b'Diversity, Equity andWe have been working hard, but recognize there is much more that InclusionInitiativesneeds to be done. Now, more than ever, we must engage in challenging conversations, relection, and education in order to stand united against racism and to challenge systemic oppression. at Greenwood Our Plans for 2020\x122021 One of my favourite poems is In June 2020, another sta team came together at the Summer Institute to focus on DEI Curriculum Development. Callie Bowman, Bethany Glick, Allie Gottlieb, Alex Hurley and Rachael Swain worked on meaningfully and sustainably integrating social justice education and diverse voices through course content and sta professional development. The teamInvitation to Brave Space by set the following goals:Micky ScottBey Jones. This line kto develop the Grade 9\x1210 Adviser program to enhance DEIparticularly resonated with meconversations and building community;kto re-examine the Grade 7\x128 Adviser program created in thefor the 2020-2021 school year:2019\x122020 Summer Institute; We have the right to start somewhere kto create meaningful critical literacy opportunities in CSS andand continue to grow. English;kto provide opportunities for all courses to include a variety ofWe have the responsibility to examine perspectives, identities, and voices; and what we think we know.kto provide teachers with resources to eectively integrateMy hope for this year is that and address diversity & inclusivity in their teaching.we will build on taking risks, The Summer Institute team created a vertical plan which builds on themes of empathy, allyship, privilege, microaggressions, stereotypesthinking critically and fostering and anti-racism for Grades 79. empathy in order to amplify This team is also currently working on two professional developmentmarginalized voices. I hope all sessions for all sta in September and October. We will explore topicsstudents will feel empowered including: inclusive language; making curriculum connections to current events and diverse voices; how to redirect exclusive/discriminatoryto create the change they want discussions; and how to model inclusion throughout Greenwood.to see with the support of our After removing the gendered labels of Head Boy and Head Girl last year,Greenwood community. the House captains started the 20202021 year o by introducing their pronouns in the irst House meeting. This initiative was entirely led by Bethany Glicka Grade 12 student who feels passionately about allyship. Grade 1012 students also engaged in a Diversity session during the irst week of classes where they discussed identity, caring communities and howGreenwood Grizzly Returns toto make Greenwood a more inclusive space. They then submitted feedback and actionable items through a Google Form for the DiversityOriginal Name Committee to implement this year. Some items included: book clubs;As we strive to become a more inclusive school, education surrounding the Black Lives Matter Movement; and fosteringGreenwood has taken the important step of more connections between Diversity and other committees. discontinuing the use of the name Chief In addition, we have created two DEI Professional Development stafor our Grizzly mascot. This word is a deeply teams who will work together year-round to ensure all curriculum areasmeaningful term of respect for some members include DEI connections. This is especially exciting because we canof the Indigenous community; for others, it can carry on the positive momentum built during the Summer Institute. be seen as pejorative. In any case, we dont feel it is appropriate for Greenwood to continue to use Greenwood teacher and Diversity Coordinator, Bethany Glick, has beenthis name, and we are discontinuing its use out of working over the summer to ind virtual ways to bring diverse voicesrespect for Indigenous peoples. Our mascot will and perspectives into the classroom. It is an exhilarating opportunitynow be known by its original name, The Grizzly.because so many events and speakers that would have been too far away are now oering workshops and conferences digitally,Chief is not oicially our school mascots said Bethany. Therefore, during our irst-term initiatives focusingname; however, it did unoicially become the on Reconciliation, Pride and Holocaust Education, we will have theGrizzlys name after John Chief Latimer, one of opportunity to learn from speakers virtually in class. Greenwoods founders, passed away. David Lub Latimer, as Johns son and a fellow Greenwood We know that these steps are only the beginning. There is much morefounder, is fully supportive of this change. that needs to be done to dismantle systemic racism and build a more diverse, equitable and inclusive community. We are committed to doingMy dad would this work, and to remaining accountable to students, current and pastcompletely approve of parents, alumni, sta and friends along the way through open andthis move, Lub says. transparent communication. Look for more information on where youHe, like me, always can ind updates soon. felt that doing the right thing at the right time far outweighs tradition. I love the fact that we continue to grow as a school and as a community, and I know that our alumni will understand.Students participated in Orange Shirt Day during our Week of Reconciliatory Action.Greenwood9GRWD206_Evergreen_2020_v5.indd 9 10/9/20 4:26 PM'