Diversity

<< back to news listing

Statement from the Superintendent about comments at Londonderry School

Tue, 27 Jun, 2023

Each and every day, our schools strive to create welcoming, safe and inclusive spaces where all students can have their identities celebrated and represented positively in school. 

We don’t get it right every single day. 

We have heard from many members of the Muslim community, including our community partners, about the harm caused by comments made by a teacher at Londonderry School earlier this month. As a Division, our focus was on helping to support the school, students and parents through this difficult situation. 

As the principal previously shared with the Londonderry School community, the views expressed by one individual do not reflect the values of acceptance, inclusion and belonging that are at the heart of who we are. I apologize for the harm this has caused.

I also want to genuinely thank the community for working with us in a path to ensure all students are welcome in Edmonton Public Schools. 

Over the past two years, the Division has been working with community to create an action plan to eliminate systemic racism so that all students feel a sense of belonging in Edmonton Public Schools. It’s clear we have more work to do. Our path forward will continue to be informed by community partners, staff, students and parents and to ensure all students feel a sense of belonging when they come to school every day.

As we work alongside Muslim families and community to make sure students of all faiths feel welcome, our responsibility for creating inclusive spaces for all students, staff and families continues. 

One of the core values in our Division is equity. Students, staff and families may have different experiences, faiths and backgrounds. We may not always share perspectives, but I hope we can all agree that we can all learn, work and live together with kindness and compassion.

—Superintendent Darrel Robertson