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HWDSB Launches First Student Census, We All Count

Hamilton, Ontario – April 22, 2021: As part of its Equity Action Plan, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) will conduct its first student census to identify and remove barriers so all students can learn in supportive, inclusive, and respectful environments.

To learn more about students, HWDSB will conduct a voluntary and confidential census starting May 3, 2021. We All Count: HWDSB Student Census 2021 will ask questions about student identities (race, gender, etc.) to identify and address systemic barriers.

“If we are serious about student achievement and well-being, then we must not only celebrate students who are successful, we must have the courage to acknowledge which students are not succeeding – and why,” Director of Education Manny Figueiredo said.

The HWDSB effort comes after many school boards have conducted a student census. The Anti-Racism Act, 2017 and Ontario’s Education Equity Action Plan require school boards to gather and report this data. It is also a priority project in HWDSB’s Equity Action Plan.

Asking about a person’s identity can be uncomfortable, and HWDSB is approaching the census with sensitivity after consulting students, families, staff, and community members.

“The results of the student census – combined with the 2019 staff census and 2020 employment equity audit  – will help us know more about our community so we can make evidence-informed decisions to support equity, student achievement and well-being,” Figueiredo said.

Information Sessions 

HWDSB invites students, families and community members to attend Student Census information sessions, to be held virtually on Microsoft Teams:

• Thursday, April 22, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Link to attend. For parents and community members.
• Friday, April 23, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Link to attend. For students.
• Saturday, April 24, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Link to attend. For parents and community members.
• Wednesday, April 28, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Link to attend. For students.

Community partners are invited to a dedicated information session, also on Microsoft Teams:

• Thursday, April 29, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Link to attend.For community partners.

We are inviting and answering questions from the community as we prepare for the census. Please learn more on our website www.hwdsb.on.ca/weallcount, where you will find translated documents as well as Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the census. You can also contact our student census team at [email protected].

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Media Contact:

Shawn McKillop, APR
Manager, Communications and Community Engagement
905.515.6227 | [email protected]