Celebrating our Community with Diversity & Respect Week

February 22, 2022

مرحب مرحبا بكم    歡迎    Chào mừng   Bienvenidos!

These are some of the ways students and families say “welcome” in their languages.

The Langley School District is very diverse, with our families speaking more than 45 different languages in households across the District, and that number is continuing to grow.

Every year, the District recognizes and honours our multi-culturalism with Diversity and Respect Week. It is also a week to celebrate culture, ethnicity, and our individuality.

As established by the Langley Board of Education in 2017, it is a means “to coincide with Pink Shirt Day in February to promote Awareness, Acceptance, Reconciliation, and Inclusion for all members of the school community.”

To recognize diversity across the District, schools will be welcoming students with new diversity flag signage, reminding them that they belong, and they are welcome, no matter who they are.

In addition, students and staff are receiving diversity flag stickers, and staff have been given window decals to decorate their classroom with.

“As part of our District vision, our schools continue to foster an inclusive and nurturing culture. One which ensures that all students and staff feel a sense of belonging,” says Mal Gill, Superintendent of Schools.

“The District is proud to celebrate this week with students and staff and share our learning with the greater community,” adds Gill.

Meanwhile, schools have organized their own activities and events to recognize, celebrate, and educate our students on the wealth of diversity in Langley and in Canada. Schools are adopting various themes which highlight kindness, anti-bullying, our Indigenous and LGBTQ communities.

On Tuesday, February 22, Walnut Grove Secondary is planning to make a rainbow crosswalk out of multi-coloured chalk to celebrate PRIDE and inclusion.

On Pink Shirt Day which is on Wednesday, February 23, Willoughby Elementary students, and staff will be handing out ‘kindness tickets.’ Students and staff will have kindness tickets of their own to hand out and ‘catch’ anyone showing examples of kindness throughout the day.

A few elementary schools will be getting their families involved by having them colour and submit a national flag that represents their culture or heritage, which will be posted in their buildings.

“The District is excited to help facilitate all this work. We hope that this will continue to fuel engaging and enlightening conversations and help everyone in our community feel included and respected,” says Gill.

Below you can find highlights from the week: