The Niagara Catholic District School Board proudly recognizes the rich heritage and outstanding contributions of Black Canadians, during Black History Month and throughout the school year.
Niagara Catholic believes in honouring and celebrating Black excellence and helping students better understand the Black lived experience at school, with families and in the community. This commitment aligns with our Mission, Vision, and Values, rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusion, and our enduring belief that all are welcome and “called by name.”
Throughout Black History Month, students in Niagara Catholic schools are learning about the history of Black Canadians, from the time of the Underground Railroad to today in all sectors such as education, business, science, medicine, law, the arts, athletics, technology, and politics.
In observance of Black History Month, Niagara Catholic has provided the Diverse Saints Quilt Kit for every school and the Catholic Education Centre, depicting the many diverse Catholic saints throughout history. These quilts will be displayed as the foundation for learning about the contribution of Black saints to our faith.
During February, students will participate in many different events and activities. Lakeshore Catholic High School will unveil its new Diversity Wall, a project that has been more than a year in the making by students and staff. The Diversity Wall is an engaging art installation in the school's grand hall, celebrating Canada's rich and diverse history. While the focus for February is on Black History, the Diversity Wall will also focus on various diverse groups across Canadian history. This timeline of Canadian history is complemented by artwork created by the Lakeshore Catholic Art Club. The wall will soon include QR codes, allowing visitors and students to scan each art piece and discover more about the historical event it represents.
A special thank you goes to Lakeshore Catholic Art Teacher Ewelina Fanfara, History Teacher Kevin Santone, Grade 10 student Gabriella Smith, and the Lakeshore Catholic Art Club for their dedication and hard work in bringing this project to life. We hope this powerful new addition to the school will inspire students for generations to come.
At St. Augustine Catholic Elementary School, students will learn about their patron saint, St. Augustine of Hippo. Other schools are sharing information about Black history and accomplishments on announcements, through projects, activities, and programming.
All through the month, Niagara Catholic will showcase good news stories coming from schools on our website www.niagaracatholic.ca and on social media, Facebook and Instagram. We encourage you to check often to see the things that are happening in our schools throughout Black History Month and the school year.