Providing a welcoming environment that fosters harmonious relationships in school

Demonstrate a warm and welcoming attitude toward students every day.

Create an environment conducive to exchanges on various topics.

• Schedule dedicated times for meals, breaks and recesses.
• Organize facilities based on the students’ age.
• Implement noise-control measures inside and outside the classroom.
• Provide dedicated relaxation areas for student use only.
• Provide dedicated spaces for teamwork.
• Provide same-sex locker rooms and washrooms.
• Install small garbage cans for tampons and sanitary napkins in each girls’ washroom and provide space for changing privately.
• Install proper lighting (e.g. limit the use of neon lights, encourage natural light).

This action is aligned with the following frameworks:

• Going the Healthy Route at School 
• Plan d’action en santé mentale 

• Provide multiple opportunities for students to develop their social skills. For example, encourage teamwork in a climate of goodwill, and organize constructive and respectful debates.
• Organize and lead activities in indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Implement a mentoring and support program supervised by an adult (e.g. encourage the pairing of students with fewer social skills and those with prosocial behaviours).
• Focus on modelling (e.g. positive interactions between staff members).
• Listen to and respect young people.
• Be open to sexual diversity and actively engage in the fight against homophobia.
• Provide mechanisms to support conflict resolution, such as co-operative councils.
• Offer a variety of activities.
• Promote ethics and sportsmanship.

This action is aligned with the following frameworks:

• Action Plan to Prevent and Deal with Violence in the Schools 
• Complementary Educational Services 

• Consult with students and include their expertise.
• Emphasize the positive.
• Provide opportunities for students to be challenged according to their abilities and interests.

• Create and display a limited number of clear, concrete and positive rules of conduct.
• Teach expected behaviours rather than unacceptable behaviours and commend students who respect the rules (e.g. note in the school agenda, certificates).
• Manage misbehaviour by quickly and rigorously applying the expected consequences according to the severity of the act.
• Favour restorative measures, positive reinforcement and dialogue rather than punitive measures or sanctions such as suspension or expulsion.

This action is aligned with the following frameworks:

• Education Act 
• Act respecting private education