At the school level, we are engaging staff and students in examining privilege, critically examining and addressing inequity in our school and society and recognizing and interrupting biased interactions. We are encouraging students to speak up when they see racism, including anti-Black, anti-Indigenous, anti-Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and xenophobia.
In December, our teaching staff engaged in professional development focused on the following learning outcomes:
I am learning to:
- Look carefully at School Climate data and consider its validity
- Engage in self-reflection about my cultural humility
- Prepare myself for conversations about race
- Interrupt biased interactions in the school and on the school yard
Events & Planned Activities:
- Part of our January 23, 2024 Parent Council meeting will focus on the ongoing issues of racism in our school and ways we can work collaboratively with parents and guardians to support student learning in the area of diversity
- Throughout the month of February, we will be honouring and celebrating the diversity, history and culture of Black people in Canada by acknowledging the many everyday contributions of Black communities from across the country during Black History Month.
- We will welcome Aubrey Noronha on Tuesday February 27th, 2024 (www.hellohope.ca/). Grade 6/7/8 students will engage in the “Colour Blind? Why being ‘not racist’ is not enough anymore” presentation. Staff will engage in Part II of this learning during our after school Staff Meeting on the same date.
Resources for Parents/Guardians:
“The Opportunity of Black History Month”, School Mental Health Ontario https://smho-smso.ca/the-opportunity-of-black-history-month/
“Understanding Anti-Black Racism to Support the Mental Health and Well-Being of Black and Racialized Students”, School Mental Health Ontario https://smho-smso.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Understanding-Anti-Black-Racism-For-MHL.pdf
“CLA(I)M-How to Respond When You’ve Caused Harm”, School Mental Health Ontario https://smho-smso.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/CLAIM-supporting-document.pdf
