School district forced to explain after speculation it told teachers the word ‘family' is racist
After a year and a half of speculation that teachers in Canada's Waterloo Region District, just outside of Toronto, were being taught the word 'family' is racist, its school board was forced to come clean this month.
The controversy began in November 2023, when the district offered a professional development presentation titled 'Dismantling Whiteness at W-O: Words Matter,' according to the CBC.
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Reports earlier this month on the training included screen grabs from the presentation highlighting the word 'family,' followed by an explanation claiming the word is 'identified as harmful by our racialized students' and 'values positions of (male) authority and hierarchy.'
After the training session came to light, the head of the school board was forced to acknowledge the scuttlebutt.
Maedith Radlein, chair of the Waterloo Region District School Board, said the training session examined several words, including family.
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'That screenshot was interpreted to mean that what was being said was that we are against family. That screenshot was, in fact, part of a larger presentation that was a discussion about language,' Radlein said on CBC K-W's 'The Morning Edition.'
'I would like to unequivocally state that that is not our message. We value families, and we work with them every day as we seek to help their students achieve and enjoy their school experience.'
The school board then issued a statement defending the instructional session.
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'The session explored how different communities may experience public institutions differently, and how educators can be thoughtful and inclusive in their communication,' the June 6 statement said.
'These discussions are part of our ongoing commitment to human rights, equity, and learning.'
The Waterloo Region District School Board's training session titled 'Dismantling Whiteness at W-O: Words Matter' sparked controversy.
Facebook/Waterloo Region District School Board
The school board was forced to make two statements this month.
Facebook/Waterloo Region District School Board
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'The word ' family' and what it represents is integral to all we do,' the board said in a second statement days later.
'A look at our website will reveal numerous references to family. There are lunchtime workshops for families; there are information nights for families; we collaborate with families (I.e., parents and caregivers at all stages of the learning process, in every grade and in every activity),' Radlein said in the June 10 statement.
'Families are seen as active partners in the learning and well-being of their children. They are seen every day in our schools contributing to public education.'
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