Inclusivity Taught Year-Round

Well-being is essential for a student’s success

Each student and teacher who walks Bialik’s halls knows that being proud of your identity is an important school value. And this goes hand-in-hand with learning about being inclusive, open and understanding, to ensure that Bialik spaces are welcoming to everyone.

“As a school, it is important to stop and acknowledge National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, Pride Month and Black History Month, but that’s not the only time that learning takes place,” says Karen Lidor, Associate Director of General Studies. “It takes place by having meaningful lessons in the classroom, with inclusivity woven into the fibre of what we teach and do as a school. That’s where the learning truly happens.”

We are fi nding ways to bring inclusivity into our students’ everyday experience. “We want to convey the belief that there is no one way to be Jewish,” says Karen. “People can have different histories, customs and traditions to build proud and strong identities. The important thing is to create an atmosphere where all students feel equally valued and they see that the perspectives they bring to school are respected.”

“Students raise a lot of questions,” says David Cohen-Olivenstein, Elementary Division Vice Principal, “and we want to give them age-appropriate answers and opportunities to learn. Meaningful conversations and learning moments may come up at any time, and we need to be able to help students deepen their understanding.”

“We try to infuse inclusivity into our everyday practices in terms of how we exist and treat one another,” adds Karen. “We don’t want inclusivity to be an add-on, designated to a specific day, month or a one-off program.”

One of the important steps the school is taking is to provide professional development for faculty, to whom students often turn with their many questions about diversity and identity. “This is an area in which many of our staff are growing personally and professionally as well,” says Karen, “and our aim is to support them in engaging sensitively and thoughtfully with students and families.”

“Teachers are providing opportunities for students to engage with inclusivity in ways that they can understand,” says David. “This could be through reading books, bringing in guest speakers, discussions in class, the use of child-friendly vocabulary, and lots of opportunities for reflection.”

The focus on learning through different lenses is key to challenging stereotypes and guiding students to apply the lessons to real-world examples. Inclusivity at Bialik encompasses lessons and stories about race, culture, gender identity, abilities and beyond.

“If students are doing a social studies unit on Indigenous history, we talk about inclusivity through that lens,” says David. “When they’re talking about residential schools and the darker part of Indigenous history, we discuss why inclusivity is so important.”

“At Bialik, everyone can be their true self, and it creates an environment where children and faculty can learn from one another and participate,” says Karen. “Growing up in this atmosphere with diverse perspectives, voices, histories and beliefs is positive for the next generation.”

People can have different histories, customs and traditions to build proud and strong identities. The important thing is to create an atmosphere where all students feel equally valued and they see that the perspectives they bring to school are respected.”