GUELPH – The Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) is seeking feedback on two policies.
The board has made updates to a policy on naming schools and facilities and has created a new policy about holding celebrations and commemorations, including flying flags.
Naming schools, facilities
UGDSB Policy 303 – Naming of Schools and Board Facilities was last updated in 2020, so is due for its regular review, which includes evaluating the naming process and criteria the board uses to name schools, facilities and designated areas of schools and facilities.
Prior to the proposed updates, the naming policy included naming schools and facilities after people who have made significant contributions locally and internationally.
The updated policy prohibits naming schools, facilities or designated areas after people or corporations.
An introduction to the policy updates lists possible problems with naming buildings after people, including:
- legacy and controversy: someone’s actions or beliefs may later be uncovered as controversial or inconsistent with present-day values;
- representation: certain names may reinforce underrepresentation of marginalized groups;
- memorialization versus recognition: naming can blur the line between honouring a legacy and acknowledging achievements; and
- public opinion: students, staff, parents/guardians/caregivers and community members may hold different views on who deserves recognition.
Instead of names of individuals or corporations, the policy suggests names that:
- reflect that place’s unique programs or focus;
- reference local environment, landscapes, ecosystems or environmental sustainability;
- reflect Indigenous Peoples or the traditional lands on which the building is located;
- highlight the areas historical significance; or
- refer to a near-by street, village, town, subdivision or community.
Updates to the policy also include stating the board’s commitment to using an “equitable and inclusive approach to ensure names are reflective of the communities served, which involves consultation with students, staff, parents/guardians/caregivers,” states a Nov. 26 report from the board’s policy and priorities committee.
“The goal of this policy is to ensure that names selected align with the board’s strategic priorities related to equity, inclusivity and human rights and are reflective of the communities served,” it continues.
Promoting and protecting “Indigenous rights, human rights, and equity is at the forefront when selecting names,” the report states.
“The UGDSB acknowledges that many existing names of our schools and facilities are rooted in historical legacies that may not align with our present-day values,” states an introduction to the updated policy.
UGDSB schools and facilities named prior to the policy update will retain their names, unless individual requests for renaming are supported by the board of trustees.
The process outlined in the updated naming policy will be used to name the new elementary school in Centre Wellington and the new high school in Guelph.
Celebrations, commemorations
Policy 323 – Celebrations and Commemorations is a new policy that “outlines how persons, groups, events and causes of significance are recognized, celebrated and/or commemorated,” according to the Nov. 26 report from the board’s policy and priorities committee.
It includes guidelines around flying flags at schools and other board sites, including mandating that every UGDSB building fly the Canadian flag on a flagpole outside, and flags for all other countries be banned from exterior flagpoles.
It also mandates that both the Canadian flag and the Ontario flag be displayed inside every school.
“Schools and other board sites may be approved to display on an exterior flagpole for a specified period, secondary flags that have a clear connection to the board’s purpose, values and multi-year plan, and are not connected to a political party or religious group,” the proposed policy states.
“During the month of June, all UGDSB schools and board sites shall fly the Pride flag in support and celebration of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community,” it continues.
The Canadian flag must always be displayed in a position of prominence over secondary flags, with no other flag larger or higher than the national flag.
Principals are responsible for informing their school communities about these secondary flags.
The policy also outlines when flags shall be flown at half mast, including after the death of a member of the Royal Family, a past or present Canadian governor general or prime minister, or various past and present Ontario officials.
They will also be flown at half mast on April 28, June 23, Nov. 11 and Dec. 6 to observe annual days of remembrance or mourning.
Flags may be lowered at other times, at the discretion of the director of education, superintendents, principals and families effected by a death.
The policy specifies that “celebrations, events and days of recognition should be planned and organized in a way that reflects the board’s commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students and staff, regardless of their diverse identities and beliefs.”
It notes that permanent commemorations will not be permitted on UGDSB property.
To read and complete a survey regarding the updates to each policy, visit ugdsb.ca.
The UGDSB will collect feedback for both policies until Dec. 26 at 4pm.
After public consultation, the policies will be considered by the policy and priorities committee on Jan. 7 and the board of trustees on Jan. 14 or Feb. 25.
