Anglophone West School District will be hosting professional learning sessions
for staff this month in relation to Sexual Violence Policy (703-14).
“Anglophone West School
District is committed to providing safe learning environments,” said Acting
Superintendent Catherine Blaney. “This policy has been developed to raise
awareness and create a clear understanding of the issue so we can respond properly
across the district and work to prevent sexual violence in our schools. The upcoming
professional learning sessions will support capacity building as part of the
policy implementation process.”
Forty school principals and
guidance counsellors from 19 high schools will attend the sessions at the
Oromocto Education Centre on March 21 and the Woodstock Education Centre on
March 23. The sessions run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.
Sexual Violence Policy
(703-14) came into effect in the Anglophone West School District in July 2017,
following the formation of a steering committee and extensive consultations
with students, teachers and other key stakeholders.
The policy applies to all
students from kindergarten to Grade 12.
“The issue of sexual violence
is being widely debated on an international level,” said Tanya Whitney,
Leadership Support Lead for Anglophone West School District. “We are being
pro-active by bringing this policy forward and by providing staff with the
training and tools they need to prioritize safety and prevention so all students
have a positive learning environment.”
Future professional learning
sessions are also being planned for staff from middle and elementary schools in
the district.
Other initiatives are also
underway to continue engaging students in sexual violence prevention and
promoting safe and respectful learning environments at school.
“Sexual
violence has always been a part of society and this work acknowledges that it
can affect people of all ages,” explained Fredericton High School teacher
William Milner. “As an educational institution, we are here to provide support
and help to our students impacted by sexual violence.”
“These
learning sessions are a way to unify our administrative staff in working to
prevent sexual violence in our schools and in our society, to support students
impacted by sexual violence, and to connect with community resources in the
fight against sexual violence,” added Jennifer Lukings, another teacher at Fredericton High. “They will
provide administrators with practical tools in this work.”
More information on Sexual
Violence Policy (703-14) can be found on the Anglophone West School District’s
website at www.web1.nbed.nb.ca Click on About Us, Policies, Health and
Safety.
Media contact: Judy Cole,
communications, Anglophone West School District, 506-444-2852.