An open letter from the UGDSB regarding the Health and Physical Education curriculum

July 26, 2018

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Dear UGDSB families, students and staff,

Over the past few weeks, there have been many questions raised in our communities and beyond about changes to the province’s Health and Physical Education (HPE) curriculum.

There are still many questions to be answered, answers that we believe are of critical importance to our children’s learning in the classroom and the direction to be taken by our staff. As we await further clarification, we want to assure all families in the Upper Grand District School Board that our values and commitment to inclusion, diversity, safety and well-being remain steadfast. 

School boards are required to follow the Ontario curriculum that is approved by the government. However, there are many programs, initiatives and resources in our schools that go beyond the curriculum and focus on safety, well-being and inclusion, which we will continue to support and promote. 

Through the work of our Safe, Equitable and Inclusive Schools initiatives, mental health supports and resources, and counselling and support staff the Upper Grand District School Board will continue to support our LGBTQ community and teach about gender issues and acceptance, and continue to educate students on internet safety, cyberbullying, healthy relationships and consent. We will continue to embed First Nation, Métis and Inuit histories and perspectives in our schools, our system and our school communities. We will continue to celebrate the diversity of all our students.

As always, the well-being of all our students is at the heart of the work we do in the Upper Grand.

Sincerely,

Linda Busuttil
Chairperson

Categories: News