Human Rights Policy - Group Discussions

The OCDSB will be consulting with students, parents/guardians, staff and community members as we work to create a district-wide human rights policy.

We will be holding group discussions in March and April, which you are encouraged to attend. 

If you are unable to make it, there are other ways to participate:

  • Complete our survey (Open until April 5, 2021 at 11:59 PM
  • Volunteer to lead a virtual discussion/consultation with your class (for teachers), club or group of friends. We will provide you with the materials that you need. Reach out to us at [email protected]
  • Write us a message and share your thoughts and ideas: [email protected]  

Student - Group Discussions

Session 1:

African Descent/Black

Monday March 22

4:00 to 5:30pm

Register here

Session 2:

General

Tuesday March 23

4:00 to 5:30pm

Register here

Session 3:

2SLGBTQ+

Monday March 29

3:30 to 5:00pm

Register here

Session 4:

Racialized and Faith-based

Tuesday March 30

4:30 to 6:00pm

Register here

Session 5:

First Nations, Métis and Inuit

TBD

3:30 to 5:00pm

Expression of Interest

Parents and Community - Group Discussions

Session 1: First Nations, Métis and Inuit Monday November 1
4:00 to 5:30pm
Register here

Session 2:

General

Wednesday March 24

4:00 to 5:30pm

Register here

Session 3:

African Descent/Black

Monday March 29

7:00 to 8:30pm

Register here

Session 4:

Somali-speaking (interpretation provided)

Tuesday March 30

7:00 to 8:30pm

Register here

Session 5:

Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking (interpretation provided)

Wednesday March 31

7:00 to 8:30pm

Register here

Session 6:

Arabic-speaking (interpretation provided)

Wednesday April 7

7:00 to 8:30pm

Register here

Session 7:
2SLGBTQ+
Tuesday April 6
5:30 to 7:00pm
Register here
Session 8:  Disability
Tuesday April 6
7:30 to 9:00pm
Register here


Students: Group discussions will be held via Google Meet. You will need to join using a Google Nickname. Here are instructions for joining. Watch your email - the Google Nickname that you need to join the session will be sent to you by email prior to the discussion.

Parents and community members: Group discussions will be held using Zoom. You will receive a link by email once you register. The link is unique to you and cannot be shared.

  1. Under the Frequently Asked Questions please add in:

Why are there sessions for different groups?

We are offering a variety of ways to participate in discussions on this important topic. We understand some participants may feel more comfortable sharing their perspectives in groups with others who have similar or shared lived experiences.


Frequently Asked Questions

Who will be facilitating the consultations?

Each session will be led by a staff member from the OCDSB equity team or designated facilitator. 

Is what I say confidential?

We want to gather frank feedback from students, families and community members. Nothing that you say will be attributed to you and your name will not be used. Notes will be taken during the consultations and information shared will be used to inform policy change. 

For Students:  Will there be adults there? Who?

Each session will be led by a staff member from the OCDSB equity team or designated facilitator. Teachers, principals and vice-principals from schools will not be present. 

What will we discuss in the group sessions?

We would like to better understand some of the biggest human rights challenges you are facing so that we can create change. By this we mean we want to better understand times you’ve been treated unfairly or experienced challenges because of who you are so we can make systemic changes to prevent it from happening for you and others in the future.  We also want to understand how we can create a way for you to raise concerns when you have them, in a way that will feel safe to you.

Why isn’t a date set yet for the discussions with First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples?

We will be fixing a date shortly, once we have coordinated with an Indigenous facilitator.  In the meantime, we would like to ask you to register your interest and we will email you to let you know when the time and date is finalized.

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