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Date:

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board          S A M P L E    L E T T E R
100 Main Street West
Hamilton, ON L8P 1H6

Attention: Dr. Christopher Spence, Director of Education

Re: Equity Policy/Sexual Orientation Draft Statements and Definitions

Dear Dr. Spence:

We are aware that the HWDSB Equity Committee is currently endeavouring to change the meanings of internationally-held definitions as part of an agenda identified by Trustee Brennan as the 'Unlearning Process'. We believe this 'Unlearning Process' under the guise of equity, is designed to unlearn our children from the spiritual truths, which we are working, diligently to instill in our home. We object strongly to the replacing of spiritual truths with curriculum which promotes behaviours and/or ideologies which are physically destructive, emotionally crippling or spiritually damning and are deeply concerned that the Equity Committee is moving to re-define key words in order to affirm and normalize such behaviors and/or ideologies.

While we believe strongly in the teaching of respect for (all) persons, no matter their race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation, and denounce any and all harassment against all children and teachers under those grounds, we do not support the implementation of curricula which affirms behaviours and/or ideologies, while negatively labeling students/staff as homophobic and heterosexist, effectively muzzling evidence-based research, discussion and positions. We, as parents, retain our prior right as the primary educators of our children, to teach them all sensitive and moral issues, and we ask that our prior rights be respected by HWDSB.

Teaching this anti-homophobia/anti-heterosexism-based curricula will likely result in the violation of our rights as citizens to freedom of conscience and religion, and freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression. Furthermore, this curricula will create an environment that brings confusion to children about the spiritual truths which we are imparting and will demand from them acceptance of many behaviours/ideologies that are unsafe. We expect the school board to continue to strive for school environments that are safe for everybody. That is its duty and obligation, morally and under law.

We ask that the Equity Policy Glossary definitions reflect Ministry of Education and Miriam Webster Dictionary meanings, and that 'homophobia/heterosexism-based curricula' not be instituted in our schools.

Please reply by return mail your plan of action. Thank you for anticipated response.

Very truly yours,

[Your Name]

cc: [Your Trustee] [See attached list.]

Trustee, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board 100 Main Street West P.O. Box 2558 Hamilton, ON L8P 1H6

TRUSTEE CONTACT INFORMATION - 2006 - 2010

Ward, Trustee Name, Phone, Email

1 & 2 West Lower City Judith Bishop (905) 512-5713 judith.bishop@hwdsb.on.ca
3 Central Lower City Tim Simmons (905) 544-6152 tim.simmons@hwdsb.on.ca
4 East Lower City Ray Mulholland (905) 719-4499 ray.mulholland@hwdsb.on.ca
5 East City Ronald English (905) 643-2690 ronald.english@hwdsb.on.ca
6 East Mountain Laura Peddle (905) 385-2844 laura.peddle@hwdsb.on.ca
7 Central Mountain Lillian Orban (905) 573-8181 lillian.orban@hwdsb.on.ca
8 West Mountain Wes Hicks (905)383-2222 wes.hicks@hwdsb.on.ca
9 & 10 West Stoney Creek, Upper and Lower Robert Barlow (005) 308-2483 robert.barlow@hwdsb.on.ca
11 & 12 East Stoney Creek, Ancaster and Glanbrook Shirley Glauser (905) 648-1023 shirley.glauser@hwdsb.on.ca
13 Dundas Jessica Brennan (905) 628-2714 jessica.brennan@hwdsb.on.ca
14 & 15 Flamborough Karen Turkstra (905) 627-9501 karen.turkstra@hwdsb.on.ca

This information taken from the HWDSB web site: www.hwdsb.on.ca, (905) 527-5092, fax (905) 521-2536,

Director of Education, Dr. Chris Spence - chris.spence@hwdsb.on.ca
Assoc. Director of Education, Mr. Chuck Reid - chuck.reid@hwdsb.on.ca


Hamilton-Wentworth Family Action Council
(CFAC Hamilton Branch)
P.O. Box 66714, 38 King Street E.,
Stoney Creek, ON, CANADA L8G 5E6