The Renfrew County Catholic District School Board is calling out a “deeply concerning and pervasive issue” in our community and beyond.
Director of Education Mark Searson recently sent out a message to parents addressing recent incidents of racism and discrimination that he says “have made it painfully clear that we have a serious problem within our schools that demands our immediate and collective attention.”
He says the RCCDSB’s vision is to sustain safe school environments, stressing that every student deserves to feel safe, respected, and valued within school walls, regardless of race, ethnicity, or background.
The school board has a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of racist behaviour, including slurs, jokes, discriminatory actions, and microaggressions, and they note that supports, such as counselling services, affinity groups, and mentorship programs, are available for those affected.
Searson calls the ongoing dismantling of racism the responsibility of every single member of the school community and asks everyone to be open to hearing different perspectives and experiences and to speak up and challenge discrimination when they see or hear it.
“As a Catholic school board, we are guided by the principles of love, compassion, and respect for all individuals,” says Searson. “We believe that every student is created in the image of God and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. We believe that all students should feel loved and supported, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that our schools are a reflection of our Catholic values.”
(written by Kasey Egan)
