Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Reflection and Practice 

Throughout the school year, systems and schools have many opportunities to acknowledge and honour different identities, heritages and days of significance. These celebrations are great entry points but can also be seen as performative depending on how authentically they are implemented and how they change over time. Consider the question, how have you been affirming student identities throughout the school year? As you evolve your anti-oppressive leadership, continue to do the learning, engage with community and work to embed diverse identities into school and classroom practices. 

Affinity Groups for Members 

Affinity groups provide opportunities for Members who share a particular identity to connect, build community and reduce feelings of isolation through shared experiences. Information, meeting links and the full schedule can be found at the Affinity Groups for Members page. The following groups are meeting in the coming weeks: 

• 2SLGBTQQIA+: April 13 

• Black: April 15 

• East Asian: April 15 

• South Asian: April 15 

• Indigenous: April 22 

• Neurodivergent: April 22 

• Persian: April 28 

For more information contact Irfan Toor at equity@principals.ca. 

Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan (OTIP) Bursaries 

We are sharing an opportunity to support a student in your family. 

OTIP is offering bursaries to support students pursuing post-secondary education. You or a relative must be insured through a plan or program offered by OTIP to be eligible. As the OPC Group Benefits plan is administered through OTIP, Members enrolled in the plan may be eligible to apply or share this opportunity with a student in their family. For inquiries, please contact OTIP directly. 

Applications close June 1, 2026. 

Quote to Ponder 

The way we see the world shapes the way we treat it.” – Barry Lopez 

Media

• ‘It feels disingenuous,’ Elementary teachers say Ford government’s $750 supply fund doesn’t go far enough  
• Local ETFO President urges province to boost special education funding in upcoming budget  
• Ontario education minister vows to ‘root out’ bad teachers, ruffles feathers at reception with unions  
• Ontario schools are getting more violent. don’t blame the kids  
• Ford government warns school boards to keep graduation ceremonies ‘apolitical’  
• Why is the Ontario government taking over the province’s biggest school boards?  
• Ontario education minister promises ‘significant change’ still coming to school boards  
• People studying to become teachers speak about Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism in Ontario schools  
• Ontario mandated e-learning to expand course options. Some worry it's being used to boost marks  

Queen’s Park 

There were questions in the House last week related to education funding, classroom conditions and supports for students, including access to services and resources in schools. Members also raised concerns about staffing pressures and the impact of system changes on school environments.