To better understand the needs of students and their families, Bluewater District School Board is excited to announce the upcoming launch of Student Demographic Census 2022.
Themed "Your Voice Matters!", junior kindergarten to Grade 12 students will be invited to participate in a voluntary questionnaire during April 2022. The findings will help to inform the important work that Bluewater District School Board is currently doing in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusive education by allowing us to:
- better understand student populations and school communities;
- identify and eliminate barriers to student success, inclusion, and well-being; and
- establish effective programs and reallocate resources to where they are needed most.
While participation will be voluntary, Bluewater District School Board is strongly encouraging students and families to get involved. The higher the completion rate, the more thorough and reliable the information will be for school improvement and program planning.
More information on Student Demographic Census 2022 will be provided to parents/guardians in the coming months. In the meantime, a dedicated web page has been developed to provide information and answers to common questions at www.bwdsb.on.ca/students/student_demographic_census.
To promote the upcoming census, Bluewater District School Board held a logo and slogan contest in the fall that was open to all Grades 4 to 12 students. Following an extremely tough deliberation process, which included almost 70 entries, the judges selected the logo design submitted by Peninsula Shores District School Grade 11 student Molly Solomon, and slogan from Egremont Community School Grade 5 student Emerson Lantz.
Molly's logo depicts simple figures with each figure displaying the same heart.
"When I created my logo, I wanted it to be simple but have a big impact. I wanted everyone to know that even with the different skin tones, cultures, and disabilities, we are all equal," says Molly. "I am First Nations, and I like to express my feelings through my art. I believe that everyone is equal, regardless of any differences on the outside."
Emerson's "Your Voice Matters!" slogan reflects Bluewater District School Board's strategic priority around community engagement, which includes actively seeking input from students and families on matters of achievement and well-being.
"I was interested in entering the 2022 census logo and slogan contest because I have always cared about equality, whether it is Black Lives Matter (or) female rights, and that is what this census (is) all about," says Emerson. "I am hoping my slogan inspires people to encourage equality throughout Bluewater District School Board!"
Congratulations to Molly and Emerson for their creative submissions, and an honourable mention is extended to all our student entrants who came forward with their amazing ideas. Molly and Emerson have received prizes for their contributions, while Molly has also secured new art supplies for her school.
"Our upcoming census will enable all students and families in Bluewater to lend their voices to our vitally important work around equity, diversity, and inclusiveness in our schools," says Superintendent of Education Keith Lefebvre. "The information we gather will be pivotal to better aligning our decisions and focus with our strategic plan priorities of a safe supportive learning community that works together to support wellness, and fosters the strengths, contributions, and overall health of students and staff."
