B.C. schools remain safe despite ‘fear and worry’ following Tumbler Ridge tragedy, says principals’ association

School portables are arriving in the grief-stricken community of Tumbler Ridge this week so students don’t have to return to the scene of last week’s shooting.

In the aftermath of last week’s horrific mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., many parents in the province received communications from their children’s schools—some outlining existing safety protocols in an effort to quell fears from families that a similar tragedy could unfold in their own community.

Shannon Behan, president of the B.C. Principals’ and Vice-Principals’ Association, acknowledged there has been increased anxiety in school communities since the shooting, but noted there are already regular lockdown drills and other safety measures in place to protect students and staff alike.

“Absolutely, there’s fear and worry and discomfort, as you can well imagine,” Behan told CTV News on Monday.

“What I want to share is B.C. schools are very, very safe.”

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Review could bring new safety recommendations

The Ministry of Education already asks public and private schools to conduct a minimum of two lockdown drills per year, along with earthquake drills and fire drills—but there is also a review being conducted into the Tumbler Ridge tragedy that could result in new recommendations for improving safety.

Behan assured parents that any lessons that come from the review will be “shared with the districts and followed at schools all throughout the province.”

“This was one of those things you never think will happen in your school, your community, your province,” Behan said.

“Our work is to make sure that all our students, in all of our schools, know that they have a sense of safety and security, that we have our protocols that we follow, that we have open communication in case there are things that need to be improved on.”

Students not rushed back to classes

Meanwhile, portable classrooms are arriving in Tumbler Ridge to spare children from having to return to the scene of last week’s shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.

So far, there is no scheduled date for classes to resume—and Behan said local administrators are not planning to rush students back as they process the traumatic experiences they went through together.

“Grief unfolds in its own time,” Behan said. “The district is listening to the needs of the students and the staff and the community, and they have their plan and they’ll put it in place and support everybody as needed.”

Those plans include alternative school arrangements, and making crisis management resources available to support students and the community at large.