In recent years, students and parents have raised a variety of concerns related to safety in local schools – including the removal of school liaison officers and safety in bathrooms at New Westminster Secondary School.
In a recent questionnaire circulated to the four candidates running in the Feb. 3 school board byelection, the Record asked: Safety in schools continues to be raised as a concern by students and parents. Are you concerned about this issue? What would you do to address it? (200 word limits)
Here are the responses of the four candidates (in alphabetical order): Jalen Bachra; Kathleen Carlsen; Alejandro Diaz; and Shawn Sorensen.
Jalen Bachra, Community First New West
As a recent graduate and sibling of current students, I understand and share the concerns of parents and students. A recent survey at NWSS (with over 400 responses) conducted by Student Voice—which I was a founding member of—found that 78 per cent of students feel safe at school. When asked “do you feel the need for added security”, 70 per cent of students answered “no”. Those calling for various changes should first listen closely to what students are telling us and what staff in the buildings recommend. While a vast majority of students say they feel safe within New Westminster schools, there is important work to be done to ensure that number includes all students.
Kathleen Carlsen, New Westminster Progressives
Yes. Safety and mental health are THE most important issues facing our school community.
Those in our schools every day (students, teachers, custodians, EA's, resource teachers, administration) NEED to feel safe; it is their right. Learning cannot happen when you don't first feel safe. Violence in any form (bullying, threatening, intimidation, assault) is NOT acceptable and should not be a common occurrence in our schools.
There is no one better to inform us about the safety concerns that students are facing than students themselves. Students need to be heard.
I will encourage the creation of safety committees to facilitate safe spaces for students and staff to share their thoughts, experiences, and suggestions for improvement in a non-judgmental forum without fear of repercussions.
Safety in schools starts with education and accountability for actions, and I would urge the board to strongly advocate for more funding for mental health and learning challenges.
As a trustee, I hope to build meaningful community partnerships with those community members that may help in this area, advocate to expedite early assessments, increase student to counsellor ratio and for a comprehensive, mandatory curriculum regarding personal relationships, consent education, accountability and sexual health. Our students deserve this!
Alejandro Diaz
Student safety could easily have been included in the previous top three issues. Technology and social media are a powerful tool but also expose students to dangerous influences. Boards must make sure that there is clear policy concerning the use of these influences. The policy must be clear on what is acceptable use, consequences of misuse, and practices that show the benefit these programs can provide to our community.
Student safety also requires programs that raise awareness about health issues such as: vaping, drugs, gang culture, good nutrition, hygiene.
Inclusivity is also a major part of student safety. Students are bullied because of the mere fact that they are different. Programs that raise awareness about the truth of other people’s reality is essential to creating acceptance and a safe environment for all.
My role as a board member is to help guide the district staff to make sure that all stakeholders have a chance to be heard and then guide the district when planning action to put student needs at the top of the priority list.
Shawn Sorensen
Safety is a culture, one that can be fostered with student and staff education. Policies and procedures are often reactive and incident oriented, and I believe there is a need for preventative focuses on safety, including student physical safety, school buildings, the emotional aspects of the social climate, consensual interactions, and the safety culture of our schools.
I have certainly heard from caregivers about their children not wanting to use the restrooms during the day at the high school, and others trying to navigate bullying. Prevention of these concerns includes instilling a sense of community, budgeting safety equipment and being accountable. These things, along with the enhancement and expansion of the district’s safe School coordinator roles, are integral.
All preventative measures should adapt to changing environments. I will work with local community organizations, Indigenous leaders and caregivers to address other safety concerns and build compassion and community throughout the district. I will encourage student mentorship programs to enhance the relationship between high school, middle schools, and elementary schools. I will champion active engagement with Indigenous community leaders and families to ensure proper support systems are in place for Indigenous students.
In our next story related to a Record questionnaire to school trustee candidates, we asked what would make them a good trustee. In previous instalments they’ve responded to questions to help voters get to know them, why they are running, and what they consider the Top 3 issues in the school district.
