Positive Alternatives to School Suspension (PASS) pilot project launched

Rainbow District School Board, the Greater Sudbury Police Service, LivingPotential, NOAH’s S.P.A.C.E. and the Sudbury Action Centre for Youth have joined together to pilot an innovative program with Sudbury Secondary School. 

Students who have been suspended for five days or less will be encouraged to participate in Positive Alternatives to School Suspension (PASS) through NOAH’s S.P.A.C.E. Students will benefit from a range of interventions at an off-school site. 

“The goal of this pilot project is to build on each student’s strengths and interests to engage them in school and reduce inappropriate behaviour,” said Bruce Bourget, Superintendent of Schools with Rainbow District School Board. “We commend the many community partners who are working with us to offer this support to our students and thank Sudbury Secondary School for leading this initiative.” 

“Community policing and crime prevention go hand in hand,” said Greater Sudbury Police Chief Paul Pedersen. “Social development works on the risk factors that can lead to crime. Partnerships between police, schools and community agencies minimize the risk factors by encouraging young people to make wiser choices. The PASS program is an example of proactive crime prevention.”

The PASS program has three components – to establish a trust relationship with an adult service provider and create a circle of care for the student; to provide community programs to develop and improve the student’s social skills and self-worth as well as cultural and life skills; to give students the opportunity to change their attitudes towards school and provide space and opportunity to complete assigned schoolwork.

“PASS mobilizes community resources to support our youth,” said Constable Victor Leroux of the Greater Sudbury Police Service. “We all benefit when we channel our young people’s energy towards positive outcomes.”

“Sudbury Secondary School welcomes the opportunity to work with community partners to give students access to programs that will enable them to acquire life skills, whether it’s healthy relationships, decision-making or conflict resolution,” said Vice-Principal Jackie Balleny. “We thank our community partners for their commitment and support.”

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor, 

Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning

Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171 ext. 7217.