Safe Schools
Innerkip Central School
2025-2026 Safe and Inclusive School Plan
Focus Area: Mental Health and Emotions Management
At Innerkip Central School, we want every child to feel safe, cared for, and included. We believe that students should feel supported emotionally and mentally. That’s why we’re focusing on helping kids understand their feelings, build confidence, and treat others with kindness and respect.
Key Priorities and Goals
This year, we are focusing on:
- Mental Health Awareness and Emotional Regulation
- Building Resilience and Coping Skills
- Creating a Culture of Care and Connection
We are doing this to:
- Support student well-being and academic success
- Reduce stigma around mental health
- Equip students with tools to manage emotions and stress
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Key Actions or Strategies
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- Mental Health Moments: Incorporate short, guided mindfulness or breathing exercises during morning announcements or classroom transitions.
- Emotional Check-Ins: Use tools like mood meters or “How are you feeling today?” boards in classrooms to help students identify and express emotions.
- Well-Being Wednesdays: Dedicate time weekly for classroom discussions or activities focused on mental health topics such as gratitude, self-compassion, and managing anxiety.
- Restorative Practices and Community Circles: Facilitate open conversations about emotional challenges, peer conflicts, and stressors in a safe, respectful space.
- Student Leadership and Peer Support: Empower student leaders to promote kindness, inclusion, and mental health awareness through school-wide campaigns and peer mentoring.
Community and Home Connections
- Family Mental Health Toolkit: Share tips on supporting children’s emotional well-being, including conversation starters and coping strategies.
- Open-Ended Conversations at Home: Encourage families to ask questions like:
- “What was something that made you feel proud today?”
- “What’s something that made you feel frustrated or worried?”
- “Who is someone at school you feel comfortable talking to?”
This Safe Schools and Well-Being portfolio collaborates to support staff through Tier-1, evidence-based practices. These foundational practices establish safety, connection, and regulation, which are essential conditions for learning. Through the important work, a deep understanding of students and relationships will foster the positive climate necessary for student well-being and achievement.
Developing a Safe and Inclusive Culture
Under the direction and guidance of the Ministry of Education (Policy/Program Memorandum No. 144 (PPM144), our School Board is committed to supporting schools to create and maintain positive school climates.
The Thames Valley District School Board would like to introduce the Safe and Inclusive School Plan (SISP). This plan replaces the former Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan (BPIP), and the Safe and Accepting School Plan. This plan will be completed annually by every elementary and secondary school in the Thames Valley District School Board.
This important work is facilitated at the school-level by a school-based team. This team is composed of students, family members, teachers, support staff, community partners, and the principal and/or vice principal.
This important work is facilitated at the school-level by a school-based team. This team is composed of students, family members, teachers, support staff, community partners, and the principal and/or vice principal.
This important work is facilitated at the school-level by a school-based team. This team is composed of students, family members, teachers, support staff, community partners, and the principal and/or vice principal. The Safe and Inclusive School Team meets several times throughout the school year. During this time, school teams will identify one local priority, and create a plan to support the identified goal. As the plan is implemented throughout the year, the Safe and Inclusive School team will continuously support these goals and monitor the results.