Board Policy

Policy 110 — Welcoming, Caring, Respectful and Safe Learning and Working Environments

Grasslands Public Schools

POLICY

The Grasslands Board of Trustees is committed to providing a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning and working environment that respects diversity and fosters a sense of belonging. Each student and staff member within the Division has the right to learn and work in schools that promote equality of opportunity, dignity, and respect. The Board is further committed to providing a safe learning and working environment free from bullying, harassment, discrimination, and violence. All those involved with the Division including trustees, employees, students, parents/guardians, volunteers, contractors, and visitors must share in the responsibility for eliminating bullying, discrimination, harassment, and violence. The Board expects allegations of such behaviours to be investigated in a timely and respectful manner.

GUIDELINES

1. The Board acknowledges its responsibility to ensure welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environments for all students. It recognizes the importance of students' emotional, social, intellectual and physical wellness to their success in school and expects students to adhere to the Division Code of Conduct and Schools' Codes of Conduct.

2. The Alberta Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual's race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religious beliefs, gender, gender identity, gender expression (including pregnancy, sexual harassment, and gender identity), physical disability, mental disability, marital status, family status, source of income, or sexual orientation.

   (This includes those students, staff, and families who identify or are perceived as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirit, queer or questioning their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.)

3. The Board is committed to establishing and maintaining a safe, inclusive, equitable, and welcoming learning and teaching environment for all members of the school community as outlined in the Alberta Human Rights Act.

   WHEREAS it is recognized in Alberta as a fundamental principle and as a matter of public policy that all persons are equal in: dignity, rights and responsibilities without regard to race, religious beliefs, colour, gender, gender identity and gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, age, ancestry, place or origin, marital status, source of income, family status or sexual orientation;

   WHEREAS multiculturalism describes the diverse racial and cultural composition of Alberta Society and its importance is recognized in Alberta as a fundamental principle and matter of public policy:

   WHEREAS it is recognized in Alberta as a fundamental principle as and as a matter of public policy that all Albertans should share in an awareness and appreciation of the diverse racial and cultural composition of society and that the richness of life in Alberta is enhanced by sharing that diversity.

   The Board expects all members of these diverse communities to be welcomed, respected, accepted, and supported in every school.

4. As part of its commitment to ensuring a safe environment, the Board will research and seek input in the planning of facility renovations so that each facility has washrooms and change rooms that maintain privacy and confidentiality for all students, staff and visitors. This will include modifying facilities where necessary to assure that private washrooms are available in each facility.

5. All members of the school community have the right to learn and work in an environment free of discrimination, prejudice, and harassment. This right is guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Alberta Human Rights Act, and Alberta School Act (Section 16.1, 16.2) (Education Act Section 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35.1). These rights shall be supported, and enforced so that all members of the school community may work together in an atmosphere of mutual respect and appreciation for individual differences.

6. The Board expects all trustees, employees, students, parents/guardians, volunteers, visitors, and contractors to embrace and support this policy. This policy covers behaviour not only at Division schools, but also at any school-related activities, or out-of school activities where the behaviour has a negative impact on the individual in a school environment. This applies whether contact is face-to-face, by phone, fax, e-mail, Internet or Intranet, or by any other means of communication. Threatening, harassing, intimidating, assaulting or bullying, in any way, any person within the school community including aggressive behaviours such as "cyber" hate messaging and websites created in the student's home or other settings will be covered by this policy.

7. The Board encourages reporting to a responsible adult all incidents of threats, bullying, harassment, violence or intimidation regardless of the identity of the alleged harasser or offender.