As collaborators in education, schools and School Councils recognize that all families have an equitable place in our schools' community, free from racism, classism, colonialism, and other forms of discrimination, intentional or unintentional. School Council programming should reflect the goals of the OCDSB’s Indigenous, Equity & Human Rights Roadmap by ensuring that councils create welcoming and inclusive spaces for all members of their school community. Some ways to do this include:
- Welcome local translators to your meetings.
- Engage the school’s Multicultural Liaison Officer (MLO) for multi-lingual support. Talk to your principal for more information.
- Encourage leaders of diverse cultural and language groups to share information about the School Council with members of their communities.
- Avoid scheduling meetings on religious holidays. Refer to the OCDSB Religious and Creed-Based Holy Days Calendar when planning events and meetings.
- Leverage local multicultural media outlets to raise awareness about your school and School Council events.
- Serve Halal and Kosher food options at events. (Refer to the School Food and Beverage Policy for information about making healthy food choices).
For more information and resources, visit our Engaging Families webpage.