Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity
Welcome to our Board where All are Welcome!
The LDCSB is committed to improving the experiences and outcomes of all students, including Indigenous students, Black and other racialized groups of students, students with disabilities and/or special education needs, 2SLGBTQ+ students, students from low-income households, and students new to Canada. As a Catholic community, equity, diversity, justice and inclusion are values rooted in our faith.
In addition, the LDCSB believes that a culture of collaboration, trust and respect can strengthen our partnerships with students, staff, family, and community. We are committed to celebrating the diversity, dignity, success, and worth of all individuals, and seek to strengthen our recognition of all voices in our community.
As stewards of Catholic education, we believe in the sacredness of human life. We recognize that systemic racism impacts the daily lives of our students, staff and families in ways that are unjust and prevalent. While we have done some important equity work in the LDCSB, we recognize that we have a lot more work to do to eradicate racism and all forms of oppression.
Equity Action Plan
Please refer to Ontario's Education Equity Action Plan.
The LDCSB is currently reviewing and updating our Equity Action Plan to address systemic barriers to student success.
Graduation Coach Program for Black Students
About the Graduation Coach Program for Black Students
The Graduation Coach Program for Black Students is a Ministry of Education initiative designed to provide intensive, culturally responsive support to Black students with the goal of improving their well-being and achievement. The program is entirely voluntary and open to African, Black and Caribbean students from grades 9 to 12 and families who wish to access these supports. The Graduation Coach Program for Black, African and Caribbean students is a targeted initiative that will aid in the support of self-identified Black students along with their families and community with the overall goal of seeing each self-identifying student achieve credits, graduate and successfully transition into post-secondary and/or the workforce.
Why do we need a Graduation Coach Program for Black Students?
As a school board, LDCSB is committed to supporting all students to achieve their full potential. However, we recognize that systemic racism and discrimination are deeply embedded in social, economic, educational and political structures and organizations. This creates systemic barriers that may lead to inequitable outcomes for equity-deserving groups, including members of the Black community. One of the key objectives of this program is to create identity-affirming spaces for Black students.
What is the Role of the Graduation Coach for Black Students
The Graduation Coach Program for Black students provides individualized supports for Black students and their families with the goal of seeing reach student feel safe, supported, accepted, and affirmed. The Graduation Coach acts as a mentor, advocate and adviser for Black students. Academically, the Graduation Coach will support with preparartion into secondary and post-secondary transitions, with course credits and community accumulation. The Graduation Coach is committed to collaborating with school administrators, educators, staff, families, post-secondary institutions, and community resources to support Black student achievement and well-being.
If interested in participating in the program, please print out and complete the permission form below. You can also complete the online participation form.
LDCSB Inclusive Calendar 2023-24
At the London District Catholic School Board, we aim to celebrate and honour the diversity that is represented in our school communities. The purpose of this inclusive calendar is to recognize important dates, weeks and months of the school year. This is a living document; therefore, the calendar will continue to be update over time as needed. We welcome any feedback that you may have.
September
September 1: World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
September 4: Labour Day
September 8: International Literacy Day
September 8: Nativity of the Virgin Mary
September 15-17: Rosh Hashanah
September 17-23: International Week of the Deaf
September 23: International Day of Sign Languages
September 24: World Day of Migrants and Refugees
September 24-25: Yom Kippur
September 25: Franco-Ontarian Day
September 27: Feast Day of St. Vincent de Paul (Patron Saint of charities)
October
October 9: Canadian Thanksgiving
October 10: World Mental Health Day
October 10: World Homeless Day
October 17: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
October 18: Persons Day
October 31: Halloween
November
November 1: All Saints Day
November 1: Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos)
November 2: All Souls Day
November 2-9: Holocaust Education Week
November 3: Feast Day of St. Martin of Porres
November 5-11: Treaties Recognition Week
November 8: Indigenous Veterans Day
November 11: Remembrance Day
November 12: Diwali
November 16: Louis Riel Day
November 19: World Day of the Poor
November 25: Holodomor Memorial Day
November 27: Guru Nanak Gurpurab
December
December 3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
December 3-24: Advent
December 6: St. Nicholas Day
December 7-15: Hanukkah
December 8: Bodhi Day
December 9: Genocide Prevention Day
December 10: Human Rights Day
December 12: Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe (National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples)
December 18: International Migrants Day
December 24: Christmas Eve
December 25: Christmas Day
December 26-January 1: Kwanzaa
January
January 1: New Year's Day
January 4: World Braille Day
January 4: National Ribbon Skirt Day
January 6: Epiphany
January 7: Eastern Orthodox Christmas (Feast of the Nativity)
January 14: Orthodox New Year
January 17: Raoul Wallenberg Day
January 18-25: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
January 21: Lincoln Alexander Day
January 24: World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture
January 27: International Holocaust Remembrance Day
February
February 8: Feast Day of St. Josephine of Bakhita
February 10: Lunar New Year
February 13: Mardi Gras (Shrove or Pancake Tuesday)
February 14-March 28: Lent
February 15: Nirvana Day
February 20: World Day of Social Justice
February 21: International Mother Language Day
February 24: Lantern Festival
February 28: Pink Shirt Day
March
February 14-March 28: Lent
March 8: International Women's Day
March 10-April 9: Ramadan
March 17: St. Patrick's Day
March 19: Nowruz (Persian New Year)
March 20: International Francophonie Day
March 21: World Down Syndrome Day
March 24: Feast Day of St. Oscar Romero (International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims)
March 24-30: Holy Week
March 25: Holi
March 25: International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
March 29: Good Friday
March 31: Easter Sunday
April
March 10-April 9: Ramadan
April 2: World Autism Awareness Day
April 6: Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power)
April 8: Birth of Buddha
April 9-10: Eid Al-Fitr
April 13: Vaisakhi
April 14: Vishu
April 22: Earth Day
April 22-30: Pesach (Passover)
Our Team
Jose Pineda
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity Consultant
Aaliyah Ilupeju
Graduation Coach for Black Students