Education
May 12, 2009Provincial
Government Supports Safe, Caring Schools
Thirty schools throughout the province have received
some assistance from the Provincial Government in making their schools
safe, respectful environments. In total, $15,000 in grants was approved
this year under the Department of Education�s Safe and Caring Schools
Special Project Fund, with each school receiving a maximum of $500.
"Safe and caring schools are created and nurtured on a
daily basis in classrooms, gymnasiums and playgrounds around the
province and it is important that all educators and parents instill
respectful behaviour at a young age," said the Honourable Darin King,
Minister of Education. "These grants help students and teachers with
implementing their own creative ideas for promoting safe and respectful
environments. I congratulate the schools for submitting such a diverse
list of proposals and for recognizing that there are many ways to create
a positive school climate."
Schools submitted project proposals which were
reviewed by the provincial advisory committee for the Safe and Caring
Schools initiative. Projects which best reflected the goals of the
initiative and best contribute to a safe and caring learning environment
were chosen for funding.
Safe and Caring Schools is a component of the
Provincial Government�s Violence Prevention Initiative. In 2006, a Safe
and Caring Schools policy was introduced, and sets the foundation for
the work undertaken by all members of a school community to maintain
positive learning environments. Minister King said that as part of this
initiative, a Safe and Caring Schools handbook is under development and
is due to be released this fall. The handbook will guide administrators
and teachers in ways to create and maintain a safe school community.
"I commend students, teachers and administrators
throughout the province for their dedication to promoting respectful
learning environments," said Minister King. "Every opportunity must be
seized to ensure that our schools are safe, caring and respectful, and
we will continue to work in partnership with school districts and school
communities to achieve the best possible learning experience for
students."
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Media contact:
Jacquelyn Howard
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 689-2624
jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca
