The Government of Yukon is committed to supporting the wellbeing of students, educators, support staff, families and caregivers throughout the upcoming school year, promoting a lifelong learning journey for all Yukoners that strengthens the entire territory.
As part of this, the Ready-to-Learn (R2L) Schools initiative will be introduced at eight additional schools in the coming academic year. This initiative supports the Government of Yukon’s commitment to fostering safe, inclusive and culturally responsive learning environments for all Yukon students.
R2L Schools is a universal support approach for all Yukon students, based on the understanding that children need to feel calm, safe and have their basic needs met before they can learn. R2L fosters the development of learning environments that are developmentally responsive, recognizing that a child’s chronological age may not match their emotional, cognitive or social age. It also helps educators understand how prolonged exposure to stress can impact brain development, functioning and learning, so they can better support students.
In the 2023–24 school year, Ready-to-Learn is launching at five Whitehorse schools:
- Hidden Valley Elementary;
- Holy Family Elementary;
- F.H. Collins Secondary;
- Porter Creek Secondary; and
- St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Secondary.
It is also launching at Robert Service School in Dawson, Tantalus School in Carmacks and Aurora Virtual School, which serves students and families across the Yukon.
We are thrilled to expand the Ready-to-Learn Schools initiative to eight more schools this year. This program is a game-changer for our students as it helps develop the skills and resilience needed to thrive in school and beyond. By supporting our teachers and staff with evidence-based training and resources, we are creating safe, inclusive and culturally responsive learning environments for all Yukon students.
Minister of Education Jeanie McLean
Ready-to-Learn Schools was first launched as a pilot project at Takhini Elementary School in 2019 and was then adopted by Selkirk Elementary School in 2021.
In 2022 the program was introduced at St. Elias Community School in Haines Junction, Nelnah Bessie John School in Beaver Creek, Grey Mountain Primary School and Jack Hulland Elementary School in Whitehorse.
The Government of Yukon plans to introduce Ready-to-Learn at all Yukon schools over the next three to five years.
A key component of this initiative is teacher training in the Neurosequential Model in Education (NME). This model was developed by brain development and trauma expert Dr. Bruce Perry (M.D., PH.D.).
This initiative is part of the Government of Yukon’s response to the Review of Inclusive and Special Education (RISE) and to the 2019 Office of the Auditor General’s Report on Kindergarten through Grade 12 Education in the Yukon.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Michael Edwards
Communications, Department of Education
867-332-1364
Michael.edwards@yukon.ca