Welcome to our Pride Week celebration! Pride Week is an opportunity for us to celebrate and honor the identities and experiences of our 2SLGBTQ+ students, staff, and families. We believe that all students have the right to feel safe, valued, and supported in our schools, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Our Pride Week Celebration will take place the week of June 2nd to 6th, 2025.
Why We Celebrate Pride Week
Introduction to Pride Week
Pride Week is a dedicated time to highlight the importance of inclusivity and understanding for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals both within and beyond the Sturgeon Public Schools community. It serves as a reminder that every person in our schools deserves to feel valued, respected, and safe.
Activities and Events
During Pride Week, our schools will engage in a variety of activities designed to celebrate inclusivity and diversity. Examples of past activities include:
Wear the Rainbow Day: Staff and students dress in rainbow colors to show their solidarity and support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Art Work: Students express themselves and celebrate diversity through:
Positive self-portraits
Rainbow drawings and paintings
Bracelet making
Pride murals
Create-your-own pride flags
Chalk art
These activities not only add color and joy to our school environment but also foster a sense of belonging and acceptance among all members of our school community.
Legal and Policy Framework
National and Provincial Laws
Our commitment to inclusivity is backed by several laws and policies:
Canadian Human Rights Act: Protects Canadians from discrimination under federal jurisdiction, including sexual orientation and gender identity.
Alberta Human Rights Act: Prohibits discrimination in areas such as education and employment, ensuring protection for gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.
Alberta Education Act: Mandates a safe and respectful learning environment for all students, supporting the establishment of initiatives like Gender and Sexuality Alliances.
School Policies
In accordance with Sturgeon Public Schools - Policy 115: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identities, we are dedicated to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and safe learning environment that respects the diversity and fosters a sense of belonging for all. This includes students, staff, and families who identify or are perceived as two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, queer, gender fluid, or those who are questioning their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression (2SLGBTQ+).
Code of Professional Conduct for Teachers and Teacher Leaders
This code states that the teacher or teacher leader shall respect the dignity and rights of all students and persons without prejudice as to the prohibited grounds of discrimination set out in the Alberta Human Rights Act and with regard to rights as provided for in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and be considerate of the circumstances of students and persons.
Government of Alberta Inclusive Education Policy
Under this policy, school authorities must provide all children and students with access to meaningful and relevant learning experiences. These experiences should include appropriate instructional supports regardless of gender, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation, ensuring an inclusive education for every student.
FAQ
What does 2SLGBTQ+ mean?
2SLGBTQ+ refers to Two-spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer or Questioning. The + means other identities not reflected in the first five letters, which may include people who identify as Intersex, Asexual or an Ally.
How are schools discussing Pride Week and 2SLGBTQ+ issues?
Many of our division schools have Gay Straight Alliances (GSA). These clubs are safe spaces for our students, and allies of 2SLGBTQ+, to come together and discuss issues they may be facing and topics that matter to them. Our GSAs are places where our students feel comfortable being themselves and can have open and honest conversations with their peers.
Through the Health and Physical Education curriculum, students learn to understand and respect things that are the same and different from each other. This includes that not every family looks the same. Some children have a mom and a dad, some have two moms or two dads, some have one mom or one dad, some live with their grandparents, and some are adopted or living in foster homes. There are many kinds of families and we teach acceptance and inclusion of them all.
What if celebrating Pride Week is against my personal values and beliefs?
We believe that our schools are safe spaces for everyone. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Regardless of personal values and beliefs, we must follow the Human Rights Act which protects marginalized groups from discrimination and harassment. We are celebrating Pride Week to demonstrate our commitment to our community that discrimination and harassment of any kind will not be tolerated in our schools.
2SLGBTQ+ people are from every ethnicity, religion/faith, age, demographic, and are found all over the world and throughout history. Many religious/faith-based organizations and followers are supportive of 2SLGBTQ+ people and many 2SLGBTQ+ are religious and practice faith. Individual families will always have a range of values. Schools have a duty to teach the societal value of respect for all.
How do I know that what is being taught is age-appropriate for my child?
Explaining age-appropriate content for 2SLGBTQ+ topics can be a sensitive and complex issue, but there are a few guidelines that can help to guide this conversation:
Teachers understand their audience: When discussing 2SLGBTQ+ content with children or young people, it is important to take into account their age, maturity level, and individual circumstances. A conversation that is appropriate for a high school student is not appropriate for a primary school student.
Teachers focus on the positive: When discussing 2SLGBTQ+ issues with children, it is important to focus on the positive aspects of the community. For example, teachers talk about the importance of respect, inclusivity, and diversity, rather than focusing solely on the negative aspects such as discrimination and bullying.
Teachers use age-appropriate language: When discussing 2SLGBTQ+ issues with children, teachers use language that is age-appropriate and understandable. This may mean avoiding technical terms and using simpler language that children can understand.
Teachers provide context: When discussing 2SLGBTQ+ topics with children, teachers provide context and explain the relevance of the topic to their lives. For example, teachers talk about how 2SLGBTQ+ issues related to their own experiences or to the experiences of their friends and family members.
Overall, when discussing 2SLGBTQ+ topics with children or young people, it is important to approach the conversation with sensitivity and respect. By providing age-appropriate information and encouraging open dialogue, teachers help children to develop a greater understanding and appreciation of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
