Nova Scotians have a chance to share their positive stories about the public education system as part of a new campaign by the Nova Scotia Education Partners. Tales Out Of School: True Stories about the P-12 Education System in Nova Scotia is a grassroots awareness campaign that will spotlight how the system improves the lives of students and families and boosts the potential of Nova Scotia’s communities and economy.
“Tales Out Of School is a focused effort to increase awareness of the many programs and services the public education system offers and the broader impact it has on our province,” says Nova Scotia Teachers Union president Alexis Allen, member of Nova Scotia Education Partners. “It encourages Nova Scotians to tell other Nova Scotians how the public education system has positively affected them-—and it’s those personal stories that really hit home.”
The campaign includes a website (www.nstalesoutofschool.ca) where people can upload video or written testimonials. There will also be community presentations and regional communications activities that celebrate personal stories about positive experiences with programs and services offered in public schools.
Since only three out of 10 Nova Scotians have children in the public school system, the campaign also aims to show that public education is an investment in the economic and social future of Nova Scotia communities.
“Not only do schools provide training for the future workforce, but a good school system is a draw for professionals from outside the province, both nationally and abroad. Given the pressing need to attract skilled workers, this is directly tied to the province’s economic success,” adds Nova Scotia School Boards Association president Vic Fleury, member of Nova Scotia Education Partners .
The public education system delivers a wide range of programs that improves the lives of students and their parents including Reading Recovery, Options and Opportunities and enrichment programs like advanced placement and the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. At a regional level, the public education system delivers support for students with special needs including autism and severe learning disabilities, psychological and speech language pathology services, and assistive technology.
In addition to academics and student supports, the school system is also responsible for breakfast programs, library services, French immersion, co-op placements, athletics, technology and healthy living initiatives.
“The school system delivers academic education, but it also provides supports and programs that affect the students outside the classroom, enabling students, families and communities to succeed,” continues Fleury. “Every part of the system contributes to this success and to the social and economic future of Nova Scotia.”
Examples of testimonials featured on the nstalesoutofschool.ca website include:
“My younger son was part of the Schools Plus program and it has done him a world of good. My older son had two teachers who encouraged him to be proud of being smart and getting good marks. It made a huge impact on his outlook and what he wants to do with his life.” Alex Wilson, Strait region.
“My son Ben has autism, and the support he has received from the staff at the Chester school has been phenomenal. Without the programs and support he receives, frankly, I don’t think Ben would even be in school. The support we receive on a regular basis makes it so much easier.” Rob McInnes, Chester.
Nova Scotians are encouraged to submit their stories to the nstalesoutofschool.ca website, as well as to send an e-mail postcard to their network of contacts encouraging them to do the same. The Tales Out Of School campaign will run over the next several months with the goal of collecting as many stories as possible.