Celebrating Diversity and Respect Week Across the District

March 1, 2024

Across the District this week, students learned about where their classmates and families are from, discovered new cultures, and got the chance to express themselves and what makes each of them unique.

All the activities – from class presentations, murals and more – were part of Diversity and Respect Week. The annual initiative was established by the Board of Education in 2017 as a means “to coincide with Pink Shirt Day in February to promote awareness, acceptance, Reconciliation, and inclusion for all members of the school community.”

“Diversity and Respect Week reminds us of the importance of inclusion and ensuring every student and staff member feels seen, heard and valued not just during this week, but throughout the year,” said Mal Gill, Langley School District Superintendent. “It’s not just about recognizing our differences, but about embracing them, and reinforcing our vision to create an inspiring and unified learning community for everyone.”

To celebrate the week, staff at the School Board Office, as well as teachers and staff across the District, wore Pride flag pins as well as different coloured shirts throughout the week, including blue shirts with rainbows, and pink on Wednesday, which was Pink Shirt Day. Many schools also held different “theme” days that encouraged students and staff to wear clothes traditional to their culture.

Additionally, students in Kindergarten and Grade 6 were sent ‘Colours of the World’ crayons and pencil crayons, respectively, so their artwork can better represent diversity and students can see more accurate depictions of themselves and their families in their work.

At James Hill Elementary, led by ELL teachers, students created country displays to educate their classmates about their heritage.

They set up in the school’s gym, and had other classes walk through, with students, teachers and other guests able to ask questions and learn more.

At Nicomekl Elementary, students from all grades worked together to create what principal Charlene Redekop called “a collaborative bulletin board.”

Inspired by a quote from Maya Angelou about how diversity makes for a “rich tapestry,” students each wrote down one trait that is unique about them, and added it to a wall of other entries, to form a brightly coloured hallway display. The entries included words that ranged from “athletic” to “handsome” to “kind” and “different.”

“In addition to their diverse backgrounds, we know that each student brings special gifts, and talents and unique qualities about them, and so we wanted to celebrate those things,” Redekop said.

Students also collaborated on a Diversity and Respect Week art project at Donna Gabriel Robins Elementary, as part of the school’s Rays of Sunshine Day.

Students each wrote down, on coloured strips of paper, what some of their skills and unique traits are.

Then, the strips were used to form sunbeams. As well, students learned about other countries and cultures thanks to flags that were hung in the school hallways.

At Alex Hope Elementary, students marked Pink Shirt Day with a visit from some professional soccer players from Vancouver FC. Players stopped by the school to talk to students about the importance of spreading kindness and creating inclusive environments.

Over to Gordon Greenwood Elementary, the school took on a school-wide Diversity puzzle project. Students worked in their classes to decorate a puzzle piece that showcased “who they are.” Teacher Holly Miller said the hope was to make students, staff, and families “feel welcomed and included and to know that we accept everyone.