As we continue our journey and work to create a better path forward together, recommendations on how to address racism within the Burnaby School District will be delivered to Trustees in a report at their September Board Meeting.
The report is the culmination of a process set in motion in June 2020 by the Burnaby Board of Education to learn from the insight and lived experiences of students, staff, families and community partners – particularly people affected by systemic racism. The process included extensive engagement and is part of the broader goal of supporting learning and working environments where everyone feels welcome, safe, and respected.
A third-party engagement firm called The Co-Laboratorio that specializes in anti-racism, equity and diversity work was contracted in December 2021 to gather arm’s length information through deeper conversations. The firm presented their interim findings at the Board Meeting last May after having confidential interviews and conversations with staff, parents, and students. Co-Laboratorio facilitators shared the emerging themes they were seeing, such as: teacher diversity, capacity, and practice; curriculum and learning experience; student-to-student behaviours and relations; administration, policies, and procedures; partnerships and relationships – teachers, families, and community; as well as resources and support.
Trustees will hear Co-Laboratorio’s final report and recommendations at the Board Meeting on September 27. Click here to learn how to attend the public meeting at 7pm.
Scroll down to learn more about the full engagement process that led to this point, including the Anti-Racism Equity & Inclusion Survey that was shared with all students, families, staff, and community partners in May 2021.
Read about awareness-building efforts, opportunities to celebrate culture and diversity, as well as anti-racism work happening in Burnaby Schools:
Learning Through Indigenous Teachings and Honouring Culture
Anti-Racism Lead Nominated for Premier’s Award for Work in District – September 2022
Burnaby students drum for National Indigenous Peoples Day – Burnaby Now, June 2022
Burnaby to install first-ever reconciliation crosswalk – Vancouver Sun, June 2022
Students design reconciliation crosswalk in Burnaby – Global TV, June 2022
Raising Diverse Student Voices and Opportunities – May 2022
Honouring Community Traditions and Practices – May 2022
Securing Black Futures Brings High Schoolers to UBC – The Tyee, May 2022
How more B.C. schools are supporting Muslim students during Ramadan – CBC News, April 2022
Burnaby school club raises Black student voices – Burnaby Now, April 2022
Honouring and Learning About Black History – February 2022
Paving the path forward for Black history curriculum in BC – Burnaby Beacon, February 2022
Black Excellence Day, CBC TV News, January 2022
District Hosting Black Excellence Day for Thousands – January 2022
Reports of Racism in Burnaby Schools Bring Trustees to Tears – Burnaby Now, December 2021
Video of Bhangra dancing Burnaby kindergarteners goes viral-ish – Burnaby Now, November 2021
Art project to honour Indigenous culture – Burnaby Beacon, November 2021
Parents Asked for Input on Racism in Burnaby Schools – Burnaby Now, May 2021
Dismantling Racism: Invitation to Engagement Process – May 2021
Asian Heritage Month: Honouring, Celebrating and Taking Action – May 2021
Opinion: Burnaby has come together to battle anti-Asian racism – Burnaby Now, May 2021
Burnaby school board approves anti-racism engagement process – Burnaby Now, April 2021
Black History Month: Celebrating & Learning – February 2021
Supporting Black Shirt Day – January 2021
Anti-racism work at Burnaby schools starts at the top – Burnaby Now, October 2020
Continuing Our Journey: Supporting Anti-Racism – October 2020
Burnaby school district to develop anti-racism action plan – Burnaby Now, June 2020
Action on Racism: Burnaby Board of Education – June 2020
Burnaby school takes ‘reconciliaction’ with Indigenous welcome carving – Burnaby Now, November 2019
Burnaby museum works to undo erasure of local Indigenous history – Burnaby Now, November 2019
Celebrating Black History Month in Burnaby Schools – February 2019
Posted September 2022