The theme of this issue of Perspectives is “Safe and Caring Schools.” There’s no doubt that the concept of safe schools transcends language issues: all students must feel safe at all times. In this respect, French and English schools alike experience the same realities. Yet for French-language schools in minority settings in Canada, caring also […]
Over the last few years, Canada has made important contributions to the research on cyberbullying and sexting—and, in particular, how to address these issues in the classroom. In both cases, this research has led to a change in approach, with less emphasis on risk and punishment and more on promoting respect and consent. With regards […]
The Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF-FCE) and its Member organizations have made safety in schools a priority. Likewise, Ministries of Education in most, if not all, provinces and territories have invested in curricula and professional learning to promote “safe and caring schools”. Here at home, policies, protocols and programs have been developed to ensure that our […]
Privilege. When most people hear the word “privilege” they automatically assume a negative context, an oppression of some sorts. That is not the case. Privilege can be examined in many aspects, and is something that everyone has in some form—20/20 vision, perfect hearing, able bodied, cisgender, straight… As a cisgender straight woman, I use that […]
This morning as I was doing the proverbial parent dance of balancing meal preparation, wiping counters, and stuffing backpacks with clothes and books, my eight-year-old son charged at me and slapped me hard on my back. I winced from the pain and shock, because having been preoccupied by the chaos of Monday morning, I hadn’t […]
“Cassie Hallett, please report to the office immediately following morning announcements.” I can still hear the vice-principal’s voice—strong, clear, and just a tad sterner than usual, over the school PA. I was 14 years old, in Grade 9, and I could not imagine why I was in trouble. I took a deep breath, tried to stop […]
