Bluewater District School Board

Bluewater's Pride Month 2018 page

Pride Month 2018

Pride Month 2018
Posted on 06/11/2018
Bluewater District School Board is once again celebrating Pride Month. To embrace diversity and demonstrate a commitment to equity and inclusive education in a safe and accepting school environment, schools and board facilities are raising or displaying the rainbow flag during the month of June.
Happy Pride Month Rainbow Flag
The rainbow flag represents a celebration and acceptance of those within our society who identify as Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgendered-Queer (LGBTQ). It also symbolizes the “right to exist” as members of our communities without discrimination.

There are currently 37 Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs in Bluewater, which include all secondary and most elementary schools. Throughout the school year, GSA clubs support various initiatives that support LGBTQ and anti-bullying initiatives.

Flag raising ceremonies and other Pride themed activities are occurring in our schools this month. For example, the Arran-Tara Elementary School GSA, along with teacher Mrs. Sproule and her Grade 2/3 class, raised the rainbow flag this week to demonstrate that the school is a safe and welcoming place for everyone.

Earlier this year, Juno nominated music artist Alysha Brilla and her band the Brillstones visited East Ridge Community School in Owen Sound for a day of self-empowerment hosted by the schools’ GSA and Me to We groups. Thanks to the efforts of the GSA, Student Council, Me to We, parent volunteers, and staff, the school also entered a float in this year’s first ever family friendly Owen Sound Pride Parade on Sunday June 10. In addition to East Ridge, Bluewater District School Board representation included Macphail Memorial Elementary School, Owen Sound District Secondary School, Hillcrest Elementary School, ETFO Bluewater Local, and OSSTF District 7. It was great to Bluewater students and staff proudly engaged in such a vibrant, fun, and inclusive event!

On Friday, June 1, the Mental Health Advisory Committee at Saugeen District Secondary School made cookies for the flag raising in Saugeen Shores. A student from the school also had the opportunity to speak at the ceremony.

In recent years, two GSA “Diverse Voices” student forums have been held at the Bluewater District School Board Education Centre in Chesley.



SDSS Students and Staff Joining Police with Rainbow FlagsPride Themed Bulletin Board at BPDS
Pride Cookies at SDSSPride Bench at Beaver Valley
Rainbow Flag Raised at EastridgeStaff and Students with Rainbow Flag at Arran-Tara
Peace Rainbow Flag at BECRainbow Flag on Bulletin Board at Sullivan

Owen Sound Pride Parade - June 10, 2018

Eastridge School Participants at Owen Sound Pride ParadeEast Ridge School Float at Owen Sound Pride Parade
East Ridge Participants in Owen Sound Pride ParadeMacphail Memorial Float in Owen Sound Pride Parade
MacPhail Elementary School Float in Owen Sound Pride ParadeOSDSS Participants in Owen Sound Pride Parade
ETFO Bluewater Representative with Flag at Owen Sound Pride ParadeParticipants from OSDSS, OSSTF and BWDSB in Owen Sound Pride Parade
Bluewater District School Board is located on the traditional land of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, which is represented by the communities of Saugeen First Nation and Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation.
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