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Home My WebLink About17.8.a. Receipt of Annual Report, Advisory Committee on Equity2022–2023 ANNUAL REPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON EQUITY Committee Members Please refer to ACE Membership List - 2022-2023 attached in workplan section. Please note ACE is not attaching a current workplan but will be developing one in Fall 2023. ACE Chair Special thank you to outgoing chairs Deepika Grover and Ayan Karshe for their incredible contribution in expanding member and community engagement. In addition, they were instrumental in utilizing an anti-oppression, anti-racist and trauma informed lens to demonstrate a decolonized meeting space that centres voices from the margins. In November, Ryan Doucette and Jacqueline Lawrence were recognized as the 2022-24 co-chairs. Activities and Achievements 2022-2023 In 2022-2023, ACE continued to advise the Board of Trustees in fulfilling its commitment to provide an equitable and inclusive educational and work environment to support the achievement and well-being of students, staff and families. Through its monthly meetings, members leaned into critical and necessary conversations that brought together unfamiliar and uncomfortable elements of inequitable lived experiences to learn with, about and from each other, to support the Board in its listening for opportunities to identify and address systemic barriers, build a shared vision, expand bridges of understanding, and provide clarity in a sea of complexity while navigating changes with agility. The complexities were intense and intricate this year given the lingering unpredictability of covid, its disproportionate impact on equity deserving groups (i.e. rising cost of living, growing food insecurity, technology gaps and compassion fatigue around equity), and its urgent call to reimage systems, in all sectors, including education. Safety for equity deserving groups has also intensified. This touched ACE members deeply when they engaged in three critical conversations around streaming its monthly public meetings. While respecting the importance of public access and transparency, safety considerations were paramount in a climate that has seen an exponential rise with the use of social media and other fear techniques to target persons standing for equity. ACE’s accomplishments this year, therefore reflect a renewed commitment to apply an anti-oppression and equity informed trauma lens to District priorities to ensure equitable access, opportunities and outcomes for the full diversity of students, staff and families served by the OCDSB. This included feedback on the following priorities: ●OCDSB’s Budget ●Mental Health Strategy ●Strategic Plan ●Toolkit on Bias, Discrimination and Hate (including protocols to address hate) ●Equitable Hiring ●Student Achievement Report ACE’s accomplishments also included applying more rigor to its structures to increase efficiency and effectiveness as equity continues to evolve within the District. To this end, ACE restructured its subcommittees to be in alignment with the Indigenous, Human Rights and Equity Roadmap, with the intention to support the District in tracking systemic changes that were identified to be addressed. As a result, ACE streamlined its subcommittees from eight to the following four working groups: ●Membership and Community Engagement ●Data Collection ●Equitable Hiring ●Steering Committee (includes chairs and representatives at various tables) Plans for the 2023-2024 School Year The key priorities for the 2023-24 school year are to: ●Develop ACE’s Annual Work Plan in alignment with the Strategic Plan and Roadmap ●Activate committees to deepen and advance exploration and application of an equity informed trauma lens to key district priorities ●Community engagements on resource allocation through an equity lens ●Membership Campaign 2023-2024 Meeting Dates 28 September 2023 26 October 2023 23 November 2023 25 January 2024 29 February 2024 28 March 20 30 May 2024 Attachments/Links ●Evidence of the committee’s membership campaign (Appendix A) ●ACE Membership Chart (Appendix B) ●Minutes confirming the election of the co-chairs (Appendix C) Appendix A Membership ACE conducted its annual review of its membership and a campaign will be planned for the 2024-2026 term to replace current members who will complete their cycle. ACE Membership List - 2022-2023 Name Email Seat Designate Individual Members 1 Ryan Doucette RyanDoucette@cmail.carleton.ca Chair Individual Voting Member Deepika Grover dee.grover@gmail.com dee.grover@gmail.com Individual Voting Member 2 Bronwyn Funiciello bfuniciello@rogers.com COW Budget Representative Individual Voting Member 3 Seema Lamba lambaseema2020@gmail.com COW Representative Individual Voting Member lambas@psac-afpc.com 4 Nasrin Javanfar nasrin.mirbagheri@gmail.com Early Day Care Representative Individual Voting Member Elizabeth Sweeney e.m.sweeney.mail@gmail.com Alternate Voting Carrie-Lynn Barkley carrielynnb3@gmail.com Alternate Voting Community Members 1 Chandonette Johnson chandonette_johnson@yahoo.ca Jaku Konbit Voting 2 Kahmaria Pingue kahmariap4d@gmail.com Parents for Diversity Voting kahmaria@parentsfordiversity.com 3 Katherine Owens kowens@ysb.ca Youth Services Bureau Voting Larissa Silver lsilver@ysb.ca Youth Services Bureau, Alternate 4 Maria Teresa Garcia mgarcia@ociso.org Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO)Voting Donielle Roman droman@ociso.org Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO), Alternate 5 Olga Grigoriev Ogrigoriev@tiontario.ca Tungasuvvingat Inuit Voting Katia D'Argencourt kd.argencourt@tiontario.ca Tungasuvvingat Inuit, Alternate Inini McHugh educationmanager@inuuqatigiit.ca Inuuqatigit Centre Voting Non-Voting Members Donna Dickson donna.dickson@ocdsb.ca OCDSB Board Trustee for ACE Trustee Nili Kaplan-Myrth nili.kaplan-myrth@ocdsb.ca OCDSB Board Trustee for ACE Trustee Mary Jane Farrish mary.jane.farrish@ocdsb.ca Superintendent of Instruction Indigenous Rights and Equity Division Jacqueline Lawrence jacqueline.lawrence@ocdsb.ca Diversity & Equity Coordinator Indigenous Rights and Equity Division Awad Ibrahim aibrahim@uottawa.ca University of Ottawa Professor Post-Secondary Representative Jessica Knoyle spiritual.care@ocdsb.ca OCDSB Spiritual Care Group Vacant Ottawa Carleton Elementary Teachers' Federation OCETF Representative Vacant Ottawa Carleton Secondary School Teachers' Federation OCSSTF Representative Appendix B ACE Membership List - 2022-2023 Name Email Seat Designate Members at Large - Non-Voting Emmaunuel Worlor emmanuel.worlor@ottawa.ca Edil Adan Ahmed eadiriye@hotmail.com Non-voting Member at Large Bob Dawson dawsonb@bell.net Non-voting Member at Large June Girvan junegirvan@rogers.com Non-voting Member at Large Elaine Hayles msehayles@gmail.com Non-voting Member at Large Inini McHugh educationmanager@inuuqatigiit.ca Inuuqatigit Centre rep Non-voting Member at Large Lili Miller liliemiller@yahoo.com IEC Observer Non-voting Member at Large Said Mohammed saidmohamed@gmail.com Non-voting Member at Large Megan Willis meg@mindfulnessmeghan.com Non-voting Member at Large Yazhuo Zhang zhangyazhuo119@hotmail.com Non-voting Member at Large Robert Hosslet hosselet@rogers.com Non-voting Member at Large Tammara Smith tammara.smith@ocdsb.ca Vacant SEAC Observer Non-voting Member at Large Vacant PIC Observer Non-voting Member at Large OCDSB Other Sue Rice sue.rice@ocdsb.ca Instructional Coach Indigenous Rights and Equity Division Marva Major marva.major@ocdsb.ca System Principal of Equity Indigenous Rights and Equity Division Melissa Collins melissa.collins@ocdsb.ca ESL System Principal Indigenous Rights and Equity Division Lorna Evans lorna.evans@ocdsb.ca Teacher, Program & Learning Elementary Team OCDSB Staff Member in Attendance Ann Arden ann.arden@ocdsb.ca Student Senate Staff Member in Attendance Carolyn Tanner carolyn.tanner@ocdsb.ca Human Rights & Equity Advisor OCDSB Staff Member in Attendance Ken Mak kenneth.mak@ocdsb.ca Vice-Principal, Heritage Public School OCDSB Staff Member in Attendance Laura Sosnow sosnowlaura@gmail.com Teacher, Queen Elizabeth Public School OCDSB Staff Member in Attendance Rana Kais ranakais@gmail.com David Sutton david.sutton@ocdsb.ca Secondary Extended Occaisonal Staff Member in Attendance Vacancy Face - Family & Engagement Coordinator Support Staff ContactsMarva Major marva.major@ocdsb.ca System Principal, Equity and Inclusive Initiatives OCDSB ACE Membership List - 2022-2023 Name Email Seat Designate Christian McCuaig christian.mccuaig@ocdsb.ca Communications Coordinator OCDSB Oksana Kravets oksana.kravets@ocdsb.ca Communications Coordinator OCDSB Sanjida Rahman sanjida.rahman@ocdsb.ca Adminstrative Assistant to Mary Jane Farrish OCDSB Nicole Guthrie nicole.guthrie@ocdsb.ca Manager, Board Services OCDSB Darren Gatley darren.gatley@ocdsb.ca Senior Board Coordinator OCDSB Mellissa Applewaithe mellissa.applewaithe@ocdsb.ca Board/Committee Coordinator OCDSB James Baker james.baker@ocdsb.ca Board/Committee Coordinator OCDSB 11 voting members Quorum is 50%+1 of voting members ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON EQUITY REPORT October 27, 2022 6:00 pm Zoom Meeting Voting Members:Deepika Grover, Emmanuel Worlor (City of Ottawa), Seema Lamba, Ryan Doucette (Young Leaders Advisory Council), Carrie-Lynn Barkley, Bronwyn Funiciello, Chandonette Johnson (Jaku Konbit), Elizabeth Sweeney, Inini McHugh (Indigenous Education Council), Kathryn Owens (Youth Services Bureau), Olga Grigoriev (Tungasuvvingat Inuit), Donnielle Roman (Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization) Non-Voting Members:Elaine Hayles, Lili Miller, Edil Adan Ahmed, Yazhuo Zhang Staff and Guests:Mary Jane Farrish (Superintendent of Instruction), Justine Bell (Trustee), Rob Campbell (Trustee), Lynn Scott (Trustee), Carolyn Tanner (Human Rights and Equity Advisor), Jacqueline Lawrence (Equity and Diversity Coordinator), Lorna Evans (Equity Instructional Coach), Tess Porter (Family and Community Engagement Coordinator), Sandy Owens (Manager of Information Technology), Nabil Ahmed (Student Support Coordinator - TERM), Patrice Hall Johnson, James Baker (Board/Committee Coordinator) 1. Welcome Acting Chair Lawrence called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m. 2. Land Acknowledgement Superintendent Farrish acknowledged that the meeting was taking place on unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Anishnaabeg Algonquin Nation. She extended gratitude and sought to support and affirm their rights as the land's stewards and keepers. 3. Community Space: Updates in Supports for Students and Families, Announcements, and Delegations During discussion and in response to queries, the following information was provided: 1 Appendix C ● At the recommendation of Mr. McHugh, the committee agreed by consensus that the agenda item 5. Community Space, be moved to item 3.; ● The committee recognized the results of the 24 October 2022 municipal election and congratulated those who were re-elected and thanked those whose terms would be concluding; ● A recommendation was put forward to invite Indigenous students to the Advisory Committee on Equity (ACE) meetings to share their experiences, and to discuss how ACE could assist with their academic success; ● Ms. Porter outlined her role as the Family and Community Engagement Coordinator and noted that the Parent Conference will take place on 5 November 2022; ● Mr. McHugh advised the committee on his work with the Inuuqutigiit Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families. He shared his experience in developing the Slatuniq Program, which is funded by the Child First Initiative and Indigenous Services Canada. Mr. McHugh recommended that there be Indigenous representation within the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC). Mr. McHugh volunteered to fill the role; ● Members shared support for Mr. McHugh's recommendation while exploring the legislative and procedural challenges that exist in creating a formal role within SEAC. It was noted that a representative from ACE could attend SEAC meetings as it is open to the public; ● Trustee Bell suggested that members bring ideas forward with respect to committee assignments that could be made at an upcoming Committee of the Whole meeting; ● In response to a query from Ms. Lamba who suggested that trustees could bring forward items from ACE at Committee of the Whole meetings.Trustee Scott and Trustee Campbell noted that while trustees do advocate for ACE, a balance is required with competing interests from other committees; and ● Mr. Doucette remarked that all ACE meetings are open to the public. 4. Membership Update Acting Chair Lawrence advised that she had provided communications requesting that members submit their interest for the vacant positions on ACE. 4.1 Selection of Chair and Vice Chair Acting Chair Lawrence advised that the position of Chair remains open. She further advised that she would continue to work in an acting capacity until the role is filled. 2 Ryan Doucette was acclaimed as co-chair or Vice-Chair (still to be confirmed). Mr. Doucette provided a brief description of himself and what attributes he will bring to the role. 4.2 Selection of Committee of the Whole Representative Seema Lamba was acclaimed as the ACE representative to Committee of the Whole (COW) for her second term. Deepika Grover was acclaimed as an alternate for the Committee of the Whole representative. 4.3 Selection of Committee of the Whole Budget Representative Bronwyn Funicello was acclaimed as the ACE representative to COW Budget for her second term. No names were put forward for the role of alternate representative for the Committee of the Whole, Budget. 4.4 Selection of Community Representative Acting Chair Lawrence advised that the position of Community Representative remains open. She noted that Nasrin Javanfar has been the Early Day Care representative. 5. Equity Team Update Superintendent Farrish advised about the upcoming Indigenous, Equity and Human Rights Road Trip event taking place at Woodroffe High School on 9 November 2022. Acting Chair Lawrence advised that questions pertaining to the By-Laws governing ACE should be answered by the new Board. Acting Chair Lawrence reported that she had met with Paula Hall, Superintendent of People, Culture and Leadership, to discuss the shifts with equitable hiring. She noted that Superintendent Hall is willing to work with the Equity Team to provide an update to the committee. Acting Chair Lawrence advised that additional information will be provided once a meeting date is determined for this presentation. Acting Chair Lawrence advised that Learning Support Services is willing to provide a fulsome report to address gaps that were identified by ACE with respect to students with disabilities and support for their independent living needs. Ms. Grover requested that Superintendent Hall present a plan for the employment system review. She expressed concern regarding the procedure used by the vendor, as previous employment system reviews failed to identify systemic racism. 3 Ms. Evans advised the Equity Team had been working with the destreaming program and continue to be responsive to the needs of educators and principals. She noted that Kusha Dadui had planned a discussion panel for 17 November 2022. Acting Chair Lawrence added that the Indigenous, Equity and Human Rights Road Trip: Transforming Cultures for Students, Staff and Families event on 9 November 2022 will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. She highlighted that the purpose of the event is to engage families and students in transforming the Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) with respect to equity, identifying barriers, and to encourage conversation on generating momentum in moving forward with the transformation of culture in the community. 6. Reports 6.1 ACE Report, 29 September 2022 Moved by Carrie-Lynn Berkley, THAT the Advisory Committee on Equity report of 29 September 2022 be received. Carried Ms. Grover suggested that the entirety of the Zoom chat, discussing her reasons regarding her discomfort and resignation, be added to the minutes. Ms. Miller expressed her concern regarding the lack of information regarding the behaviour of the trustee in the minutes. She characterized the events as a violation of the safe space. She expressed concern regarding the continued involvement of the individual who she alleges engaged in misconduct. She expanded by suggesting that clarification on what is a safe space should be provided. She further noted her dissatisfaction with any suggestion that the Chair could benefit from meeting management training. She commented that the suggestion is a form of victim blaming. Ms. Miller asked if the safe space is guaranteed as she does not feel she is able to speak openly. Trustee Scott highlighted that the Chair does have the ability to prohibit inappropriate behaviours from participants, but noted that it is not always an easy task. Trustee Scott advised that she has spoken with staff seeking support for advisory committees to assist in managing incidents like this. Acting Chair Lawrence suggested that this conversation be continued in a private venue. 6.2 Committee of the Whole 4 Ms. Lamba reported that the Committee of the Whole engaged in a discussion regarding a proposed policy committee. She noted that input was sought and that she expressed concern regarding the roles that advisory committees would play in policy review and development. Ms. Lamba reported that the strategic plan update report highlighted the Board's accomplishments regarding cultural issues and that the Board is currently developing the new 2023-2027 strategic plan. 6.3 Advisory Committee Updates No updates were provided. Ms. Funicello suggested that the Advisory Committee on Equity become more involved in budget planning. 7. New Business and Event Announcements In response to a query from Ms. Lamba, regarding a suggestion that ACE create a terms of reference, Acting Chair Lawrence advised that it would be considered at the 24 November 2022 meeting. In response to queries from Ms. Lamba and Ms. Grover regarding the participation of non-voting representatives at the Committee of the Whole, Trustee Bell and Trustee Campbell clarified that the discussion primarily involved the eligibility of the Ottawa Carleton Assembly of School Councils (OCASC) and the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC). 8. Upcoming Meeting Dates Upcoming meeting dates were provided for information. 9. Closing The meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m. 5