Keeping our kids safe by teaching them "street sense":

At school, the safety of students is our most important priority. We remind parents to keep school staff up to date with students' addresses, phone numbers, childcare arrangements, to whom the child may be released, etc. We also encourage not to permit students to make alternate arrangements over the lunch hour if they are in a lunch program. We need parents to let us know about any changes of routine and to sign their child in if they are arriving late or leaving early for any reason.

The Toronto Police streetproofing program encourages parents to teach each child:

1) his/her name, address, phone number
2) to dial 9-1-1 in an emergency
3) to communicate with a parent when they feel unsafe or afraid
4) to keep parents informed as to his/her whereabouts at all times
5) never to admit to being alone in the home when answering the telephone
6) never to invite strangers into the house or answer the door when alone
7) never to approach or enter a stranger's car or hitchhike
8) never to travel or play alone- always be with friends
9) to trust their feelings and say "NO" to an adult if that adult wants them to do something that is wrong
10) not to accept gifts from strangers
11) to tell a parent if someone has asked them to keep a secret
12) that no one has the right to touch any part of his/ her body that a bathing suit would cover
13) that if he/ she is being followed, or approached too closely, to run home or go to the nearest public place and yell for help
14) to report to your school authorities or a police officer, anyone who act suspiciously towards him/ her
15) never to play in deserted buildings or isolated areas
16) never to enter anyone's home without your permission
17) to avoid taking shortcuts through parks and fields
18) never to show his/her money and if attacked to give it up rather than risk injury
19) that a police officer is a friend who can always be relied upon when he/ she is lost or needs assistance

Together, we can keep our school and community a safe environment for our children.