Social Justice Conference in Abbotsford + Assignment

Thanks to all of you who woke up early on your Friday professional development day and made it a student professional day. I think it was a great day of bonding for our class and to mix with other teachers in our district. We were treated a little like celebrities as we were the only social justice class present at the conference.

The social justice conference tackled many of the issues currently being dealt with in Abbotsford with respect to the curriculum of social justice 12 and the homophobia shown by members of church and other institutions in the Abby region. The keynote speaker,  Alex Sanchez, discuessed issues of homophobia in schools with regards to personal experiences and comments from others whom have read any of his books that discuss being young and dealing with the issues of “coming out” in homophobic scenarios.

I want all students who attended to look back over the materials they collected, notes they wrote out and groups the participated in and reflect on the experience. Please refer to assignment #3 for further instructions.

Abbotsford Human RIghts Complaint

Tribunal accepts discrimination complaint against Abbotsford

By Janet Steffenhagen 02-04-2009 COMMENTS(1) Report Card

Filed under: social justice, board of education, B.C., abbotsford, human rights, discrimination, tribunal

The B.C. Human Rights Tribunal will investigate a complaint that the Abbotsford school district discriminated against students when it cancelled plans at a school to offer Social Justice 12 as an elective.

The tribunal delivered its decision this week to the board of education and asked whether it wants to settle informally or proceed to a full hearing.

The complaint, filed by Murray and Peter Corren, says the district discriminated against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students and parents when it ordered W.J. Mouat high school not to offer the course.

Des MacKay, then superintendent, suggested the course – which includes content dealing with sexual orientation and gender identity – was too advanced for Grade 12 students and too challenging for teachers who did not have specific training in social justice issues. He said the district needed to review it further, and that review is still underway.

Abbotsford trustees have refused to discuss the issue while it is before the tribunal. But in a letter to the ministry earlier, the board expressed concern that the course ignores religious discrimination and could leave the impression that religious beliefs and family values are in conflict with social justice.

It was a key issue in trustee elections last fall.

Being a Teacher Social Justice, the learning students are acquiring through this process will be incredible. What a great opportunity seeing social justice in action and having the students learn in the process. I have followed this story since day 1, and have spoke to my class about this injustice. Banning a topic in education is as bad as the banning books issue in Surrey.  Youth will be exposed to all media regardless of parental regulations, so it is important for these issues to be discussed and in the open.

Respect goes out to the teachers and students of Abbotsford School District, keep fighting the good fight!