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Record of Member Resolutions

Student Safety

That BCCPAC endorse the BC College of Teachers recommendation for the newly proposed Criminal Record Review Act on behalf of the membership.

2009.17 School Grounds Parking Lot and Vehicular Traffic Safety

That BCCPAC urge the Ministry of Education to take immediate action, and to fund, grounds safety upgrades on school properties where dangerous parking lots and vehicular traffic lanes exist. The upgrades must include deisgns for environmentally friendly pathways for pedestrians and bicycle travel, as well as appropriate bicycle storage areas, and must not compromise the existing availiability of hard top play surfaces for children. Motion to refer to Health and Safety Committee and the Committee to report at the 2010 AGM.

2008.22 Construction Guidelines

That BCCPAC advocate for the Ministry of Education to develop guidelines for construction during periods when students occupy a school.
 

2008.24 Safe Outdoor Temperature

That BCCPAC urge the Ministry of Education to develop a policy that prevents schools from sending primary and elementary students outside to play during weather conditions that are colder than below 20 degrees Celsius including the wind chill factor.

2008.29 Anaphylaxis Protocol

That BCCPAC urge the minister of education to change the following points in the new anaphylaxis protocol in order to be in line with the ministerial order and the framework of recommendations from the Provincial Anaphylaxis Advisory Committee (PAAC) Framework which parents were a part of.

The changes we are requesting are:

a) A picture of the student to be placed on the anaphylaxis emergency plan form.

b) That asthma be included on the emergency plan as a secondary diagnosis. We also wish to see the addition of anaphylaxis to medications.

c) Full disclosure of resources available to school boards and parents.

d) Training for both auto-injectors: EpiPen and Twinject (first dose)

e) Specific risk reduction directives to include education on incident avoidance. Directives specifically at a classroom/cafeteria/food lab level regarding allergens, cleaning directives etc.

f) A specific directive for proper tracking of incidents for future review and assessment on the effectiveness of management strategies.

g) Specific plans to help school boards implement change (i.e., documentation, risk reduction education and staff training) within schools.

2008.30 Child Poverty is also an Education Problem

That the BCCPAC petition the provincial government to recognize that children in poverty are one of the greatest challenges to the education of all our children, and that more action is needed to address child poverty in B.C.

 2007.5D Safe, Modern Play Structures for all Elementary and Middle Schools

That BCCPAC urge the Ministries of Education, Health, Community Services, and Finance to cooperate to:

1. Provide additional funds to enable school districts to replace aging and/or unsafe play structures, and to purchase and install adequate play structures for elementary and middle schools that lack them;
2. Include play structures in all newly-constructed elementary and middle schools
3. Ensure school districts have funds to adequately maintain play structures.

2007.6 Prohibition on Asbestos Removal

That BCCPAC request the Minister of Education to issue a Ministerial Order prohibiting asbestos removal in schools except in emergency situations when asbestos cannot be covered, contained, or sealed. Also, such emergency removal must never take place during “in-session time” unless students have been evacuated from the premises and kept off site for several weeks after removal. Prior to re-entering the school, air quality testing using state of the art technology must be performed so as to ascertain the absence of risk to students.

2006.4 Safe Products

That BCCPAC urge the Provincial Government and all School Districts to review from the perspective of children’s health all products used in schools that contain carcinogens, reproductive toxins, and endocrine disruptors, and replace them with non-toxic and environmentally safe products. This review is to include all chemicals and products that are used in classrooms, offices, maintenance, and cleaning, including school grounds and facilities. Where alternate products are not available, schools will eliminate the use of the product if at all possible and, where this is not possible, the students, staff, and parents will be advised of the proper handling of such products and be provided with the option of either not using or not being put in contact with the product.

2006.20 Ensuring the Rights of All Students

That BCCPAC advise all education partners that limiting the number of students in classrooms based on designations or labels is discriminatory and, as such, legislation or employee contracts must not contain wording that promotes or creates such limits.

2005.5 School Speed Zones on Provincial Highways

That BCCPAC strongly urge the Ministry of Education to work together with the Ministry of Transportation and Highways, the Ministry of the Attorney General, law enforcement agencies and ICBC, to amend the Motor Vehicle Act in order to establish 30km/h school speed zones on numbered provincial roads and highways that are directly adjacent to school properties.

2005.6 Reinforcement of Drug-Free Zones around Schools

That BCCPAC urge the British Columbia Ministry of Education and the Ministry of the Attorney General to work together to consistently enforce the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act to deter drug activity near schools, and to strongly urge local police departments and Crown Counsels to support communities that wish to implement drug-free zones around schools.

2005.7 First Aid for Students

That BCCPAC urge the Minister of Education to amend the School Act and other governing legislation to require school districts to have staff with valid First Aid training available specifically for students at every school site, during school hours.

2004.RC#1 Definition of Child Abuse to Include Verbal Abuse

That BCCPAC request that the Ministry of Children and Family Development change the definition of Child Abuse in BC to include Verbal Abuse and that the Child, Family and Service Act be changed to reflect this definition. Also to require that all forms of child abuse be reported to Child Protection Workers and be consistently investigated and acted upon.

2004.RC#2 Requirement to Report Suicide Attempts

That BCCPAC urge the government to require that "Suicide Attempts" be reportable in a similar way to Child Abuse with a requirement for consistent reporting, follow-up and intervention, in order to reduce the number of child deaths due to suicide.

2004.3 Advocacy for Seismic Upgrading

That BCCPAC

• urge all PACs to educate parents about the risks of seismic damage to their school and the potential for loss of life in the event of a major earthquake. That BCCPAC support a broad based parent advocacy campaign to target all levels of government to act urgently to upgrade schools.
• BCCPAC utilize their web site and their Bulletin immediately to advise PACs to consult the Families for Seismic Safety website (www.fsssbc.org) in order to find information about school safety during earthquakes, FSSS activities, and lobbying information for parents.

And that BCCPAC meet with all levels of government to support the following protocol:

• consider the seismic safety of our schools as a life safety issue rather than an educational issue
• make a province-wide standardized professional assessment of all at-risk schools within 12 months
• commit to a 10 – 15 year timeline from today to complete all necessary upgrades
• fund school upgrades with federal infrastructure funds as part of Canada’s National Disaster Mitigation strategy and new provincial dollars from outside of the Ministry of Education.

2004.4 Emergency Management in BC Schools

That BCCPAC recommend that the Minister of Education promote one universal emergency management system for use in all BC schools, and that the system be based on the six principles endorsed by BC Provincial Emergency Program and the Emergency Coordinators throughout BC. These principles promote: 1) Comprehensive emergency management in schools; 2) A risk-based approach for each school; 3) An integrated multi-hazard process; 4) The principles of the Incident Command System; 5) Training of volunteers; and 6) Involvement of stakeholders in community partnerships.

2003.4 Duty to Report Child Abuse

That BCCPAC request the Ministry of Children and Family Development and the Ministry of Education to amend the 2002 revision to Child, Family and Community Service Act (RSBC 1996) Chapter 46 Section 3 Division 1:13 (1), 14(1), concerning child abuse, in order to make it clear that it is everyone’s responsibility to report all child abuse to Child Protection Workers regardless of who is the abuser;
And for the Ministries to provide training for teachers, staff, parents and students in recognizing and reporting child abuse. Following the training, a District Policy on Child Abuse should then be developed jointly by the RCMP, School District, Child Protection Workers, Educators, Parents through DPAC and students consistent with one developed collaboratively at the provincial level by a similar group.

2003.6 Slow Pace of Seismic Upgrading

That BCCPAC will stress to the provincial government that the current slow pace of structural seismic upgrading of our public schools greatly increases the risks of death or serious injury to tens of thousands of BC students and that BCCPAC will therefore urge the BC government to explore all possible avenues to expedite structural seismic upgrading of our public schools as a priority.

2003.7 Prohibiting the Sitting of Cellular Phone Masts or Antennae on School Buildings and School Grounds

That BCCPAC urge school boards and municipal governments to prohibit the siting of cell or mobile phone masts aka antennae in any areas regularly used by students such as school buildings and school grounds.

2003.42C Implementation of an Anti-Bullying Program

That the Canadian Home and School Federation urge all Provincial and Territorial Ministries to implement an Anti-Bullying Program for all school age children.

2003.43C Internet Safety

That the Canadian Home and School Federation urge all levels of government and their respective agencies to develop and/or promote an Internet Safety Advertising campaign aimed to inform parents and youth of the dangers of Internet usage.

2003.44C Screening for School Volunteers and Employees

That the Canadian Home and School Federation petition the Solicitor General of Canada to direct provinces to assume the cost of screening school volunteers and employees who have direct contact with children be free or covered by the provincial government.

2002.8 Earthquake Preparedness Funding

That BCCPAC lobby the government for funding to safely equip schools in those districts designated as high-risk earthquake zones.

2002.9 Province-Wide Policy on Bystanders

That BCCPAC lobby the Ministry of Education for a Ministerial Order requiring all school districts to have in place a policy on bullying issues including bystanders;
And that BCCPAC work with the BCSTA to develop suggested policies for school boards.

2002.10 Province-Wide Harassment Policy

That BCCPAC lobby the Ministry of Education for a Ministerial Order requiring all school districts to have in place a policy on harassment, intimidation and aggression that protects students;
And that BCCPAC works with the BCSTA to develop suggested policies for school boards.

2002.17 Province Wide Anti-Violence and Harassment Policy

That BCCPAC lobby the Ministry of Education for mandatory, standardized province-wide anti-violence and harassment policies in all school districts;
And that BCCPAC work with the BC School Trustees’ Association and the Ministry of Education to develop such policies. Policies could include, but not be limited to:

• a requirement for documentation, communication and recording of all violence and harassment in K-12 schools
• a bully relocation and counselling plan
• a victim support plan
• a safety drill plan to respond to weapons threats
• a comprehensive communication plan between schools, police and probation officers monitoring students involved in serious violent or criminal incidents
• every school being staffed with full-time professionals trained to deal with bullying. Duties to include monitoring school grounds and hallways at recess and lunch
• an accredited citizenship course for all grades, covering citizenship, morals, ethics, and respect.

2002.22C Recognition of Verbal Abuse in Schools Across Canada

That BCCPAC raise awareness of verbal abuse in schools and communities during the week of October 1–7 annually;
And that BCCPAC urge the Ministry of Education to be involved in a “Verbal Abuse Prevention Week”, October 1–7 annually, helping to create a strong support base of recognition and to support the reduction of verbal abuse incidents and violence due to verbal abuse.

2002.25C National Standards for Emergency Response and Evacuation Plans

That Canadian Home and School Federation urge the appropriate body to establish national standards and guidelines for emergency response and evacuation plans in all buildings where children and youth are registered in attendance.

2001.3 Reaffirmation of Resolution 1993.3

That BCCPAC reaffirm Resolution 1993.3 Safety First in Transportation: “That the Ministry of Education have SAFETY AS PRIORITY when considering walk limits, more so than distance; and that adequate funds be provided for transportation to the boards in those districts where the safety of children is threatened.”

2001.4 "Safety as Priority" in School Board Transportation Policies

That BCCPAC lobby the BC School Trustees’ Association to encourage school boards in BC to have SAFETY AS PRIORITY when implementing school transportation policies.

2001.7 Parent Notification of Altercation

That BCCPAC lobby the BC Principals’ and Vice-Principals’ Association and other educational partners to ensure that all schools have in place a process for informing parents of their own child’s involvement in an altercation (verbal or physical) at school.

2001.12 Coalition Opposed to Violent Entertainment

That BCCPAC join the British Columbia group COVE, Coalition Opposed to Violent Entertainment, in its campaign to:

• raise public awareness about the content and dangers of violent video games,
• achieve widespread public recognition of the potential psychological and social problems from interactive play with violent media, and its effect on children’s behaviour,
• help activate parents, educators, and retailers to cooperate with the development and implementation of a regulatory system,
• lobby the government to ensure that public access areas do not contain high violence games, and contribute to the existing research and data on the effects of violent video games on children and youth.

2001.14C Workplace Safety and Legal Rights Training

That the Canadian Home and School Federation urge their Provincial Affiliates to petition their provincial Ministries of Education to require that Workplace Safety Training and Workplace Legal Rights training be part of the mandatory curriculum for all Secondary School students in Canada.

2000.2 Anaphylaxis

That BCCPAC lobby the BC School Trustees’ Association to recommend that policies are in place in all school districts in BC to protect children with anaphylaxis, such as those outlined in the Canadian School Board Association and Health Canada document: “Anaphylaxis: A Handbook for School Boards”. Local school districts are responsible for the care and safety of ALL students. Schools need to be prepared to protect students with anaphylaxis.

2000.9 Adequate Funding for the Implementation of the New WCB Regulations

That BCCPAC lobby the Ministry of Education to provide additional funding to cover the actual costs associated with implementing the new WCB safety regulations and training required by Bill 14 which was passed into law October 1, 1999.

2000.13 Structural Seismic Upgrading of Older School Buildings

That BCCPAC urge the Minister of Education and Minister of Finance to work together to:

• define clearly the Ministry’s policy on structural seismic upgrading of older school buildings; and
• include structural seismic deficiencies as one of the criteria which school boards use to prioritize major renovations of older school buildings within the province-wide annual capital planning process.

2000.17 Parent-Teacher Rights and Responsibilities Regarding Sensitive Issues

That BCCPAC lobby the Ministry of Education and the BC School Trustees’ Association to draft regulations that explicitly state that where “sensitive issues” are dealt with by a teacher in the classroom, the teacher’s responsibility to notify parents in advance and give them opportunity for input takes precedence over the teacher’s right to professional autonomy.

2000.18 Weapons Policy

That BCCPAC urge the Ministry of Education and the British Columbia School Trustees’ Association to develop and implement a weapons policy in all school districts that includes but is not limited to knives as well as firearms in order to send a clear message to all students that weapons will not be tolerated at schools.

2000.23 Code of Conduct Contract

That BCCPAC lobby the Ministry of Education, and all other provincial education partner groups to work with BCCPAC to draft a "Code of Conduct Contract" that explicitly defines the code of conduct required from volunteers, students and all staff in accordance with the Human Rights Act. All students, parents, staff and volunteers be required to read and sign such a document at the beginning of each school year, and/or when starting at a new school in BC.

2000.24 Access to Accurate Information and Support

That BCCPAC lobby the Ministry of Education, the BC School Trustees' Association and the BC Teachers’ Federation to establish an information service which will provide to all students in BC Middle Schools and High Schools, accurate, non-biased, high quality and easily accessible information on all issues pertinent to the human condition. Any student or teacher should be able to access such information in private and confidence.

2000.25C Volunteer Screening

That Canadian Home and School Federation petition the Solicitor General to direct provinces to assume the cost of screening district school board volunteers and employees who have direct contact with children.

2000.28C Poverty, Nutrition and Learning

That the Canadian Home and School Federation urge their Provincial affiliates to petition their Provincial Governments to help resolve the problem of poor nutrition for children and their families; and be it further resolved that Canadian Home and School Federation endorse the funding by both federal and provincial sources for emergency and long term aid to undernourished students in schools across Canada.

1999.8 Children and Youth Sexually Exploited and Prostitution

That BCCPAC call on the Ministry of Education to mandate programs in the required curriculum designed to teach students to recognize and protect themselves against sexual exploitation, for all students.

1999.16 First Aid Training for Teachers-in-Training

That the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils urges the BC College of Teachers to include basic first aid principles as part of the curriculum for teacher certification;
And that the College of Teachers be urged to consult with BCCPAC and the BC Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) in determining an appropriate implementation of first aid training.

1999.19C Playground Safety

That the Canadian Home and School Federation petition Health Canada and the Canadian Standards Association to set guidelines regulating the approximate distance between the placement of hydrants and the placement of school playground equipment.

1999.20C Health and Safety Standard for Portables

That the Canadian Home and School Federation alert all Provincial Home and School Federations to the possibility of fungal problems in portables.

1998.2 Retribution

That the BCCPAC promote the development of policy and process to ensure students and parents will be protected from retribution when students or their parents bring forward any concerns to schools or school districts.

1998.9 Violence Prevention

That the BCCPAC actively lobby the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Children and Families, as well the Federal Ministry of Health and Welfare through the Canadian Home and School Federation in order to provide resources for increased counselling in our elementary schools.

1998.12 Earthquake Preparedness

That the BCCPAC lobby on behalf of all British Columbia students who reside in an earthquake zone to insure that all schools built from this point on be built to withstand an earthquake that BC could expect. If schools are undergoing major renovation, structural upgrading for earthquake preparedness should be part of the renovation. The Ministry of Education should be held accountable for these upgrades. Such upgrades should have an enhancement of the seismic safety factor of 50% which is currently the requirement for public buildings such as fire halls.

1998.13 Earthquake Preparedness

That the BCCPAC lobby on behalf of all BC students who reside in an earthquake zone to improve the safety of our schools by taking measures to insure that our children will be protected from flying glass in the event of an earthquake. Each school should be inspected by persons who have experience in the effects of seismic activity on buildings to outline a course of action to upgrade all windows of the potentially affected schools. The Ministry of Education should be held accountable for these upgrades.

1998.14 Earthquake Preparation

That the BCCPAC lobby on behalf of all parents and BC students who reside in an earthquake zone to improve the safety of our children by taking measures to insure that legislation is enacted which puts a legal requirement on school boards to develop district and school based emergency preparedness plans for earthquake response. Such legislation should also require that schools have personnel with training and equipment for emergency preparedness and response.

1997.8 Promotion of Issues Surrounding Homosexual Youth in BC Schools

That the Ministry of Education, Skills and Training and the BC Teachers’ Federation ensure that the issues surrounding gay, bisexual and trans-gendered youth shall be included in the anti-harassment policy rather than be a separate curricular program developed in the BC Public School System.

1996.1 Self Defense

That self defence should be taken out of the combative category of the provincial physical education curriculum and that certified teachers and under-graduate teachers receive training in self defence techniques so that they may provide proper instruction to students.

1996.2 School Speed Zones

That school speed zones should have the same dawn to dusk 30 km/h designation as playground zones.

1996.3 Students’ Bill of Rights

That the Education Partners be encouraged to institute an age-appropriate grievance procedure to go along with the Students’ Bill of Rights and that this procedure include parents.

1995.9 Support for Repeal of Section 43 of the Criminal Code

To support the repeal of Section 43 of the Criminal Code “Protection of Persons in Authority: Correction of Child by Force” which states: Every schoolteacher, parent or person standing in the place of a parent is justified in using force by way of correction toward a pupil or child, as the case may be, who is under his care, if the force does not exceed what is reasonable under the circumstances. R.S., C. C-34, S.43.

1993.3 Safety First in Transportation (reaffirmed in 2001)

That the Ministry of Education of BC have SAFETY AS PRIORITY when considering walk limits, more so than distance; And that adequate funds be provided for transportation to the boards in those districts where the safety of children is threatened.

1993.10C Definition of Serious Harm

That representation be made to the Solicitor General of Canada recommending a broadening of the definition of “serious harm” to include psychological harm so as to assist the National Parole Board in detaining convicted sex offenders until the completion of their sentence, thus preventing their premature release into society and so affording more protection to the community from such individuals.

1992.2 Sex Offenders in Positions of Trust

That the governments of British Columbia and Canada take immediate action to enact appropriate legislation to ensure that persons convicted of sex offences with minors not be placed in or reinstated to positions of public trust and authority with children.

That BCCPAC urge the Ministry of Education to immediately mandate the use of 3-point shoulder harnesses in all school buses. Motion to refer to Health & Safety Committee.