September 16th, 2024

As we begin the 2024-25 school year, we want to share a reminder about our commitment to making our schools safe and inclusive spaces for everyone in our communities.

Supporting Student Learning and Accommodating Creed

The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) is committed to fostering welcoming learning environments where everyone feels they belong, while upholding the:

  • Ontario Human Rights Code
  • Education Act
  • Safe and Accepting Schools Act
  • Other relevant legislation

Schools are made up of students and families with many different:

  • Backgrounds
  • Beliefs
  • Experiences

We know that families and caregivers teach students about beliefs. Schools work with families and caregivers to help students reach their full potential.

Our Roles

Learn more about our respective roles in supporting student learning and accommodating creed:

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Creed Accommodations

WRDSB supports safe and welcoming schools where all students feel:

  • Welcome
  • Included

We must uphold the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Ontario Human Rights Code and provide creed accommodations within the limits of the Code. According to these a student can express their beliefs based on their creed. Human rights legislation determines the limits to freedom of expression, and this guides our approach. The Board will make reasonable efforts, on an individual basis, to accommodate students within the curriculum.

What this means is that a student can share/explain that according to their creed they do not believe in other code protected grounds. Students should not be reprimanded or shamed because of it. These rights are upheld by the Charter and the Code. We should continually work to create an atmosphere of inclusion where all children feel welcomed, included and experience a sense of belonging.

At the same time, (whether this is connected to Creed or not), this should in no way extend to expressions of hate or harm against any particular group. We do not teach children what to believe. Instead, within the context of public schools, we teach children that there are many ways people come to the world, they hold many beliefs and life expressions and all are welcome and included. Within a public system our limits, as a school system, are as defined by the Ontario Human Rights Code/Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Therefore expressions of hate and/or harm towards any group is not allowed.

In alignment with the Code, the Board can only excuse students from Strand D of the Health and Physical Education curriculum. Again, based on the Code, school districts, including the WRDSB cannot excuse students from other learning opportunities which address protected identities.

As we continue to work to build a truly inclusive system, we encourage you to have conversations with school staff or your principal to express any concerns. Ultimately, we want all children, including yours to know they belong here, that they are safe and to grow their understanding about how people who are different than they are- live in the world.

Thank you for working with us to help ensure your child is included in the best way as well as all children we serve.

Read more: Supporting Student Learning and Accommodating Creed

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Share Your Questions or Concerns

We are committed to supporting student achievement and well-being together with:

  • Families
  • Caregivers
  • Staff
  • Community

If you have specific questions about the curriculum or how to support your child’s learning:

  1. Speak with your child’s teacher
  2. Speak with your school principal
  3. Speak with Your School Superintendent of Student Achievement & Well-Being

Learn more about the Process for Addressing Concerns.