​By Jennifer Wilson, Principal

Queen Mary Community Elementary’s Social Diversity Club, a social justice student action club, identified issues of race, ability, and sexuality as key areas of growth for the school community.

Students committed their year to raising awareness about these issues. Club members were involved in a number of initiatives including a Black Lives Matter/Black History Month presentation shared with all classes, wheelchair basketball, the installation of a rainbow four square on the school playground, Pink Shirt Day events, and Pride Week (details below).

The student-driven initiatives reflect a profound understanding of how uniting diverse, marginalized communities creates a greater understanding of empathy and self-awareness.

Club members and the school community would like to thank the City of North Vancouver for supporting student action through the Children and Youth Initiatives Fund. Part of the grant was used to create a rainbow-coloured four square located on the basketball court.

Pride Week events (June 12-16)

Picture book read-alouds

Social Diversity Club members visited classrooms and read aloud picture books related to the celebration of diversity and inclusion.

Photo booth

Social Diversity Club members hosted a Pride photo booth. The photographer was a Grade 6 student, and all students received a copy of their photo

Dance party

All students were invited to a dance party in the gym during the noon hour.

Rainbow Day, school photo, parade

Students dressed in colours assigned by grade for a school-wide rainbow-themed photo, followed by a Pride Parade through the community.

Students created posters to show support for members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community

Wheelchair basketball

The Social Diversity Club received a grant from the City of North Vancouver to bring BC Wheelchair Basketball to the school and raise awareness about people living with disabilities. Each class took part in a 30-minute session led by the organization.