Spring Break Reading & Viewing 2022

Spring Break Reading & Viewing 2022

Spring Break is hopefully a time of rest and relaxation, but it will no doubt this year more than most, also be a time of reflection. Hopefully, the sampling of resources shared below from the BICS Diversity Committee (a group of BICS parents/guardians and BICS staff) as well as from the Ministry of Education are helpful in having informed conversations with children about the topics that are either weighing on them now, or will throughout their lives: war (particularly right now in Ukraine), Indigenous justice issues (including the ongoing discovery of the remains of children at Indian Residential School sites), the increasingly urgent Climate Emergency, the oppression of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour, SOGI, and mental health. 

Crisis in Ukraine

• How to Talk with Students about the Russia-Ukraine War: This includes 5 tips to help teachers and principals talk to students thoughtfully and appropriately about what is going on in Ukraine.
• How to Talk to Kids About Violence, Crime, and War: Common Sense Media gathers tips and conversation starters to help you talk to kids of different ages about the toughest topics.
• Resilience in a time of war: Tips for parents and teachers of elementary school children: This article from the American Psychological Association can help adults guide their young children beyond fear and to resilience.
• Resilience in a time of war: Tips for parents and teachers of middle school children: The American Psychological Association breaks out tips and strategies for parents and teachers of middle school-aged children.
• National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Provides resources that can be filtered by topic or keyword and by audience with a focus on how adults can identify traumatic responses in young people and how to support them. 

Residential Schools and Related Indigenous Current Issues

• For a video from an Indian Residential School survivor, Chief Robert Joseph, explaining the history of the Residential School system, click here.
• For information (print) about how to talk to children about Indian Residential Schools from the North American Center for Threat Assessment and Trauma Response, click here.
• The 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission are here.
• For information about the St. Paul’s Residential School (North Vancouver) and St. Paul’s Residential School Memorial, click here.
• Hi Ho Mistahey!  https://www.nfb.ca/film/hi-ho_mistahey_en/ 2013 feature-length documentary of the national campaign started by 14 year old Shannen Koostachin, a Cree from Attawapiskat Ontario, to provide equitable access to education in safe and suitable schools for Indigenous children. Shannen’s Dream ultimately went all the way to the United Nations in Geneva. Still timely today and for ages 13+. 
• Tracks Youth Program at Trent University provides links to a variety of Indigenous online youth resources including APTN, NFB, CBC Gem, etc. 

 Climate Change 

• BC Parent: Climate Change Education from the Foundation for Climate Restoration. Geared to (Grades 3 to 5)
• “People of a Feather” available on Amazon Prime. Multiple award-winning documentary about the lives of the Inuit on the Belcher Islands in Hudson Bay and their cultural relationship with the Eider duck as they adapt to the changing Arctic environment. (Geared to age 7+)

Colonization/Racism

• Challenging Racist “British Columbia”; 150 Years and Counting. A three part video series, each one 10 minutes long. (Geared to Grade 6/7 and up)
• Challenging Racist “British Columbia”; 150 Years and Counting: An online booklet diving into the long history of racist policies that have impacted Indigenous, Black and racialized communities in the province over the last 150 years since BC joined. 
• Unilearnal – creating content that highlights the experiences of BIPOC

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI)

• She/her, he/him and they/them. What are pronouns? An article written for kids regarding gender and pronouns from CBC Kids.
• Gender Diversity; Resources from the UBC Inclusion Office. Great information, not so much for sharing with children, but for adults to become more aware of gender diversity and inclusive language.
• https://teach-educ.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2018/01/SOGI-Top-Books-List-2018.pdf  This UBC resource mentions that their list of books for families including young people of all ages, and teachers is not comprehensive but should be seen as a sample of materials that are acclaimed, timely, and varied in terms of representation—gender, sexuality, race, (dis)ability, religious affiliation, etc.”   

Mental Health

• Open Parachute (Grade 6-7 student license) This program provides you with access to an online video series with information on how to support your child’s development through adolescence and the many challenges they may face. The program provides tools for addressing well-being concerns that typically occur as children develop. Students in West Vancouver Schools use this program at the Grade 6-9 level but it can also be used by families at home.
• Anxiety Canada
• Here to Help