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 Grades 7 and 8 who identify as 2SLGBTQI+ as well as students with friends 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 Thursday, March 28, 2024 from 9:30 am to 1 pm at Lockerby Composite School.

During Free to Be Me, students will participate in various workshops, including “Wellness” with Registered Social Workers Michelle Wolfe Miscio and Crystal Chopp; “Internet and Social Media Safety” with Youth Safety Coordinator Lyndsie Marion and School Resource Officer Constable Tom Desloges of the Greater Sudbury Police Service; “Challenge Yourself with Boomwhackers” with Public Health Sudbury & Districts; “Inclusivity” with Teacher Sabrina Briscoe; and “Gay Straight Alliances in High School” with the Sudbury Secondary School GSA.

Students will also hear from guest speaker Aspen Groom, a local 2SLGBTQI+ sexual health educator and advocate. Aspen is thrilled to share their story and foster hope towards a brighter future for all.

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

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 Thursday, April 18, 2024.

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Media Contact:

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