What learning and actions are we doing?
Throughout the district, students have expressed an appreciation of having opportunities to regularly connect. This past year, two Rainbow Cafés were held in-person, culminating in a carnival-themed Pride Party in June. With a Youth Action Grant from McCreary Society, the Pride Party was a celebration for students identifying as 2SLGBTQ+ and allies.
In addition, resource planning sessions were facilitated by the District Coordinator with two teams of elementary and secondary educators. These meetings have focused on ensuring 2SLGBTQ+ students see themselves represented during classroom discussions and other school activities. Creating professional learning resources, including lesson plans for students and professional development with fellow staff, has been part of these planning sessions. Sessions will continue into next year as these teams look to increase awareness, understanding, and support teacher facility around SOGI topics.Ìý
This year, staff inquiry teams in five elementary schools and two secondary schools engaged in the innovation grant process, with either a direct focus on SOGI-related topics or themes of intersectionality related to SOGI.Ìý
The district’s SOGI Advisory supports the development of guidelines to support schools in the installation of rainbow crosswalks to promote education and awareness. This can occur through the transformation of environments to be more visibly 2SLGBTQ+ friendly. To build upon the initial two rainbow installations that were installed last summer, Diversity Clubs and GSAs have engaged with school communities to put forward an expression of interest. It is anticipated that three additional rainbow installations will occur during the summer of 2023.
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