To view pictures of the inclusivity team in action set to music, click here
As part of the Diversity Club, 45 Grade 7 and 8 Sir Ernest MacMillan Public School students in Burlington gather on Wednesdays during part of their nutrition break to talk inclusivity strategy. They debate things the school can do to make students and their families feel even more welcomed.
The school’s Diversity Club consists of several ‘inclusivity teams’ (IT). The club’s vision is to honour diversity and respect all individuals by providing a positive school environment for students and staff through dedication and commitment from Sir Earnest MacMillan’s IT teams.
The team of eager students has already successfully completed tasks like Diversity Today, at the Make the Change Conference on December 10. This student-led conference was a great forum to share the school’s accomplishments in fostering inclusivity and diversity.
At the beginning of the school year, the team conducted a school-wide geographical survey to determine where Sir Earnest MacMillan families are from. The results were posted on a large visual map, located in the school’s concourse, describing the building’s diverse population. They’ll be using this data for the March 21 United Nations “Day for the Elimination of Racism” by joining colour-coded paper links and making a large chain representing tolerance and respect.
Every morning, the team plays multicultural music from around the world. A brief description about the song and meaning are provided.
Teacher DeepKiran Kallah is very proud to be a part of the group.
“From the moment students and staff enter Sir Ernest MacMillan in the morning, there is multicultural music playing on the PA. Most of them walk in, but occasionally you will see students and teachers dancing their way to class,” she says. “Students see themselves reflected in the announcements about days of significance, music, bulletin board displays, various literature books and school-wide initiatives.”
Principal Susan Mack says the group directly supports the school's Safety and Well-being Goal contained in its School Improvement Plan (SIP). That goal is to continue to promote and maintain a safe and inclusive environment for students at Sir Ernest MacMillan
"It is a wonderful opportunity for our students to be involved and have their voices heard to continue our focus on creating a more equitable and inclusive school climate and community," Mack says.
The students are ecstatic they belong to a group with a goal of making people feel like they belong.
Chelsey, in Grade 7, said the club tries its best to make sure students celebrate the things that “make us us.”
“I think it is a very good club because it includes everybody,” says Grade 8 student Inzamaan.
English as a Second Language Learner instructor Jason Nichols has found the club has done a great job in making new families feel welcome at Sir Earnest MacMillan.
“Everyone can just be who they are,” he said.
Suzanne Muir, the Board’s Equity and Inclusive Education Coordinator, says every student must feel he or she can reach their full potential without having to worry about discrimination.
“It is so important every school works on issues of equity and inclusion no matter what their demographics. Each student should be able to come to school as their authentic self, to be valued for their differences and to be engaged to reach their highest levels of success,” she says. “Schools that purposefully value diversity and build inclusion through their structures, curriculum, culture and relationships report higher levels of students feeling safe and feeling they belong, based on the school effectiveness survey."