative frameworks (laws). This assures safety as the priority, engaging with those directly involved and safeguarding the privacy and dignity of all community members. 

School leadership works closely with school and division staff, students, and parents, to investigate a safety concern or respond to a critical incident that involves our school community. In alignment with our Critical Response procedures, an assessment of risk or threat is conducted and actioned appropriately:

• Information is gathered from appropriate sources to understand the context and level of risk.
• When concerning the actions of students, student risk assessments are conducted; when concerning the actions of staff, workplace conduct and harassment procedures are implemented.
• If there is an immediate risk of harm, Emergency Services are contacted and the appropriate safety protocol is enacted including: evacuation, lockdown, hold and secure, or hold and maintain. 
• Supports, interventions, and any other safety response actions are put in place as the investigation proceeds, as appropriate.

Informing you of a Critical Incident or Safety Concern

• When immediate emergency services are required and are dispatched to the school, families will be informed by email as soon as it is safe to do so.  In the case of an active lockdown or emergency evacuation, families will also be notified by voice message from the Division. 
• Every threat is handled with the same severity. The school and Division will share, when appropriate, the actions taken to assure the safety of the school community. 
• The Division or school can only share known facts that are not protected by legislation or interfere with an active investigation. 
• As a public body, Foothills School Division works within legislative frameworks to safeguard: 
  • The integrity of an investigation
  • The personal information of individuals as protected in the Protection of Privacy Act:
    • Including name, address, date of birth, medical diagnoses or other medical reports, education history, employment information, disciplinary actions or other corrective actions (consequences).
  • The legal rights of those involved
  • The safety of the broader community
  • The Division’s obligations within the Education Act

What families and our community can expect to see from us

We take every safety concern seriously. We are committed to keeping families informed in ways that are responsible and supportive. You can rely on us to:

• Act quickly to assure the safety of students and staff
• Collaborate with emergency services and public safety (RCMP, Bylaw, Fire Department, EMS) when required in emergent and non-emergent situations
• Contact the parents/guardians of a student who is directly involved in a safety-related incident
• Provide notice if there is an immediate threat to the school and share:
  • The safety measures/protocols in place 
  • Whether emergency services are involved
  • Whether there is an ongoing risk to the school or community (as confirmed by authorities)
  • Provide updates when appropriate and available
  • Respect the dignity and privacy of everyone involved
  • Provide supports for student and staff well-being

Our schools are part of your community. We care deeply about the children entrusted to us each day, and we remain committed to creating safe, caring learning environments for all.

Thank you for your trust and partnership.