CHILD & YOUTH FRIENDLY Schools
These indicators have been compiled with a grading system to help you and your community think through aspects of child and youth friendliness in each domain.
A grading system allows you to recognize that (for most of these indicators) there are many steps between 'not at all child and youth friendly' and 'extremely child and youth friendly'. Your community may fall somewhere in the middle on many of the indicators.
For each indicator, try to grade your community out of 10.
1 being "Not at all child and youth friendly",
5 being "some positive aspects but some changes could be made" and
10 being "We are a leader in child and youth friendly practices".
This is designed to be printed and done communally.
FEATURES OF CHILD AND YOUTH FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES
school is welcoming and inclusive of all students and their parents
programs are available that encourage walking or cycling to school (e.g., walking school buses, transportation cooperatives)
there is a relationship or link between the community and schools on policing issues, including police liaison officers for all schools
a variety of alternative and integrated programs are offered for students with language barriers or special needs
no economic barriers exist that prevent participation in school activities or field trips
meaningful school activities and field trips are offered that encourage children and youth to get involved in the community
the school interacts with the larger community (e.g., community service programs, professionals presenting at schools)
curricula for students on health and safety is emphasized (see also Health Services and Technology domains)
curricula on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is emphasized
teachers are accountable and available to openly discuss with the parents any challenges faced or progress made by the child
a code of conduct promotes respect and fairness among students and between staff and students
student councils exist with a strong influence on school matters
peer counselling and other programs are available that provide leadership opportunities for students
meaningful student input in encouraged in teacher evaluations
meaningful student input into all school policies and practices
representation of students on all school committees
parents are involved in school activities and parent advisory committees have a strong influence on school matters
safe areas are designated for student drop-off and pick-up
emergency preparedness drills are regularly planned depending on the region (tsunami, earthquake, snow storm, oil spills, other natural disasters)
facilities are identified where students are allowed or encouraged to use outside regular school hours
qualified schoolyard leadership and supervision is encouraged
a range of play opportunities are available on site, for students of all ages and abilities
any meals or snacks that are provided to the children are nutritious
washrooms are child-friendly in that they have lowered sinks and smaller toilets for easy access or stools for children to stand on where appropriate
opportunities are available for older students to be in leadership roles and to act as mentors for the younger students
discipline policies include complaints mechanisms for children
policies are in place to prevent bullying, harassment, and discrimination by children and staff
measures are taken to reduce absences in school
school staff are trained in child development and cultural sensitivity
children’s privacy is respected
support services, such as professional development courses, are offered for school staff
after-school programs provide leadership and volunteer opportunities for older children and youth
programs such as career centres are available that support and encourage older youth to gain work and volunteer experience
traffic-calmed areas are regulated near schools and parks
early childhood education and school-age care programs are located on site (see Child Care and Early Childhood Education Domain)
OUR COMMUNITY IS
1- UNFRIENDLY 5- OK 10-A LEADER
