Letter: UGDSB committed to inclusion, student well-being

A recent letter to Upper Grand District School Board students, parents and staff states the board will continue to teach students about “safety, well-being and inclusion,” despite recent sex-ed changes introduced by the provincial government led by Premier Doug Ford.

The board will continue to support and promote “initiatives and resources in our schools that go beyond the curriculum,” states an open letter from UGDSB chair Linda Busuttil posted last week on the board’s website.

Last month Ford stated Ontario schools would this fall revert to teaching the previous sex-education curriculum (established in 1998), which did not include topics such as consent, same-sex marriage, gender identity and online safety.

In her letter Busuttil notes there have been many questions raised in the local community about the changes.

“There are still many questions to be answered, answers that we believe are of critical importance to our children’s learning in the classroom and the direction to be taken by our staff,” Busuttil wrote.

“As we await further clarification, we want to assure all families in the [UGSB] that our values and commitment to inclusion, diversity, safety and well-being remain steadfast.”

While school boards are required to follow the Ontario curriculum, she said the UGDSB has other programs, initiatives and resources that go beyond the curriculum.

“Through the work of our safe, equitable and inclusive schools initiatives, mental health supports and resources, and counselling and support staff the [UGDSB] will continue to support our LGBTQ community and teach about gender issues and acceptance, and continue to educate students on internet safety, cyberbullying, healthy relationships and consent,” she said.

“We will continue to embed First Nation, Métis and Inuit histories and perspectives in our schools, our system and our school communities. We will continue to celebrate the diversity of all our students.”

Board spokesperson Heather Loney agreed.

“Our board has many programs, resources and initiatives that go beyond the curriculum, and our commitment to those will not change,” Loney said.

“The board remains steadfastly committed to our values and commitment to inclusion, diversity, safety and student well-being.”

 

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