Student Violence Threat Risk Assessment

FAIR NOTICE FOR PARENT COMMUNITY

 

What is a threat?

• an expression of intent to do harm or act out violently against someone or something
• may be verbal, written, drawn, posted on the Internet or made by gesture.

Duty to report

To keep school communities safe and caring, staff, parents/guardians/caregivers, students and community members must report all threat-related behaviours to the school principal.

What is the purpose of a student threat assessment?

The purposes of a student threat assessment are:
• to ensure and promote the emotional and physical safety of students, staff, parents, the student making the threat, and others
• to ensure a full understanding of the context of the threat.
• to understand the factors contributing to the threat maker’s behaviour
• to be proactive in developing an intervention plan that addresses the emotional and physical safety of the threat maker
• to promote the emotional and physical safety of all.

What behaviours warrant a Student Violence Threat Risk Assessment to be initiated?

A student threat assessment will be initiated for behaviours including, but are not limited to
• serious violence or violence with intent to harm or kill
• verbal/written threats to harm/kill others (clear, direct, and plausible)
• online threats to harm/kill others
• possession of weapons (including replicas)
• bomb threats (making and/or detonating explosive devices)
• fire starting
• sexual intimidation or assault
• gang related intimidation and violence.

Collection Notice
The School District is subject to personal information privacy laws, and will undertake the collection of this information in compliance with the requirements of such laws, including by limiting collection to information that is relevant and necessary to address a risk or threat and by ensuring that information is collected from online source is only obtained from open source sites. The School District 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 law enforcement authorities in appropriate circumstances.

What Parents and Students Need to Know

  • any threat must be reported to the school principal
  • investigation many involve the student services counselor, the police or other community agencies
  • investigation may involve locker or personal property searches
  • interviews will be held with the threat maker and other students or adults who may have information about the threat
  • parents of students who are directly involved will be notified
  • threatening behaviour may result in disciplinary action
  • an intervention plan may be developed for the student making the threat and a support plan developed for any individuals targeted by threats