News

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Honouring National Indigenous Peoples Day 

TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 2022

Today (June 21) marks National Indigenous Peoples Day. It is an opportunity to celebrate and honour the diverse experiences, achievements and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. It is also an opportunity to learn about the histories, rights and realities that reflect where we are today. 

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Above: Solidarity Day - Ohsweken, Ontario. June 21, 2022.

Grand Erie District School Board is uniquely situated in our country, providing opportunities to enrich and co-create a better understanding together. Our commitment to Learning, Well-Being and Belonging renews also our commitment and responsibilities toward reconciliation. As we gain a better understanding of the ongoing processes of colonialism and its damaging, long-term effects, we commit ourselves to learning.  

Today, and every day, is an opportunity to learn something new. Grand Erie’s Indigenous Education Team has been active throughout the school year providing curriculum resources and aids to support learning across the district. Grand Erie’s new Land Acknowledgement statement represents one of the milestones on our path of learning this year. 

We thank all community partners for sharing their knowledge and resources with us throughout the year. We honour Indigenous peoples and Indigenous ways of knowing, and express gratitude that we can inform the work we do as a school board with this crucial insight and wisdom that provides a way forward.

Healthy Bites Success for Graham Bell-Victoria Students

Graham Bell-Victoria School has been presented with a GOLD award of recognition and achievement in the Healthy Bites Program. The staff and students have worked hard and enjoyed the “fruits” of their labour as they have now been recognized with GOLD!

Throughout the year, Sonia Martin, school health nurse with the Brant County Health Unit, has lead our staff and students in a variety of healthy eating awareness activities. These included a Mystery Fruit and Vegetable contest, a trivia question in the monthly newsletter, and healthy fruit and vegetable snacks every Friday. These tasty treats, prepared by the grade 4-5 class were a big hit and helped us learn about the benefits of eating healthy.

Next year the program will be expanded to Healthy Steps and Healthy Bites, a program in which we will learn about and practice healthy eating and healthy activity. Congratulations, Graham Bell!

 

Voluntary Aboriginal Self-Identification

The Grand Erie District School Board recognizes the importance of school success for Aboriginal students. Our dedicated staff members are committed to improving services and programs for Aboriginal students attending school in the Board.

With a goal to improve the school experience for all Aboriginal students, the Board encourages the development of strong partnerships with Aboriginal families, communities and organizations, both on and off the reserve.

Through the Voluntary Aboriginal Self-Identification process, Aboriginal parents and students will have access to additional support services, including educational, social, and emotional supports that focus and foster Aboriginal identity, culture and values.

There are three categories of Voluntary Aboriginal Self-Identification – First Nation, Métis, or Inuit.

Your child may bring a GEDSB Voluntary Aboriginal Self-Identification form home or if not, you can contact your child’s school to receive a form. You can also, visit the Aboriginal Education section under the Program tab at www.granderie.ca for more information and a copy of the Voluntary Self-Identification form.