Equity Action Plan

Year at a Glance 2023-2024

Highlights of the Equity Action Plan for the 2023-2024 school year are available below. These goals are also articulated in the board’s 2023-2024 Budget and Priorities Report.

For more information on Equity and Inclusive Education, please email us at: equity@dcdsb.ca

Training and Staff Development

Summer Institute for Educators (Thursday, August 24, 2023)

• Academic and Student Services workshops covering a variety of topics including:
  • Introduction to Culturally Relevant and Responsive Pedagogy (CRRP)
  • Creating Accessible Communications
  • Engaging Students as Universal Design for Learning Partners
• 83 staff attended from various groups

Staff Learning

All staff will engage in learning about the way in which faith and well-being, and equity and human rights, create the conditions for student learning. Through regular meetings, staff will revisit the core resource below:

• Centring Black, Indigenous and Marginalized Perspectives in Mental Health Promotion at School: Examining and Decentring whiteness

Staff will engage in self-reflection about how to be anti-racist and foster cultural humility to guide their own professional growth/learning plan

• Cultural Humility Self-Reflection Tool for School Staff

Learning and Engagement Sessions for Principals and Vice-Principals

Culturally Responsive School Leadership & Human Rights Training

• August 23, 2023
• September 27, 2023
• October 25, 2023
• November 13, 2023
• December 13, 2023
• January 31, 2024
• February 28, 2024
• March 27, 2024
• April 24, 2024
• May 29, 2024
• June 12, 2024

Human Rights and Equity Training Series

A three-part training series for Catholic Education Centre (CEC) and Operations Maintenance Administrative Centre (OMAC) staff, and Maintenance/Custodial Staff.

• Session 1: Accommodation (e.g., disability and competing rights; accessibility requirements)
• Session 2: Complaints Resolution (e.g., prohibited grounds; discrimination threshold assessment; informal resolution; investigations)
• Session 3: Having Human Rights Conversations (e.g., equity lens; barriers to inclusion; culture of respect; privilege; oppression; race; gender identity; religion)

CEC/OMAC Staff Training Dates

• November 22, 2023
• March 1, 2024
• May 17, 2024

Maintenance/Custodial Staff

• November 17, 2023
• March 1, 2024
• May 17, 2024

Culturally Responsive Teaching Strategies for Academic Service Staff

Academic Services teaching staff will engage in a book study of Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students by Zaretta Hammond, to intentionally integrate Culturally Relevant and Responsive Pedagogy strategies into their instructional sessions and educator supports.

• September 22, 2023
• October 20, 2023
• November 17, 2023
• January 26, 2024
• February 23, 2024
• March 22, 2024
• April 19, 2024
• May 24, 2024
• June 21, 2024

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Special Education Considerations

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) strategies, early literacy instruction/intervention strategies, and the use of mathematics manipulatives at Program Support Teacher (PST) and PST Curriculum Chair meetings:

• September 12, 2023
• October 10, 2023
• November 14, 2023
• January 16, 2023

Equity and Inclusive Education Training Series

The DCDSB commits to listen to our diverse communities and address disparities to cultivate a community that is focused on human rights, equity, anti-racism, and inclusion. This six-part virtual series provides opportunity for staff to engage in learning to support culturally responsive and relevant practice. A certification of completion will be issued to staff who complete this learning series.

Dates to be confirmed:

• Session 1: Equity and Inclusive Education
• Session 2: Human Rights and Accommodations
• Session 3: Indigenous Knowledge
• Session 4: Anti-Black Racism
• Session 5: Supporting Students Who Identify as 2SLGBTQIA+
• Session 6: Anti-Islamophobic Racism

Key Resources

• Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students (Zaretta Hammond)
• Universal Design for Learning in Action: 100 Ways to Teach All Learners (Whitney H. Rapp)

Community and Staff Engagement

Anti-Black Racism and Black Excellence Advisory Committee

Learn more about the committee here.

Black Heritage & Excellence Celebration Committee

Like many organizations across the country, the DCDSB celebrates Black History Month each February. The focus of this committee is to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions, culture, history, and achievements of Black students, staff, families, and communities, not only during Black History Month, but every day.

Meeting dates:

• September 26, 2023
• October 24, 2023
• November 21, 2023
• December 19, 2023
• January 23, 2024
• February 8, 2024
• February 29, 2024 – Black History Month Closing Celebration (CEC)
• April 23, 2024
• May 28, 2024

Community Partnerships Hub

Continue to build relationships with community partners who provide culturally relevant resources and support to our racialized students and families.

Current community partners:

• Durham Family and Cultural Centre (DFCC)
• DurhamONE
• Intergenerational Hub
• TAIBU
• Women’s Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre (WMRCC)

Created in The Image of God: I Am Because We Are (Ubuntu) Virtual Engagement Series

Building upon last year’s successful program, which engaged 30 classes and 757 students across the DCDSB, this virtual engagement series for Grade 7 to 9 classes will once again be facilitated by Tanika Riley (a.k.a. iNsight). This is a four-session series:

2024 Dates:

• Session 1: SELF-Awareness – WHO AM I? March 21, 2024
• Session 2: SELF-Regulation – HOW DO I FEEL? April 11, 2024
• Session 3: SELF-Love: HOW DO I SPEAK TO MYSELF AND OTHERS? May 2, 2024
• Session 4: SELF-Expression: HOW DO I EXPRESS MYSELF? May 23, 2024

Session 1: SELF-Awareness - WHO AM I? 

On Thursday, March 21, 2024, approximately 520 Grade 7-9 students across DCDSB participated in the first session of Created in the Image of God: I am because We are (Ubuntu). Ubuntu is a virtual engagement series led by Tanika Riley with guest, Matthew Jones, in collaboration with a board planning team. The first session was focused on self-awareness, and it took a closer look at personal beliefs, labels, and personal identities such as race, culture, stereotypes, talent, and skills, and how our beliefs can be helpful or harmful.

Grade 7 Students Share their Ubuntu Experience

Ms. Spitale and her Grade 7 students share their experience about Ubuntu and how the engagement series has helped them learn more about themselves. Thank you to Ms. Spitale and her Grade 7 students for participating in this video! Watch the video below:

Engagement Series In Person Gathering

On May 23, Grades 7 to 9 students celebrated the final session of the Created in the Image of God: I Am because We Are (Ubuntu) engagement series. This event brought together approximately 500 students from across the Durham Catholic District School Board and was led by Tanika Riley featuring guest speaker Matthew Jones.

Focusing on embracing the principles of Indigenous and African wisdom, this final session was an opportunity to integrate and reflect on the leadership lessons and learning experiences shared in the previous virtual sessions.

A big thank you to all staff, students, and partners for this learning opportunity.

Local Roots Program in Secondary School Careers Classes

This community partnership in four of our Catholic Secondary Schools supports culturally relevant facilitation through intergenerational connection, mentoring, and rhythm. Black “seasoned” adults with diverse career experience will share their wisdom and experience with students in the Grade 10 Careers course (GLC2O).

• Notre Dame CSS – November 13, 20, 27, December 4, 11
• Father Leo J. Austin CSS – November 14, 21, 28, December 5, 12
• St. Mary CSS – February 12, 26, March 4, 18, 25
• Msgr. John Pereyma CSS – February 13, 27, March 5, 19, 26

Black Excellence Newsletter

We are pleased share our newsletters to Black families at the DCDSB, and look forward to sharing information, resources, and upcoming events that may be of interest. 

Families can express interest in receiving communications for Black students and families on the student verification form. The 2023-2024 newsletters can be found below: 

• November 28, 2023: Black Excellence Newsletter
• February 9, 2024: Black Excellence Newsletter
• May 27, 2024: Black Excellence Newsletter

Year at a Glance 2022-2023

Highlights of the Equity Action Plan for the 2022-2023 school year are available below. These goals are also articulated in the Board’s Budget and Strategic Priorities Report (direct link).

For more information on Equity and Inclusive Education, please email us at:equity@dcdsb.ca

Training and Staff Development

Summer Institute for Educators (August 25, 2022)

• Keynote: Aubrey Noronha –Colour Blind? Why being ‘not racist’ is not enough anymore
• Academic and Student Services workshops covering a variety of topics
• Approximately 70 staff attended from various groups

All staff will engage in learning about equity and mental health, facilitated through regular meetings, using a consolidated resource package titled, What does racism have to do with me?

School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO) resources:

1. Understanding Anti-Black Racism to Support the Mental Health and Well-Being of Black and Racialized Students
2. Supporting Mentally Healthy Conversations About Anti-Black Racism with Students
3. Your Role as an Adult Ally
4. 5 Tips for Adult Allies
5. How to Foster and Maintain Supportive Spaces for Black Youth
6. Listen, Believe & Act: Support for students who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19

• Staff will engage in self-reflection about how to be anti-racist and use an equity leadership framework to guide their own professional growth/learning plan

Learning and engagement sessions for Principals and Vice-Principals:

What does racism have to do with me?

• September 14, 2022
• November 9, 2022
• January 11, 2023
• March 1, 2023
• May 10, 2023

Human Rights Training

• August 23, 2022
• October 12, 2022
• December 7, 2022
• February 8, 2023
• April 12, 2023

Equity Leads

• Equity Leads (one in every school) will engage in two full days of professional development and learning focused on anti-racism and anti-discrimination to support engagement, conversations and capacity-building at the school-level. Academic and Student Services teaching staff will also be joining these learning opportunities.

Learning and engagement sessions for Equity Leads:

• Session 1 – Group A: January 10, 2023
• Session 1 – Group B: January 12, 2023
• Session 2 – Group A: April 13, 2023
• Session 2 – Group B: April 14, 2023

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Special Education Considerations

• Learning and practical strategies connected to Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and early literacy instruction/intervention into monthly Program Support Teacher (PST) and PST Curriculum Chair meetings each month.

Key Resources:

• Antiracism and Universal Design for Learning: Building Expressways to Success (Andratesha Fritzgerald)
• Universal Design for Learning in Action: 100 Ways to Teach All Learners (Whitney H. Rapp)
• Shifting the Balance: 6 Ways to Bring the Science of Reading into the Balanced Literacy Classroom

Community and Staff Engagement

Anti-Black Racism and Black Excellence Advisory Committee

Upcoming meeting dates for this committee are as follows:

• Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. – Pope Francis Centre (652 Rossland Road West, Oshawa)
• Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. – Location to be determined
• Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. – Pope Francis Centre (652 Rossland Road West, Oshawa)
  
  

Community Partnerships Hub

• Continue to build relationships with community partners who provide culturally relevant resources and support to our racialized students and families
  • Engage and connect through regular meetings with key partners in the community to support ongoing and effective communication of resources, events and relevant information for our racialized students and families
  • Current organizations engaged:
• Durham Family and Cultural Centre (DFCC)
• DurhamONE
• Intergenerational Hub
• TAIBU
• Women’s Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre (WMRCC)
  
  

Invitational Learning Series for Staff

Trinity and Inclusivity with Father Darren Dias

November 17, 2022

Approximately 65 staff members attended

• January 24, 2023 - Inclusivity for Caring Adults Session 1

• February 15, 2023 - Inclusivity for Caring Adults Session 2
• April 20, 2023

Created in the Image of God: I Am Because We Are (Ubuntu) Virtual Engagement Series

A virtual engagement series for Grade 7-9 classes, facilitated by Tanika Riley aka iNsight, an energetic storyteller, city builder, entrepreneur and artist. There are four sessions available in this series, including:

• Session 1: SELF-Awareness - WHO AM I? (Thursday, March 30, 2023)
• Session 2: SELF-Regulation- HOW DO I FEEL? (Thursday, April 13, 2023)
• Session 3: SELF-Love: WORDS, SOUND POWER (Tuesday, May 16, 2023)
• Session 4: SELF-Expression: CONNECTIONS (Tuesday, May 30, 2023)

Year at a Glance 2021-2022

Highlights of the Equity Action Plan for the 2021-2022 school year are below:

Training

• Anti-Black Racism Training - Secondary Educators (Oct. 8, 2021)
• Critical Consciousness and the Front Office: Your Lens in Focus – Elementary School Administrative Assistants (January 21, 2022)
• Critical Consciousness in Representation and Imagery: The Agency and Accountability of an Administrator (Feb. 16, 2022)
• Critical Consciousness and the Front Office: Your Lens in Focus – Secondary School Administrative Assistants (Feb. 18, 2022)
• Anti-Racism Training – Central Staff (Mar. 9, 2022)

Invitational Learning Series for Staff

Authors and Advocates: Illuminating Representation in the Classroom

(Nov. 22-24, 2021)

Engagement

Anti-Black Racism and Black Excellence Advisory Committee

Executive Meeting Dates:

• September 21, 2021
• November 16, 2021
• January 17, 2022
• March 22, 2022
• May 17, 2022

Year at a Glance 2020-2021

Highlights of the board's Anti-Black Racism Strategy for the 2020-2021 school year are below:

Training

Anti-Black racism pilot workshop

• Group A – Oct. 20 and 27, 2020
• Group B - Oct. 22 and 29, 2020
• 40 teachers across 4 secondary schools

Challenging System Barriers: Anti-Racism and Equity - training for leaders

• November 3, 17 and December 2, 2020
• Over 80 principals, vice-principals and consultants
• 13 school
  
  

Culturally Responsive and Relevant Pedagogy (CRRP) Practitioner Inquiry

• Learning opportunity with the Ministry of Education Equity Secretariat
• Two secondary and one elementary school involved
• Board members – System Faith Animator, Indigenous Education Advisor, Equity and Engagement Officer, Superintendent (Academic Services), Superintendent (Equity)
• November 4-5, 2020 – 2-day learning symposium
• Critical Inquiry Question: How will work with staff (book studies, PD, consultations) on micro-aggressions and discrimination impact feelings of belonging for racialized students?

Racial Equity Facilitator Training

• 10-hour course in February offered through the Equity Literacy Institute and Ed Change (led by Paul Gorski and Marceline DuBose)
• Board Team of 20 leaders received 10 hours of training in February

Mandatory Anti-Black Racism Training

• 1/2 day training for all secondary educators on the Secondary Professional Activity Day on February 12, 2021
• 1/2 day training for all school administrative assistants over 2 days – March 25, 2021 and June 10, 2021
• 1/2 day training for all elementary educators on the Elementary Professional Activity Day on June 11, 2021
• Led by Margaret Brimpong, Senior Manager of Equity, Anti-Racism and Equity

Invitational Learning Series for All Staff

• May 17 – 20, 2021 @4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Engagement

Consultations (November 2, 2020 to December 15, 2020)

Initial consultations with Black and racialized students and parents/guardians were held to inform our next steps to address systemic discrimination and barriers in our system. We spoke with 38 students, 48 parents/guardians and 18 members of the Student Senate to hear the impact that systemic racism and how it has affected the experiences of some of our students and families. 

The Thoughtexchange platform was used to gather the information and feedback that was shared. Thoughtexchange is a collaborative platform that brings people together on important topics. It helps people learn from one another, discover important insights, and make decisions quickly and effectively. More information about this platform can be found on the website using the direct link: Thoughtexchange – How it Works. 

Direct links to the interactive reports for each of the Thoughtexchanges are below. The student and parent/guardian reports will also be shared broadly with our school communities. Some of the intentional next steps in our work can be found within these reports. 

Interactive Thoughtexchange Summary Reports:

• Consultations with Black and Racialized Students, and Parents/Guardians
• Equity Consultation with the DCDSB Student Senate 

Anti-Black Racism Strategy Conversation with Senior Admin (February 16, 2021 at 7:00 - 8:00 p.m). 

All community members were invited to engage in further conversation regarding DCDSB's Anti-Black Racism Strategy with members of Senior Administration.

Anti-Black Racism and Black Excellence Advisory Committee

As part of our Anti-Black Racism Strategy (2020-2021), the Board has committed to establishing an Advisory Committee to support engagement and ongoing communication with our stakeholders as we move forward in this work. Aside from the main group, six sub-committees have been formed:

1. Curriculum and Learning
2. Celebration and Recognition
3. Academic Performance and Student Discipline
4. Talent Recruitment and Advancement
5. Faith and Expression
6. Community Resource Development

Meeting dates:

• March 30, 2021  -  6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
• May 4, 2021 
• June 9, 2021 @ 6:00 p.m. (Elections)

Action Plan and Report (2020-2021) 

1. An Anti-Racism Policy entails a clear process for the resolution or escalation of equity-related issues/concerns for both students and staff. Through this policy, the Board seeks to clearly outline racism, anti-Black racism and related discrimination. We are also working to revise student investigation protocols to include elements specifically related to racism and discrimination.

• An Anti-Racism Policy was developed to form the foundation for administrative procedures that would entail clear processes for the resolution or escalation of equity-related issues/concerns for both students and staff. Drafts of the policy undertook different internal consultation processes, including critical review through the Equity Committee.
• Throughout the development process of this policy, the Board has sought to clearly outline racism, anti-Black racism and related discrimination. The Board has also strived to revise student investigation protocols to include elements specifically related to racism and discrimination. 
• The policy went to first reading on March 8, 2021 and to second reading on May 10, 2021. The policy is currently open for further public input and, will proceed to a third and final reading in the fall 2021. As part of our regular review process, this policy will be reviewed every 5 years.
  
  

2. An Advisory Committee focused on anti-Black racism and the illumination of Black Excellence, has been established with broad staff, parent, student and community representation. The committee will support and help co-ordinate school and system-level engagement, and internal accountability for addressing issues of systemic barriers. An Advisory Committee focused on anti-Black racism and the illumination of Black Excellence, was established in March 2021 with broad staff, parent, student and community representation. The committee focuses on supporting and helping to co-ordinate school and system-level engagement, and internal accountability for addressing issues of systemic barriers.

• Six working subcommittees have been formed: Curriculum and Learning, Faith and Expression, Academic Performance and Student Discipline, Community Resource Development, Talent Recruitment and Advancement, Celebration and Recognition  
  • Meetings that have taken place:
  • The first meeting took place on March 30, 2021 with 151 participants
  • The second meeting took place on May 4, 2021
  • Elections for Co-Chair, Secretary, Vice-Secretary and Subcommittee Co-Coordinators (all non-staff) were held on June 9, 2021.  
    
    

3. Ongoing training opportunities for staff at all levels will be a continued focus. Mandatory training will be incorporated into PA days for both the elementary and secondary panels.

• There have been number of training opportunities connected to anti-Black racism this year, including invitational training opportunities specifically for administrators and educators, and other learning sessions open to all staff
• Elementary and secondary educators and school administrative assistants have received mandatory introductory training on anti-Black racism and bias, and we will continue training opportunities for all staff groups in the coming year.
• The full range of training opportunities this year are outlined on the Board’s Equity and Inclusive Education Webpage under the section titled, “Anti-Black Racism Strategy – Year at a Glance 2020-2021”:
  
  

4. The Human Resources Department is developing a new hiring policy and administrative procedure that is reflective of the Ministry of Education’s expectations on teacher hiring practices to develop a diverse and representative workforce, with a focus on hiring Black educators and professionals.

• The Human Resources Department has developed an interim Staffing Policy (328), currently in second reading, that provides a framework for the administrative procedures that govern the various human resources and labour relations management operations, practices and processes (Direct link to PO328)
• This policy intentionally addresses hiring processes in relation to diversity, equity, human rights, and outlines the goal of achieving a diverse and representative teaching and non-teaching workforce to meet the needs of a diverse student population
• Another intentional action has been to critically examine various practices within the department, including training and considerations related to bias-free hiring
  
  

5. The Board’s Demographic Data Project Application to the Equity Secretariat has been approved and project planning is underway. Administration of a Student Census will take place in the fall of 2021.

• In order to facilitate engagement sessions with all of our stakeholders, the administration of the Student Census is now scheduled for April/May 2022 for students in grades 6-12
• More information will be coming starting in late September 2021
• The Board will offer a number of community sessions to share information and answer questions from parents/guardians, along with providing information to students and staff throughout the year prior to the administration
  
  

6. The Business of Belonging Learning Series took place May 17-20, 2021. The learning series focused on critical topics regarding belonging and what it looks like for Black learners and professionals through intersectional topics in education. The symposium was open to all DCDSB staff. 

• The Business of Belonging Learning Series took place May 17-20, 2021. The learning series focused on critical intersectional topics on belonging and what it looked like for Black learners and professionals in education. The symposium was open to all staff. 
  • Speakers and Topics:
    • Dr. Andrew B. Campbell - Anti-Black Racism and Black Excellence Work
    • Dr. Kofi- Belfon - Black and Educated – The Right to Just BE
    • Katherine Mustachi - Missing Black and Racialized Narratives in Catholic Education, Service and Expression
    • Carrington Christmas - Intersectional Black Identities and the Spirit Injury of Classification
  • 300 staff registered for these opportunities and we received tremendous feedback on the learning and value of these opportunities.

News Release and Updates

News Release: DCDSB Announces Introduction of New Grade 12 Course: Deconstructing Anti-Black Racism in the Canadian and North American Context. Click here to read the news release.

St. Mary Catholic Secondary School Yearbook Report 

Report on St. Mary CSS Yearbook - March 2021