Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools has emailed parents about an internal email sent to Principals about one of the Children’s Festival events after screen shots of it showed up on social media. The post states that staff taking students to the Children’s Festival next Thursday through Saturday should avoid the Rainbow Tent.

The email to parents from Director of Education, Francois Rivard, confirmed that the message recommended that class field trips not include the Rainbow Tent – From Drag Queen Storytime to Inclusive Dress Up Performances, but to clarify, he says parents and caregivers are the primary educators of their children and interpersonal relationships are topics that must involve families. Rivard says, “Families who send their children to Catholic schools have a reasonable expectation that the education their children receive is consistent with Catholic teachings and is age appropriate. Therefore, parents and caregivers are best positioned to decide on their children’s participation in this programming within the festival.”

He understands that some view the internal email as a statement of judgement, hate and exclusion but says that was never the intent, nor does that view represent the division’s beliefs, so he apologizes for that, and adds that the school division welcomes members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Here is the email to parents:

I write to give clarity and context to an internal message to elementary school administrators that was recently made public. The message recommended that class field trips not include the Rainbow Tent – From Drag Queen Storytime to Inclusive Dress up Performances at the Children’s Festival.

The development of the human person and interpersonal relationships are topics that must involve families. We honour parents and caregivers as first and primary educators of their children. Families who send their children to Catholic schools have a reasonable expectation that the education their children receive is consistent with Catholic teachings and is age-appropriate. Therefore, parents and caregivers are best positioned to decide on their children’s participation in this programming within the festival. 

We recognize the internal email has been viewed by some as one of judgement, hate and exclusion. That was never the intent, nor does that view represent our division’s beliefs. We acknowledge the deep hurt, and for that, we apologize. 

As a school division, we continue to welcome members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. We are committed to true dialogue in order that we may pastorally serve each family based on their unique needs. We strive to build positive relationships with all students. It is not only our imperative as educators, it is our call as Catholics to recognize the inherent, God-given dignity of all persons.

Sincerely,
François Rivard, Director of Education
Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools