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=What It Means to Have A Safe And Inclusive Classroom =

Resource Page for Parents = =

__Dear Parents and Guardians __
It has come to our attention, school and board-wide, that students as well as their Parents must be educated about safe and inclusive schools. This is only possible if we can work together as a community to establish guidelines for the benefit of future students. Our goal is to reach all students and empower them with skills that they will need and use in the future. For this to happen, we must enable them to work in a diverse community which respects differences.

Our mission is for students, teachers, administration and Parents to explore ways to reduce forms of bullying, exclusion and violence in schools. It starts when we all help PREVENT, rather than act as instigators and bystanders.
 * Mission Statement: **

Does your child understand the definition of EQUITY and/or DIVERSITY? Before you answer this, what does equity and diversity, especially in a school environment, mean to you? As parents, it is essential that you also understand equity and diversity mean so that you are able to guide and educate them with additional knowledge. If you can model equity and diversity within your home environment, hopefully these values will impart and become evident within their classroom.
 * Consider this.... **


 * Diversity ** is a term that encompasses many different qualities, characteristics, and features possessed by an individual, or a group of people. Diversity can be used in many different contexts, for example in terms of race, culture, gender, language, religion, and sexual orientation. To be accepting and appreciative of diversity in all of its forms, guarantees a healthy and cooperative learning environment for students and staff. Knowing and understanding where students come from, what values they bring with them, and how they are raised, builds a great platform for communicating, teaching, and learning (Education, Ontario Ministry of, 2009).


 * Equity ** means treating individuals with respect, kindness, and fairness. Within today’s classrooms, equity means meeting the needs of all types of students - those with different preferences and learning styles. The word equity was once centered around the term race; instead now it is based on including different types of people, like those with high needs, such as Down Syndrome and learning disabilities (Education, Ontario Ministry of, 2009).




 * How has the Ontario Ministry of Education contributed to enforce change? **

The Ministry of Ontario has made it a priority for years to ensure that students are feeling cared for and safe within their school environment. The Ministry of Education has taken various initiatives to guarantee that this positive environment be established and supported. It is essential for you as parents and guardians to be aware of and review the changes implemented by the Ministry on a regular basis, in order to ensure that your children are benefiting greatly from these amendments.
 * Initiatives: **

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Beginning in 2004, the Safe School Action Team was established as a bullying prevention strategy. This Team in the following year released Action Plans to tackle bullying with a more central focus. These plans focused specifically on bullying prevention and community/parental involvement, emphasizing education and training to address such issues. In 2008, the same Action Team released a report promoting safety and healthy relationships through shaping a culture of respect in the school environment. Issues such as ased violence, and sexual harassment are covered in this document. The Ministry has also focused on addressing inappropriate behaviour through a “progressive discipline” approach, which is a whole school approach that encourages active communication about serious incidents between students, principals, parents, and staff. Principals and staff are specifically encouraged to consider various factors when addressing these issues, outlined in more detail throughout the document. These guidelines have been enforced to create a shift from punitive measures against students, towards a more corrective and supportive approach. Therefore, by reviewing these important documents, plans, and guidelines set forth by the Ministry of Education, you as parents/guardians will get a better sense of the initiatives taken by the government to ensure safety, equity, and successful learning for students in their schooling environment (Education, Ontario Ministry of, 2010).

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">If you would like to read more information based on safe schools initiatives and equity/diversity discussed by the Ontario Ministry of Education, click the following picture documents links (pdf format):



__**<span style="color: #262682; font-family: Georgia,serif;">How our school is working towards Inclusion and Equity **__

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">a) Diversity Club
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Brings students together from different backgrounds, genders, orientations, socio-economic statuses, race, and various other groupings to recognize and accept differences amongst them.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Students have weekly meetings to discuss issues and concerns they have while in and/or out of school. This is often done in the form of a debate or community sharing circle, where students can be expressive and free to voice their concerns.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> 2-3 different teachers supervise these sessions each week in order to promote positive involvement and build a community as a school.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">As a club, students are building up towards an end-of-the-year annual event called PANGAEA. The Pangaea is an event which allows the school community (students, parents and teachers) to experience cultural food, dress, dance, art and more, with additional emphasis on fun.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">b) LGBTS (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-gender, straight) Club
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Students come together to discuss issues based on sexual-orientation and preference.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">They make it a priority that this is a social club, and so, as with any social environment, students make sure that everyone enjoys their time and consequently feel welcomed.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Students take initiative to help promote and bring awareness about fairness and equity amongst other students in the school. This has been accomplished by handing out information pamphlets, having guest speakers come to assemblies, or by simply creating drama performances which deliver a strong and meaningful message.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">c) Intramural Sports
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">The idea that ‘everyone makes the TEAM’ is encouraged within our school. Some students lack the athletic ability to compete on sports teams; however, they enjoy the energy and fascination of playing particular sports. Thus, our school works to create a positive environment within physical education class, which is ultimately also reflected during intramural games.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Every Thursday after school, from 3-4:30 pm, students are given the opportunity to take part in sporting events in that all genders, backgrounds and differing abilities are able to come together to form an athletic community.

__**<span style="color: #262682; font-family: Georgia,serif;">How my class and I are working towards equity and inclusion **__

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">a) Anonymous Drop box
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> At the Front of my classroom, I have designed a drop box where students can care share ideas, express concerns or comment on their learning before entering or exiting my class.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">The drop box is anonymous and ALWAYS locked. Only I have access to this information. The drop box is simply a primary approach to getting students to physically approach me about their concerns, without hesitation or a feeling of judgment made against them.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">At the end of class, I often use this drop box as a piece of consolidation (wrap up method) in that students can express what or how they felt during that particular day/lesson.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">b) Research another cultural background
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">In collaboration with a school-wide event, Pangaea, I felt it was essential for my students to understand what it means to be cultural. Some of my students in fact have no ‘particular background/culture’ they say; thus providing them with a mini assignment to research a different background allowed them to explore outside their normal field of view.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Students are encouraged to explore food, living, dressing style, language(s), music, common religions, tourist attractions, dance, art, etc.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">c) Program Support Assistance
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">I believe in building a community, and I felt the best way of achieving this within my classroom this year was to volunteer as a class in one place of need throughout the semester.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">I choose for them to work at the Program Support Center (PSC) or also known as the Special Education department within our school. This is where students with special needs and learning abilities stay/visit throughout the day to seek one-on-one assistance.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Each day, two students go to the PSC to offer a hand and report back 10 minutes before class to discuss what they did (helped with homework, spoke with a student they’ve never met, assisted an A.R., helped distribute goods for the breakfast club, etc.)
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Students are able to come together as a team and promote positive attitude towards helping others. They begin to realize that everyone is different; however, that is what makes us unique as people.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">To learn more, here are some additional resources and information you may find useful and interesting. Share the information with more than just yourself!



 * 1) <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|Safe Schools Action Team Reference Groups]
 * 2) <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|Ontario Ministry of Education]
 * 3) <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|Ontario's Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy: Quick Tips]
 * 4) <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|Antiracist Multicultural Education Network of Ontario (AMENO)]
 * 5) <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|Kids Help Phone]
 * 6) <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|Ontario Physical Health and Education Association]
 * 7) <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|Canadian Mental Health Association]
 * 8) <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario]
 * 9) <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|Ontario Student Trustees Association]
 * 10) <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">[|Public Service Alliance of Canada - Ontario Region (LGBTS)]


 * <span style="color: #9f289f; font-family: Georgia,serif;">We are trying to make it a priority that students always feel safe, comfortable and relaxed in their learning environment. However, a major factor in feeling comfortable also means feeling included and accepted. **

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Feel free to also **contact** our school at (905) 459-2390, and ask to speak with me, Ms. Joshi, for more details on how you can make a change. Also visit our school website for updates on coming events which were established to promote diversity, equity and inclusion within our classroom and school wide.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">References
<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Education, Ontario Ministry of. (2010). Caring and Safe Schools in Ontario. Queen's Printer for Ontario.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Education, Ontario Ministry of. (2009). Ontario Equity and Inclusion Strategy. Queen's Printer for Ontario.