All school boards in Ontario are required to have threat assessment protocols in place to more effectively respond to situations where students may pose a threat to themselves or others.
The Halton District School Board has participated in the development of a region-wide Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) Protocol along with our community partners such as the Halton Regional Police Service and community youth agencies.
What is a VTRA?
The purpose of a VTRA is to determine how best to support the student so their behaviour does not become violent or self-injurious. The VTRA Protocol outlines how a school responds immediately to threatening incidents including but not limited to: possession of a weapon or replica weapon; bomb threat or plan; verbal or written (including electronic) threats to harm oneself or others, and fire setting. The initial response team will include the Principal or Vice-principal, the Halton Regional Police Service, and certified Board staff; other community parents and additional Board staff may be included as necessary.
Parents/guardians will be notified if their child will be discussed at a VRTA. If parents/guardians cannot be reached, or if they choose not to provide consent, but a concern for safety still exists due to threatening behaviour, the threat assessment may still proceed. All personal information shared throughout this process will respect and balance each individual's right to privacy with the need to ensure the safety of all. As always, student safety is our first priority.
All parents/guardians receive a letter at the beginning of every school year explaining the VTRA protocol.
For more information about the VTRA Protocol or other school safety matters, call 905-335-3665, ext. 3389.