Strategic Priority 2: Celebrating Inclusion
"Catholic schools, which always strive to join their work of education with the explicit proclamation of the Gospel, are a most valuable resource for the evangelization of culture." - Evangeli Gaudium, 134
Actions to be Taken
- Engage in a comprehensive special education review through the LEAD (Leading Equitable & Accessible Delivery) Process in collaboration with the Abilities Centre in Whitby.
Note: this process is ongoing as we continue to partner with LEAD Canada to improve accessibility across DCDSB.
- Follow up meetings with Abilities Centre
Note: further follow up meetings will take place in the 2023-2024 school year. - Recommendations and Improvement Plan
Note: implementation of recommendations will continue across departments in the 2023-2024 school year. - Impact Conversation and Follow Up
Note: conversations and follow up will be part of an ongoing process.
Actions to be Taken
- Learning and collaboration with Program Support Teachers to build their knowledge and use of Universal Design for Learning strategies and the science of reading to better support students with diverse and special needs.
- Resources: Universal Design for Learning in Action (Whitney H. Rapp), Anti-racism and Universal Design for Learning (Andratesha Fritzgerald), and Shifting the Balance (Jan Burkins and Kari Yates)
- Program Support Teacher Meetings
Actions to be Taken
- Guide administrators and school staff in learning about their role in ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all students, incorporating key learning around equity and mental health.
- Resources: What does racism have to do with me? - School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO) Resources
- Learning sessions with Principals and Vice-Principals at Director’s Meetings
- Re-engage Equity Leads in every school to support the use of culturally responsive and relevant pedagogy across classrooms and school.
- Learning sessions with Equity Leads
- Continue to identify and eliminate systemic barriers in policies, processes, and procedures through collaborative reviews
Note: This work is ongoing as policies and procedures are reviewed with an equity lens on an established cycle. - Develop and implement an effective and transparent human rights complaints resolution process
Note: Draft Human Rights Complaints Resolution Administrative Procedure is being developed. - Promote the use of different forms of alternative dispute resolution, where appropriate, to resolve human rights complaints
Note: Informal resolution has been encouraged and implemented in addressing Human Rights concerns/complaints. This is an ongoing process. - Enhance leadership capacity in understanding legal responsibilities related to Human Rights through Anti-racism and anti-discrimination awareness training for administrators.
- Invitational Learning Series - Staff and/or Families
Note: Complete and ongoing.
- Student Conference Series