This year Algoma District School Board provided a deliberate focus and extensive training and professional development for students, teachers, support staff and administrators in the area of Equity, Inclusivity and Diversity:

 

• ADSB endorsed Sault Ste. Marie City Council’s Racial Harmony Resolution. Director of Education, Lucia Reece, accepted three Embrace Diversity plaques (one each in English, French and Ojibway) and reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to focusing on moral values as established in the Board’s Character Education Program, first introduced in 2005

 

• ADSB system leaders and Senior Administration attended a session presented by the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres (OFIFC) that provided a basic understanding of the impacts of historic trauma while exploring concepts of Aboriginal education practices and priorities

 

• All ADSB Vice-Principals and selected staff took part in training focussed on “Prejudices and Stereotypes”.   They explored the ideas of how their own identities, experiences and beliefs impact the way we interact with others;

 

• Those trained then delivered workshops “Focusing our Equity Lens” to staff and students at their schools or within the Board; the focus of the training remained on:

 

1. Valuing Diversity

2. Empowering Students, Staff and Community Members

3. Fostering Pride and Dignity

4. Building on Strengths ;