All members of the school community have the right to learn and work in an environment free of discrimination, prejudice, and harassment. This right is guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Alberta Human Rights Act, and Alberta Education Act. These rights shall be supported and enforced so that all members of the school community may work together in an atmosphere of mutual respect and appreciation for individual differences. 

The Board of Trustees will not tolerate harassment, bullying, intimidation, or discrimination based on a person's actual or perceived race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, or disability.

1. The Board believes that all students, staff, and families, regardless of perceived  race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, or disability have the right to:
   1. be treated fairly, equitably, and with dignity and respect;
   2. have their confidentiality protected and respected;
   3. self-identification and determination;
   4. freedom of conscience, expression, and association;
   5. be fully included and represented in an inclusive, positive, and respectful manner by all school personnel;
   6. equitable access of supports, services, and protection;
   7. avenues of recourse (without fear of reprisal) available to them when they are victims of harassment, prejudice, discrimination, intimidation, bullying, and/or violence; and
   8. have their unique identities, families, cultures, and communities included, valued and respected within all aspects of the school environment.
2. The Superintendent shall
   
   1. Define appropriate expectations, behaviours, language, and actions in order to prevent discrimination, prejudice, and harassment through greater awareness of, and responsiveness to, their harmful effects.
   2. Ensure that all such discriminatory behaviours and complaints will be taken seriously, documented, and dealt with expeditiously and effectively through consistently applied administrative procedures.
   3. Develop, implement, and evaluate strategies, professional development opportunities, and administrative guidelines to ensure that individuals, regardless of their race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, or disability and their families are welcomed and treated with respect and dignity in all aspects of the school community.
   4. Ensure all aspects of this policy are clearly communicated to all staff, students, and families.
   5. Ensure staff address and provide appropriate remedial consequences for all interactions involving the use of comments, behaviours and actions which display a bias towards any individual including race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, or disability whether they occur in person or digital form.
   6. Ensure staff know their professional responsibility to identify discriminatory attitudes and behaviours, and create caring, respectful and safe learning environments.
   7. Ensure awareness and adherence to all division policies and procedures with respect to diversity, equity, human rights, discrimination, prejudice, and harassment.
   8. Ensure staff utilize language and educational resources and approaches that are inclusive, age-appropriate, and respectful of diverse expressions.
   9. Provide inclusive and respectful services and supports to all minority students and families.
   10. Ensure staff work proactively to eliminate systemic inequities and barriers to learning for all minority students and families.
   11. Support the establishment of student organizations that promote equity and non-discrimination in educational settings offered within the Division, where interest by students has been expressed.
   12. Ensure all staff recognize the confidentiality of the human rights of all students and protect them from unwanted disclosure of such information.
   13. Ensure employment practices are free of bias resulting from any prejudice.
   14. Ensure equal opportunity for employment and advancement.
3. Northern Lights Public Schools Board of Trustees recognizes the importance of an inclusive learning environment for all students which addresses the Board’s responsibility to support student organizations. The Board expects the Superintendent to ensure that all schools are in compliance with Section 35.1 (1) of the Education Act.