Safe Schools
John Dearness Public School
2026-2027 Safe and Inclusive School Plan
Our school is committed to providing all students with a safe, caring, and inclusive learning environment free from bullying and harassment that promotes respect, acceptance, and empathy.
Staff, students, parents and caregivers, and community partners will work together as a team to help make our school safe and welcoming for everyone.
The Safe and Inclusive School Plan highlights some of the key actions that our school community will put in place as part of our bullying prevention and intervention efforts.
Key Priorities and Goals
This year we are continuing to focus on establishing and maintaining a respectful culture, where students are inclusive and kind and where they have strategies to deal effectively with conflict and where they understand that hurtful comments, even when said in a joking manner, are not acceptable.
We are doing this because every student deserves to feel safe, valued and respected at school and creating an environment rooted in empathy and accountability is essential for well-being, personal growth and academic success.
Key Priorities and Goals
- Teaching and modelling positive communication and conflict resolution skills
- Providing consistent opportunities for students to reflect on their actions and build awareness around the impact of their words and behaviours
- Celebrating inclusive behaviour and kindness!
- Staff and students using consistent language and responses when addressing inappropriate language or actions to ensure clarity, fairness, and a unified school culture.
Community and Home Connections
- Ask your child about friendships, conflict and the impact of their words.
- Try reflecting on how to navigate social situations in positive ways at home with your child.
- Check out this resource: https://www.tvdsb.ca/en/parents/safe-schools-families-and-caregivers.aspx
- Check out this resource Universal-Way-of-Addressing-Concern.pdf about speaking up and being a supportive ally.
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.