In the Workplace
Classroom Learning
What is the learning environment in the classroom?
Sources
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Equity for all Students
Nova Scotia appreciates and promotes a school environment that respects, celebrates and values racial and cultural diversity. Equity means there should be no discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, gender, sexual orientation, exceptionalities and family status. The Racial Equity Policy of Nova Scotia makes sure that education is fair; everyone should have equitable learning opportunities for success in school. Visit here to view this policy. (Read More 1)
Samples from the Racial Equity Policy
The Department of Education develops and carries out policies, procedures and practices in employment, staff development, program development and service delivery that progresses racial equity in each level and sector of the department.
The Department of Education promotes and supports the delivery of curriculum that is sensitive to and respectful of the culture and heritage of all learners.
The Department of Education promotes and supports the Principles for Fair Student Assessment Practices for Education in Canada. The department develops and supports assessment that confirms racial equity for all learners.
The Department of Education promotes and supports instructional practices that affirm racial equity for all learners.
The Department of Education respects and values a learner\'s first language.
The Department of Education supports counselling, guidance and career and personal planning that focuses on a learner\'s culture, heritage, experiences, perspectives, background, learning needs and ambitions.
The Department of Education is committed to providing learning environments that progress equity for all learners.
The Department of Education engages in equitable practices with partners in the education system and the broader community.
Healthy Living
The Nova Scotia government promotes healthy living. The program is called Health Promoting Schools. This involves many programs, activities and services that take place in schools and their communities. Some of the main school health initiatives in the province are healthy eating, physical activity, youth sexual health, tobacco reduction, addiction and injury prevention in the school setting. Visit here to see the policies under Food and Nutrition (Read More 2) (See Source 1)
Safe Schools
The goal of Safe Schools is to create peaceful learning environments. Safe Schools offers training, resources and individual support to help schools in achieving this goal.
Safe Schools
- supports schools in helping students build healthy relationships; manage conflict well; cyberbullying safety and awareness; and promote skills related to social emotional development
- researches resources for schools and conducts teacher professional development around promoting positive school environments and other safe schools issues
- provides individual support to find appropriate/fair solutions to conflict
- provides workshops to staff, families and other members of the school community on topics related to building peaceful school environments. (See Source 2)
Bullying
Bullying is taken very seriously in school. Bullying happens when a student or group of students focus on an individual again and again over time, using physical or psychological aggression to hurt the victim. This includes use of e-mail or internet to harass and/or intimidate others. Every reasonable effort is made to protect students from threats of violence or physical harm.
Visit here to view resources on bullying (Read More 3) This site also links to an online reporting form to report bullying or cyberbullying. (See Source 3)
Reporting Possible Harm to Children
Any time a teacher or other school staff member sees signs that a child may have been mistreated, neglected or abused they must by law report it to provincial child protection services. Everyone has a duty to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect. A person does not have to give his/her name when he/she makes a report.
Visit here to view documents that outline protocols and procedures for identifying and reporting, investigating and concluding complaints of suspected child abuse, discrimination and sexual harassment. (Read More 4)
