The Kootenay-Columbia School District No. 20 (SD20) recently updated its inclusive learning community joint statement, after the board of education decided it needed an update.
The board of education voted to update the statement in October 2023. Katherine Shearer, superintendent of SD20, explains the board felt it was time for an update since the original statement was written in June 2020.
"That statement was based on current events going on at the time that were rooted in racialized violence," says Shearer, referring to the death of George Floyd. "That statement specifically references the events that occurred in 2020 and the board felt it was time to renew that statement in 2023 and perhaps broaden it out."
The new statement debuted on the school district's website and was shared over social media on June 11.
But it's not the only inclusive change the school board is making.
In April 2023, the Kootenay Columbia Teachers' Union (KCTU) approached the board with a social justice project. Originally the KCTU was considering a rainbow sidewalk, but when the board decided to renew its inclusive learning community joint statement and engaged KCTU as a stakeholder for the statement, the union decided to shift gears and found a local artisan to produce two "everyone is welcome here" signs.
Shearer explains that every site in SD20 — not just schools, but all buildings — was given the opportunity to select the sign they liked, and those signs will be installed over the summer break. One of the signs shows the words "everyone is welcome here " above hands of varied skin colours with hearts on them, while the other shows the same message over the progressive pride flag.
The update to the statement was just in time for Pride Month and ten days ahead of National Indigenous Peoples Day.
A happy coincidence, as Shearer explains that's just how the timing worked out.
"It seems to fit really nicely."
Stakeholders who participated in updating the statement included the SD20 Board of Education, Shearer, KCTU, the Kootenay-Columbia Principals & Vice-Principals Association, the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 1285, and the SD20 District Parent Advisory Committee.
The new SD20 inclusive learning community joint statement reads as follows:
Empowering cultures that foster respect for diversity and inclusion is woven into the very fabric that is SD20.
Our commitment to these values is unwavering. They are central to our vision statement and strategic direction:
“To be an inclusive learning community where everyone has the opportunity to learn, achieve their full potential, and be empowered to pursue their aspirations.”
"To strengthen a culture of inclusion that respects and embraces diversity.”
SD20 also upholds these principles in alignment with the British Columbia Human Rights Code, British Columbia Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Everyone is Welcome Here!
Endorsed and supported by:
Catherine Zaitsoff, Chair, Board of Education (School District 20, Kootenay-Columbia)
Katherine Shearer, Superintendent (School District 20, Kootenay-Columbia)
Wendy Cutler, President (Kootenay-Columbia Principals & Vice-Principals Association)
Andy Davidoff, President (Kootenay-Columbia Teachers’ Union)
Heather Skarbo, President (Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 1285)
April Arnot, President (District Parent Advisory Committee)