HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.1.2 Appendix A to 30 October 2023 BoardPOLICY P.107.SCO
TITLE:NEW SCHOOLS AND OTHER BOARD FACILITIES -
NAMING, SIGNAGE, AND OPENING CEREMONIES
Date Authorized: 21 November 2001
Last Revised: 30 October 2023
Last Reviewed: 30 October 2023
COMMITMENT TO INDIGENOUS RIGHTS, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND EQUITY
The Board recognizes its responsibility to ensure that this policy and associated procedures promote
and protect Indigenous rights, human rights, and equity. The Board shall strive to address and
eliminate discrimination and structural and systemic barriers for students, staff, and community.
1.0 RATIONALE
1.1 To provide a community-driven framework for naming and renaming schools and other
Board facilities or special purpose areas that is aligned with the Board’s commitments to
equity, diversity, inclusion, and human rights.
1.2 To recognize and celebrate the official opening of new schools, major additions, or other
Board facilities, including special purpose areas within a school, such as libraries or
gymnasiums within schools, adjacent day care centers, and municipal facilities.
2.0 DEFINITIONS
Please refer to Appendix A for a list of definitions of terms used in this policy.
3.0 POLICY
3.1 The Board recognizes the importance of ensuring that names approved for schools and
other Board facilities in the District are inspirational, reflective of our diverse community,
distinct and aligned with the mission, vision, and values of the District and its
commitment to Indigenous rights, human rights, and equity.
3.2 The Board recognizes that the officially designated name of a school, Board facility, or
special purpose area within a school or facility may need to be changed to respond to
changing circumstances.
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Appendix A to 30 October 2023 Board
3.3 The Board believes in and is committed to a naming and renaming process that is
community-driven and inclusive of the diverse voices in our society.
4.0 SPECIFIC DIRECTIVES
School Names
4.1 School names shall be based on one or more of the following considerations :
a) reflective of the school’s unique program focus;
b) a reference to the local environment or ecology (geographical features, flora,
fauna, etc.);
c) reflective of the significance to Indigenous peoples and the location of the school
on traditional unceded Algonquin homelands;
d) a reference to the street, road, or major thoroughfare on which, or near to where,
the school is located;
e) a reference to the village, town, subdivision, or community in which the school is
located;
f) paying homage to a famous Canadian event or achievement; and/or
g) distinct from names of existing schools within the City of Ottawa.
4.2 All new or renamed schools offering programs from kindergarten to grade 8, or any
other elementary grade configuration, shall have the designation “Public School” or
“Elementary School” as part of the official name.
4.3 All new or renamed schools offering programs from grade 7 to grade 8 shall have the
designation “Intermediate” as part of the official name.
4.4 All new or renamed schools offering programs inclusive of grades 9 to 12, or any other
secondary grade configuration, (including schools offering grades 7 to 12) shall have
the designation “High School” or “Secondary School” as part of the official name.
New School Naming
4.5 When a new school is to be named, the District shall establish a School Naming
Committee composed of representatives of the school community and an Algonquin
Elder, a Knowledge Keeper, or an Indigenous representative to solicit proposals for
names.
4.6 The School Naming Committee shall submit its proposed school names to the District
and the Board for consideration.
Naming a Special Purpose Area within a School
4.7 A school may establish a School-based Committee composed of representatives of the
school community to consider names of special purpose areas within a school.
4.8 The naming criteria listed in Section 4.1 shall be considered prior to making a
recommendation of a new name for a special purpose area to the District for approval.
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Naming of Other Board Facilities
4.9 The District shall recommend to the Board names of new facilities other than schools.
Examples of such facilities are the Administrative Building, the Stittsville Depot, etc.
Renaming Schools and Other Board Facilities
4.10 Only the Board may initiate the process of renaming a school upon a request from the
community and/or the District.
4.11 A review of the designated name of a facility other than a school or a special purpose
area within a school may be initiated by the Director of Education or as the result of a
request from the community.
4.12 Reasons for renaming a school, other Board facilities, or a special purpose area within a
school may include:
a) a reasonable concern that the existing name is shown to be culturally insensitive,
discriminatory, or otherwise undermines the mission and values of the District;
b) the existing name is no longer relevant or supported by the local community, or is
inappropriate for the District as a whole;
c) a significant change in identity and school focus or programming; or
d) a consolidation or amalgamation of schools.
4.13 The process for renaming a school, other Board facility, or a special purpose area within
a school shall follow the same guiding principles and process applicable to the naming
of schools.
4.14 The District shall establish a process for the proactive and reactive review of names to
identify any that are no longer appropriate or consistent with the guiding principles
outlined herein.
Signage
4.15 The OCDSB's logo and name shall be incorporated into the overall design of new
school signage and, subject to the availability of funds, in all existing schools and other
Board facilities.
Opening Ceremonies
4.16 The official opening ceremonies for new schools shall:
a) where possible, follow the Algonquin protocols;
b) be structured with minimum formality; and
c) include participation by students, staff, community representatives, Elected
Representatives, and an Algonquin Elder, a Knowledge Keeper, or an Indigenous
representative.
4.17 The Director of Education is authorized to issue any necessary procedures to
implement this policy.
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5.0 APPENDICES
Appendix A:Policy Definitions
6.0 REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
The Education Act,2000,Section 195
OCDSB Procedure PR.570.FAC -School Site Assessment and Acquisition
OCDSB Procedure PR.630.SCO -Naming of Schools and Educational Support Facilities
OCDSB Procedure PR 639 COM -Inviting Guests to Special Events
OCDSB Procedure PR.676.COM -Official Opening Ceremonies –New Schools
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APPENDIX A:PROCEDURE DEFINITIONS
In this policy,
Board means the Board of Trustees.
District means the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.
Elected Representatives means the elected representatives for the area in which the school
or building resides and/or elected representatives for the students attending therein,including
school council members,board trustees,municipal councillors,provincial members of
parliament,and federal members of parliament.
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