Safe Schools

Saunders Secondary School

2026-2027 Safe and Inclusive School Plan

Our school is committed to providing all students with a safe, caring, and inclusive learning environment free from bullying and harassment that promotes respect, acceptance, and empathy.

Staff, students, parents and caregivers, and community partners will work together as a team to help make our school safe and welcoming for everyone.

The Safe and Inclusive School Plan highlights some of the key actions that our school community will put in place as part of our bullying prevention and intervention efforts.

Key Priorities and Goals

At Saunders we recognize the importance of creating inclusive, supportive environments for all students in our school community. We know that when students feel connected, their commitment and participation at school improve, and they have a higher chance of experiencing success.  There is need to have clear, consistent expectations in place for all students.  This improves students’ understanding of expectations, and improves their accountability and connectedness to their own schooling.

Key Actions or Strategies

• Take a strength-based approach to highlight student positives and recognize student growth.
• Expand leadership opportunities for all staff and students, which reflect the diversity of the student body.
• Ensure that our teaching is trauma-informed and culturally responsive and includes ongoing dialogue about cultural representation vs. appropriation.
• listen to the needs of students and assist them in voicing their concerns, and respond to student needs and provide avenues for discussion and problem solving.

Considerations:  

• visual content in or around the school is inclusive and appropriate.
• students connect with adults, and community and student leaders either formally or        informally (e.g.  clubs and groups meet regularly, e.g. Unity Council, Student Association Groups, SPECTRUM, Boys’/Girls’ groups).
• staff will continue to incorporate opportunities for students to have their voice and interests heard at school.

Community and Home Connections

• Encourage your child to use their voice to advocate for themselves and others using the Name It, Claim It, Stop It strategy.
• Families may choose to communicate with the school about equity in classroom and about school-based programs focused on student interest.
• Check out this resource https://www.thirdpath.ca/ about a Relationship-Based Approach to Student Well-Being and Achievement.