Angela Espinoza News Editor

Mi news @theotherpress.ca

4

he New Westminster

school board is introducing an updated policy regarding the inclusion of students who identify under different genders, sexes, and

orientations.

“We had a policy in place,” said Jonina Campbell, currently chair of the school board. “and when you write a policy and you have something that just sits there, it’s not really affecting a change in the

culture.”

Campbell stated that while the presence of the policy is important, acting on those policies plays a large

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New West school board

: role in creating an inclusive : environment.

“We asked our

: superintendent [John

: Gaiptman] to re-write the

: policy to be more action-

: oriented,” said Campbell, “to

: really affect a change in the

: district culture that supports

: and values diversity, including : making a welcome learning

: environment for everyone.”

The previous policy, the

: Anti- Homophobia policy, was : introduced last June. The new : policy, while undergoing a

: revamp, is also now called the : Gender and Sexual Diversity

Inclusion policy.

“The word ‘inclusion’ is

really important here because : this, the second policy, isa

“We want students to be

: able to walk through the doors : and feel a sense of belonging,” : said Campbell. “We can talk : about issues with safety, and : make sure students are safe, : but also importantly along with : : that everybody [should] feel : like they’re included in that

: school.”

Along with wanting

: to make all students feel

: welcome, a number of school : board associates will be able : to work with the board on

: making changes and updates as : public statement regarding the : : : “it wasn’t inclusive enough,”

: acommittee. : : considering all the variations

“In the previous policy, it

: was set that the superintendent : : would review it every year,

: but this policy creates a

: committee,” said Campbell. : “This committee—which

: policy about what we stand for. will be representative of all

: : our stakeholders and partner

: groups and likely community

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Contact: Angela Espinoza, News Editor

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introduces Gender and Sexual Diversity Inclusion policy

» Board chair Jonina Campbell explains need for inclusiveness

: groups as well—will meet to : make recommendations to the : : board around how to keep the : work we're doing progressive : and always proactive so that

we're not falling behind. “Everybody’s accountable

: in this policy to being

: committed to creating that

: welcoming inclusive culture —: : where there’s a healthy sense of :

: acceptance, of diversity.”

Campbell added that the

: board will be issuing an annual

: new policy once it goes into

: effect. The statement will also: be “promoting and supporting : : school clubs such as social

: justice or gay-straight alliance

clubs for all youth.”

“The idea behind this is

that, once a year, the board : stands up and publicly : celebrates and recognizes

: the work that’s being done in

the district through our kids,

: through our staff, through our : community relationships, and : host some kind of recognition

: event or ceremony.”

In creating the new

policy, Campbell stated the : board worked with various : groups, including the New

Westminster Pride Society.

: One note of feedback asked : specific mention of “LGBTQ” to

be removed from the document because, as Campbell states,

of letters, their meanings,

: and all the different identities : deserving equal representation.

Campbell also thanked

: the numerous staff who have

: helped out in putting the new : policy together, which will be : voted on January 27.

Target, Sony close stores throughout Canada

» Launches failed to meet sales demands

Angela Espinoza News Editor

Mi news @theotherpress.ca

'

r Target and Sony Corp store chains announced mass

closures throughout Canada

Canada, Jacob, and Smart Set, among other store chains, in recent closings announced in the past year.

Sony Corp is closing all 14 of its stores in Canada within

currently has three locations in

: British Columbia in Vancouver, Burnaby, and Langley.

As for Target, the major

: chain opened 133 stores across : Canada starting in March 2013. : With the company having lost : approximately $2-billion since : opening, all Target stores will be : : i : major Canadian chains. last week. The brands join Mexx : closing. ; major Canadian caains

Along with cutting

thousands of jobs, various : Canada-specific deals will be

: lost with the closures.

Many critics have said the

failure of the chain’s launch

: due i t to higher-than- the next eight weeks. The chain : wesewe i pa 0 Meneses : expected prices.

“Many in the Canadian

market expected TCC (Target

: Canada Corp.) to follow Target's : US prices,’ said Mark Wong,

: Target’s general counsel, in

: court. Target’s Canadian

: locations, however, had prices

comparable to many other

The lack of a Canadian

online shopping option and the : high number of openings are : also linked to Target Canada’s

failure.

As Target and Sony begin

: their closures, Mexx Canada has : already begun closing 95 of its : stores.