Law in Action Within Schools (LAWS) is a partnership between the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, Osgoode Hall Law School at York University, and the Toronto District School Board. LAWS partners with Westview Centennial Secondary School to offer both a Core and a Newcomer Program and LAWS staff work closely with teachers and guidance staff at Westview to ensure programming is responsive to students’ needs.
Through collaborative and innovative learning experiences, LAWS exposes high school students to law, the legal system, and careers within the justice sector. LAWS infuses its students’ classroom learning and extracurricular experiences and offers unprecedented opportunities for mentorship, summer jobs, homework help, and tutoring. Coursework is complemented by a wide range of activities, including: mock trials, debates, conferences, and field trips to law schools and courthouses.Through collaborative and innovative learning experiences, LAWS exposes high school students to law, the legal system, and careers within the justice sector. LAWS infuses its students’ classroom learning and extracurricular experiences and offers unprecedented opportunities for mentorship, summer jobs, homework help, and tutoring. Coursework is complemented by a wide range of activities, including: mock trials, debates, conferences, and field trips to law schools and courthouses.
How it works:
Participating students are enrolled in LAWS during grades 10, 11 and 12. In grade 10, LAWS programs in five courses – English, Science, History, Careers and Civics. In grades 11 and 12, LAWS works in two courses – Law and English.
Students benefit from unique learning opportunities developed through LAWS’ partnerships with members of the legal community including professors, students and alumni from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and Osgoode Hall Law School, judges, lawyers, justices of the peace, paralegals, court staff, and public interest organizations.
Many LAWS partners participate in class sessions as guest workshop facilitators, bringing students’ classroom learning to life through interactive examinations of pressing legal and social issues. LAWS volunteers and staff bring their diverse backgrounds, expertise and experience to the table, and create meaningful relationships with students, while helping them develop important professional skills.
For further information about the program you can, contact the LAWS Program Manager, Presila Mason, by email at pmason@lawinaction.ca. General program information is also available at www.lawinaction.ca.