Markham Elementary School Renaming Letter - October 1, 2021
July 6, 2021
Dear students and families,
At yesterday’s Special Board
Meeting, the Board of Trustees voted to rename our school after a report was shared
with the Board on the school renaming.
This decision is
consistent with Policy #445, School
Names, that requires school names to be based on principles of equity
while considering the culture, history and accomplishments of the school(s)
affected.
As noted in the email last week, we
recognize that the association with Sir John A. Macdonald causes hurt and harm
to members of our school community. It is important that while we recognize his
contributions to Canada, we acknowledge the legacy of trauma and pain caused by
the harmful, racist policies that he put in place and supported.
As a school, we are committed to
creating a safe, equitable and inclusive environment for all of our students,
families and staff members. We are also committed to the Calls to Action
presented as part of the Truth and
Reconciliation process. An important component of that process is engaging in
our own learning as individuals and as a school community, and listening to
Indigenous voices. While change is not always easy, this decision was made with
these commitments in mind and in the best interests of our community. We can
continue to feel proud of being a part of this school and a school community
that centres equity and inclusivity and actively demonstrates its commitment to
Truth and Reconciliation and addressing anti-Indigenous racism.
As a first step, the Board has
removed the name “Sir John A. Macdonald” from the front signage of the school
and the school building. The process to determine a new name for the school is
led by the school Trustee and for this school will include collaboration with
the Indigenous trustee. As outlined in the Board
motion, the process to determine a new name will begin in the fall and
include consultation with Chief of the Chippewas of Georgina Island and the
local school community. Once more information about the process is determined,
I will share more details with you.
We recognize that this situation
may affect members of our school community in different ways, and we will work
to ensure our students, staff and families feel supported through this
process.
July 1, 2021
Dear Students and Families,
I would like to begin by thanking you for your incredible partnership over this past year. This has been a challenging 10 months, and I hope that you will all find time for some rest and relaxation over the summer months.
During yesterday’s Board Meeting, the Board of Trustees discussed a motion to change the name of your child’s school. As you know, there have been many public conversations in recent years about both the positive and harmful legacies of Canada’s first Prime Minister. While in many ways, he helped shape the Canada that we know today, he was also responsible for the residential school system and other harmful policies that have left a legacy of pain and trauma among Indigenous communities.
Naming and renaming a school is an exclusive responsibility of our Board of Trustees. School and Board staff will support their request to review the name of the school with an anti-oppression lens. The report and the motion to change the name of the school will be considered by Trustees at a special public board meeting on July 6, 2021 at 7:30p.m. Families are welcome to register to attend the meeting online. If the Board approves the motion to rename the school, a community consultation process will be developed regarding potential new names. In addition, our Inclusive School and Community Services department is developing curriculum resources for teachers so that next school year students are made aware of this important discussion and the historical context.
We will keep you updated on the Board decision.