Fair Notice
Fair Notice: Response to Threat-Making Behaviour
School District 35 (Langley) is committed to a safe and supportive environment for all. We take all threatening comments and behaviours seriously. Students, staff and parents should be aware of the District’s Violence Threat Risk Assessment Protocol that can be found on the district website and in all school main offices.
What is a Threat?
- A threat is an expression of intent to do harm or act out violently against someone or something
- A threat may be verbal, written, drawn, posted electronically or made by gesture
- A threat may include any high risk behaviour such as possession of a weapon
What is Threat Assessment?
Threat assessment is a process that is followed when a school becomes aware of a threat made against a student, staff member, or the safety of the school building and its occupants. When any form of a threat is made, a threat assessment team will investigate and appropriately enact the District’s Violence Threat Risk Assessment Protocol. A threat assessment team is made up of individuals who have received formal threat assessment training.
What Parents and Students Need to Know
- Any threat must be reported to the school administration, counselor or some other trusted adult
- Investigation may involve the police and/or other community agencies
- Investigation may involve locker or personal property searches
- Interviews will be held with the threat-maker and other students or adults who may have information about the threat
- Parents of students who are directly involved will be notified
- Threatening behaviour may result in discipline for a student
- An intervention plan may be developed for the student making the threat and a support plan developed for any individuals targeted by threats
Everyone Has a Duty to Report
Often when we hear in the media about a violent incident, we learn that the threat-maker had made threats in advance of acting violently. To keep our school communities safe, students, parents, staff and community members must report all threat-related behaviours and high-risk activities.
Firearm Violence Prevention Act (FVPA)
Fair Notice Firearm Violence Prevention Act (FVPA) - Elementary Schools
Starting October 1, 2026, new laws and regulations under the Firearm Violence Prevention Act (FVPA) are coming into effect in B.C. The FVPA further strengthens existing school and district policies banning firearms on school property by providing law enforcement with additional tools to address and enforce firearms-related public safety risks. The FVPA does this by establishing a clear and consistent province-wide prohibition on firearms, low velocity firearms (such as BB, pellet, gel, airsoft and paintball guns) and imitation firearms (such as lighters designed to closely resemble firearms) on all K-12 school properties. Some schools regularly support and authorize a wide range of educational, community and special events on school property, including activities that occur outside regular school hours, on evenings, and on weekends. The legislation includes exemptions for certain safe and legitimate activities, including cadet programs.
In addition, individuals who are safely transporting firearms, low-velocity firearms or imitation firearms in a vehicle are exempted as long as applicable requirements in the regulations and all other relevant firearms laws are followed (e.g., firearms remain unloaded and safely stored in a locked trunk or container).
For more information on the Firearm Violence Prevention Act and regulations, read more here.
Fair Notice Firearm Violence Prevention Act (FVPA) – Middle/Secondary Schools
Starting October 1, 2026, new laws and regulations under the Firearm Violence Prevention Act (FVPA) are coming into effect in B.C. The legislation is intended to address unsafe firearm use and firearm-related violence. The FVPA complements and further strengthens existing legislation and school and district policies banning firearms on school property by providing law enforcement with additional tools to address and enforce firearm-related public safety risks. The FVPA does this by establishing a clear and consistent province-wide prohibition on firearms, low-velocity firearms (such as BB, pellet, gel, airsoft and paintball guns) and imitation firearms (such as lighters designed to closely resemble firearms) on all K-12 school properties.
The goal of these new laws is to promote greater public safety by keeping firearms and objects that look like firearms out of schools. Some schools regularly support and authorize a wide range of educational, community and special events on school property, including activities that occur outside regular school hours, on evenings, and on weekends. The legislation includes narrow exemptions for certain safe and legitimate activities using firearms, low-velocity or imitation firearms.
Examples of activities that may be eligible for an exemption include:
• Cadet programs
• Biathlon demonstrations or events
• Cinematic, theatrical, film, or artistic activities or performances
• Educational activities (e.g., firearms safety training)
In addition, individuals who are safely transporting firearms, low-velocity firearms, or imitation firearms in a vehicle are exempted as long as applicable requirements in the regulations and all other relevant firearms laws are followed (e.g., firearms remain unloaded and safely stored in a locked trunk or container). Anyone who illegally possesses a firearm, low-velocity firearm, or imitation firearm on school property without a valid exemption may have these items confiscated, forfeited and disposed of by law enforcement, and if convicted of an offence, may face fines and serious penalties under the FVPA.
For more information on the Firearm Violence Prevention Act and regulations, read more here.