Education and Early Childhood Development
February 25, 2016

Supporting Inclusive School Environments

Nominations Open for the Inclusive Education Award

As part of Inclusive Education Month, the Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living (NLACL) has opened nominations for their annual Inclusive Education Award. Each year the NLACL honours a K-12 school for their outstanding efforts to develop and design their classrooms, programs and activities so that all students can participate in all aspects of school life.

�Students have a right to attend school with their peers while receiving appropriate and quality programming in safe, caring and inclusive environments. Inclusive schools embrace the diversity of our communities and employ collaborative approaches to teaching and learning. I encourage all of our schools to acknowledge and celebrate their inclusive environments by applying for the Inclusive Education Award.�
- The Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development

The NLACL is a non-profit organization that works with and on behalf of individuals with an intellectual disability and their families. This year, the guidelines for the Inclusive Education Award have been updated. For further information on the new guidelines and the Inclusive Education Award, please visit www.nlacl.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/NLACL-Inclusive-Education-Award-2016-Information-and-Application.pdf . The deadline for submissions is March 25, 2016.

�Each year NLACL is proud to honour a school that has embodied the spirit of creating an environment that is welcoming and inclusive for students with an intellectual disability. We know that inclusive schools build inclusive communities by celebrating diversity and the unique contributions we all offer.�
- Pamela Anstey, Executive Director, NL Association for Community Living

The Provincial Government�s Inclusive Education Initiative began in 2009 with 30 schools. By the end of June 2017, all schools in the province will have received professional learning on inclusive practices. For more on the Provincial Government�s Inclusive Education Initiative visit www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/inclusion.html

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is committed to fostering safe, caring and inclusive environments enabling all students to reach their full potential.

QUICK FACTS

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Media contacts:

Blair Medd
Director of Communications
Department of Education and Early
Childhood Development
709-729-0048, 631-8465
blairmedd@gov.nl.ca		 Pamela Anstey
Executive Director (Acting)
Newfoundland and Labrador Association for
Community Living
709-722-0790
pama@nlacl.ca

2016 02 25                             2:40 p.m.