Report Card
2011/12
Out in Schools is a unique high school outreach initiative garnering critical acclaim
from educators across British Columbia. Out in Schools harnesses the powerful
medium of film and video to engage youth and educators on issues related to
homophobia and bullying. Through our film presentations, facilitated workshops
and youth filmmaking initiatives, Out in Schools is working toward the promotion of
safer and more diverse learning environments, free from homophobia and bullying.
Achievements 2011/12 School Year
Classroom Participation
This year the Out in Schools team increased our program capacity by 25%, delivering
over 100 workshop presentations focused on anti-bullying and LGBT education
to more than 8200 high school students across BC. Our Rural Outreach Initiative
continues to reach youth in communities outside of Metro Vancouver. This past year
we presented to students in the Fraser Valley, the Kootenays, the Cariboo, Victoria,
Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands!
Our facilitator team is diverse and is comprised of 10 presenters who are trained
to deliver our program. This includes our first Regional Facilitator who is based in
Victoria and is responsible for making presentations to students on Vancouver Island
and the Gulf Islands. This represents a significant milestone for the program, and is
proving to be a successful model to build on.
The Out in Schools Teachers Learning Resource Guide received an update this year.
The 2nd edition includes 5 new films and has been reviewed by our Advisory and
Evaluation Committee. This important resource is designed as a tool to complement
our classroom presentations and it meets Ministry prescribed curricular outcomes.
Student feedback forms and the addition of a new online teacher evaluation allows
us to capture important feedback.
Works Well With Others
This past year Tides Canada
designated Out in Schools as one
of their “Tides Top 10 for 2011”! Ross
Johnstone, Director of Education for
Out in Schools, was selected by both
OUTtv and GayVancouver.net, as one
of the top ten individuals “making a
difference in our community.” Ross
delivered numerous professional
development workshops this year to
the British Columbia Nurses’ Union,
the Justice Education Society and to
Teacher Education students at UBC,
SFU, Selkirk College and the Nicola
Valley Institute of Technology.
Jen Sung, Youth Outreach Coordinator for Out in Schools, was invited as a guest
speaker to participate on a variety of community panels including, the BC
Champions for Youth Summit, the Women, Action & Media Conference, Dr. Hedy
Fry’s International Women’s Day panel, and she presented to Raincity Housing
Shelter staff and the Equity Ambassadors at UBC. Jen also presented on behalf of
Out in Schools on PechaKucha Night at the Vogue Theatre!
Out in Schools acknowledges the importance of forging positive relationships with
outside organizations in working toward making schools safer for all students. We
continue to build strong partnerships with the Vancouver School Board, the BC
Teachers Federation, Qmunity, student-run Gay Straight Alliances, Pride Education
Network, as well as with school districts and post-secondary institutions across BC.
Youth Engagement
The Rise Against Homophobia Short Video Contest
encourages youth aged 12-19 to create a short film that
challenges homophobia. Building on the success of our
province-wide contest and with support from Heritage
Canada, we have expanded our 2012 competition across
Canada in both official languages! We received film
submissions from BC, Alberta, Quebec, Saskatchewan,
Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia!
The winners of this year’s short video contest are selected
by a national youth jury and the videos will premiere at the
24th Annual Vancouver Queer Film Festival, August 16-26.
Stay tuned!
Out in Schools has established our new Youth Steering Committee. The Young
Allies Against Homophobia, or YAAH!, consist of young filmmakers and high school
students who help shape the national contest and provide youth direction to our
programming at large. We are committed to supporting youth by helping them to
develop their unique cultural voice and make a positive impact on their schools and
communities.
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Making Friends
We could not have accomplished any of this without the generous support of our
good friends. Thank you!
Principal Partners
Media Partner
Honour Roll
Credit Roll
Rise Against Homophobia