(Click on the image to watch the video)A systemic approach that works with the entire school community to promote a culture of respect, transforms the teaching and learning environment, the way the school is administered to include students’ participation in all aspects of the school. This results in less bullying, an improved learning environment and a higher rate of teacher satisfaction. UNICEF Canada offers free staff training, free material to support the school community to establish a Rights Respecting Committee, free material for the school administrators, teaching guides, website and blog, and a free long term impact assessment which takes place in partnership with PrevNet (PREVNet is a national network of Canadian researchers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and governments committed to stop bullying.)
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As Quebec’s National Assembly considers anti-bullying legislation, Westmount Park School is the first school in the province to launch a UNICEF anti-bullying program. “We’re happy to see that we’re ahead of the game,” said principal Nathalie Lacroix-Maillette. The Rights Respecting Schools program will be rolled out at Westmount Park elementary this fall. “Children need to feel like they matter to us, like they belong to the school, to have a safe environment for learning,” Lacroix-Maillette said. She noted the wide implementation of the program in the United Kingdom, with results of decreased bullying and increased learning outcomes. The program will bring a common language to the school, Lacroix-Maillette said, and is based on creating a culture of respect. Children will learn they have rights, such as the right to learn, she said, but also that they have responsibilities toward classmates who also have a right to learn.
UNICEF approached Westmount Park last year and an agreement was made in May to introduce the UNICEF-funded program. Teachers have since received four workshops on the program. Now, the school is making plans for school-wide implementation, and new programming will be integrated with measures and curricula already in place at the school. Parents will be asked for their comments. “Parents also have a responsibility,” Lacroix-Maillette said, adding there will be parent workshops in the fall on raising children in a culture of respect. Bullying has not been a major problem at Westmount Park, Lacroix-Maillette said. The Rights Respecting Schools program is based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and is modelled on UNICEF International’s child-friendly schools. Variations on child friendly school programming exist in most countries in the world, said Hélène Moïse, Global Classroom Manager for UNICEF in Quebec.
The program began in 2004 in the UK and now runs in 1,600 schools there. Schools in BC, Alberta, and Ontario have also implemented pilot versions of the program. Moïse said research partners in Canada are working with the Canadian schools that introduce the program to study the results.
The English Montreal School Board, Moïse said, has expressed interest in having it in all their schools, as have many other schools in greater Montreal. Westmount Park School is also partnered with McGill professor Frances Aboud, who is researching bullying. She interviewed Westmount Park students in the fall and will do so again this spring.
By Joanne Penhale, WESTMOUNT INDEPENDENT– March 13-14, 2012 – p.29
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Outdoor Leadership Courses
The Outdoor Council is developing certification courses to help train and certify people to become effective leaders in outdoor settings.
These two day courses provide valuable decision making and leadership skills for anyone who leads groups outdoors, including teachers. Learn more about the program.
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Canadian Wildlife Federation hosts a summer teacher institute every year. Nunavut is the destination for the program this year July 21-28.
If you want to receive more information about this, sign up here. |
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BC Ministry of Education Seeks Input from Public
Once more British-Columbia impresses me with its innovation. While many organizations struggle to get the public to respond and contribute online, BC has a few hundred responses for each of its questions posted on their blog : http://engage.bcedplan.ca/ And BC’s Education Plan is already available in French and includes letters to the community in more than 13 languages!
George Abbott, Minister of Education:
‘…our education system is based on a model of learning from an earlier
century. To change that, we need to put students at the centre of their own
education. We need to make a better link between what kids learn at school
and what they experience and learn in their everyday lives. We need to create
new learning environments for students that allow them to discover, embrace,
and fulfi ll their passions. We need to set the stage for parents, teachers,
administrators and other partners to prepare our children for success not only
in today’s world, but in a world that few of us can yet imagine.’
Read more: http://www.bcedplan.ca/welcome.php
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Taking Action 4 Youth is seeking MOTIVATED, PASSIONATE and ENERGETIC ABORIGINAL YOUTH to share their stories about HIV leadership or activism to become a TAKING ACTION YOUTH LEADER! Click here to learn more
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Join the Red Fish School of Change for an extraordinary five weeks in the field as you travel from the mountains of the Slocan Valley to the south coast of British Columbia. Explore strategies for creating ecological sustainability and social equity with passionate educators and other inspiring change-makers. Get ready to take effective action in your community. Learn more: (click here)
The Redfish School of Change is now accepting applications for its 2012 semester, May 17 to June 23. For more information about the program, its eligibility requirements, and student bursaries, visit www.schoolofchange.ca.Click here for the buzz about the program from past participants, or watch the video, What is the Redfish School of Change? Applications will be accepted until February 15, 2012.
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From the Alberta Council for Environmental Education
| Engaging Students in Learning About the Environment
Inquiry based learning is now a familiar term used by teachers across the province. How are you using inquiry to teach about the environment? Here are some sites that profile what teachers are doing and t he thought behind their work with students.
- Natural Curiosity is a website out of Ontario presenting an approach they call Environmental Inquiry. Along with the theory, stories from teachers in the classroom are used to illustrate the process.
- Connect! is the blog from the Calgary Science School. Teachers share their programs and progress with students. They have just posted an Introduction to Inquiry document on their blog.
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