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Naming of Schools Policy Review

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Consultation has concluded

three story brick building covered in vines, with a path and bicycle rack in front

HWDSB’s policies are reviewed every few years and when we want to make changes to a policy, we bring it back to you for input. Today, we invite you to share your thoughts on a policy that directs how we decide on names for schools.

A school’s name represents where we live, the people who make up our community, the values we want to teach our children, and the vision for HWDSB.

In the past, we have often chosen names for schools that honour people. While that may have felt appropriate at the time, we now know that some of the people we chose to honour have caused significant harm in Canada’s history, harm that is still felt today.

We have proposed changes to HWDSB's Naming of Schools Policy that reflect our commitment to the principles of equity and human rights. We also propose that schools should no longer be named after people. Share your thoughts on these proposed changes.

Refer to the revised policy and the original policy under 'Important Documents' on the right-hand side.

Ways to engage

  • Share your ideas - Do you agree that schools should no longer be named after people? What other factors should we take into consideration when choosing a new school name? Your input will inform our decision about this policy change.

HWDSB’s policies are reviewed every few years and when we want to make changes to a policy, we bring it back to you for input. Today, we invite you to share your thoughts on a policy that directs how we decide on names for schools.

A school’s name represents where we live, the people who make up our community, the values we want to teach our children, and the vision for HWDSB.

In the past, we have often chosen names for schools that honour people. While that may have felt appropriate at the time, we now know that some of the people we chose to honour have caused significant harm in Canada’s history, harm that is still felt today.

We have proposed changes to HWDSB's Naming of Schools Policy that reflect our commitment to the principles of equity and human rights. We also propose that schools should no longer be named after people. Share your thoughts on these proposed changes.

Refer to the revised policy and the original policy under 'Important Documents' on the right-hand side.

Ways to engage

  • Share your ideas - Do you agree that schools should no longer be named after people? What other factors should we take into consideration when choosing a new school name? Your input will inform our decision about this policy change.