The Limestone District School Board is committed to upholding human rights, and creating an equitable, inclusive, and accessible school climate that ensures all students, staff, and members of the broader school community feel safe, comfortable, and accepted. We want everyone who learns, works, or volunteers in LDSB to value diversity, demonstrate respect for others, and commit to establishing a just, caring society. We know that diversity enriches the educational and employment experience of everyone.
The Board champions a welcoming and open atmosphere in our schools to ensure students see themselves reflected in their curriculum, their learning, and their school environment. The Board is committed to creating an environment that allows each individual to reach their full potential. Limestone has an Equity and Inclusive Education Administrative Procedure which aligns with Ontario's Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy. This procedure outlines the Board’s programs, guidelines, and practices, ranging from curriculum and assessment to religious accommodation, with the aim of creating a welcoming school climate and preventing discrimination and harassment. Limestone’s Equity Action Plan demonstrates our commitment to embedding equity at all levels of our system. The Plan is modelled on Ontario’s Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy and Ontario’s Education Equity Action Plan (2017) and encompasses school and classroom, leadership and governance, human resource practices, data collection integration and reporting, and organizational culture change in our school communities
LDSB adheres to the principles of human rights outlined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Ontario Human Rights Code and provides resources, training opportunities, and support to schools to promote equity and inclusive education. The Board also liaises with community partners to support schools in the implementation of Ontario’s Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy.
Meet the human rights and equity team
Yusuf Abdulkareem, Human Rights and Equity Officer
Key areas of responsibility:
- Building and maintaining a culture of respect for human rights throughout the Board by identifying and addressing systemic barriers for students and staff, coordinating and facilitating learning events for students and staff, and supporting and strengthening the implementation of culturally responsive and relevant pedagogy in classrooms in collaboration with the equity and inclusion consultants.
- Monitoring and overseeing the Board’s human rights procedures and complaints mechanisms, addressing human rights complaints, and conducting independent formal investigations.
- Providing confidential and impartial information, support, and advice to students, employees, Managerial/Supervisory Staff, and LDSB Community Members on human rights matters.
Andrea Barrow, Equity and Inclusion Consultant (Grades 7 to 12)
Key areas of responsibility:
- Provide instructional and coaching support in classrooms in response to issues of Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion.
- Work collaboratively with elementary and secondary staff and schools to support capacity building through professional learning, coordinating and facilitating student and/or staff events.
- Build educator awareness and promotion of positive learning environments that support equity and inclusion and that are culturally responsive and relevant for students.
Rae McDonald, Equity and Inclusion Consultant (Grades K to 8)
Key areas of responsibility:
- Provide instructional and coaching support in classrooms in response to issues of Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion.
- Work collaboratively with elementary and secondary staff and schools to support capacity building through professional learning, coordinating and facilitating student and/or staff events.
- Build educator awareness and promotion of positive learning environments that support equity and inclusion and that are culturally responsive and relevant for students.
Meet the human rights and equity team virtual session recording
This November, the Limestone hosted a Meet the Human Rights and Equity Team virtual session for students and families. The session was recorded and is available online.
Human rights and equity resources
- See Yourself in Limestone Student Census
- Poster: Human Rights are for Everyone
- Supporting and Protecting LDSB Transgender-Spectrum and/or Gender Non-Conforming Students
- LDSB Human Rights Video
- LDSB Equity Action Plan
- Prohibiting the Use of the N-Word
- Prohibiting the Use of the N-Word Video
- Ontario Human Rights Code
- Ontario's Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy
Administrative procedures
Limestone District School Board has a number of Administrative Procedures related to Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion that can be found on our Policies and Procedures webpage, including:
- Administrative Procedure 105: Equity and Inclusive Education
- Administrative Procedure 106: Religious Accommodation Guidelines
- Administrative Procedure 352: Student Clothing
- Administrative Procedure 356: Bullying Prevention and Intervention
- Administrative Procedure 400: Equitable Recruitment, Retention & Promotion
- Administrative Procedure 405: Respect and Inclusion in the Workplace: Understanding Harassment & Discrimination
- Administrative Procedure 406: Respect and Inclusion in the Workplace: Reporting & Investigating Workplace Harassment & Discrimination
Advisory committees and affinity networks
Umoja Black Advisory Committee
The Umoja Black Advisory Committee is a collaboration between Family and Children’s Services of Frontenac Lennox and Addington (FACSFLA) and the LDSB. Both organizations recognize that addressing the unique needs of Black children, youth and families is crucial to address the disproportionate and disparity of outcomes faced by members of this group in both educational and child welfare systems. The Umoja Black Advisory Committee will provide a forum to advise, support and hold LDSB and FACSFLA accountable in the implementation of their equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives to ensure better outcomes for Black children, youth and families involved in both systems. The committee can be contacted by e-mail.
Staff Affinity Networks
Limestone District School Board recognizes that structures and policies situate and affect groups differently. Acknowledging the need to facilitate the provision of a space that honours the specific needs of different groups, LDSB has created 3 staff affinity networks: Black, Indigenous, and Racialized staff affinity network, staff affinity network for people living with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+ staff affinity network. The goals of these networks are:
- To provide input in determining priorities and strategies supporting staff, students, and communities with Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigeneity actions;
- To build a stronger staff cross-board connectedness and sense of belonging;
- To amplify voices addressing current issues and needs in the system; and
- To provide informed advice, and guidance on current LDSB processes, policies, and procedures.
The affinity networks are open to all members of staff in Limestone. Please contact a member of the human rights and equity team if you are interested in joining any of the networks.
Community Equity Advisory Committee
The Community Equity Advisory Committee (CEAC) supports the Limestone District School Board in identifying and eliminating barriers to an equitable and inclusive environment for students, staff, and the broader community, and determining strategies for systemic implementation of LDSB’s Equity and Action Plan.
Contact us
- Yusuf Abdulkareem, Human Rights and Equity Officer
613-544-6925 ext.31256
1-800-267-0935 ext.31256 - Andrea Barrow, Secondary Equity and Inclusion
613-544-6925 ext. 31213
1-800-267-0935 ext. 31213 - Rachael McDonald, Elementary Equity Consultant
613-544-6925 ext.31213
1-800-267-0935 ext.31213