Equity, Diversity, Inclusion
Curriculum/Extracurricular Audits
Unconscious Bias Session during Advisory
Faculty Advisors: Manny Avila, Denise Steadman
Societal and cultural values require time to change, especially when it comes to systemic discrimination. That’s why members of the Diversity Group selected the topic of bias to explore within advisory groups. The goals of the advisory session were to understand what bias is and how it manifests. The session was designed to be a catalyst for ongoing conversations throughout the school.
To develop the session, club members interviewed current and past students to collect information and stories, with some selected for the session to open conversations around bias. Members also created the facilitation materials consisting of video supports and discussion prompts, and advisors were trained on how this material could be used within the advisory sessions. At the end of the session, participants had the option to complete a survey providing feedback and some suggestions for future diversity-inspired advisor sessions.
“It’s important for teachers and students to understand that everyone has unconscious bias. Once we admit this, growth and change can occur.” Manny Avila, Faculty Advisor
“The session revealed areas of improvement that the Senior School could focus on in order to maintain a safe and welcoming environment and opened conversation on topics that are difficult to initiate but are necessary in order to push for change.” Tarini Amarasinghe ’22, Student Coordinator
Current Initiatives at CDS
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
13415 Dufferin Street King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
