Dear Students & Families,

The violence and attacks we are seeing across the United States, Canada and the world raise many emotions and questions. For our students, families, teachers and friends who have experienced racism and inequity, these events create an increased sense of vulnerability, anger, pain and sadness.

Edmonton Public Schools is committed to working intentionally toward anti-racism through continuous action, learning and improvement. This commitment and work is guided by our Anti-racism and Equity policy. Our Anti-racism and Equity Action Plan outlines the proactive steps we’re taking to address racism in our schools and community.

At Vimy Ridge Academy, we will not take a passive approach when it comes to ensuring equity of access, equity of opportunity and equity of outcomes for our students and greater community. We want to share, with full transparency, information about our anti-racism efforts, policies and practices so we can strengthen our school community and join together in this shared mission. The following are actions we have taken and will continue to take in the name of anti-racism:

1. Professional Development: Centered on equity and culturally responsive teaching for all staff

2. Student Governance: Ensuring diverse student voices are at the table for all decisions that impact their educational experience

3. Community Conferences: Moving from a traditional disciplinary approach to one that is founded in restorative practice

4. Learning for Students: Ongoing learning and teaching through the integration of anti-racism/ diversity discussions and activities integrated into curricular teaching or addressed through current events and other teachable moments

5. Diversity Focused-Teams: Building bystander capacity in the event that individuals may be confronted with racist or discriminatory incidents in our society, in or out of school

6. Resource Acquisition: Ongoing acquisition or purchase of resources that reflect diversity and address anti-racism themes

For more information and resources, please visit Vimy Connect.

Please know that Vimy Ridge Academy stands with you through these events. We are so proud of our Raiders and their families for demonstrating care and concern for our community at large. Your efforts to have the courage, the compassion, and the connection to positively impact humanity is why we educate in the first place.

Sincerely,

Jillian Marino, Principal