Here’s to a School Year Full of Social Justice in 2011/2012   To all teachers addressing Social Justice issues in your classes, schools and communities here are the new  BCTF Social Justice themed workshops for 2011/2012.  For those teachers I haven’t met, this will be my fourth year as the Social Justice chair  for our local teachers association. I am currently involved researching the level of interest in our local regarding the application for the $25,000 BCTF Regional Social Justice grant. During the last Kootenay Zone meeting, SJ contacts started discussing and planning around an environmental theme. I have sent out an invitation to Severin Suzuki on Haida Gwai, to be our key note speaker. The application is due in November, so if you are interested in finding out more information and getting involved, please contact me via phone or e-mail. Lori Jones has been kind enough to post current SJ events and notices on our NDTA page, so please take a look and encourage other staff members to do so. I am working on getting this page to be interactive for teachers, so they may post their own inspirational SJ projects and events taking place in their classrooms and schools. Hopefully, we can get this up and running ASAP. Until then just forward the event to me to post. If you have any questions related to SJ workshops and resources through out the year, please don’t hesitate to call and have a great year.   BCTF Social Justice Events for the next three months that you may choose to incorporate into your curriculum and lesson planning. September 21-World Day of Peace           21-Community event-Author Izzeldin Abuelaish- Brilliant Cultural Centre 7pm.   October 1-International Day of Older Persons 4-10 National Family Week 4 -“The Coca Cola Story” film showing 7pm Senior Citizens Club, 717 Vernon St. By donation. 17- International Day of the Eradication of Poverty 24- World Development and Information Day   November 11-Rembrance Day 5-11 Veteran’s Week 20-National Child Day 25-International Day of the Elimination of Violence Against Woemn-16 days of action begins 28- Buy Nothing Day   * FREE BCTF  Workshops* which any BCTF member may book via e-mail or the phone through Bonnie Quan Symons at 1-604-871-1857/1-800-663-9163 local 1857.   1.) Assertive communication (newly revised, available November 2011) Want to learn how to stand up for yourself in a direct but non-confrontational manner? This workshop teaches the key principles of communication that allow people to say what they think without losing their cool or reverting to being a doormat.   2.) Linking thinking: Integrating environmental education into all classrooms (new) This interactive workshop provides strategies and lesson plans that teachers can use the next day to integrate environmental education into most aspects of the curriculum. This workshop may include sample lesson plans on environmental, social, and economic issues related to food, habitat loss, transportation, and water. The focus of the workshop is on making environmental education accessible to all teachers and on highlighting the links between curriculum areas and our local communities. Through the incorporation of environmental education into all classrooms, educators and learners alike will be inspired to think critically about consumption and ways to live more responsibly, thus reducing the overall impact humans have on the environment.   3.)  Normalized sexual violence against youth (new) School hallways, walks to and from school and social events, and youth gatherings can be intimidating and overwhelming to female students as they may feel vulnerable to sexual bullying, harassment, and assault. The workshop will explore how to name and address some of the behaviours leading to this normalized culture of sexual violence. It will include information on the statistics of sexual harassment, definitions on the types and forms of sexual harassment and assault, and applicable laws. As well, teachers will learn strategies on how to identify, respond, and address sexual violence and prepare their students to also do so.   4.) Resisting normalized sexual violence against youth (new) School hallways, walks to and from school and social events, and youth gatherings can be intimidating and overwhelming to female students as they may feel vulnerable to sexual bullying, harassment, and assault. The workshop will explore how to name and address some of the behaviours leading to this normalized culture of sexual violence. It will include information on the statistics of sexual harassment, definitions on the types and forms of sexual harassment and assault, and applicable laws. As well, teachers will learn strategies on how to identify, respond, and address sexual violence and prepare their students to also do so.   5.) Teachers can make a difference for children living in poverty (new) This new workshop is a continuation from Poverty as a classroom issue. Participants will be challenged to examine their attitudes and beliefs about poverty. Specific strategies and pedagogy will be incorporated that will provide teachers with tools and perspectives to challenge and transform the current poverty crisis in our classrooms, schools, and communities.   6.) Poverty in Every Classroom (revised) BC has the highest poverty rate in Canada and 20% of all our children live in poverty. This workshop helps teachers to develop an awareness of the issue of poverty and its implication for our students. It will provide challenges for teachers on the assumptions we make about children living in poverty and provide strategies for teachers on how to support children who may be experiencing discrimination at school due to their socio-economic status.   Thank you, Shannon Lanaway. TTOC

Ivan Coyote Illuminates LVR

Grade 9 Medicine Wheel Round Up