Rainy River District School Board

RRDSB is dedicated to promoting equity and inclusion while working to eradicate discrimination and racism in education. This involves appreciating diversity, ensuring inclusion, and respecting the dignity of all individuals.

We understand that systemic racism, bias, and discrimination are real issues faced by students, families, and staff in Black, Indigenous, and racialized communities. We are committed to working with these communities to listen and learn about their experiences and the harm caused by racism. Our aim is to find and remove barriers created by bias and systemic racism.

Our Equity Plan is developing. We have consulted with community partners, staff, school councils, and advisory committees during its creation. Through ongoing Cultural Competency Training for all staff, our collaboration with Egale, and our recent involvement in the Equity Literacy Institute sessions, we are dedicated to ongoing learning. In the future, we will continue our education with Diversity and Sensitivity Awareness training and Anti-Racist/Anti-Oppression training, ensuring we include the voices, stories, cultures, and histories of our students, families, and communities in our classrooms and learning resources.

We are committed to the idea that all individuals have the right to be treated with respect and dignity, and to participate in teaching, learning, and working in an environment devoid of discrimination and harassment. This is a fundamental value of the Rainy River District School Board. Our pledge to uphold human rights is not just a statement in our Equity Plan; it requires us to embody this commitment through our shared responsibilities and everyday actions.

View the Equity Plan

Local Equity Resources

• The Rainy River District School Board's Equity and Inclusive Education Policy 2.67 reflects the Board's commitment to provide and maintain safe and healthy environments conducive to learning and working for all. The policy affects all areas of the board's programs, guidelines and practices, ranging from curriculum and assessment to religious accommodation, creating a welcoming school climate and preventing discrimination and harassment.

• Board Policy 4.16, Safe Schools
  
  
• Board Procedure 2.68, Religious Accommodation
  
  
• RRDSB Toolkit for Selecting Equitable and Culturally Relevant and Responsive Resources - With the aim to promote student success, this criteria checklist supports the development and selection of
  learning, instructional and well-being resources from an Equity and Culturally Relevant and Responsive stance.
  
  
• Student Nutrition Program (SNP) at the Northwestern Health Unit
  
  
• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), 2005 and our Board webpage on accessibility

RRDSB is committed to supporting equity and inclusion and the elimination of discrimination and racism in education. This includes valuing the diversity, inclusion, and respect for the dignity of all. 

We acknowledge that systemic racism, bias and discrimination exists and is experienced by students, families and staff in Black, Indigenous and racialized communities. As such, we are committed to working with our communities to listen for understanding about the lived experiences and harm caused by racism and to work to identify and eliminate barriers created by bias, systemic racism. 

Our Equity Plan is evolving. We have consulted with community partners, staff, school councils and advisory committees in its development. Through ongoing Cultural Competency Training for all staff, our partnership and ongoing training with Egale, and our most recent participation in the Equity Literacy Institute sessions, we continue this important learning.  Moving forward we continue our education through Diversity and Sensitivity Awareness training and Anti-Racist/Anti-Oppression training, and our continued work to reflect the voices, stories, cultures, and histories of our students, families, and communities within our classrooms, curriculum, and learning materials. 

Everyone has a right to be treated with respect and dignity, and to teach, learn and work in an environment that's free from discrimination and harassment. That is a core belief of the Rainy River District School Board. Our commitment to human rights isn't just the words of our Equity Plan; it must be demonstrated by the shared responsibility and our actions every day. 
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“By ensuring equity in our education system, we can help all students achieve excellence, regardless of their background or personal circumstances. Research shows that when students feel welcomed and accepted in their school, they are more likely to succeed academically. We want to create a culture of high expectations where factors such as race, gender and socio-economic status do not prevent students from achieving ambitious outcomes.”                 —Ministry of Education
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For more information on equity-related legislation and supports, please see the following: