Listening to Voices in Limestone
This is an opportunity for Limestone staff to truly listen to LDSB community members' perspectives on both current events and the next steps Limestone can collaboratively take to continue building inclusive spaces where everyone's identity is represented & valued.
A future where everyone can see themselves in Limestone.
Student Leader: Highlighting Sekai Chikodzi (LCVI)
At LCVI, Sekai Chikodzi organized a workshop to celebrate Black hair and bring Black students together to learn more about how to take care of their textured hair. This event fostered a sense of community for Black students across the board. Sekai also organized a panel discussion with inspiring Black individuals from the Kingston community, who spoke about their experiences being Black in Kingston - the struggles they have faced and continue to face, their successes, and wisdom and advice they would like to pass on to Black students in Limestone. Both events were a huge success and we truly believe they will have a lasting impact on Black students in LDSB who lack affirming spaces where they feel seen and heard.
We asked Sekai, what message do you want to share with LDSB staff as we move beyond the month of February?
Sekai indicated that, "these events at LCVI illuminated the importance of fostering safe and inclusive spaces for Black students in the Limestone board. Going forward, it is critical that teachers and staff take the initiative to incorporate Black history into their classrooms in February and all year round."
"The other thing that I want to raise is that we really need to have the full support of the board and ALL staff in our schools, so that we are not put in a position of carrying the full weight of this work. I have found that it can be stressful to feel like our affinity group is responsible for making sure everyone feels included and that no one is left out. For example, our BHM events and initiatives shouldn’t be the only thing happening in the school. It shouldn't always be the job of racialized students to plan things for the school to do, to educate our peers, and to drive the agenda...these things take time and care to plan, and we need the full support of the school community so that what we plan is complementary to what the school is already doing, rather than being the whole plan."
Congratulations to Superintendent Patty Gollogly, for winning Kingston's 2023's Inspirational Woman Award!
"When it comes to advancing gender equity, Patty has been on the forefront of many new initiatives at the Limestone District School Board. Patty was instrumental in creating a large and welcoming presence at both the Napanee Pride parade and the Kingston Pride parade last year. This was the first time the school board, from an administrative standpoint, made an effort to be a visible presence at Pride, filling both parades with supportive staff, students, and families.
There are numerous things Patty does on a daily basis to help make the Limestone District School Board, an organization with such a massive impact on our Kingston community (20,000+ students and 3,000+ staff members), more inclusive. She liaises with our local health unit and police departments to ensure our schools continue to be safe spaces and has launched new initiatives like the LDSB Queer Sports and Social Club, a fun, social and safe place for all LDSB Grade 9-12 students to be active and build relationships.
As part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community herself, countless students across our school board benefit from seeing Patty in such an important leadership position with a large, impactful organization."
From:https://www.icckingston.com/inspirational-woman-award-voting
We asked, Superintendent Patty Gollogly to share her thoughts on this year's International Women's Day theme: #Embrace Equity
Upcoming Workshops from Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
CCDI Webinar: Valuing multilingualism in the workplace
Date: April 11, 2023
Webinaire du CCDI : Valoriser le multilinguisme en milieu de travail
Date: April 11, 2023
Date: April 20, 2023
Students, parents, families, staff, and community members are encouraged to speak up when they experience or witness a human rights incident or have a complaint that involves a Limestone student
This includes incidents and complaints that are related to school activities or that occur off school property such as school-related field trips, extracurricular clubs or activities, and sporting events.
Students, parents/families, staff, and community members are encouraged to submit a human rights incident and complaint form for any of the following:
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Discrimination: Discrimination is an action or omission that treats someone unfairly by either imposing a burden on them or denying them a privilege, benefit, or opportunity enjoyed by others, because of their age, creed, colour, family status, gender identity or expression race, genetic characteristics or disability, marital status, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any protected ground in the Ontario Human Rights Code. Discrimination also includes failure to accommodate. | Bullying: Bullying is aggressive behaviour that is typically repeated over time. It is meant to cause harm, fear, distress, or create a negative environment for another person. Not all bullying is a human rights violation. You can submit an incident or complaint where it is also a violation of any protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code. Administrative Procedure 356: Bullying Prevention and Intervention should be followed where the bullying does not violate a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code. | Hate activities: Hate activities are incidents that occur in the school community expressing intolerance based on age, ancestry, colour, creed, disability, gender expression, gender identity, language, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any protected characteristic. Hate incidents may take the form of intimidation, harassment, physical force or threats of physical force, verbal slurs accompanied by threats, vandalism of property, display of hate symbols, or messages implying that members of an identifiable group are to be despised, denied respect, and made subject to ill-treatment based on group affiliation. |
Discrimination:
Bullying:
Hate activities:
About Us:
The LDSB Equity team is excited to continue working with both staff and students, providing resources and spaces that foster a strong sense of belonging, so everyone can see themselves in Limestone!
Please do not hesitate to contact us; we look forward to working with you!
7-12 Equity & Inclusion Consultant
613-544-6925 ext.213
Rachael McDonald
K-8 Equity & Inclusion Consultant
613-544-6925 ext. 213
Human Rights & Equity Officer
613-544-6925 ext.256