OPP and UCDSB partner to bring safe and inclusive schools and communities book packs to schools

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The Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) has teamed up with the Lanark County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) to bring books that emphasize safe and inclusive communities to schools in Lanark County.

The books will be primarily used in Grade 2 classrooms and have been selected based on the curriculum for that grade with students learning about various cultural traditions and celebrations.

The books are being donated to the schools through the Creating Safer Spaces Lanark project, which increases opportunities for community partners to enhance safety in schools and create a safer and more inclusive community.  The UCDSB worked with Lanark OPP to determine the best resources and in total 485 books will be distributed to Grade 2 classrooms across the region. The total value is approximately $12,000.

“It’s important that all students feel included in school so that they can do their best learning,” explains Daniel McRae, UCDSB Principal of Equity & Inclusion. “Using relevant, meaningful, accessible and engaging books is a great way to ensure that all students see themselves represented in the learning environment. We’re grateful to have amazing community partners such as the Lanark OPP Detachment   to put together great initiatives like these book packs and help us to continue to create safer and more inclusive communities for all of our students and families.”

The book packs include the following titles:

• Ava’s Homemade Hanukkah, by Geraldine Woberg
• Eyes That Kiss in the Corners, by Joanna Ho
• Lailah’s Lunchbox – A Ramadan Story, by Reem Faruqi
• More Than Peach, by Bellen Woodard
• My Fade is Fresh, by Shauntay Grant

Arklan Community Public School, Caldwell Public School, Glen Tay Public School, Maple Grove Public School, Naismith Memorial Public School, The Stewart School and The Queen Elizabeth School will all receive a pack of books that can be used to build cultural awareness and create entry points for restorative conversations with students.

“The partnership between the school boards and Lanark OPP to bring these compelling stories to our young students is a wonderful way to bring home the importance of equity, diversity and inclusion,” says Stephanie Gray, Coordinator of the Lanark County Situation Table and Community Plan for Safety and Well-being. “In our community safety and well-being plan, we recognize it is key to introduce these concepts early in an effort to prevent hate from taking root in our communities.”

“It is important that our police officers in Lanark are in our schools and building trusting relationship with our communities,” adds Lanark County OPP Inspector/Detachment Commander Kerlous Tawdrous.

OPP will be delivering books to UCDSB schools until June 6, with the tour continuing as follows:

• May 23 – Arklan Community Public School, Carleton Place
• May 30 – Glen Tay Public School, Perth
• June 4 – Naismith Memorial Public School, Almonte
• June 6 – Maple Grove Public School, Lanark