The board engaged in system-level learning on important human rights concepts and principles with a view to building staff capacity to address systemic discrimination. Professional development for administrators and other board employees focused on developing competencies to identify and effectively confront different forms of discrimination that marginalized individuals experience. Training topics included historical or intergenerational trauma, understanding race, racism, different forms of discrimination, microaggression, guidelines on the use of racial slurs in schools, and ways to engage in race-based conversations. The goal of the training was to increase system understanding of human rights concepts and principles with a view to promoting inclusive, safe, welcoming learning and working environments.
As part of the board's Equity Action Plan, the inaugural Virtual Engagement Series for students in Grade 7-9 was established. Approximately 800 students from 18 elementary schools and two secondary schools participated in the learning series entitled Created in the Image of God: I Am because We Are (Ubuntu). Based in Afrocentric and Indigenous principles, students celebrated their unique identities and explored the power of words, feelings, and connection with others.
Guided by an equity learning plan that spanned the course of the year, all staff continued to learn how to be anti-racist. Monographs from School Mental Health Ontario compiled into the resource document, “What does racism have to do with me?” provided key information to support the mental health and well-being of Black and racialized students.
We invite you to learn more about our strategic goals and actions accomplished in our 2022-2023 Accountability Report.
2022-2023 Accountability Report