b'Putting it into PolicyOn June 21, 2022, the Louis Riel School Division (LRSD) BoardLRSD were invited to of Trustees adopted Policy ACH: Diversity, Equity and Inclusionparticipate in a working (DEI) which strengthens the divisions commitment to advancinggroup. This team of 25, equitable opportunities for the success of all students. Thecomprised of four different development and implementation of this policy is one of theemployee groups and operating goals of the DEI and Anti-Racism Services Office.parents/guardians from various LRSD schools, worked together over several months to develop In December 2021, Policy ACH: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiona common understanding of policy, equity, and how policies went before the LRSD Board of Trustees and passed first reading.can help to support equitable employment practices. They also The DEI and Anti-Racism Education Team led an extensiveworked to build consensus to create the first ever employment consultation process with school personnel, student committees,equity policy in the LRSD. Policy GBA received first reading at the and various community advocates to review the first draft.June 21 Public Board Meeting.Two working groups collected and reviewed the feedback. One focused on the policy and Appendix A and the other focusedListening to the voices of our community is an important step on the glossary of terms found in Appendix B (with the Frenchto ensuring these policies reflect the diverse perspectives across version found in Appendix C). Through consensus, these workingthe division, said Darcy Cormack, Assistant Superintendent of groups made amendments to the first draft of this policy and itsDEI and Anti-Racism Services. This collaborative process will supporting documents.continue next school year and beyond as we work to address issues of systemic racism in a proactive, capacity-building, and Policy provides an added level of guidance and accountability systemic way.to work that has been ongoing in LRSD for some time, said Louise Johnston, Chair of the LRSD Board of Trustees (2020- Other existing policies have also undergone review to better 2022). I look forward to the journey ahead as we continue toreflect LRSDs commitment to equity. This includes Policy IJ: refine our commitment to DEI and Anti-Racism and take actionLearning Resources and Materials, Policy IJA: Procedures for the to make a change.Reconsideration of Learning Resources and Materials, and Policy IJL: Library Resources and Materials Selection. Similar to the Lessons learned from developing Policy ACH informed thedevelopment of Policy GBA, a working group was established in development of the first draft of Policy GBA: Employmentthe spring of 2022 to review the policies to embed an equity lens Systems: DEI, which outlines the commitment to theand connect them to other relevant policies. Divisional teacher-identification and removal of discriminatory and/or oppressivelibrarians and library assistants played a pivotal role in updating practices in all aspects of employment. Staff and families acrossthese documents.9'