The Alberta Teachers’ Association

Gender Matters — A virtual discussion on violence against women

Violence against women has been front and centre in recent months. As part of its Young Women’s National Leadership Summit, the YWCA is partnering with the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) to host a one-hour panel discussion on this and the current state of gender equality in North America.

Educators, post-secondary students and service workers are invited to join an expert panel composed of activists and leaders from diverse fields and cultural backgrounds. The aim is to be inspired to take action in creating a fairer and safer society for women.

The panel discussion will be driven by Status Quo? The Unfinished Business of Feminism in Canada, a thought-provoking documentary about the ongoing struggles of the women’s movement. Participants can view the film and submit questions for the panellists in advance. This virtual event will be live streamed on Jan. 30 at 11:30 a.m., mountain standard time. Anyone who’s interested can register online at www.nfb.ca.

Canada Games resource available

Every two years, alternating between summer and winter, thousands of Canada’s best and brightest athletes compete in the multi-sport Canada Games. Athletes such as Steve Nash, Haley Wickenheiser, Sidney Crosby and Clara Hughes are among the 100,000 Canadians who are Canada Games alumni.

Catch the Spirit is a curriculum developed for students from kindergarten to Grade 8 with the purpose of including all students in the celebration and education of the Canada Games, regardless of their inclination towards sport. The Catch the Spirit curriculum is a free resource that includes five lessons per grade/age band, is designed to integrate into existing curricula nationwide and has been peer-reviewed by educators across Canada.

Through all five lessons, students will learn about the history and significance of the Canada Games in amateur sport and the elements that make the Canada Games unique: arts and culture, official languages and the integration of healthy living and sport in everyday life. Free copies are available for download at canadagames2015.ca/catchthespirit.

Stories and photos wanted

If something newsworthy is going on in your school, district or local, please let us know. We will also consider articles, photos and cartoons. Please email tips and submissions to managing editor Cory Hare: cory.hare@ata.ab.ca.