Features

Cover Story: Building Bridges to Better Mental Health

By Kim Arnott

Mental health issues touch us all. In June, 2011, OPSBA hosted the inaugural Children and Youth Mental Health Summit in order to start the process of real change in this area that is still largely misunderstood. Representatives from the education, health and social service sectors gathered in Toronto from across the province to develop a strategy that will improve mental health services to children and youth in Ontario.

Rainbow DSB

Sudbury Secondary School Students Receive Bursaries for Ojibwe Language

In May, the Rainbow DSB announced that two grade 10 students at Sudbury Secondary School had received scholarships for their efforts to preserve the Ojibwe language.  

TVO and the Children and Youth Mental Health Summit

www.TVOparents.com  

The inaugural Children and Youth Mental Health Summit was held in Toronto this past June. The Parents area of the TVOntario Web site has posted videos of the speakers. Go to the Articles tab, then click on The Classroom and Special Kids. You can also access these videos by clicking on the Coalition for Children and Youth Mental Health icon at www.opsba.org.

The Ontario Public School Boards' Association Awards program recognizes outstanding contributions to public education by individuals across Ontario.

Rethinking Homework: Best Practices That Support Diverse Needs

By Cathy Vatterott
Review by Melanie Tait

Homework is a long-standing education tradition that, until recently, has seldom been questioned. It is a hot topic in educational circles for a variety of reasons as outlined in the five chapters of this book, which also includes an excellent reference list.

The Politics of Public Education

Whatever the question is, we can be sure education is the answer. Global economic meltdown? We need financial literacy across the curriculum. Polar ice cap melting? We need environmental education infused through every subject taught in school. Cyberbullying? We need to teach students responsible use of social media.