The number of school suspensions has dropped in Abbotsford, according to the latest numbers released by the school district.
Last year, there were 727 out-of-school suspensions, compared to 805 the previous year. In-school suspensions dropped to 526 in 2011, compared to 683 in 2010.
Total suspensions have dropped about 30 per cent since 2008 and are highest at the Grade 9 and 10 levels. Drugs are the most common reason, and boys account for about 80 per cent of suspensions.
Assistant superintendent Steve Carlton said the drop in the numbers can be partly attributed to a “system-wide response to children in need of behaviour support.”
These school initiatives include the alternative suspension program, police liaison officers in the schools, and “positive behaviour” supports such as Lions Quest, Character Counts, and Roots of Empathy.
Community programs include Impact’s New Directions and the South Asian Community Resource Office.