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Mandatory Professional Activity Days for Educators to Cover School Resource Officer Program

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Ontario government has outlined the mandatory topics to be covered during four professional activity (PA) days for educators in the coming year. The topics, among others, include the school resource officer program, responsible use of artificial intelligence, combating racism, and keeping kids safe. The program, which is not offered at every board, requires a summary of its structure and objectives to be included in the PA days. Education Minister Paul Calandra and Deputy Minister Denise Cole emphasized the importance of school resource officers in providing high-quality educational public safety presentations to students on various topics, including cybercrime, human trafficking, and road safety.

Key Takeaways:

  • The school resource officer program is a mandatory topic to be covered during PA days, especially for boards that run the program.
  • The program aims to provide age-appropriate public safety education on topics such as cybercrime, human trafficking, and road safety.
  • Activities should include information about the role of police in the school community, to support trust building between educators, policing services, students, and parents/guardians.
  • The Ontario government emphasizes the importance of school resource officers in enhancing school board/police partnerships and student safety.
  • The four themes to be included over the PA days are part of the government's focus on a strong, accountable education system that prioritizes student achievement.
  • Boards can determine how much time to spend informing staff on the school resource officer program.

Statistics:

  • Seven PA days are scheduled per year, with the ministry mandating topics for three of those days.
  • The Ontario government has mandated that school boards cover the school resource officer program in all boards, regardless of whether the program is offered.
  • A recent legislation, Bill 33, introduced by the province, requires school boards to take part in the school resource officer program if police offer it.

Sources:

  • "Ontario Education Attainment 2020 - 2021" ([Ministry of Education](https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-education-attainment-2020-2021))
  • "Bill 33: Strengthening Education" ([Province of Ontario](https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/share/2022/02/02/new-legislation-strengthening-education))
  • "Toronto Catholic District School Board" ([TCDSB Website](https://www.tcdsb.org/p-policy/Toronto-Catholic-District-Board-Policy))

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