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How to Ensure School Safety and Prepare for Winter

January 21, 2025

Here are three essential guidelines for maintaining security, preventing rodent infestations, and preparing for winter conditions within our district facilities. 

Building Security

Thank you to all staff for making sure your site is secure after hours.  When sites are properly secured and armed at the end of the day, it eliminates unnecessary late-night callouts to Paladin Security and District Staff, saving the district time and money.

Before leaving your classroom or office, please make sure:

  1. Shut and lock all windows. 
  2. Lower all shutters.
  3. Turn off all lights and lamps. 
  4. Shut and lock all doors.

Before exiting your building:

  1. Check to ensure a Custodian is on site.  If there is no Custodian on site, do a sweep of the building to make sure steps 1 – 4 are complete and ensure all staff have exited the building.
  2. Set the security alarm.
  3. Close and lock all gates.

If you have questions about security at your site, please contact the Facilities Department 604.852.9494.

Help Keep Rodents Away

As temperatures drop, rodents are drawn to sources of heat and potential food and water. Here are a few suggestions to help keep rodents away:

  • Keep food and beverages only in designated areas.
  • Keep your classroom (and staffroom) clean of food scraps.
  • Minimize tempting food and nesting material by making sure all dry goods are stored in sealed, secure containers.
  • Ensure recycling and composting containers are emptied regularly.
  • Keep exterior doors closed.
  • Notify Facilities of any areas in need of repair that could become potential entry points for rodents
  • If rodent droppings are visible, please notify your Custodian so that clean-up can be arranged and submit a work order for Pest Control to further investigate.

Preparing for Winter Conditions

As winter approaches, the Facilities Team is preparing for snow removal by pre-salting sidewalks and parking lots.

Winter weather is just around the corner and district staff does it’s best to clear snow and ice and apply sand or ice melt but, there are times when your lots could be slippery so, please wear appropriate footwear and use extra caution when accessing district sites.

Every site is provided ice melt and a spreader.