Letter from the Director: This is Me in Hpe Student Census coming in November 2021

Letter from the Director: This is Me in Hpe Student Census coming in November 2021
Posted on 10/14/2021

Director of Education, Katherine MacIver shared a letter today with HPE School families about the upcoming This is Me in HPE Student Census. Please read the following letter and infographic to learn more about this exciting initiative.

Dear Families:

This is Me in HPE Student Census, coming in November 2021

Fall has arrived and the school year is well underway. At Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board (HPEDSB), we are committed to the learning and achievement of all students. In order to ensure our schools meet the needs of all our students, we will be participating in a first-ever, district-wide student census called This is Me in HPE.

The This is Me in HPE Student Census will collect identity-based information to help us learn about our students and create more equitable, inclusive schools. This will help us to be aware of and support the diversity of our students and families.

Why are we doing this? We are committed to meeting the learning needs of all students. For us to identify and address inequities, barriers, or discriminatory biases, we need to better understand the diversity that exists across our system. That includes knowing more about our students and school communities.

As a public education provider, HPEDSB welcomes all students, and values the diversity of our students and staff. This includes reaffirming our commitment to equity and inclusion for all. At the same time, we also commit to supporting all individuals in our school communities through a sense of belonging, regardless of their background or personal circumstances.

We need your help! The census will be conducted through your child's school from November 15-19, 2021. Participation is voluntary and will take about 20 minutes. It is confidential but not anonymous. This means individual responses, and all personal student and family information, will remain strictly confidential with your child's educators and protected under freedom of information and protection of privacy legislation. As a school board, we will use this data to improve learning opportunities for all students.

Student Census Infographic

Even though the census dates are a few weeks away, we are communicating with you now because teachers will start preparing students to varying degrees. For example, students will learn why the census is being done and will be able to ask questions to clarify their understanding of unfamiliar words or concepts.

In early November, you will receive another letter with specific information about the student census. In the meantime, you can learn more by viewing an information slideshow, infographic, sample census questions and FAQs online at www.hpedsb.on.ca/census. If you have other questions or are looking for additional information, please contact the principal, or the project leads by email at [email protected] or call 613-966-1170 ext. 62121.
These are exciting times at HPEDSB. We are on a journey to re-engage and reimagine learning. Thank you for joining us, as we continue learning together.

Sincerely,

Katherine MacIver
Director of Education