First World Café for SWLSB! - Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board

International Day against Homophobia...continued from page 11The project was presented to SWLSB’s Council of Commissionerswho support unanimously the International Day againstHomophobia on May 17, 2012.Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board's mission is based on therecognition of the dignity and worth of every person and onacademic success;The school board promotes a work and study environment freeof harassment and violence;Homophobia is a form of harassment that can lead to violence;Several studies have revealed that homophobic acts orlanguage can have a negative psychological impact on thepeople targeted;Homophobia can discourage students from persevering inschool and succeeding;The Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation;On December 11, 2009, the Minister of Justice released the Québec Policy against Homophobia;The Council of Commissioners encourages initiatives from its schools and centres to denounce homophobic acts, behaviors,remarks and attitudes.The school board is committed to working with unions and associations to adopt the appropriate awareness and actionmeasures aimed at preventing and combating homophobia in each of its schools and centres.After receiving support from SWLSB’s Director General and Assistant Director General, the SWLSB’s Council of Commissioners,McCaig’s Teacher Council, and McCaig’s Governing Board, the International Day Against Homophobia activities and assemblieswere piloted at McCaig Elementary on February 10 th , 2012. Teachers worked with their students on activities by grade level. Manyof the junior activities stemmed from picture books about respecting differences. The senior activities invited students to learnthrough media. All students learnt the significance of the colours of the rainbow and then proceeded to make rainbow friendshipbracelets. The day’s events culminated with both a junior andsenior assembly where students pledged to stand up againstbullying together. Mountainview Elementary will be the nextschool to celebrate this wonderful day of respect and acceptanceon March 16th. Principal, Darlene Miller, has been dedicated tothis project since the beginning, and she looks forward to sharingthe fruits of her labour with her own school community.On February 15 th , 2012, the project was presented to all elementaryand high school principals in hopes that together we can doour part to continue to spread the message that unkind words,homophobic actions, and bullying of any kind will not betolerated. We hope that this special day will be celebrated byelementary schools across the board on and around the officialinternational celebration date on May 17 th , 2012.SIR WILFRID LAURIER SCHOOL BOARD Page 12 VOLUME 3 · ISSUE 3 · March 2012