Recently, and in keeping with current events, we have focused our attention on democracy and the promotion of civic engagement. And so I was intrigued to read a recent post to the website of the National Association of Independent Schools in the U.S., where the author linked the development of a sense of self and awareness of social responsibility with the engagement of middle school aged students in a globalised digital network. He further linked this growth with nurturing civic mindedness and energetically concluded that “middle school can be a petri-dish for cultivating democracy!” The timing for reading about these considerations was apt, as we have been working with our students, particularly those in grade 9 Civics classes, to educate them about the upcoming federal election and to understand their future democratic rights and responsibilities.
This week we hosted local candidates from both the Liberal Party of Canada and the Green Party of Canada. Each spoke briefly to our students about the platform of their party and the individual contributions they intend to make if elected. The discussion also touched upon opportunities and issues facing our region. Our students responded by posing thoughtful questions that added depth to the conversation and showed preparation from prior discussions. We will also host a representative from the Conservative Party and the New Democratic Party over the next two weeks in order to educate on the breadth of political views. Our focus will conclude with a mock election on October 16th in which all girls will participate; in preparation we will encourage each student to open a ‘dinner-table conversation’ to share their thoughts with family members and to further develop their ability to articulate opinions on topics facing Canadians.
Classes paused on Tuesday morning in order for all students to participate in the annual Terry Fox Marathon of Hope. The message delivered was one of overcoming adversity and of promoting volunteerism in the service of others. Thank you to our student leaders for making an effort to raise awareness and also funds for cancer research. We value the importance of youth activism and were proud that our students led initiatives to encourage others toward participation and contribution. Our appreciation is also extended to the Parents’ Guild for providing healthy snacks at the conclusion of the run.
