We take safety and security seriously. It is important that we maintain a safe and caring community so that learning can take place.
Visitors & Volunteers
Our school is a closed campus. All visitors and volunteers must report directly to the main office to sign-in and request permission from the school administration to be in the school. This process helps us know where you are in case of an emergency and allows staff and students to know you have signed-in with the office staff by wearing your volunteer/visitor badge.
In order to ensure school security, all exterior doors will be locked after school commences each day. If students are late, the only way into the building will be through the main front doors.
Supervision
School doors open at 7:50 am. You are invited to arrive at that time and be at school up to 15 minutes at day’s end. Anyone arriving earlier or staying later must have teacher permission and be under the direct supervision of a teacher.
Student Searches
In the event that school safety and security is a concern administration has the right to complete searches of student lockers, student property or personal belongings at any time.
Legalities Regarding Student Information
Staff at Dr. Gordon Higgins School can only have conversations with parents/guardians who are identified in the school record keeping system. Conversations about students in our school will not take place with friends or family members who are not on this list. Parents/guardians are responsible to provide the office with current legal documentation if there are custodial changes. This documentation must remain in a student’s file.
Lockdowns
All CBE schools are required to practice lockdowns in the same way that we practice fire drills. The procedures for lockdowns are developed with the Calgary Police Service and are part of each school’s Emergency Response Plan. If you have questions about lockdown drills or lockdown procedures, please contact your principal.
Evacuation Procedures
In the event that the school needs to be evacuated for any reason, all staff have been trained according to CBE standards. All schools have a primary and a secondary evacuation site. In the event of an evacuation, you will receive an email, phone or SMS notification from the school.
Video Surveillance Technology
The Calgary Board of Education may install and use video surveillance technology at select schools to support maintaining a safe and secure environment and to help control vandalism and criminal activity on school property.
Personal information gathered by video surveillance is collected under the authority of the Education Act and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP) section 33(b). The users of this information are the principal or designate and law enforcement personnel in the case of reported incidents that would require an investigation. Only authorized persons will review video surveillance information.
This technology is considered a complement to, and not a replacement for, CBE's strategies in supporting a welcoming, caring, safe, and respectful learning and work environment for students and staff.
Approval, installation and use of video surveillance technology will comply with Administrative Regulation 1066.
For questions or concerns, please contact the school principal.