At Dr. Martha Cohen School, we are committed to fostering a welcoming, caring, respectful, and safe learning environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed. A crucial part of this is our dedication to educating students on how to be good citizens. We spend a significant amount of time helping students understand the importance of respect, kindness, and responsibility, both inside and outside of school.

However, we know that this work cannot be done in isolation. We need the support of our families to model and discuss these values at home, as it all begins there. Without this at-home reinforcement, we are limited in how effectively we can teach these lessons in school. The collaboration between home and school is essential to the success of our efforts in shaping thoughtful, compassionate, and responsible students.

We believe that creating a positive school culture is a shared responsibility. As parents and guardians, you play a vital role in reinforcing the values we teach at school. We encourage you to talk with your child(ren) about being good citizens, treating others with respect, and taking responsibility for their actions. When we all work together, we can make a significant impact on shaping a positive environment for our students.

At Dr. Martha Cohen, we are educators first, and our goal is to help students learn and grow, even when they make mistakes. We understand that mistakes are a part of the learning process, and we are committed to supporting students as they reflect, learn from their actions, and strive to be better next time. We recognize that bullying and inappropriate behavior have no place in our school, and we take all reports of these issues seriously.

In addressing bullying, we follow the Calgary Board of Education’s (CBE) Progressive Student Discipline approach, which emphasizes proactive, preventative, and restorative strategies. Bullying is not seen as a normal part of growing up but as a behavior that requires intervention and education. If bullying occurs, we work closely with the students involved to help them understand the impact of their actions, repair harm, and develop strategies for positive behavior moving forward.

We also recognize the importance of addressing issues of racism and other forms of inappropriate behavior. At Dr. Martha Cohen, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all students feel respected and valued, regardless of their race, background, or identity. We continue to educate students on these important issues to ensure that our school community is one of equity and inclusion.

If you become aware of bullying, racism, or inappropriate behavior, we encourage you to report it to school staff or administration. This can be done through direct communication or via anonymous reporting channels. We want to work together with families to ensure that every child understands the importance of treating others with kindness, respect, and fairness.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in making Dr. Martha Cohen School a place where every student can thrive. Together, we can ensure that our students grow into responsible, respectful, and compassionate citizens.