Safe and Accepting Schools: How to nominate


2012-13 Premier's Awards for Accepting Schools
Nominations closed February 22, 2013

How to nominate a safe and accepting schools team

The Premier's Awards for Accepting Schools recognize Ontario's safe and accepting schools teams for the exceptional and innovative work they have done in creating a safe, inclusive and accepting school climate. This is your chance to recognize these deserving teams for the work they do to make your school better!

Every safe and accepting schools team in the province is eligible for nomination.

  1. Talk to the team you want to nominate
    Ask them whether they are willing to be nominated. You will need to provide their written consent.

  2. Find two people who will provide written support for your nomination
    Letters should explain the team's accomplishments and should say why the team deserves an award.

    Secondary school teams need one letter from a student and one other letter of support (a teacher, someone from the board office or a colleague).

    Elementary school teams need one letter from a parent or a student; and one other letter of support (a teacher, someone from the board office or a colleague).

    Remember – letters cannot be written by a member of the safe and accepting schools team being nominated or by a nominee's relative.

Each letter should be:

  • no more than three pages long
  • typed, single sided and double-spaced.
  • font size no smaller than 10 point.
  • signed by the writer.
Learn how to write a compelling letter of support

  1. Download and complete the nomination form
    The nomination form must be completed with contact information for the nominator and all team members. Remember to have each member complete and sign the nominee consent section of the nomination form.

    Visit our Premier's Awards for Accepting Schools frequently asked questions section to find out more about the awards.

  2. Gather information about the team's activities
    Work with the safe and accepting schools team to complete the necessary sections on the form. Highlight the team's three key activities/practices, identify any challenges they faced and explain how the team has made a difference at the school or within the school community.

    See sample activities in the Promoting a Positive Climate resource (PDF, 80 KB)

  3. Have the form signed by your Director of Education or Supervisory Officer
    Your school board's Director of Education or a Supervisory Officer must sign the nomination form. You can work with your school's principal who can help get these signatures.

  4. Make a copy
    Please keep a copy of your entire submission in case something gets lost in the mail.

  5. Submit your nomination
    There are two ways to submit your nomination:
    1/ Mail or courier the complete package to:

    Ministry of Education
    Premier's Awards for Accepting Schools
    Learning Environment Branch
    900 Bay St., Mowat Block, 15th floor
    Toronto, ON M7A 1L2

    2/ Scan and email your package to safeschools@ontario.ca

    Submission Deadline: Packages must be received on or before February 22, 2013 by 5:00pm ET.