Rainbow Schools host Embrace Diversity: Free to Be Me Conference on March 28th

Rainbow District School Board will host a half-day symposium aimed at creating and enhancing school-based supports for students in Grade 7 and 8 who are two-spirited, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and intersex (2SLGBTQI+) as well as students with friends and family members in these communities. Since its inception in 2009, the event has expanded to include poverty, race, culture and disabilities.

The conference will take place on Friday, March 28, 2025 from 9:30 am to 1 pm at Lockerby Composite School.

During the event, students will have the opportunity to take part in workshops, including: “Creating Safe Spaces in Schools” with social worker Daniela Hunter and teachers Sarah Zetka and Christine Bignucolo; “Art and Storytelling – Creating Inclusive Spaces” with teacher Sabrina Briscoe; “Watercolour Rainbow Painting Workshop” with teacher Jason Stewart; “Growth Mindset” with Mental Health Lead Sarah Clarke; “Embrace Diversity” with System Principal of Program Cori Pitre; and “Voices for Changes: Creating Youth Storytellers” with teacher Mackenzie Marshall.

Rainbow District School Board thanked the organizing committee for its efforts, including Kristina Rivard Gobbo, Patrick Hopkin, Cori Pitre, Sandy MacEwan, Vanessa Caddel and Kim Yagnych.

Embrace Diversity: Free to Be Me
Friday, March 28, 2025
Agenda

9:30 am to 10 am – Arrival
10 am to 10:45 am – Welcome and Icebreaker
10:45 am to 11:30 am – Workshop 1
11:30 am to 12:15 pm – Lunch
12:15 pm to 1 pm – Workshop 2
1 pm – Departure

A half-day symposium for students in Grades 9 to 12 will take place on Friday, May 9, 2025.

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171 ext. 7217