The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) and the Saskatoon Teachers’ Association (STA) urge all partners to celebrate June as Price Month and ensure schools accept all students.
The call comes after Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools apologized after its superintendent emailed elementary school principals telling them to keep students away from the Rainbow Tent at a children’s festival.
Francois Rivard, director of education for the division, said in a statement the internal email was never intended to promote judgment, hate or exclusion.
The email in question came from Supt. Tom Hickey wrote that students shouldn’t attend the Rainbow Tent while attending the Nutrien Children’s Festival of Saskatchewan next month.
The Rainbow Tent is described as having drag queen story time and inclusive dress-up performances to ensure every child feels heard, loved and accepted.
Rivard said people who send their children to Catholic schools have a reasonable expectation that their education is consistent with Catholic teachings and is age appropriate.
“Therefore, parents and caregivers are best positioned to decide on their children’s participation in this programming within the festival,” Rivard said.
Rivard added the school division welcomes members of the LGBTQ community.
STF President Samantha Becotte said any inclusive policies or directives directly impact students and their families.
“This alienates them and removes their ability to feel safe and accepted for who they are,” she said. “Regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, all students and school staff have the right to feel safe, respected and accepted in their learning and work environments.”
“Without community support and acceptance, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth are exposed to an increased risk of mental health challenges, including a higher probability of self-harm,” said Becotte. “Students spend a significant amount of time at school and have a right to an environment that accepts and supports them. As educators, we all have a duty to do all we can to provide learning environments free of discrimination.”
Wayne Clements, past president of the STF and a long-time 2SLGBTQIA+ activist, called for those in the education sector to be sure actions match words.
“Simply saying you are open and welcoming to all students isn’t enough. For those marginalized students, actions like banning attendance at the Rainbow Tent reinforce that they are not accepted and that who they are is wrong. While we have come far in the last 30 years, this makes it clear there is still much work to do.”
In the 2023 STF Member Survey, approximately 90 percent of teachers who responded felt that accepting diversity in gender identity and expression among students in the school environment was important or very important in supporting positive outcomes in their schools.
-with files from The Canadian Press
