Report an incident that happens at school: a resource for occasional teachers
Information for occasional teachers on how to report student incidents and what type of incidents you must report.
Report serious student incidents
All school staff should:
- report serious student incidents to the principal
- respond to all inappropriate and disrespectful behaviour:
- at school
- at school-related activities
- in situations where the activity will have a negative impact on the school climate
Read the full list of staff and employees who must report student incidents.
Types of incidents you must report
The following activities must be reported when they occur at school, at school-related activities or in any other circumstances where they could have an impact on the school climate.
Grades 4 to 12
Activities that can lead to suspension for students in Grades 4 to 12 include:
- uttering a threat to inflict serious bodily harm on another person
- possessing alcohol, cannabis (unless the student is authorized to use cannabis for medical purposes) or illegal drugs
- being under the influence of alcohol or cannabis (unless the student is authorized to use cannabis for medical purposes)
- swearing at a teacher or at any person in a position of authority
- committing an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property at the student's school or to property on school premises
- bullying, including cyber-bullying
- any other activities identified in school board policy
Junior kindergarten to Grade 3
Students in junior kindergarten to Grade 3 cannot be suspended for the activities listed above, however these incidents are still unacceptable in schools and must be reported to the principal.
The following activities will lead to suspension and possible expulsion:
- possessing a weapon, including possessing a firearm
- using a weapon to cause or to threaten bodily harm to another person
- committing physical assault on another person that causes bodily harm requiring treatment by a medical practitioner
- committing sexual assault
- trafficking in weapons or in illegal drugs
- committing robbery
- giving alcohol or cannabis to a minor
- bullying if a student has previously been suspended for engaging in bullying
- junior kindergarten to Grade 3 students can be suspended for bullying if their continuing presence in the school creates an “unacceptable risk” to the safety of another person (previous suspension for bullying is not required)
- any activity for which a student can be suspended listed above that is motivated by bias, prejudice or hate
- any other activities identified in school board policy
Addressing student behaviour: junior kindergarten to Grade 3
Starting in the 2020-2021 school year, there are new regulations that change how student behaviour is addressed in junior kindergarten to Grade 3.
The principal cannot suspend students in junior kindergarten to Grade 3 for:
- utters a threat to inflict serious bodily harm on another person
- possesses alcohol, illegal drugs or cannabis (unless the pupil is a medical cannabis user)
- being under the influence of alcohol or cannabis (unless the pupil is a medical cannabis user)
- swearing at a teacher or at another person in a position of authority
- committing an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property at the school or to property located on the school premises
- bullying
- does any other activity that is identified in the school board policy
These behaviours should be addressed with the appropriate positive behaviour supports in the school setting.
How to report an incident
You must report the incident to the principal by the end of the school day. Reports made to the principal orally, must be confirmed in writing as soon as reasonably possible using the Safe Schools Incident Reporting form – Part I that the principal will give you.
Read the full list of staff and employees who must report student incidents.
Reporting the incident does not replace conversations between you and the principal. We encourage you to talk to the principal about the incident.
How to respond to student behaviour
If there is any student behaviour that can have a negative impact on the school climate, you should respond to the student if, in your opinion, responding would not cause immediate physical harm to you.
Student behaviour that can have a negative impact on the school climate can include:
- all inappropriate and disrespectful behaviour (for example, homophobic or racial slurs, sexist comments or jokes, graffiti)
- incidents that must be considered for suspension or expulsion
Responding may include asking a student to stop the inappropriate behaviour, naming the type of behaviour, explaining why it is inappropriate or disrespectful and asking for a change in the future.
If it isn’t safe to respond
If you think that it is not safe to respond and the incidents would not be considered for suspension or expulsion, you are required to tell the principal as soon as possible.
If the incident involves a student with special education needs
When responding to an incident that involves a student with special education needs, you are expected to respond in a way that takes into account information in the student's Individual Education Plan.
Related
Report an incident on school transportation
Report an incident that happens at school
Creating safe and accepting schools
Promote a positive school environment