The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, announced on September 9 that Kids in the Know, a body safety program for kids, will be available in all K-9 classrooms in Newfoundland and Labrador this school year. Minister Davis was joined by Bev Moore Davis with the Miles for Smiles Foundation at St. Francis of Assisi School in Outer Cove.
Kids in the Know is the Canadian Centre for Child Protections' national safety education program. The program engages student with interactive activities to help build skills that increase personal safety and reduce risk of victimization online and offline.
Kids in the Know is currently offered in all K-3 classrooms in the province. Professional learning for educators for grades 4-9 will occur this October to ensure a full implementation of the program this school year.
Body safety is a part of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development's K-12 public education curriculum, with age and developmentally appropriate resources used at each grade level. The Kids in the Know program will enhance the teaching and learning strategies occurring in classrooms.
Health and well-being in education environments was one of four pillars of the Education Accord. A full implementation of the Kids in the Know program in grades K-9 supports student and educator safety measures through education and prevention.
Quotes
"Student personal safety is a very serious matter. Our government understands the importance incorporating additional tools and information alongside our current curriculum. I'm very pleased that the Kids in the Know program can be utilized in all K-9 classrooms as a focused complement to existing programming. It is our hope that this program will highlight the importance of body safety and help bring these conversations to the forefront, so everyone feels supported in asking questions and raising concerns."
Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Education of Education and Early Childhood Development
"As a survivor of childhood abuse, I know how critical it is for children to have a safe place where they feel supported and protected. School was my safe haven, and with the Kids in the Know program being adopted in K-9 schools across Newfoundland and Labrador, every child will have access to the knowledge and tools they need to recognize risks, speak up, and protect themselves both in person and online. Body safety education is prevention, and prevention will save lives. This is a major step forward for the safety and empowerment of children across our province."
Bev Moore Davis, Miles for Smiles Foundation
For more information
Prince Phillip Drive
St. John's Newfoundland
Canada A1B 4J6
www.gov.nl.ca
