Protecting children more than road safety
A new school year brings familiar routines of backpacks, timetables, and reminders to slow down for those big yellow school buses. Road safety matters — but so does something less visible and just as critical: protecting children from harm inside our schools.
No responsibility is more important than the safety and well-being of our children. The question is: how can parents, guardians, and caregivers contribute?
At the October 7 Semi-Annual Meeting of the PEI Home and School Federation at Central Queens Elementary in Hunter River, we’re tackling this issue head-on. The Federation has partnered with the Canadian Centre for Child Protection and the RCMP to answer your questions.
A representative from the Canadian Centre will discuss how to reduce risks, recognize warning signs, and talk with children about personal safety. The RCMP will add local context, outlining what families and communities can do to keep kids safe.
Steps For Parents
You can take these five practical steps with your local school to strengthen protection measures.
Confirm the school has a clear, regularly reviewed child protection policy available to parents, staff, students, and volunteers. Identify the school’s Child Protection Officer and ensure everyone knows how to report concerns safely and confidentially.
Ensure child protection and online safety are part of the curriculum and reviewed annually for all students and staff. Ask about protocols for field trips, homestays, and exchanges, including supervision standards. Verify that all adults working with students complete background checks and that the school regularly reviews its child protection practices.
Three years ago, PEI returned to electing school board trustees. This October 17, all Islanders — not just parents — will cast their ballot.
Trustees approve budgets, provide strategic direction, and represent the interests of students, families, and communities. Their oversight includes finances, facilities, human resources, student transportation, and school safety.
With new schools under construction and major renovations underway, strong leadership has never been more important.
Playground Problem
Fundraising for playground equipment is another issue faced by many Home and Schools Associations. Recent news coverage highlighted the strain with some parent groups raising more than $100,000 to pay for playgrounds.
Right now in PEI — and in much of Canada — playgrounds are not considered part of the school system’s regular capital or operating budgets. Instead, the responsibility falls on community fundraisers: bake sales, bottle drives, and donation campaigns, sometimes supplemented by municipal or provincial grants.
This system is unfair. Playgrounds are not “extras.” They are essential for children’s learning, development, health, and well-being. By recognizing playgrounds as core school infrastructure — just like classrooms — PEI could lead Atlantic Canada in ensuring that every child, no matter where they live, has a safe and accessible place to play.
How To Help
As voters, you can help bring about this change. Ask your school board trustee candidates whether they will commit to:
- Recognizing playgrounds as essential school infrastructure.
- Including playgrounds in annual school facilities and capital budgets.
- Advocating for a dedicated provincial budget line for playgrounds.
This fall, as you slow down for school buses, take time to slow down for another conversation: one with your school administration about child protection policies.
Attend the October Semi-Annual Meeting for practical guidance. And when you meet school board trustee candidates, ask them where they stand on playground funding.
No child’s safety should depend on luck. No child’s right to play should depend on a bake sale. It’s time to make both strong protection policies and safe, accessible playgrounds a guaranteed part of every school in PEI.
***Dave Schult is president of the P.E.I. Home and School Federation.