Education
February 26, 2010Minister Announces
Recipients of Safe and Caring Schools Grants
The Wall of Virtues. The Peace Place. Catch Me Good.
These are just some of the safe and caring schools
initiatives created by students and teachers that are
receiving support through the Provincial Government's
Safe and Caring Schools Special
Project Grants. The Honourable Darin King, Minister of
Education, announced the successful schools today during
International Stand up to Bullying Day.
"Today is an appropriate occasion to showcase schools
which are going above and beyond to make their school
environments safe and caring places to learn and grow,"
said Minister King. "Bullying or intimidation of any
kind is simply unacceptable. It is imperative that our
classrooms, schools and playgrounds are places where
students feel safe, secure and ready to learn. That is
exactly what the Safe and Caring Schools Program aims to
accomplish."
Schools are invited to send in applications detailing
their proposed projects for the grants on an annual
basis. Thirty schools in total were selected from across
Newfoundland and Labrador for 2010 (see backgrounder),
each receiving a grant of $500 for a total investment of
$15,000 this year.
Minister King also noted that the Department of
Education is currently receiving applications for the
Graduating Student Awards. These awards acknowledge the
contribution of youth in establishing and maintaining
safe and caring schools and communities. Graduating
students may apply, indicating their leadership in
projects or activities aimed at improving the safety and
well-being of their schools and/or communities. Awards
will be granted in the form of a $500 tuition voucher.
More information is available at
www.gov.nl.ca/edu.
Since the implementation of the Safe and Caring
Schools Policy in 2006, a position with the Department
of Education has been devoted solely to this initiative
and to support districts and schools. This is in
addition to the seven behaviour support specialists who
are working with teachers and students across the
province.
There has also been a significant amount of
professional development to help make schools safe.
Thirty pilot schools across the province have been
trained and supported in inclusive practices, which will
ultimately expand to all schools. As well, extensive
training for districts has occurred over the last five
years to promote positive behaviour supports.
"Bullying is harmful and hurtful, and without
intervention a significant proportion of youth who bully
others in childhood will continue to use their power
negatively through adolescence and into adulthood," said
Minister King. "By working together, as students,
teachers, parents and communities, we can ensure our
students start out right and that schools offer only
positive learning experiences."
For more information on violence prevention, visit
Media contact:
Tara Power
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 727-5953
tarapower@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Safe and Caring Schools Special
Project Grant Recipients and Project Names
Labrador School District:
Peacock Primary School – Buddy: ASK – A Proactive
Approach to Behaviour and Social Skill Development
J.R. Smallwood Middle School – We Respect Campaign
B. L. Morrison – Doing It Right
Western School District:
St. Boniface All Grade – Respect Day
Our Lady of Mercy – Positive Behaviour Supports (PBS)
Humber Elementary – Catch Me Good
Roncalli Central High – Positive Behaviour Supports
Piccadilly Central High - Piccadilly Central High
School Action Committee
Presentation Junior High – Positive Behaviour
Supports
Belanger Memorial – Filling Your Bucket
Nova Central School District:
Sprucewood Academy – Creating A Bucket Filling School
Hillview Academy – Hillview Hawks S.O.A.R.
Exploits Valley Intermediate – PBS for EVI
Hillside Elementary - Hillside Elementary's Safe and
Caring Schools Launch
Gander Academy – Be Positive Project
Riverwood Academy - Positive Behaviour Supports
Launch
Avoca Collegiate – Avoca Collegiate PBS
Implementation
Eastern School District:
Laval High – Three Schools Collide at Laval
Baccalieu Collegiate – AWARE
Matthew Elementary – The Wall of Virtues
Balbo Elementary – Bobcats have SOLE
Lake Academy – Anti-Bullying Initiative
St. Georges Elementary – St. Georges Gives Back
Holy Heart of Mary – Mentorship of At-Risk Students
Bishop Field – The Peace Place
Brother Rice Junior High – International Club
Holy Spirit High – Student Personal and Academic
Development
Holy Family – Positive Behaviour Supports
Vanier Elementary – Vanier Sea Stars
Conseil scolaire francophone:
École Boréale – Emotional support for students
studying a language other than English and for students
having physical or intellectual differences
2010 02 26 9:55 a.m.