The Waterloo Region District School Board in Canada, located just outside of Toronto, recently clarified a controversy that has been brewing for over a year. The issue began in November 2023 when the district conducted a professional development presentation called “Dismantling Whiteness at W-O: Words Matter.” The training session, which was reported on earlier this month, included a slide that highlighted the word “family” and suggested it could be perceived as harmful by racialized students and that it reinforces positions of male authority and hierarchy.
The controversy came to a head when the school board was compelled to address the issue publicly. Maedith Radlein, chair of the Waterloo Region District School Board, explained that the training session scrutinized several words, including “family.” She clarified that the slide in question was part of a broader discussion about language and its implications.
Radlein emphasized on CBC K-W’s “The Morning Edition” that the board’s stance was not anti-family. She stated, “I would like to unequivocally state that that is not our message. We value families, and we work with them every day as we seek to help their students achieve and enjoy their school experience.”
In response to the controversy, the school board issued a statement defending the training session. The statement, released on June 6, explained that the session was designed to explore how different communities might experience public institutions differently and how educators can be more inclusive and thoughtful in their communication. The board emphasized that such discussions are part of their ongoing commitment to human rights, equity, and learning.
The board was compelled to issue a second statement later in the month, reiterating the importance of the concept of ‘family’ in their work. The statement read, “The word ‘family’ and what it represents is integral to all we do.”
Radlein further clarified the board’s stance in a June 10 statement, pointing out the numerous references to family on the district’s website. She highlighted the various workshops and information nights for families, and the collaboration with families at all stages of the learning process. She concluded by stating, “Families are seen as active partners in the learning and well-being of their children. They are seen every day in our schools contributing to public education.”