Fair Play Schools Learn From Sport

Bible Hill Central Elementary and Valley Elementary today jointly declared their schools as Fair Play facilities -- the first in Nova Scotia.

The Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission congratulated the Truro schools on their efforts to encourage positive behaviour by promoting the principles of respect, equal participation, self-control and responsibility -- an adaptation of the Fair and Safe Play initiative.

Both schools planned a full day of activities today to mark the formal introduction of Fair Play. Apart from various classroom activities demonstrating Fair Play, Basin Productions is presenting The Squirrel and The Porcupine, a play about conflict, and students are taking a Fair Play oath, written by the students themselves. Also, Bible Hill Central Elementary's Cyclones are taking on the RCMP at basketball -- the Fair Play way.

"Teachers were searching for ways to address behavioural issues at school and, on learning about Fair and Safe Play, saw those concepts as a proactive way to address some of the problems," said Tony Martin, executive director of the Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission.

"For the past year, staff from Bible Hill Central, Valley Elementary and the Sport and Recreation Commission have been working together to adapt Fair and Safe Play concepts to fit the school environment," he said. "Today is the culmination of that work."

Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission launched the Fair and Safe Play initiative in March 1997. As a concept, Fair and Safe Play helps everyone increase their enjoyment of sport and recreational activities by addressing abuse and harassment through four main components: Fair Play facilities, risk management, education and awards.

Since its launch, the Fair and Safe Play initiative has been partially sponsored by 3M Innovation, a company that values safety and excellence in sport and recreation.

The Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission is proud to be part of this worthwhile initiative by continuing to work with the community through responding to needs and building on shared values.