Principal making a school safety statement

An Innisfil principal is one of two Simcoe County District School Board staff to be chosen for helping to keep schools safe.

Jean Hargreaves, principal at Nantyr Shores Secondary School, and Tammy Polan, a teacher at Elmvale District High School, have both been honoured by the Canadian Safe Schools Network for their contribution to the creation and enhancement of safe, supportive learning environments.

Hargreaves has been a member of the SCDSB Safe Schools Liaison Committee and is currently chair of the Safe Schools Project team. The "Starfish Story" is a project Hargreaves works on daily. This project facilitates proactive strategies and pathways for students. With her staff, possibilities are explored and opportunities are provided for students. Hargreaves is also involved in many initiatives which address bullying and internet safety. She introduced the New Path Prevention and Diversion Program at Nantyr Shores Secondary School.

Polan has worked on an anti-bullying committee, which evolved into a Peer Mediation team. Through this role and with her student team, she has worked with various elementary and secondary schools in the SCDSB to support them in their efforts to help students collectively solve problems and work towards effective peer mediated solutions.