Welcome everyone

Alberta schools have done incredible work over the past decade to ensure that all students feel welcomed, cared for, respected, and safe at school. Our school communities are inclusive and diverse, bringing together students of all backgrounds and abilities.

This strategy reinforces policies that support safe and caring schools. It taps into everyday practices that nurture a sense of belonging and involves attention to both the social atmosphere and the physical space at school. Many of the actions come naturally to students, parents and educators—they're the subtle ways we nurture a positive school climate or culture.

All students deserve opportunities to connect and express themselves in positive, respectful, and supportive ways. Do the best you can to use the practices below and adapt them to suit your unique classroom or school situation. 

Connect with culture and identity

Help students see themselves and their peers, families, and communities reflected in school life. This makes learning more relevant and meaningful. Try these science-based strategies:

• Acknowledge each student’s background and experiences.
• Incorporate activities and examples that are inclusive of diverse cultures and ways of life into your classroom and school.
• Use materials that are free of culturally biased information.

• Help students learn about other cultures and perspectives, like cultural practices and norms.
• Partner with families and community groups to share culture and celebrate diversity. For example, incorporate Indigenous music, dance, language, and ceremony into lesson plans or special events, or celebrate the achievements of women in science and technology.

Use respectful language 

Make inclusive words and phrases a way of life at your school. This means eliminating language that may stereotype, discriminate, or exclude.

• “Use gender-neutral language such as the singular “they” to avoid gender-specific pronouns like he/she or him/her.
• Instead of saying things like “Good morning, boys and girls” try:
• Good morning, everyone
• Welcome, class
• Hello, students!

• Use language for all families (not just “moms and dads”). Try terms like caregiver, guardian, parent or family member, or trusted adult.
• When talking about a health or wellness topic use person-first language. This means referring to the person first, not the condition. For example, use “a student who is neurodivergent” or “a staff member who has a physical disability.”
• Speak up if you hear hurtful or harmful words or behaviours. Your actions show students they are safe, valued, and respected. 

Create welcoming spaces 

Collaborate with students to ensure that school spaces are welcoming and safe for all students. This includes both conventional school spaces and virtual learning platforms. Work together to:

• Explore opportunities for various peer support networks. 
• Make sure that both physical spaces and virtual spaces are accessible to students of all abilities.
• Set up peaceful places for students to take time away, talk through challenges, or calm down.
• Design and decorate physical spaces and virtual platforms with student artwork. 
• Prevent and address  all forms of bullying, aggression, stigma, or discrimination that can happen in-person and online.
• Figure out ways that online learners can take part in whole school activities.

Explore tough topics

Discrimination, racism, and historical trauma are important influences on health and well-being. Like all youth allies, educators can benefit from training related to cultural competency, trauma-informed teaching practices and strategies that support belonging and connectedness.

To get started, consider resources from Alberta-based organizations like the Centre for Race and Culture and Taking action against racism.

A welcoming, caring, respectful, and safe school environment has been shown to protect or buffer students from health risks, including poor mental health, substance use, bullying, and early sexual activity.

Social and physical environments are a key component of the comprehensive school health framework. These influence how students learn, grow, and feel every day.

You might also like these related topics:

• Develop social and emotional skills
• Prevent and address bullying
• Support healthy relationships

The walk around: A school leader's observation guide 
Government of Alberta

The walk around: A teacher companion tool
Government of Alberta