A commitment to Positive School Climate and Student Well-Being
The District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) believes that providing students with an opportunity to learn and develop in a safe and respectful society is a shared responsibility in which school boards and schools play an important role. A safe, inclusive, and accepting learning environment that promotes healthy relationships and behaviours is essential for student success and well-being. To reach their full potential, children and youth must feel safe, included, and engaged in school. A whole-school approach to an inclusive social climate based on caring and respectful relationships among and between students, teachers, other school staff, parents, and school administrators is a necessary supporting condition for learning.
Positive School Climate
The DSBN recognizes the importance of maintaining a positive school climate, which may be defined as the learning environment and relationships in a school. A positive school climate exists when
- everyone in the school community feels safe, included, and accepted;
- everyone actively promotes positive behaviours and interactions;
- equity and inclusive education are embedded in the learning environment;
- there is a culture of mutual respect.
Student Well-being
The DSBN is committed to promoting the healthy development of students and enabling all students to reach their full potential. Student’s health and well-being contributes to their ability to learn and attain academic success, and that learning and/or academic success contributes to overall well-being. The DSBN strives to support the well-being of all students by creating, fostering, and sustaining safe, healthy, caring, inclusive, and accepting learning environments.
There are four key components that guide the DSBN’s commitment and approach to fostering student well-being. They include the following:
- Positive Mental Health
- Safe and Accepting Schools
- Healthy Schools
- Equity and Inclusive Education