This document discusses the issue of poverty among students and its effects on health, social/mental well-being, and academics. It defines poverty according to Statistics Canada and shares perspectives from students experiencing poverty. The document recommends actions teachers can take to help impoverished students, such as reducing stigma, boosting self-esteem, and providing resources. It also identifies community support programs already in place that teachers can direct students to for assistance.

1. Poverty and the
Children in Our Schools
By: Mark, Brighid, Cali, Christine,
Ashley and Rachel

2. How Would You Define
Poverty?

3. Student Responses
These are real responses from Grade 4 and 5
students in North Bay
“feeling ashamed when my dad can’t get a
job.”
“pretending that you forgot your lunch.”
“being afraid to tell your Mom you need gym
shoes.”
“not buying books at the book fair.”
“not getting to go on school trips.”

4. Statistics Canada’s Definition
O LICO (Low Income Cut-Off)

5. MBM (Market Basket Measure)
24919
25924
24198
25377
27203
25332
28148

6. Prevalence of Poverty

8. How Does Poverty Affect
Children in Our Schools?

9. Health
O Lack of sleep
O Improper nutrition
O Chronic illnesses and obesity
O Personal Hygiene

10. Socially/Mentally
O Low self-esteem
O Feelings of shame
O Bullying
O Fear of being singled out
O Belief that they are not smart enough, not
good enough, are not deserving
O Additional stress, adult responsibilities

11. Academically
O Lack of parental support
O Inability to afford materials, school trips,
etc.
O Belief that they’ll never be able to
continue on to post-secondary education
anyways
O Unable to relate to materials

12. What Schools Can do to Help
O Reduce class sizes
O Poverty-sensitivity training for staff
O Provide scholarships and funds
O Provide services on site

13. What We as Teachers Can Do
O Stop harassment
O Be approachable
O Boost self-esteem, praise the successes
O “Worldly” experiences in the classroom
O Computers, newspapers, books
O Keep costs low, walk when possible
O Provide school supplies
O Value all your students
O Do NOT change your expectations

14. What Do You Think We as
Teachers Should Do?

15. We Are Not Alone
The issue of poverty has already been
addressed by groups in the community.
As teachers, we are in a unique position to
recognize potential students in need and
direct them to programs, initiatives, and
supports that are already in place that may
help them and their families.

16. Available Support
O Champions for Kids
O Boys and Girls Club
O Local Lions Clubs
O Food Banks
O YMCA
O Salvation Army
O United Way’s Backpack For Kids
Program
O The Back To School Program (Staples
and Salvation Army)

17. How To Use These Supports
O You can approach specific organizations
for supplies for the school as a whole.
O You can address the whole class and
inform them about he supports in the
community.
O You can put up a couple of posters in
your classroom.

18. Did you notice any community
supports for impoverished children
while you were on placement?
What were they?
Do you think they were effective?

19. Caution:
1. Some of the fundraising tactics that
schools use can be controversial
2. Not all schools have direct links to
community supports
3. Students can get extremely offended if
you approach them, regardless of
whether they are in poverty or not.
4. Teacher discretion is advised.

20. Aboriginal Students
O In 2005, 3.8% of the country’s population identified
as Aboriginal
-First Nations (60%)
-Métis (33%)
-Inuit (4%)
O 21.7% of Aboriginals had incomes below Statistics
Canada’s low income cut-off after tax, compared to
11.1% for the non-Aboriginal identity population
O 43.7% of Aboriginal Canadians have less than a
secondary education, compared to 23.1% for the
non-Aboriginal population.

21. http://www.canadianfeedthechildren.ca/where-we-work/canada/

22. “Education has the Power to
End the Poverty Cycle”
http://www.etfo.ca/Multimedi
a/Webcasts/OneInSix/Pages
/default.aspx

23. Make a Difference
Poverty is a real issue in schools today and is more
prevalent then you may believe. How can we
remedy this issue or begin to turn things around?
Education is the most vital anti-poverty issue.
Assumptions cannot be made about the resources
available to students at home. Get to know what
your school, the community, and various
companies have to offer, in order to help students
be as successful as possible. As a teacher ensure
discretion when providing information individually
and discuss the various opportunities in a non-
judgmental way with the entire class.