Coroner's Office Completes Investigation into Death of Five-Year-Old Boy

Released on March 21, 2018

• To the directors of education, Saskatoon Public Schools and Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools:

1. That a review be completed of the current policies and/or procedures pertaining to student supervision during recess and assess the possibility of supervision in areas that could potentially be a risk for student safety (i.e. nearby ponds and major roadways), and in particular for those students who have special needs and as such may be at greater risk.
2. Review and/or develop communication and training strategies where all staff members and educational assistants are informed not only of the special needs of students in school, but also understand the requirements to provide care/supervision to meet those needs and minimize or eliminate the risks to the students.
3. To implement water safety education for all students, including information appropriate for all learning abilities and materials for students to take home for family awareness.
4. During community planning and development, and to optimize safety, the City of Saskatoon and the school boards should consider future placement of ponds and municipal structures, so that such structures and ponds are located away from schools, playgrounds and areas where children are known to play.
5. Assess the need for additional barriers and modifications to ponds and their surrounding area where the location of such structures is within proximity to schools and areas known to be occupied by children.

• To the Lifesaving Society:

1. To implement water safety education for all students, including information appropriate for all learning abilities and materials for students to take home for family awareness.
2. To assess the feasibility for water safety education within all Saskatoon communities, such as providing learning materials to residential areas with nearby water access. (i.e. river, ponds, etc.)

• To Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark and City Manager Jeff Jorgenson:
• To assess the feasibility for water safety education within all Saskatoon communities, such as providing learning materials to residential areas with nearby water access. (i.e. river, ponds, etc.)
• During community planning and development, and to optimize safety, the City of Saskatoon and the school boards should consider future placement of ponds and municipal structures, so that such structures and ponds are located away from schools, playgrounds and areas where children are known to play.
• Assess the need for additional barriers and modifications to ponds and their surrounding area where the location of such structures is within proximity to schools and areas known to be occupied by children.