Fair Notice - Assessment of Risk to Others (ARTO)

Northwest School Division is committed to creating and maintaining school environments in which students, staff, parents/guardians/caregivers and others feel safe. Schools cannot ignore any threat of violence.

What is a threat?

•    An expression of intent to do harm or act out violently against someone or something
•    May be verbal, written, drawn, posted on the Internet, or made by gesture

Duty to Report

To keep school communities safe and caring, staff, parents/guardians/caregivers, students and community members must report all threat related behaviours to the school principal.

What is the purpose of a Student Assessment of Risk to Others (ARTO)?

•    To ensure and promote the emotional and physical safety of students, staff, parents, the student making the threat, and others
•    To ensure a full understanding of the context of the threat
•    To understand the factors that contribute to the individual of concern’s behaviour
•    To be proactive in developing an intervention plan that addresses the emotional and physical safety of the individual of concern
•    To promote the emotional and physical safety of all

What behaviours warrant a Student Assessment of Risk to Others (ARTO) to be initiated?

A student Assessment of Risk to Others (ARTO) will be initiated for behaviours including, but not limited to:

Verbal/written threats to harm/kill others (‘clear, direct and plausible’)
Threats made via social media to harm, kill or cause serious property damage
Serious violence or violence with intent to harm and/or kill
Indicators of suicidal ideation as relates to fluidity (homicidal/suicidal)
Weapon possession (including replicas)
Bomb threats (or possession/detonation of devices)
Hate incidents motivated by factors including but not limited to: Race, Culture, Religion, and/or Sexual Orientation
Sexual intimidation, sextortion, extortion, or assault
Domestic, interpersonal, relational violence
Gang-related intimidation and violence
Fire setting (contextual)

What Parents/Caregivers and Students Need to Know

•    Any threat must be reported to the school principal
•    Investigation may involve the student services counsellor, the police, or other community agencies
•    Investigation may involve locker or personal property searches
•    Interviews will be held with the individual of concern and other students or adults who may have information about the threat
•    Parents/Caregivers of students who are directly involved will be notified
•    Threatening behaviour may result in disciplinary action
•    An intervention plan may be developed for the student making the threat and a support plan developed for any individuals targeted by threats

The information in this brochure reflects the thinking and work of J. Kevin Cameron, 
Director of the Centre for Trauma Informed Practices.

The complete Community Protocol may be found on Northwest School Division’s website at Safe and Caring Schools - Northwest School Division