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Equity and Inclusion » Equity and Inclusion

Equity and Inclusion

Equity and Inclusion at Wellington Catholic

The Wellington Catholic District School Board is committed to providing each student with a welcoming and safe learning environment that respects their unique identities and engages them as learners through relevant and responsive pedagogy.

Our students and families come from diverse backgrounds with unique needs and it is essential that as a community committed to upholding the Church’s teachings on inclusivity, we ensure that all members of our school community receive equitable opportunities for success. We are committed to assisting students to meet high learning expectations by:

  • Cultivating a positive sense of self and belonging for each individual by respecting and responding to diverse identities and strengths. 
  • Providing access to a broad range of programs, pathways and vocations.
  • Providing opportunities for all staff to engage in professional development to learn methodologies and skills that support culturally responsive and relevant practice.
  • Walking the path together with our Indigenous partners to increase our understanding and commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Committee’s ‘Calls to Action.’

Equity Committee

We demonstrate commitment to Wellington Catholic District School Board’s Vision, Mission and Values through our board motto: Believe, Belong, and Be Extraordinary. In support of the Wellington Catholic District School Board’s commitment to Equity, Inclusion and Diversity, senior administration began the development of a renewed three-year Equity Action Plan.
 

Equity Committee Report

In fall of 2020, the Board received applications from all staff affiliations representing a variety of lived-experiences and equity-deserving groups to be part of the inaugural board-wide Equity Committee. The committee’s agreed-upon terms of reference included the review and implementation of the four key areas of equity as outlined in Ontario’s Equity Action Plan, 2017.
 
The four key areas, listed below, were supported by related subcommittees:
  • School and Classroom Practices
  • Leadership, Governance & Human Resource Practices
  • Data Collection, Integration & Reporting
  • Organizational Culture Change
 
The following report highlights the work completed by this committee and sub-committees in 2020-2021:

Our Commitment to the Calls to Action and Reconciliation

The Wellington Catholic District School Board is committed to First Nation, Métis, and Inuit student success. It is our goal to educate all students and educators on the rich cultures culturally relevant programming in our schools that reflect the importance of Indigenous voices.
 
 

Supports and resources:

 

First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line 1-855-242-3310: Hope for Wellness Help Line in English, Ojibway/Anishinaabemowin, Plains Cree, Inuinnaqtun, Nunavik Ungava, Aipaii Nutaaq, Nunatsiavut, and North Baffin dialects.

The Healing of the Seven Generations: The Healing of the Seven Generations assists First Peoples residing in the Region of Waterloo and surrounding areas. We work with individuals and families who are suffering the intergenerational impacts of the residential school system. This includes growing up in dysfunctional families; emotional, physical, sexual, and spiritual abuses; poor self-esteem or poor self-image as a First Peoples person; loss of culture; lack of awareness of cultural identity, teachings, values, and traditions; poverty, and addictions.

Grand River Métis Council: Promotes and preserves the Métis way of life, looks to our elders, to attain and maintain our  Métis traditions, culture, spirituality and the respect of Mother Earth, and ensures future generations carry on this vision, we are committed to educating our Youth.

Tungasuvvingat Inuit: Tungasuvvingat Inuit is an Inuit-specific urban services provider that offers community supports for Inuit of all ages.  Finding your way through the urban systems and getting the support you need is what TI does.  We’re there for you as you build your life in the south and work to keep you connected to your culture in the north.

Indian Residential School Survivors Society: The Indian Residential School Survivor Society (IRSSS) is a provincial organization with a twenty-year history of providing services to Indian Residential School Survivors. Donations can be made here.

Mental Health and Wellness Resources and Support for Students, Families and Staff

Mental Health is the emotional, psychological, and social well-being that shapes how we think, feel, and act. It allows us to handle stress, build healthy relationships with others, and to learn and grow into joyful, productive members of society. Fostering good mental health, like maintaining physical health, is important at every stage of life, from childhood through adulthood. Challenges with mental health can happen to anyone, you are not alone.

At Wellington Catholic District School Board, mental health and well being resources are available to students, staff and families through our Mental Health Lead and the Student Mental Health Services. Designated Social Workers and Mental Health Clinicians are accessible through elementary and secondary school.

Enhancing the mental health and well-being of students within the Wellington Catholic District School Board is a priority to our community. Supporting mental health and well-being is recognized as an essential element of a caring school environment. Mental health awareness and promotion form the foundation for enhancing the strengths of every student, so that they can learn and do well.

Please visit our Mental Health and Wellness webpage.