A new year is like a new day, availing refreshed opportunities to make meaningful connections with each other and the world around us.

This issue explores opportunities for us, as a Limestone community, to continue to build meaningful connections, collaboratively counter oppression, and collectively challenge and advocate for equitable change.

These networks aim to provide a confidential empowering space for sharing experiences, peer-to-peer connection, informal mentorship, and increase a sense of belonging. Open to any employee of the LDSB, they aim to provide a space for members to voice and address concerns that impact their lived experience within the Limestone District School Board, and help provide input in determining priorities and strategies supporting staff, students, and communities with Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigeneity actions.

Currently, 3 staff networks have been established:

1. Black, Indigenous, and Racialized Staff Network

2.2SLGBTQ+ Staff Network

3. People Living with Disabilities Staff Network

If you are interested in joining any of these networks, please do not hesitate to reach out Rae McDonald (mcdonaldr@limestone.on.ca) for further information.

This year’s Annual Black History Month opening ceremony taking place virtually at Queen’s University on Tuesday, Feb 1, 2022, from 5pm to 6pm. The BHM event calendar will be released at the ceremony, and we will have the opportunity to hear insights from our esteemed panelists on Black Health and Wellness.

Black History Month Opening Ceremony 2022 Tickets, Tue, 1 Feb 2022 at 5:00 PM | Eventbrite

KFPL is accepting community submissions of poetry and flash fiction incorporating diverse Black perspectives. In partnership with the LDSB, this project aims to promote the diverse creative energies of Kingston by showcasing submissions on the KFPL website and will culminate with a live online event.

KFPL is accepting one piece per writer ages 13 and up from Feb. 1 to 27. Submissions can be made through the KFPL website, or by emailing Jake Miller at jmiller@kfpl.ca

On February 22 &23, Kingston-born spoken word performer, writer and poet Britta Badour, better known as Britta B, is hosting writer's workshops. The focus of this workshop will be writing with the aim of reenvisioning the Black experience and Black existence.

On February 28, creators can read their works to the community with Celebrating Black Creators: Readings of Poetry and Prose.

Everyone in the Limestone community has the right feel safe, affirmed and valued. It is essential that we stand collectively against acts of xenophobia, by collectively taking a stance against discrimination and violence.

WE REMEMBER: LEARN FROM THE PAST TO PROTECT THE FUTURE

International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27 commemorates the victims of the Holocaust, and the genocide of European Jews by Nazi Germany between 1941 and 1945.

January 27, 2022, marks 77 years since the Allied troops arrived at the gates of Auschwitz. The Holocaust -- the murder of 6 million Jews by the Nazis and their collaborators -- did not occur in a vacuum. It was the product of unchecked hatred and collective silence.

The Holocaust continues to impact the Jewish people today as antisemitism is at the highest rate today since Nazi Germany in the 1930's. Learning about The Holocaust and commemorating the victims and survivors illustrates the importance of remembering this tragic chapter in human history so that we can ensure that it never happens again.

As of January 2020, the Federal Government has designated January 29th as the day to remember the victims of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec Shooting. The survivors of this tragic act of terror wish to towards a better future for Canadian Muslims and for us all to focus on being part of meaningful Action against Islamophobia.

The Green Square Campaign

The Green Square Campaign takes place in the week leading up to January 29th every year to remember the victims and survivors of the Quebec City mosque attack.

Visit https://www.nccm.ca/greensquare/

Join a digital solidarity letter-writing opportunity, designed to focus on “instant” change making!

All letters are digital and will live on Islamophobia.io

The campaign link to submit letters: https://islamophobia.io/jan29

"If we all play a role in changing the game, every kid will have a fair chance to write their own story. Teammates wanted." From: www.mlsefoundation.org

As Limestone District School Board employees, we are all a part of this learning journey. If you have ideas about future equity topics or terminology, please contact Rae McDonald.

Email: mcdonaldr@limestone.on.ca
Phone: 613-544-6925 336