Supporting Student Health

Comox Valley Schools is committed to ensuring all students attend safe and inclusive schools where all students feel welcome regardless of their sexual identity, gender, race or religion. Every student in SD 71 is now partaking in education about consent and related topics as they progress through school.

Students and staff are learning how to foster a culture of consent in schools through programming, events, and discussions involving faculty, staff, and consent education experts.

The Ministry of Education and Child Care has released updated health guides and expanded kindergarten-to-Grade-12 curriculum resources that will support educators in teaching consent with an age-appropriate and non-discriminatory approach in the classroom.

Through discussions with students, parents and educators, the Ministry of Education and Child Care updated two teaching guides: one for elementary schools and one for secondary schools. The guides have expanded information about consent and examples of how teachers can better incorporate lessons on consent in their classroom that are tailored to the students’ age group.

In elementary school, the guides suggest that teachers integrate discussions about consent into regular interactions that students have, such as asking a friend for permission before giving a hug.

When students reach middle school, the guide offers examples of how teachers can help students recognize dangerous behaviours in a relationship. These lessons are aimed at giving students a better understanding of how to establish healthy boundaries and body autonomy in all aspects of their lives and relationships.

K-12 Resources – Supporting Student Health

Kindergarten to Grade 12 Supporting Student Health Resource Guides: