Dear Sunshine Coast Learning Community,
Please find attached a letter of support from the Minister of Education and Child Care.
Recent events have prompted understandable questions about school safety. We remain committed to supporting everyone in our learning community.
Children and youth look to the adults around them to feel safe and to make sense of the world, even as we manage our own reactions.
We appreciate the questions we have received about school safety procedures and the shared commitment to keeping our schools safe.
The Sunshine Coast School District follows established provincial emergency preparedness requirements. Each school conducts at least eleven drills annually: six fire drills, two lockdown drills, and three earthquake drills. These age-appropriate practices help students build confidence and know-how to respond in an emergency.
Our approach is guided and informed by Safer Schools Together (https://saferschoolstogether.com/) and a trauma-informed lens. We are mindful of timing and ensure drills are conducted in ways that are developmentally appropriate and supportive. We also maintain comprehensive emergency response procedures and work closely with the RCMP and local First Responders and partners.
Families and staff can find detailed information about emergency procedures, safety resources, and related regulations on the district website under Emergency Preparedness (https://bit.ly/sd46emergencies).
If you have questions or need support, please contact your school principal, school counsellor, or the district office at questions@sd46.bc.ca or 604-886-8811.
The safety and well-being of everyone in our learning community remain our highest priority. Thank you for your continued care and partnership.
Sincerely,
Sunshine Coast School District