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September 14, 2016 : Race, Culture, and Human Rights

A New Year... A New You:The kick off to this year may have been the best yet within RCH! We have hit the ground running with RCH starting before our first day with students. I am happy to say that there has already been 8 RCH Professional Development sessions across our board with over 250 educators and support staff in attendance!

So what has PD from RCH look liked and what can you do to support Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) in both your school and your classroom? The first thing we’ve discussed is that everyone has a culture and that culture is not only seen. Culture is who we are as a whole. It is not just colour/race. So in our PD sessions we have been talking about what culture is in classrooms and schools. In those discussions, we push folks with questions and dialogue about equity, social justice, race, gender identity, and more. We cannot move forward until we have these honest conversations. We also cannot move forward until folks recognize that everyone, even me, come with bias, power and privilege. In order to work with students and families, we have to know where we are coming from. Another thing we’ve talk about is data. Data, as we all know, drives decision making.We

can’t ignore this. I have been working over the past two years to bring data together for our

board. What the data does tell us is that we have work to do to support and include students of Aboriginal and African Nova Scotian descent, LGBT+ students, low socio-economic students, and others. Finally, we’ve talked about the

action. It is important to dig into not just the “pie-in-the-sky” ideas of what we want our schools to look like, but what is the lived experience for students/families. We must ask: What is actually happening in schools/classrooms? What are our policies and practices?Do they hinder students? What do we do to exclude students? How do we equalize the playing field for all? I am excited to come into schools this year and support a shift in thinking. As we do, together, we can continue to better the academic experience for ALL students! See ya around schools!

SSRSB RCH Newsletter

Education Newsletter September 8, 2016 Volume VII

SEPTEMBERSeptember 5Labour Day

September 13Eid-al-Adha

September 15Stand Up Against Bullying Day

September 21International Day of Peace

September 29World Maritime Day

OCTOBER:*Mi'kmaq History Month (NS)*Women's History Month (National) *Canadian Library Month

October 1Mi’kmaq Treaty Day

October 10 Thanksgiving Day Canada

October 18Persons Day

October 29Diwali/Deepavali

STUDENT SUPPORT WORKERSThe Student Support Worker supports students of African and Aboriginal descent academically,

culturally and socially. They can help in classrooms as well as provide programming and educational support. If you have questions or need support, please contact the RCH Coordinator for more information.

Shelly Whynot: Dr. J.C. Wickwire (Home School) South Queens Middle School, Liverpool Regional High School, Forest Hights Community School902-350-2880 swhynot@ssrsb.ca

Teresa Provo: North Queens Comm School (Home School), Bridgewater Elementary School, Bridgewater Jr/Sr. High School, Hebbville Academy902-521-9329 tprovo@ssrsb.ca

Sheila Porter: Chester District Elem. School (Home School) and Chester Area Middle School 902-521-3314 sporter@ssrsb.ca

April Hiltz: Park View Education Centre (Home School), Bayview Community School, Bluenose Academy 902-521-9812 ahiltz@ssrsb.ca

OCTOBER IS MI’KMAQ HISTORY MONTH: DON’T WAIT TO RELATE IT TO YOUR CURRICULUM

HERE ARE SOME RESOURCES THAT YOU MAY FIND TO BE OF INTEREST IN PREPARING FOR OCTOBER

1) Mi'kmaq History Month website: http://mikmaqhistorymonth.com/

2)Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre: http://www.mikmaweydebert.ca/home/" ** Listen to stories from elders under the “Sharing our stories’ tab

3) Aboriginal Affairs (Teacher resources): http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1302868012055/1302868605384

4)Legacy of hope: http://www.legacyofhope.ca

5) Nova Scotia Museum: https://museum.novascotia.ca/fr/resources/mikmaq" **The museum also loans out a kit called a First Peoples: Prehistory to 1900

6)Witness Blanket Project: http://witnessblanket.ca/#!/project/

7) Library: http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/aboriginal-heritage/Pages/introduction.aspx

8)Mi’kmaq Online: www.mikmaqonline.org

SOCIAL JUSTICE: Get your kids involved!Mark your calendars October 13th We are lucky to have a Social Justice professional development session again this year. The 2016-17 PD session is designed based on specific requests and feedback of We Act educators.  It aims to provide teachers with tangible and practical resources and strategies that they can take back to their classrooms and groups. This collaborative workshop allows educators the opportunity to dig deep into a number of Free The Children resources, identifying specific goals, and strategizing with their peers to achieve these goals. Educators will walk away from this session not only with a collection of new and fresh ideas, but also with a network of like-minded educators who are willing and eager to share personal resources and strategies. More info to come soon!

EQUITY with school supplies: A Different Approach

Equity with school supplies:When we think of equity, there is a lot that may come to mind: ipads, shoes, food, transportation, access to school sports and more. I wonder though how often we think of equity when it comes to what we are asking from families in order to get students “ready” for class. My suggestion: 1) put one reminder out to parents which is generic and then 2) don't ask again. If they haven't paid, then I believe we should operate on the belief

that it could cause hardship and that is why it hasn't come forward.

Of course, it requires then that we make sure we provide the top up to those classrooms or classroom accounts for the amounts not sent in. This should be a conversation with staff and admin and goes to equity. Usually, it is only one or 2 and in some classes, all families have sent in the money. If the school provides supplies, ask yourself this, how do families know?

Link to webinar on Culturally Responsive Teaching:https://dvl.ednet.ns.ca/videos/culturally-responsive-teaching Link to disaggregated assessment data:https://plans.ednet.ns.ca/disaggregated-results

The Africville Story Map: http://arcg.is/1MsaVrl.

Free Mi’kmaq language app L'nui'suti by Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey:https://appsto.re/ca/e1sW2.i

Mi’kmaq keyboard along with many other indigenous languages:https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/firstvoices-keyboards/id1066651145?mt=8

CRAIG SMITHCraig Smith is an African Nova Scotian author and presents to junior and senior schools. Some of the topics he presents on are Atlantic Canadian & African Nova Scotian achievements; the Black experience in RCMP; African Nova Scotian trivia; No. 2 Construction Battalion; and Atlantic Canadian Black Sports heroes.

Maritime Centre for African DanceThe Maritime Centre for African Dance will host Kwanzaa workshops in schools as well as educate through African dance and drumming, Afro beats & Caribbean dance. These workshops promote Healthy Living, Physical Activity, Cultural Education and inclusivity!

Henry BishopHave Henry Bishop come in and do African drumming with your class or school community? He has recently gained credential as a "Mental Health Facilitator" certification from the IWK Children's Hospital. There is a great deal of benefits in this field being revealed and I wish you every chance to explore this amazing program with your students.

Mi’kmaq History Month Educator’s ConferenceWikuom Cultural Services is holding a Mi’kmaq Cultural Conference on October 6 & 7, 2016.  This is a two day conference featuring Mi’kmaw presenters from all over NS that will connect you with knowledge and resources for teaching about traditional land use, values, spiritual beliefs, art, history, food, music and oral tradition. Participants will also have the opportunity to experience Mi’kmaq culture with all their senses.  Your eyes will be dazzled by Mi’kmaw dancing, your ears and hearts will feel the connection to the drum, you will taste an array of wild foods, have the opportunity to participate in a sweatlodge ceremony, talking circle, and a nature walk. You will smell the sweetgrass each morning when we smudge. All teachers are also encouraged to bring in a flash drive with resources/lesson plans they would like to share and at the end everyone will go home with a flash drive full of new information, resources and lesson ideas. For further information log on: www.wikuom.com.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCHOOLS AND EDUCATORS

A National Mentorship Program for Indigenous Youth

What is In.Business?• Links Indigenous high school students with Indigenous business mentors

• Explores business concepts through social media and currrent technology

• Faciliates collaborative and interactive learning through in-person conferences

• Enriches the lives of high school students by helping manage the transition to post-secondary business education

• Attracts Indigenous high school students to the study of business

Purdy Crawford Chair

Canadian Aboriginal Business Network

@cbu_inbusiness

@CBU_InBusiness

For more information visit our website:www.cbuinbusiness.ca

“ This program has opened my eyes to the area of business I want to pursue.”Julian Marshall, Membertou First Nation, NS

WE Stand Together

● Examine the social, political and economic forces that have shaped

Aboriginal People ● To develop students’ reading, writing, critical and creative thinking skills as

they learn about First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultures. ● Students will gain an understanding of actions youth have taken to

address these issues to promote social change. Professional Learning Session WE Schools’ Professional Learning sessions are hands-on, discussion based workshops that focus on empowering students to think beyond themselves and help them gain a better understanding of their community and the social justice issues that exist around them. At the sessions this year, SSRSB educators shared experiences and ideas with their peers on how to effectively engage students in service both inside and outside the classroom. Using a sample WE Schools’ lesson, SSRSB educators had the opportunity to gain a clear understanding of where to find support in reaching their social justice education goals. SSRSB Session Highlights

Date & Time School Location Participation Numbers

October 27, 2015 1:00pm – 4:00pm

South Shore Regional School Board Office

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SSRSB Educator Testimonials from sessions: “Janna (facilitator) relates to educators, listens to ideas and created an environment that brought ideas forward while pushing their thinking and goals for students. This was great PD!” “The chance to work and collaborate with other educators that have the same passion for service learning is valuable and exciting. We need MORE opportunities to connect and collaborate”.

SSRSB SOCIAL

JUSTICE:

“I feel more confident in using the materials provided as well as have a plan to collaborate with other teachers to achieve the goals”. WE School Coordinators: Spotlight Schools

North Queens Community School Educator: Julie Ramey “We hosted a Red Hand Day Campaign to create awareness around the issue of child soldiering. Our students learned a great deal through this process and through their research, broadened their world view. We did have an incredible week with our awareness campaign connected to red hand day. Our team worked to educate the school community on the realities of child soldiering”. West Northfield Elementary School Educator: Kathryn Mcnally “I have always had a group of children in my school who are involved in "caring” initiatives for others. We have called it the ‘Caring Kids Club’ but lately I have decided to also focus globally so that students have a better understanding of the struggles of the rest of the world. This year along with their participation in WE Scare Hunger and WE Bake for Change, my students researched clean water issues in Kenya”.

WE Schools Teachers: Program Testimonials In the Year in Review report, we asked teachers to describe their experience with the program and explain why they participate. Below are some testimonials from your school board. “Our students partnered with White Point Resorts to help protect the Piping Plover population within the South Shore. Our students created a small task force to help with the conservation of the piping plover. I know this is not directly linked to some of the issues raised by We Day, but our students took pride in the work they did with the conservation groups”. – Garren Surette at South Queens Middle School “We Schools fits with our philosophy of changing the world one small act of kindness at a time. The materials and resources are youth friendly, easy to use and inspirational. Our students find the campaigns to be educational and are engaged by the activities”. – Julie Ramey at North Queens Community School “Halloween for Hunger (WE Scare Hunger) is always one of our most successful campaigns to help provide awareness and collect food for our local food bank. We visited the food bank before the holidays as well in order for the students to see how it worked, what they needed and learn about some of the different family situations. A group of students from our Me to We group also volunteered to put a new coat of paint on the walls inside the food bank to help brighten it up and make it a more comfortable place to go”. – Julie Lohnes at Bridgewater Junior Senior High School “I have been working with our Students for Social Justice at Hebbville Academy for the past 8 years and doing local projects and international projects. When I saw a presentation from Free The Children staff two years ago I felt your programs were a perfect match for our students. I was very impressed with the on line resources available to us as well”. – Sandra Himmelman at Hebbville Academy “I am personally committed to the program as it fosters a kindness and compassion for others in our students while allowing them to develop leadership skills”. – Krista Longard at Park View Education Centre

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