Education and Early Childhood Development
Executive Council
February 25, 2015
Promoting Safe and Caring Learning Environments
Pink Shirt Day Highlights Importance of Safe and Caring Schools
The Safe and Caring Schools Policy continues to be implemented in schools throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, and today, Pink Shirt Day, the Provincial Government is highlighting the importance of respectful, caring attitudes both in class and at home.
�Pink Shirt Day is embraced by students, teachers, administration and families all over Newfoundland and Labrador. Today students promote schools free of violence by wearing pink, signing anti-bullying pledges, participating in team building exercises and viewing anti-bullying videos, among other activities. Our government is encouraging students and families to carry that sentiment all year long. All students deserve to feel safe, protected, and accepted � both inside and outside of school � and our investments in inclusive education and our Safe and Caring Schools Policy are providing important supports that contribute to school environments that are free from bullying. I congratulate all students, staff and families for their efforts today, during this Violence Awareness Week and throughout the entire school year.�
- Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development
The revised Safe and Caring Schools Policy, launched in 2013, provides direction for schools on establishing and maintaining a positive school climate, an essential condition for effective school-wide bullying prevention. Since 2011, the Provincial Government has invested over $2 million into the safe and caring schools initiative, including the provision of educators at the district level dedicated to the implementation of the Safe and Caring Schools policy. The Provincial Government has also continued support for the Safe and Caring Schools Special Projects Awards. These awards recognize school-based projects that foster safe, caring learning environments for students and staff.
�The vision of the Provincial Government�s Violence Prevention Initiative is for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to live, learn and work in a society where violence is not acceptable. The enthusiasm of our young people throughout the province to help create a society free from violence is encouraging. The elimination of violence in our society is of significant importance to our government as we continue to support the Violence Prevention Initiative.�
� The Honourable Judy Manning, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women
Pink Shirt Day coincides with Violence Awareness Week in schools, and builds on activities which have taken place in February as part of Violence Prevention Month.
QUICK FACTS
- Schools and students throughout Newfoundland and Labrador are celebrating Pink Shirt Day today.
- Pink Shirt Day supports the Provincial Government�s revised Safe and Caring Schools Policy, launched in 2013. The policy provides guidelines for schools on establishing and maintaining positive school climates, an essential condition for effective school-wide bullying prevention.
- Since 2011, the Provincial Government has invested over $2 million into the safe and caring schools initiative.
- For more on the Provincial Government�s safe and caring initiatives visit //www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/safeandcaring/index.html.
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Media Contacts:
| Jennifer Tulk Director of Communications Department of Education and Early Childhood Development 709-729-0048, 728-4104 jennifertulk@gov.nl.ca |
Gina MacArthur Communications Specialist Women�s Policy Office 709-729-6225, 730-2977 ginamacarthur@gov.nl.ca |
2015 02 25 10:10 a.m.