On Tuesday, we heard a very interesting talk by Barry Davidson, from the Society for Safe and Caring Schools and Communities. The Society started as a task force set up in the 1990s to develop materials and programs for Alberta schools on anti-bullying. It has now evolved into a not for profit Society that develops materials and training programs to help Alberta legislators, teachers and schools develop programs that promote safe, caring and inclusive environments though promotion of healthy relationships.
 
They do this through various programs with different approaches to combat bullying, violence and exploitation of children and youth. Our children are not always taught how to care, to love and to deal with relationships in a healthy manner, or how to apply critical thinking to solve moral dilemmas. The Society’s guiding principles are to promote healthy relationships, respect and dignity, to provide research based programming resources and workshops, to teach prevention and intervention strategies and to listen, understand and respond to the needs of children and youth in order to help them mobilize their passions, energy and values.
 
One of these programs is the ART (Anger Replacement Therapy) project which aims to teach moral reasoning, social skills and anger management. The project has been implemented in two schools in Alberta so far, one in Wabasca and one just outside of Calgary, and has been life changing for some of the children and their families that have been involved.  Another program is the Orange Shirt Campaign, which will take place on 30 Sept this year, when everyone is encouraged to wear an orange shirt. This commemorates an event that took place many years ago, when a child entering a residential school had her shiny new orange shirt taken away. It will provide an opportunity to remember and come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope, for the new generations of children to come.
 
Visit their website: http://safeandcaring.ca/