Aurora, ON - York Region District School Board has launched the pilot Black Student Success Network (BSSN). This interdepartmental team, comprised of the Graduation Coaches for Black Students, the Community Partnership Developer for the African Caribbean Community and Performance Plus, and the Itinerant Identity-Specific Social Worker for the Black community, will collectively assist with providing internal wrap around support to both foster and promote Black student success and well-being.
The establishment of the BSSN is in response to a robust consultation process, co-led by the Anti-Black Racism Steering Committee and York Region Black community partners, seeking to connect Black students and their families to critical internal and external resources that directly address the needs of Black students. This network will also support schools with the creation of safe (Black) identity-affirming learning environments while also providing opportunities for staff to deepen their learning about racial literacy.
The BSSN pilot was officially launched at an inaugural virtual event on March 10, 2021. The Honorable Assistant Deputy Minister of Indigenous Education and Well-Being, Denise Dwyer, served as the keynote speaker and spoke to participants about her experiences in the education system and the need for systemic change in support of affirming and empowering Black students, families and communities.
“‘Together in unity,’ we must challenge the status quo to disrupt and dismantle systemic anti-Black racism,” said Fawzia Durrani, Principal, Inclusive School and Community Services. “Deputy Minister Dwyer's powerful words inspire us to cultivate the excellence of our Black students and to affirm and nurture their brilliance. The Black Student Success Network will work with great determination in service of this goal and is committed to innovative and bold actions to create the necessary conditions for change in support of Black student success and well-being.”
“We are extremely proud of the members of the BSSN leadership team who have taken critical imperative steps to support Black students with a focus on mental health and well-being, mentorship and advising, and partnering with the Black community,” said Nicole Baxter-Lyn, Equity Teacher Facilitator Coordinator and Graduation Coach for Black Students Supervisor. “As they continue to stand on the shoulders of our formidable Black community partners within York Region and beyond, their relentless commitment to collectively dismantle and eradicate all remnants of anti-Black racism at the system, school and classroom levels is both exemplary and needed.”
“The BSSN is a call for swift and collective action to uproot and dismantle anti-Black racism in our school board,” said Jonatan Fuentes, Graduation Coach for Black Students. “We need courageous leadership and our hope is that the BSSN will be a sustainable and concerted effort to bring about much needed systemic change.”
York Region District School Board is the third largest school district in Ontario with over 128,000 students in 180 elementary schools and 33 secondary schools. York Region students consistently perform above average in provincial testing and the Board is one of the top achievers in Ontario. For more information about the York Region District School Board, please visit the Board websiteand follow YRDSB on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
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