SACSC Special Programs/Projects

The Society, through its projects, has developed several special programs that can be implemented independently or as part of the SACSC comprehensive approach.

The non-SACSC programs, indicated by and asterisk *, have been developed by SACSC partners and are listed here because they are effective programs and work exceptionally well with SACSC implementation.

Global Education

This program offers a comprehensive, provincial approach to global education that focuses on international development and the important role that Canadian students can play now and later in their adult lives. Resources include lesson plans, workshops and research papers.

Click here for more information on the Global Education Program, or to download related resources. Resources for workshops are distributed through the SACSC office only.

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Youth Action

The Youth Action program provides an opportunity within the school for youth to identify and address specific issues and interests. Youth participants conduct research among their peers and then develop, undertake and evaluate projects that address the issues/interests they uncover. Working in collaboration with school staff, The Society facilitates the project in each individual school. Youth Action could be a class project or an endeavour of an extra curricular volunteer group, appropriate for any group of interested students.

What is Action Research?
Action research is a strategy that students can use to investigate an area of interest that is specific to their school. The Youth Action process that the Society has designed provides the structure for students to engage in a planned, systematic and documented process of learning. The action research process involves four main steps:

• selecting a focus (for example, students might choose to focus on global issues, diversity issues, or safe and caring topics such as bullying or self esteem)
• collecting data (using the action research process)
• analyzing and interpreting the data
• and taking action (designing and undertaking projects based on research findings)

Click here for more information on the Youth Action Program, or to download related resources. Resources for workshops are distributed through the SACSC office only.

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SACSC Restorative Justice Program

Restorative Justice is a philosophy of healing relationships that have been broken by conflict and crime. In this approach, crime is considered a violation against individuals, families, and communities, as well as against society.

The SACSC restorative justice approach to group conferencing is an integral and fundamental component of the Society's safe and caring programming. It offers knowledge and skills for educators, parents, and community helpers to respectfully work with children in a safe, non-coercive environment to help them learn self-discipline and become productive, principled citizens. This restorative approach helps participants understand why they behave and provides problem-solving skills that strengthen people as they learn to fix their mistakes, repair relationships, and return to balance. Self-discipline results in improved self-esteem, healthier relationships, and increased achievement. In schools where the SACSC Restorative Justice approach is implemented as a part of the SACSC comprehensive program, it is expected that discipline incidents will continue to decline, school attendance increase, grades improve, and students, staff and parents enjoy a more caring school community. Negative behaviour does not need to be criminal to benefit from this approach, but simply cause an issue that negatively impacts individuals, classrooms or the school as a whole.

Many of the steps of the SACSC Restorative Justice Process require continual use in order to successfully build and sustain a safe and caring environment where all student s can learn. School staff members create their own appropriate timeline and employ action research to determine which activities and teaching practices are most appropriate for their school. Society staff supports school staff during the first years of implementation. Following initial support, each school has the training and resources to sustain the programming independently. Teachers use curriculum resource materials as an introduction to restorative justice—definition, philosophy and process. Year one focuses on classroom meetings, using the SACSC resource booklet Class Meetings for Safe and Caring Schools. Year two includes training for staff and student facilitators, a script for conferencing and further information about the approach as well as traditional healing circles and other restorative justice programs.

Please click here to download program resources. Resources for workshops are distributed through the SACSC office only.

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*The ATA's Healthy Interactions Program

Healthy Interactions is a communications/conflict-resolution program that the Alberta Teachers Association offers in collaboration with individual school districts. The program trains professional staff representatives to deliver workshops for schools within their jurisdiction. The workshops prepare participants to use effective communication and conflict-resolution skills necessary to ensure that school staff members address parental complaints consistently. The program also focuses on helping the jurisdiction to develop appropriate policy and protocols for addressing concerns and to organize campaigns to ensure that parents and the public are aware of the program.

For more information on this program, please visit the ATA website: /www.teachers.ab.ca/Member+Assistance/Healthy+Interactions

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*Alberta Education's Effective Behaviour Support program

Effective Behaviour Supports (EBS) is a system of school-wide processes and individualized instruction designed to prevent and decrease problem behaviour. By receiving ongoing EBS training and support, school communities are able to increase their capacity to work effectively with students with challenging behaviours.

Training and resources for this program are available through Alberta Education. Please visit the following website for additional information: www.education.gov.ab.ca/SafeSchools/

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*UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network program

In 1953, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) initiated the Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet). The purpose of the initiative was to give concrete expression to UNESCO's overarching mission of promoting peace and international cooperation through education. Schools that join ASPnet are committed to promoting UNESCO's ideals by undertaking projects that prepare young people to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex world. ASPnet teachers and students have the chance to work together to develop innovative educational approaches, methods and materials at the local, national and global levels. Read more about ASPnet on UNESCO's website. www.unesco.ca/en/interdisciplinary/aspnet/default.aspx

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It is the Society’s goal to provide all of its resources and information online, for no charge, to all who want to build safe, caring and inclusive schools and communities. The SACSC resources that are not currently available online are available, at the cost of printing, from the Alberta Learning Resource Centre or the Society office. For information please contact the SACSC office. Resources for workshops are distributed through the SACSC office only.

All of the resources available from the Learning Resources Centre can be ordered by telephoning 427-5775 in the Edmonton calling area or 310-0000 elsewhere in the province. (ask for the LRC) Orders can also be placed on-line through the Learning Resources Centre. Alberta school discounts apply.

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