The Vancouver School District is committed to providing safe, caring and inclusive learning environments for all students. To help inform its efforts in doing so, it undertook an engagement process, facilitated by Urban Matters, a third-party organization (May - October 2021) to help inform the development of a strategic framework to address racism and resulting discrimination in the District.
The report about the engagement process and feedback received, Stronger Together: Anti-Racism and Non-Discrimination Engagement 2021 - What We Heard Report, will be presented to the Policy & Governance Committee on December 1, 2021.
The Vancouver School District recognizes and honours the diverse voices who came forward to share their personal, and sometimes, very difficult stories. The stories and experiences collected through the engagement process are invaluable in building a better understanding of the ways in which students, their families and staff experience racism and discrimination as well as the important work that must be done to build trust. The feedback received through the engagement process is invaluable and will be used to help inform the development of the plan.
The District continues to promote anti-racism and non-discrimination in parallel with the Stronger Together engagement process. This includes anti-racism and non-discrimination training for staff and an anti-racism and SOGI Lead in every school. These school leads champion and promote safe space for staff and students and include Indigenous Educators allies. Their work also includes a mental health and well-being focus. School leads receive an orientation, regular updates, resources to support the work in schools. The school lead is a champion of safe space for staff and students.
Ultimately, this is about continuing to build a safe, inclusive and welcoming education system.
Read the full Stronger Together: Anti-Racism and Non-Discrimination Engagement 2021 - What We Heard Report.
