The Richmond School District’s highest priority is to provide a safe, caring and inclusive environment for all students and staff. The district is aware of the concerns raised in a recently circulated petition and takes all matters involving student safety seriously.
School and district staff are in contact with the family involved and are committed to directly supporting them and addressing all concerns. This includes maintaining open lines of communication and working collaboratively to ensure the family feels heard and supported throughout the process.
When incidents involving bullying are brought to the attention of the district, they are addressed in accordance with the District Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct sets clear expectations for behaviour. Any violations are addressed with appropriate interventions and, when necessary, disciplinary actions. These policies are communicated regularly to students, staff and parents to ensure a shared understanding.
Staff are dedicated to working closely with students and families to address concerns and provide support. These efforts are complemented by social and emotional learning programs that help students build empathy, self-awareness and positive relationships. Staff are also provided with ongoing training to identify and address bullying, harassment and discrimination effectively. Educational resources are integrated into classrooms to support diversity and respect for human rights. These measures support the creation of positive and inclusive school environments.
The Ministry of Education and Child Care provides the erase initiative as a provincial resource to support anti-bullying education and school safety. Resources from the initiative are used in the Richmond School District to promote safe, inclusive and respectful learning environments.
The Richmond School District remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students. Families are encouraged to follow up with their child's school if they have concerns or require additional support. The district continues to evaluate its practices to ensure they align with the evolving needs of its school communities and will take meaningful steps to maintain environments where all students feel safe, respected and supported.