From: Abbotsford School District <info@abbyschools.ca>
Sent: Tuesday, September 19, 2023 3:32 PM
Subject: A Message from Superintendent Nosek
Dear Parents/Guardians and Families,
At the Abbotsford School District, we are committed to providing safe, inclusive and caring spaces where students can learn and grow without fear of prejudice or bias.
As you may be aware, there are demonstrations scheduled to take place in the lower mainland this week, which have fostered inflammatory, transphobic, and hateful behaviours against members of 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
We want to make it unequivocally clear that the Abbotsford School District supports our 2SLGBTQ+ students, employees and families, and we support everyone’s human rights and expression of gender.
Harassment, discrimination and hate have no place in our hallways, classrooms and buildings. In our schools, we do not tell students who they should be but welcome them as they are. We do this by focusing on their academic learning and fostering feelings of belonging, as supported by the BC curriculum and the BC Human Rights Code.
As an educational system, we have witnessed firsthand the harm caused by anti-2SLGBTQ+ campaigns. These conversations impact the students, employees, and families who require our support the most. We consistently stand against disinformation and false narratives aimed at undoing our progress.
As parents and guardians, we must be discerning consumers of information and teach our children critical thinking skills. If you have questions about resources, materials or discussions taking place in classrooms, please have conversations with your child’s teacher or school Principal.
Our unwavering commitment to the safety of our students and staff remains paramount. We will persist in nurturing an environment that champions understanding, kindness, empathy, and respect for diversity.
Sincerely,
Sean Nosek / Superintendent of Schools
Abbotsford School District
T: 604.859.4891 / F: 604.852.8587
2790 Tims Street, Abbotsford, BC V2T 4M7
www.abbyschools.ca
