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Director’s Message on Student-Led Board Motion

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Director’s Message on Student-Led Board Motion

Dear HWDSB Students and Families,

At HWDSB, we always aspire to create and maintain learning and working environments that are inclusive, welcoming and free from discrimination for all.

At the Board Meeting on December 4, a student-led Board Motion addressing acts of anti-Palestinian racism, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism was received and passed by the HWDSB Board of Trustees.

As part of the motion, students raised their collective voices, shared concerning, personal experiences and made recommendations to complement HWDSB’s existing initiatives intended to prevent and rectify incidents of racism and discrimination. You can watch the student delegates here.

HWDSB has a comprehensive Equity Action Plan, is committed to creating and maintaining inclusive spaces for all and has facilitated staff learning sessions focused on supporting all students during traumatic world events. While this is not an exhaustive list of HWDSB’s actions to-date, it does elaborate on the existing efforts to foster school communities that are safe, welcoming and responsive to students’ needs and lived experiences.

But there is still work to be done.

As Director of Education, nothing has my attention more than improving student experiences and learning outcomes at HWDSB. Because we know that when students feel safe and know they belong, learning can flourish.

As an educational organization, we are profoundly committed to ongoing learning. The Board Meeting’s proceedings highlight the need to supplement our existing actions with additional efforts that continue to embed cultural understanding into our system-wide responses during current and future traumatic world events.

We recognize that HWDSB students, staff and families with connections to the affected regions may be impacted by these events in significant ways. We want you to know that support is available below for students, staff and families.

I applaud the HWDSB students that bravely shared their experiences to ensure the human rights of all students are upheld. Together, we will make change.

In peace,

Sheryl Robinson Petrazzini
HWDSB Director of Education

Resources and Supports for Students

  • We Help – Mental health and well-being resources for students.
  • HWDSB Helps – Get help or share anonymous tips via text, email, or web chat.
  • Kids Help Phone – Crisis Line 1-800-668-6868.
  • COAST Hamilton – Crisis Line 905-972-8338.

Resources and Supports for Families

Updated on Friday, December 08, 2023.
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