Kamloops-Thompson School District is Committed to Diverse, Inclusive, and Caring Learning Opportunities and Environments

Board Chair Heather Grieve and Superintendent Dr. Rhonda Nixon

Together, as Board Chair and Superintendent of Schools, we are proud to celebrate everyone in our District community—students, parents, staff, volunteers, and partners to live our District vision of fostering educated and resilient citizens empowered to contribute to a diverse, inclusive, caring, and sustainable society.

To achieve the District Vision, our dedicated educators are committed to developing every child’s potential academically, socially, emotionally, culturally, and personally (goals of importance to them). They do this by teaching learners foundational skills in literacy and numeracy, and age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate education about healthy relationships that meet Ministry of Education and Child Care guidelines.

In the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, the Board recognizes Equity as a core value because some students and staff face barriers, including racism, discrimination, sexism, harassment, and homophobia, which can compromise the safety and inclusivity of their learning opportunities and environments. Therefore, we are committed, as a united District community, to identifying, teaching about, and eliminating these barriers to create truly inclusive spaces for all.

Given the planned gatherings of groups who intend to share polarized views about Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) education on September 20, it is timely and necessary to speak to our core commitment as a District and Board of Education—that we support every child and adult to be who they are and value their protected human rights. 

It is also timely to share that we have conduct and anti-bullying procedures that address protected grounds of discrimination under the Human Rights Code. In those procedures, we take steps to address anyone whose behavior jeopardizes the safe, caring, and welcoming environments of our schools and district facilities. We do not support anyone who articulates perspectives that are discriminatory or any acts that jeopardize safe and caring school and district environments.

In conclusion, we express our unwavering commitment—to nurture diverse, inclusive, caring learning opportunities and environments where every individual feels recognized, acknowledged, accepted, and celebrated. As we progress through this school year, we thank our staff, parents, and students for their continuous efforts in living out our District's core values.