Western Canada High to step up efforts around cultural awareness
Reports of racially motivated verbal and physical attacks prompt board meeting
Hoping to address community concerns around racism and bullying at Western Canada High School, officials with the Calgary Board of Education say administrators and teachers are already stepping up efforts to better promote cultural awareness.
At a meeting scheduled Friday with the board, Western Canada High School principal Martin Poirier, as well as several parents and members of the African Caribbean Canadian Association, sat down to discuss concerns around racist taunts and bullying at the high school, including Caucasian students attacking African-Canadians verbally and physically.
Calvin Davies, CBE director for Area 7, which includes the downtown high school in the 600 block of 17th Avenue S.W., said the principal and teachers will start having more regular conversations with students, in and out of the classroom, about inappropriate behaviour and intolerance.
“Ultimately, we need to eradicate racial slurs at our schools,” Davies said. “This isn’t just a problem at Western. It’s pervasive. It’s everywhere and it can happen anywhere.
“But it is always good to sit down with everyone face to face, and just see how seriously the school is taking this and how passionate they are about continuing to embrace inclusivity and empathy at the school.”
Davies said discipline procedures were also discussed in detail, providing concerned parents with a better understanding of how school officials need to be contacted immediately when an incident occurs and that meaningful action can be taken within the school.
“There is progressive discipline that is in place, depending on the severity of the incident.”
Davies said administrators will first ensure conversations occur with offending students and their parents, and efforts will be made to have students who are involved in inappropriate behaviour, whether they are at the school or online, to meet face to face and understand the impact that bullying has.
Higher levels of discipline will include suspension within the school, where students can only work alone, to increased amounts of time away from the school depending on the severity of the situation.
Members of the African Caribbean Canadian Association were not available for comment, but Davies said they may also be asked to come into the school to speak to students about the impact of racism.
Parents asked for Friday’s meeting with the CBE after concerns over what they called a series of incidents involving racial slurs and bullying.
In early October, two youths were charged with assault causing bodily harm after an incident that sent a teen to hospital.
Police were called to the 600 block of 17th Avenue S.W., near Western Canada High School, for reports of a fight between several youths. Two teens sustained injuries. One was only slightly hurt, while the other was taken to hospital in serious condition.
Police confirmed at the time the incident involved only students from Western Canada High.
Police added Friday that racism is not a systemic problem at the school.
“Our school resource officer works very closely with staff and students at Western Canada High School to help educate students on being inclusive and create a safe learning environment for everyone,” says Staff Sgt. Ralph Veckenstedt, with the Calgary Police Service youth mentorship unit.
“While no school is immune to issues of racism and other divisive ideas, we are not aware of there being any more significant racial issues at Western than we see at any other school.
“That said, any racism is unacceptable, and we will continue to support schools in their efforts to prevent and address it when it comes up.”