Cariboo-Chilcotin School District Shares Response Plan
Safer Schools Review of Climate and Culture 2025 - Cariboo-Chilcotin School District.
Ministry delivers report on 'School Community Culture and Climate' to school district
Almost 3,000 people gave their personal input on school safety and inclusivity during a recent Ministry of Education review of Cariboo-Chilcotin School District.
With student safety and school climate being a central topic of discussion around the district, in response the Minister of Education and Child Care retained the provincial safety specialists Safer Schools Together to conduct a review of the school district.
"We have a lot of confidence in this report," says board chair Angie Delainey. "Thousands of students, and hundreds of parents and staff members weighed in, as did Indigenous leaders and groups from local communities. This is an impressive representation. And the board has confidence in our administration to act on the input provided."
Recommendations from the culture and climate report highlight the need for the district to build on existing efforts around anti-Indigenous racism, to expand its working partnership with the First Nations Education Council, promote and improve service delivery and programs for Indigenous Education, and explore ways to honour and celebrate the rich diversity of the student population.
"Every day, we are learning more of what Truth and Reconciliation asks of us in our schools, offices, busses, and playgrounds," adds chair Delainey. "This report gives us clarity about where we are at and where we need to go."
Along with measures to better support Indigenous students, the report highlights the need for the district to develop a comprehensive communications strategy to better inform and involve its school communities. It also directs the district to ensure that best practices are adopted for training and support in critical incident response, trauma-informed support, and cultural equity and sensitivity.
"We have done a lot of work, and there is much more to do around safety and inclusivity in our district," says superintendent Cheryl Lenardon. "Our hope is that this transparent review helps invite people into the process, for us to discuss and work together on programs and solutions. We’ve learned from past experiences, like bussing for example, how we can better consult and work with families."
"It's time for us to collaborate on education in our community," adds chair Delainey. "Our students deserve the best that we collectively bring to them. It starts with them walking up the sidewalk and feeling welcome in their school.
"There are all sorts of things we can improve, and we have to do it together, with parents, teachers, administrators, students."
Other measures from the report include providing parent sessions on topics like bullying, cultural sensitivity, online safety and conflict resolution for children based on age. Staff mentorship programs are also noted.
*Please note the above report is defined as the full public report made available from Safer Schools Together and the Ministry of Education and Childcare with personal information redacted. Blank pages are intentional and presented as shared with the district.