October 23, 2017
Each year, the School Social Work Committee of the Ontario Association of Social Workers presents its School Social Work Achievement Award, recognizing an individual who has had a career of outstanding service and who has demonstrated qualities such as caring, dependability, enthusiasm, helpfulness, resourcefulness and knowledgeability. This year’s recipient is Conseil Scolaire Catholique du Nouvel-Ontario (CSCNO) social worker Nancy Tanguay. Mrs. Tanguay will accept her award during the 30th Annual School Social Work Committee Symposium to take place on October 26 at the Da Vinci Banquet Hall in Woodbridge, Ontario.
Nancy Tanguay, a social worker at the CSCNO for 16 years, spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing well-being and meeting student mental health needs. One project that she was particularly passionate about was bringing mindfulness into the classroom. What started out as a pilot project has now made its way into daily life at seven elementary schools, where mindfulness is practised by taking three short pauses each day. The project required considerable research and training to ensure that everyone involved could truly reap its benefits. The program remains in its early phases but will continue to grow as more schools are added to the list of participants. Nancy Tanguay and two CSCNO colleagues were invited to present this program at the 2017 Congrès du climat scolaire positif, where they received highly positive feedback from the delegates.
Nancy also developed the Langage de l’amitié (Language of friendship) social skills program and helped implement a nutrition course and a daycare program at the board’s alternative school, with support from school principal and various community organizations.
“We are fortunate to benefit from the expertise of Nancy Tanguay who makes a big difference in our schools and contributes to the well-being of our students,” stated CSCNO Director of Education Mrs. Lyse-Anne Papineau. “Our students have undoubtedly benefited from Nancy’s commitment to their well-being. Her passion for her work is evident in every initiative she puts forward.”
The Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario offers a French Catholic Educational Program that is widely recognized for its excellence. The CSCNO provides a quality learning environment and academic program that runs from early childhood to adult education, with some 7,000 students enrolled in 27 elementary and 10 secondary schools.
Source:
Brigitte Morin
External Relations Coordinator
Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario
705-673-5626, ext. 389
705-690-9740 (cell)