Learner Safety (for 3rd Party Locations)

Policy

As a school authority, we ensure that all learning centres in partnership with us have the following learner safety protocols:

Emergency Protocol (fire, earthquake preparedness)

  1. Fire, earthquake, and lockdown drills are performed annually as follows:
    • Earthquake drills: Frequency: (3 ANNUALLY RECOMMENDED)
    • Fire drills: Frequency: (6 ANNUALLY RECOMMENDED)
    • Lockdown: Frequency: (2 ANNUALLY RECOMMENDED).
  2. Exercise equipment safety (maintenance/use).
  3. Exercise environmental safety (facility/property).
  4. Have a system in place for first aid/medical alerts.
  5. Exercise field trip safety protocols (flight risks, stranger-danger).
  6. Ban Alcohol, Tobacco, and other controlled substances.

Contractors/Employees/Volunteers/Board Directors (controlled substances)

SelfDesign Learning Foundation prohibits the possession, distribution or sale, and use of alcohol, controlled substances and other substances that may cause impairment while on duty (including paid or unpaid breaks on or off SelfDesign Learning Foundation property/office space). Limited exceptions to permit the responsible use of alcohol, at specified social functions, may be granted by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or Board of Directors.

It is the policy of SelfDesign Learning Foundation to commit the resources necessary to achieve a safe and healthy workplace and learning environment that is free from alcohol and drugs as referenced in this policy. SelfDesign Learning Foundation expects the full support of and compliance with this policy by all employees, contractors, Board members, volunteers and all persons representing our organization.

Learners (controlled substances)

SelfDesign Learning Foundation prohibits the use of all controlled substances by SelfDesign learners while participating in physical locations used for the purpose of delivering SelfDesign educational and/or learning programs.

No employee, contractor, Board member or volunteer is permitted to provide any controlled substance to a SelfDesign learner, regardless of the age of the learner.

*NB: For the purposes of this policy, controlled substances are defined as: A controlled substance is generally a drug or chemical whose manufacture, possession, sale or use is regulated by the government (Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, 1996), but may be dispensed under a physician’s prescription. This may include illegal drugs and prescription medications when not prescribed by a licensed medical professional.

Tobacco and Vaping

SelfDesign Learning Foundation prohibits the use of tobacco or vapour products in physical locations used for the purposes of delivering SelfDesign educational or learning programs.

Specifically:

  1. No person shall smoke, use tobacco or hold lighted tobacco.
  2. No person shall use an e-cigarette or hold an activated e-cigarette.
  3. This policy does not apply to the ceremonial use of tobacco in or on physical locations used for the purposes of delivering SelfDesign educational or learning programs, if the ceremonial use of tobacco is approved by the Principal or CEO and it is performed:
    • in relation to a traditional aboriginal cultural activity, or
    • by a prescribed group for a prescribed purpose.

Water Quality



SelfDesign Learning Foundation is committed to the health and safety of all its students and community members. 

At the request of the Provincial Health Officer via the Ministry of Education to all school districts in the Province, the SelfDesign Learning Foundation recognizes the need to evaluate the water quality in all leased buildings where SelfDesign Learning Community offers in-person programming for learners.

SelfDesign evaluates the procedures established by the building owners to test water quality to meet the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality set a maximum acceptable concentration of 0.005 mg/L (5 parts per billion) for total lead in drinking water, measured at the tap.  The safety of our learners and contractors, specifically ensuring re-testing occurs at a minimum of every three years. 

SelfDesign will address any mitigations resulting from testing.

Learning Centre Requirements

As a school authority, we ensure that all Learning Centres have and use necessary procedures and drills, that liability insurance is adequate, and that contractors on site and online have current Criminal Record Checks.

 

Change Log

  • Policy page updated December 9, 2022
  • Last reviewed/updated December 9, 2022