Grand Erie is forming an Equity Advisory Group (EAG) to help break down equity barriers in our schools and communities.
We have accepted applications from community members in human rights and equity deserving organizations, alliances and networks, parents or community leaders that serve or represent Indigenous, Black, South Asian, racialized, Two-Spirit, LGBTQ+ communities, ethno-cultural communities, and people with disabilities.
The EAG will advise the board on matters of equity, diversity and inclusivity, and will have a lasting impact on schools, students and communities by supporting the development of an Equity Action Plan to serve as the foundation for building a culture of belonging.
The group will provide advice and recommendations using anti-oppressive, anti-colonial and anti-racist lenses to ensure that decisions, policies and practices do not create barriers but support equity.
The group will meet on a schedule to be determined at its inaugural meeting.
The EAG term will begin in February 2022 and end December 2023.
Grand Erie will select representatives from community organizations with which it has existing relationships. Those representatives, along with members of Grand Erie’s Safe and Inclusive Schools team, will review the list of applicants and select a representative group of no less than seven members and no more than 13 members.
Should there be several applicants to the EAG for an identified group, a selection process will be based on:
In addition to the written application, there will be a follow up meeting with the Co-Chairs of the Safe and Inclusive Schools Committee to review the EAG’s purpose and explore the candidate’s interest in being part of Grand Erie’s EAG.
Any potential conflicts of interests will need to be identified as part of this process.
Grand Erie will also be hosting equity and inclusivity focus groups that will assist in developing the Grand Erie District School Board's Equity Action Plan.
There will be seven focus groups (Students, Parents/Guardians, Community Members, Trustees, Teaching Staff, Non-teaching Staff and Administrators) that will participate in an interactive virtual session with Lockhart Facilitations. The time commitment will be approximately 1.5 hours from 3:30-5 pm or 5-6:30 pm. Lockhart will use a data collection platform to compile, rank, and consolidate input and feedback from focus group participants.
The data compiled in the focus groups will be shared with the Equity Advisory Group to assist in creating an Equity Action Plan that will be presented to the Board of Trustees and will be used to help guide the work in Grand Erie for years to come.
If you have questions, please contact:
Pete Ashe
Safe and Inclusive Schools Lead
peter.ashe@granderie.ca
or call 519 756-6301 ext. 281035