Creating Inclusive Schools for LGBTQ Youth, Staff, Families and Allies
Dear PIE Friends and Allies:
In partnership with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Pride in Education (PIE) is very pleased to invite you to the workshop: Creating Inclusive Schools for LGBTQ Youth, on Tuesday, August 21, 10am-4pm, at the Department of Education Building in Fredericton (Place 2000), 250 King Street, Room 240.
The purpose of this workshop will be to provide an opportunity for GSA facilitators, and any other staff interested in supporting LGBTQ-inclusive education initiatives, to network, learn together, get the latest updates on advances in anti-homophobia education in New Brunswick, and discover how you can get involved to create safe and inclusive schools for youth, staff, families, and their allies.
The PIE steering committee will also share our plans for the third annual provincial GSA conference, "Building Bridges, Changing Lives - Making it Better", to be held this fall in Fredericton.
This has been an historic year for LGBTQ-inclusive education in New Brunswick. Our GSA network has grown from 10, to an unprecedented 27 schools. Last year's GSA conference attracted over 200 participants, and this year's event proves to be even bigger. District 10 adopted one of the most progressive and comprehensive anti-homophobia education policies in Canadian history, Policy E-9 (see attached). Pride flags were flown at Leo Hayes High School, Minto Memorial High School, and Sir James Dunn Academy to celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia. We have received unprecedented positive support from the NBTA, and EECD. The just-released Inclusion Report outlined the need for LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices at all levels, and Policy E-9 was listed in its "best practices". And hundreds of positive actions were taken by students and educators all over the province in GSA's year-round - actions that have made an enormous difference, and moved us closer than ever before towards our goal of creating affirming, accepting, healthy, happy, safe, inclusive schools for all.
But there is much more to be done. Sexual minority students in many NB communities still don't feel safe at school. Homophobic bullying remains an epidemic. Many educators lack the information and experience necessary to advance true equity for LGBTQ individuals in our school communities. And there is still opposition - homophobia is far from being eliminated. Most importantly, we need a provincial policy, strategy, and plan of action for LGBTQ-inclusive education. This workshop will provide an invaluable opportunity for us to gather our collective energy, talents, and resources to get the job done.
Please join us on August 21, for what proves to be another historic day. If you would like to attend, please contact Shiral LeBlanc at the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, at [email protected]. The deadline to register is Friday, August 3, 2012.
Thank you for all that you have done, and all that you will do, to create inclusive schools for LGBTQ youth, staff, families, and their allies.
Very best wishes,
Shawn Corey
PIE, Provincial Chair
Dear PIE Friends and Allies:
In partnership with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Pride in Education (PIE) is very pleased to invite you to the workshop: Creating Inclusive Schools for LGBTQ Youth, on Tuesday, August 21, 10am-4pm, at the Department of Education Building in Fredericton (Place 2000), 250 King Street, Room 240.
The purpose of this workshop will be to provide an opportunity for GSA facilitators, and any other staff interested in supporting LGBTQ-inclusive education initiatives, to network, learn together, get the latest updates on advances in anti-homophobia education in New Brunswick, and discover how you can get involved to create safe and inclusive schools for youth, staff, families, and their allies.
The PIE steering committee will also share our plans for the third annual provincial GSA conference, "Building Bridges, Changing Lives - Making it Better", to be held this fall in Fredericton.
This has been an historic year for LGBTQ-inclusive education in New Brunswick. Our GSA network has grown from 10, to an unprecedented 27 schools. Last year's GSA conference attracted over 200 participants, and this year's event proves to be even bigger. District 10 adopted one of the most progressive and comprehensive anti-homophobia education policies in Canadian history, Policy E-9 (see attached). Pride flags were flown at Leo Hayes High School, Minto Memorial High School, and Sir James Dunn Academy to celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia. We have received unprecedented positive support from the NBTA, and EECD. The just-released Inclusion Report outlined the need for LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices at all levels, and Policy E-9 was listed in its "best practices". And hundreds of positive actions were taken by students and educators all over the province in GSA's year-round - actions that have made an enormous difference, and moved us closer than ever before towards our goal of creating affirming, accepting, healthy, happy, safe, inclusive schools for all.
But there is much more to be done. Sexual minority students in many NB communities still don't feel safe at school. Homophobic bullying remains an epidemic. Many educators lack the information and experience necessary to advance true equity for LGBTQ individuals in our school communities. And there is still opposition - homophobia is far from being eliminated. Most importantly, we need a provincial policy, strategy, and plan of action for LGBTQ-inclusive education. This workshop will provide an invaluable opportunity for us to gather our collective energy, talents, and resources to get the job done.
Please join us on August 21, for what proves to be another historic day. If you would like to attend, please contact Shiral LeBlanc at the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, at [email protected]. The deadline to register is Friday, August 3, 2012.
Thank you for all that you have done, and all that you will do, to create inclusive schools for LGBTQ youth, staff, families, and their allies.
Very best wishes,
Shawn Corey
PIE, Provincial Chair