Released on October 16, 2000
Education Minister Jim Melenchuk today kicked off Education Week, October 15th– 21st, with the announcement of a provincial program to help schools encourage
caring and respectful student behaviour.
"St. Marguerite in Saskatoon exemplifies the type of caring and respectful
school that this initiative is all about," Melenchuk said. "St. Marguerite has
been recognized by the League of Peaceful Schools for its efforts in creating a
peaceful school setting. The school has a code of conduct developed in
partnership with parents and students and a school-wide peer mediation program."
This initiative will capture what is already happening within Saskatchewan
schools and develop a blueprint for improvement. The Caring and Respectful
Schools program will provide additional direction and support to schools by:
developing a framework for caring and respectful schools, cultures,
climate and relationships;
identifying curriculum resources regarding instruction of core social
skills including
co-operation, assertion, responsibility, empathy and self-control; and
developing strategies for dealing with harassment, bullying, aggression
and violence.
In the 2000 Budget, $13 million in provincial funding was allocated to school
boards to enhance their prevention and intervention programming for students
with behavioural challenges.
"This year's theme for Education Week is Learning Together. The caring and
respectful schools initiative will go a long way to helping our schools become
places where all our diverse students can grow and learn together," Melenchuk
said.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Wanda Lyons
Saskatchewan Education
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-6052