The Toronto District School Board values the cultural richness offered by the diversity of our student and parent communities. The school board recognizes African Heritage Month, and acknowledges the tremendous history and contributions of peoples of African descent within our school communities and is an occasion for all our schools and workplaces to renew our knowledge and understanding of the history, achievements and experiences of people of African descent in Canada and throughout the world.
In recognizing African Heritage Month, we acknowledge that the heritage of people of African descent has historically been marginalized in our society and in our world. Such marginalization breeds indifference, misconceptions about each other, and limits our potential to work together towards common goals. We also acknowledge that other communities of the TDSB are negatively affected by inequity in our society and we commit ourselves to address such inequity through our policies and practices.
The activities in our schools in recognition of African Heritage Month are designed to improve our awareness of the achievements of African peoples, their struggles and their successes, and their reflections about the world. These activities serve to reinforce pride and self-esteem among students of African descent in our schools, a critical ingredient for successful learning.
Further, our experience demonstrates that the best outcomes are realized when all students of all backgrounds are engaged in positive learning about African heritage, as well as the heritages of all groups in our system. We therefore promote an inclusive approach to African Heritage Month activities in our schools.
The Toronto District School Board therefore reaffirms its recognition of African Heritage Month, February 2013, in our schools and in our workplaces.
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