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hsb4u assignment task 4: what do i believe in?

My Argument in Favor of Restorative Justice in Schools In my opinion, the most effective strategy for resolving issues in schools is restorative justice. Compared to merely punishing students, it encourages healing, communication, and preventing damage. First, kids gain an understanding of the consequences of their acts through restorative justice. Students are told to confront the person they have harmed, accept responsibility, and find a solution rather than simply being suspended or sent home. Students gain empathy and are forced to consider their decisions more carefully as a result. The Ontario Ministry of Education says that bullying and repeat offences are less common in schools that implement restorative justice.

Second, relationships inside the school are strengthened by restorative justice. An improved learning environment comes from educators and learners being able to communicate freely and politely. Students who are suspended frequently experience loneliness and rage. People get together and develop trust through restorative techniques. For instance, schools that applied this method reported better student behaviour and more cohesive school communities, according to research by the International Institute for Restorative Practices. Third, equity is supported by restorative justice. Racialized kids are usually unfairly subjected to traditional ways of discipline, including suspensions and expulsions. Indigenous and Black youth are most impacted. Instead of punishing students without providing context, restorative justice allows them to voice their opinions and contribute to the solution. In diverse schools like mine, this is key. To sum up, children benefit from restorative justice by growing, learning from their errors, and feeling encouraged. It is not only a means of resolving issues; it is also a means of creating a school environment for everyone to feel safe and respected.

References: 

International Institute for Restorative Practices. (2016). Improving School Climate: Evidence from Schools Implementing Restorative Practices. https://www.iirp.edu/images/pdf/IIRP-Improving-School-Climate.pdf 

Ontario Ministry of Education. (2013). Caring and Safe Schools in Ontario: Supporting Students with Special Education Needs through Progressive Discipline, Kindergarten to Grade 12. http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/elemsec/speced/Caring_Safe_School.pdf 

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hsb4u assignment 3.5 task 3: who am i?

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hsb4u assignment 3.5 task 2: what has influenced me?

Many cultures, including my own, have influenced my life. I believe that I have been impacted by foreign cultures in these 5 categories:

Food: I eat a lot of food from many countries aside to traditional Iraqi dishes like dolma and biryani. I love Mexican burrito bowls, Thai soups, and Korean ramen. Windsor is a fantastic place for this because it has a wide variety of restaurants. I also follow halal food influencers that share fusion dishes that combine flavours from around the world with traditional cuisines.

Fashion: I'm heavily influenced by TikTok and Pinterest fashion, despite the fact that I wear modest clothing. I follow several modest fashion designers from various cultures, including South Asian, American, and Greek influencers. I enjoy layering clothes, wearing maxi skirts and big sweaters, and tying looser pieces together with a belt. I also prefer to combine streetwear and modesty, like by pairing loose-fitting jeans with long-sleeved blouses or sneakers and sometimes with abayas.

Architecture: Moroccan and Mediterranean styles definitely appeal to me. Curved arches, light-coloured walls, and indoor plants are things I like. My room is furnished with neutral hues, textured carpets, and gold accessories that evoke both bohemian and Arab design. Seeing so much international house décor on Instagram is what inspired these ideas.

Leisure activities: Although journaling and drawing are very universal hobbies of mine, Japanese stationery culture acts as an inspiration. I occasionally watch anime, and I admire its visuals and attention to detail. I also enjoy organizing and decorating my living space, which I believe comes from a combination of Western minimalism and Arab hospitality traditions.

Entertainment: The hour-long crime documentaries that delve deeply into true stories are my favourite to watch on YouTube. Also, I usually watch older Western films and Arab shows during Ramadan. Each one has their own take on life, family, and society, and they have all influenced my worldview.

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hsb4u assignment 3.5 task 1: where do i live?

Windsor, Ontario, a border city directly across from Detroit, Michigan, is what I call home. Windsor is one of Canada's most diversified cities, home a little over 230,000 people. While the city is well-known for its solid automotive industry, it is also home to many recent immigrants, mostly from China, India, and the Middle East.

Windsor's multiculturalism is one of my favourite things about the town. Here, as a Muslim Middle Eastern woman wearing a hijab (headscarf), I've always felt welcome and comfortable. I never truly feel out of place because there are so many mosques, halal restaurants, Arabic shops, and cultural centres around. In my quiet, family-friendly neighbourhood, you tend to hear people talking multiple languages as you pass by.

Windsor has a large immigrant population, and plenty of people speak up to three languages. Growing up here has seemed incredibly welcoming because of the diversity shown in our schools. Around 28% of Windsor's population was born outside of Canada, according to the 2021 Census. The South Asian and Arab groups are the most considerable. This increases the cultural diversity of nearby businesses, events, and cuisine.

Urban sprawl is one issue Windsor has to deal with. More cars on the road and environmental stress result from new home structures that expand farther into the suburbs as the population grows. Yet there are also initiatives happening to improve public transportation accessibility and restore the downtown area.