Ontario’s Ministry of Education has been holding regional strategy sessions to discuss the well-being of students in our schools.
CUPE was invited to send 4 members to each of the regional sessions. Jen Connor attended the session for our region. This meeting took place in Ottawa and encompassed Ministry Staff, Management, Directors of Education, Students, Teachers, Community Partners and 4 CUPE Members.
In small groups, we discussed and completed guided activities centering around what well-being looks like, what conditions and supports are required to create positive learning environments and what indicators will determine success.
This was an important meeting for CUPE to be invited to. As frontline workers, we are often are the first to witness that a student is in distress. Our feedback to the Ministry is important to effectively plan for Well-Being strategies for our school communities and to help be the voice of our most vulnerable students.