Building Foundations
These 4 interconnected steps help Ontario Certified Teachers recognize and address safety concerns.
What are the 4 Rs: Recognize, Respond, Report and Reflect?
This is the first guiding principle: creating a positive, welcoming, and inclusive school environment where every student feels valued.
What is fostering a sense of belonging?
Under Bill 157, this person must be notified when their child is involved in a serious school incident.
Who are the parents or guardians?
This annual initiative encourages students and staff to wear pink to promote kindness, acceptance and standing against bullying.
What is Pink Shirt Day?
A student becomes frustrated during a lesson, starts speaking disrespectfully and disrupts the entire class.
Your challenge: How would you respond without embarrassing or escalating the situation?
LOOK FOR: Calm response, student safety, private feedback and understanding contributing factors.
An OCT notices that a classroom walkway is blocked by backpacks and furniture, creating a potential tripping hazard. Which of the 4 Rs should the teacher apply first?
What is Recognize?
This guiding principle emphasizes ensuring that discipline policies are equitable, transparent, and respectful of every student's dignity.
What is the fair administration of student discipline policies?
This Ontario Policy/Program Memorandum focuses on bullying prevention and intervention.
What is PPM 144?
Designated by UNESCO, this international observance takes place on the first Thursday of November and raises awareness about school violence and cyberbullying
What is the International Day against Violence and Bullying at School?
You notice that students are frequently arguing and pushing one another in the hallway during transitions between classes.
Your challenge: What immediate action would you take, and what proactive changes could help prevent future incidents?
LOOK FOR: Active supervision, early intervention, reporting and proactive routines.
Ontario Ministry of Education Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) model has how many categories?
What is 6 categories.
This guiding principle emphasizes ongoing professional development, collaboration, and refining teaching practices to improve student outcomes.
What is adequately supporting high-quality teaching and learning?
This Ontario Policy/Program Memorandum focuses on progressive discipline and promoting positive student behaviour.
What is PPM 145?
This initiative encouraging schools to educate students about bullying prevention and intervention.
What is Ontario Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week?
During a group project, you notice that one student is consistently being left out. Their classmates refuse to include them in their group.
Your challenge: What would you do in the moment, and what could you change to prevent this from happening again?
LOOK FOR: Early intervention, intentional grouping, student voice and inclusion.
According to the OCT, safety in learning environments extends beyond the traditional classroom. Name one other setting where teachers are responsible for student safety.
What is a gymnasium, school bus, field trip, library or extracurricular activity?
This framework organizes academic, behavioural, social, and emotional supports into three levels of intervention.
What is MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Support)?
This 2009 legislation requires school staff to report serious incidents affecting student safety to the principal.
What is Bill 157?
What month does Ontario Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week fall in (100 bonus points: if you can tell us what days it falls on this year).
What is November 15–21.
A student on the basketball team sprains their wrist during an away game.
Your challenge: How would you handle this situation to ensure that the student is not put further at risk?
Look for: Immediate action, parent/guardian and school administration notification, incident report completion.