Great Start

1
Great Start An orientation and training evening
for school council members
2
Celebrating Faith and Culture in your schooland
how you can help Varsha Naik Community
Liaison Coordinator
3
Faith and Culture should be celebrated in our
schools. Do you agree with the above
statement?? In your small groups discuss the
issue and through consensus decide on an answer.
List your reasons for the answer. Be prepared
to share your reasons with the larger group.
4

• Peel board values diversity and is committed to
  equity and inclusion as reflected in its goals
• Achieve equity for all students and staff
• Attract, develop and retain diverse staff
• Encourage positive school/community relationships
• There is recognition that we need to
• Add to our existing understanding of cultures and
  diversity
• Include and expand school and board
  responsibilities in this journey
• Increase capacity to lead, participate and
  implement diversity initiatives in our schools
  and at the board level
• Engage students and parents in schools for
  ongoing success
• Create a welcoming environment for all involved

5

• In our focus on student success and the journey
  to achieving equity we are determined to
• Ensure inclusion of all through transparent
  practices, policies and procedures
• Promote climate of respect and acceptance
• Train all involved and have positive role models
• Diversity represented at all levels in the Board
• Implement changes that are necessary
• Accessible services and involved community
• Celebrate diversity

6

• Diversity in Peel to a great extent
• results from
• Cultural diversity and Immigration
• Peel Board serves the largest group of diverse
  communities (students, parents, staff).
• PDSB has a significant role to play in creating
  the kind of community we want in Peel.
• The learning we provide needs to be
• rooted in the lives of students
• in their reality and life experiences

7
(No Transcript)
8
(No Transcript)
9
(No Transcript)
10
(No Transcript)
11
Faith of Peel Residents

• In 1996 and 2001 census over 88 of the
  Peel residents reported their religion and the
  data was higher than the National and Provincial
  average
• The growing faith groups in peel besides
  Christianity and Aboriginal Communities are
• Sikhism
• Islam
• Hinduism
• Buddhism

12
Creating a Learning Community through Celebration
of Faith and Culture

• Enables holistic teaching - addressing all
  aspects of the student physical, emotional,
  social, psychological and the spiritual
• Gives students a chance to explore their own
  heritage while learning about their classmates
  traditions
• Chance to explore different cultures while
  learning a little bit about oneself helps
  students form a strong sense of identity
• Allows for all involved to become more fulfilled,
  happy, productive and motivated employees,
  students or citizens, eager to participate in our
  (PDSB) collective futures
• Teaches about diversity so that students will
  ultimately be able to interact and thrive in a
  diverse world

13
Link to Student Success

• Impacts students understanding of own cultural
  perspectives critical look at values, history,
  discrimination, power relationships
• Contributes to creating a culture of respect
  allowing for differences
• Facilitates pursuance of excellence in education
  and in life
• Develops and strengthens leadership,
  communication, teamwork and collaboration skills
• Creates positive relationships and healthy work
  habits
• Engages students with a sense of belonging
• Reduces school absenteeism, vandalism

14
Celebrating Diversity Celebrating diverse
faiths and cultures furthers anti-racist
and multicultural education.
15
Celebrate! Celebrate! Celebrate!

• Some ideas for diversity celebrations are
• Religious or Holy day
• History of a community or group
• Festival or Holiday
• Cultural event
• Multi-fest activities
• Other

16
What your school and school council can do?

• Get to know the make up of your school including
  student population and staff
• Identify what is currently being celebrated by
  the school
• Determine if it meets the needs of your school
  community
• Establish if your schools current practices are
  inclusive and that diversity is addressed
• Be informed of all Boards initiatives to
  acknowledge diverse faith and culture groups
• Inquire if the information and resources created
  and provided by the board are used widely in your
  school

17
On to action

• List the celebrations your school would like to
  offer
• Present the list to the Principal/Vice Principal
  for input and approval
• Get agreement on the details of the celebrations
  date, time, method, resources etc.
• Define responsibilities and divide tasks
• Clearly describe process and frequency of
  monitoring progress
• Build allies and partnerships
• Have fun all along

18
A few tips to guide you

• If this is your first school celebration then
  keep it small
• Have a diverse group of individuals to work on
  the celebration planning committee parents,
  teachers, students, support staff, administrators
  and community partners
• Have multiple skills represented in the group
  visioning, organizing, marketing, communicating,
  fund-raising, artistic, cooperative, leadership
  etc.
• Clearly outline the purpose of the celebration
  and let all involved know what form the event
  will take

19
A few tips to guide youContd..

• Clearly state if external members are going to be
  involved. Outline their roles/responsibilities
• Recruit volunteers from amongst parents and
  teachers. Have a few more than you need.
• Ensure their availability and commitment
• Be open to other suggestions and different
  methods of operating
• Estimated budget costs should be included
• Be willing to change and modify the celebration

20
A few tips to guide youContd..

• Be informed about school policies and practices
  around events and ensure that you meet the
  requirements (permits, forms, space, media, food,
  clean-up, security etc.)
• Have a draft outline of the celebration
• Have a practice run
• On the day of the celebration ENJOY, HAVE FUN
• Thank all involved formally and informally as
  appropriate

21
Peel Boards celebratory diversity initiatives

• Annual Holy days and Holidays Calendar
• Monthly Celebrating Faith and Culture
  Backgrounder
• Resource Reflections on World Religions
• Posters Significant days (Multi-faith) Greetings
  
• Special events Black History Month, Asian
  Heritage Month
• Displays for Holy days at the Board office
• Celebratory meals in the cafeteria at the Board

22
Ways of acknowledging the celebrations

• Offer best wishes to the person/students
  celebrating
• Make sure the dates are included on your school
  calendar
• Have your principal announce the day over the PA
  system
• Hold an assembly to talk with students about the
  importance of these days
• Include a mention of these days in your school
  newsletter
• Include information on your school website

23
Ways of acknowledging the celebrations

• Display student artwork announcing these days or
  depicting their ideas about these days in the
  school
• Invite a member of a local faith group to come in
  and discuss the significance of this day with
  students
• Have class discussions about these days
• Ask some of your students who celebrate certain
  holidays to write a short essay on how they
  celebrate this day at home. Have them read it to
  the class to share this celebration with the
  other students.
• Have parents offer a cultural session

24
A few effective celebration examples

• Lincoln Alexander S.S. Celebrating Diwali, Eid
  and Holi
• Harold Brathwaite S.S. and Punjabi International
  Language School Celebrating Vaisakhi
• The Valleys Sr. P.S. Recognizing Ramadan
• Garthwood P.S. Celebrating Chinese New Year and
  festivals of lights
• Woodlands S.S. Celebrating Multi-Cultural Fest

25
School Councils Diversity Initiatives

• Your role is critical. As parent leaders, you
  have the opportunity to help our schools become
  inclusive and diversity competent.
• Take note of the Zulu expression
• If the future doesnt come towards you,
• you have to go fetch it.

26
(No Transcript)