A-101: Division Foundation Statement
The St. Albert Public Board of Trustees is proud of its rich history and its record of being of service to students. Serving students is the core business of the board. The corporate board has adopted the following foundation statement that sets out our purpose and principles.
Our Purpose
Equity is our process. Excellence is our goal.
We pursue equity and excellence by:
- Nurturing each other with kindness, dignity, and compassion.
- Contributing to the development of curious and reflective learners who question, take action, and seek purpose in their lives.
- Committing to a common goal of at least one year of growth for each student every year.
- Engaging in intentional and differentiated actions to meet the diverse needs of individuals and groups.
- Dismantling discrimination and addressing the impacts of oppression.
Our Principles
Diversity is a fact. We are all diverse.
We honour diversity by:
- Celebrating the many aspects of our identity that make us unique.
- Challenging the systemic injustices that perpetuate inequities.
- Identifying and overcoming barriers to equity and inclusion.
Inclusion is a commitment. We act to value, respect, and empower others every day.
We champion inclusion by:
- Understanding each others’ stories, strengths, needs, and aspirations.
- Meeting each other where we are at.
- Working together for learning and growth every day.
Belonging is a feeling. Each person has the right to be accepted as their authentic selves.
We cultivate belonging by:
- Knowing every person and every person feeling known.
- Empowering voices and inspiring agency.
- Engaging in equitable processes that make every person feel valued.
Disruption is an imperative. We challenge singular views, experiences, or stories.
We nurture disruption by:
- Amplifying marginalized voices and perspectives.
- Questioning the superiority of the dominant ways of knowing and examining how colonization shapes identity and impacts feelings of belonging.
- Weaving diverse ways of knowing, being, and experiencing into our practices.
Pedagogy is a catalyst. We grow in our learning when we connect, explore, and take risks within our instructional relationships.
We leverage pedagogy by:
- Designing learning experiences that challenge, support, and inspire.
- Elevating the practice of teaching through reflection, renewal, and growth.
- Embracing the many ways of knowing and the many ways of showing what we know.
Accountability is a responsibility. We hold each other responsible for our shared commitments.
We embrace accountability by:
- Holding ourselves and each other to high standards.
- Living our principles of diversity, inclusion, belonging, pedagogy, disruption, and accountability in a good way.
- Evaluating evidence to celebrate successes and drive growth.
In service of public school education and students, we strive to deliver on our purpose and live by our principles.