You Said, We Heard: Animals in Schools
What is "You Said, We Heard"?
Every year, the Peace River School Division invites upper elementary, Jr. High and Sr. High students to meet with the Superintendent and Board of Trustees to talk about what is important to them when it comes to education. Over the next several weeks we are going to share some of the things students highlighted and some of the ways the PRSD is responding to these topics of discussion.
Direct from our Students
One of the comments made by students was regarding the presence of animals in schools. Students said that being able to interact with an animals helps them to better regulate their emotions.
This was an easy one for the PRSD. We acknowledge the positive influence a animal can have on our students' overall mental health, while also recognizing that animals in schools may not be the best choice for all students. Administrative Procedure 255: Animals in Schools provides guidelines for bringing animals into our schools on either a permanent or temporary basis. Ultimately, the decision on whether to permit animals lies with our individual school administration teams.
Included on the featured image are four of our official therapy dog staff, which students may see around their schools with our Divisional social workers or social/emotional behaviour consultants. The images in the gallery below feature animals that were brought into classrooms at Grimshaw Public School, Paul Rowe Jr./Sr. High School, and T.A. Norris School as either therapy dogs, show and tell, or a special bring your pet to school day.
To read previously published You Said, We Heard posts, click HERE.
