A program that began in 2021 continues to grow, bringing Black-identifying OCSB students together each summer to learn, build relationships and connect with their community.
OCSB Trustees recently heard from staff and students about the continued growth of the Black Student Summer Program and expressed their support for a program that is creating meaningful opportunities for students in Grades 7 to 11.
This summer, 207 students registered, the highest level of interest since the program began.
For Trustees, that growing interest speaks to the importance of continuing to listen to students and create opportunities that reflect their experiences, strengthen their sense of belonging and support their success at school.
Learning That Reflects Students
The Black Student Summer Program gives students an opportunity to learn alongside other Black students while exploring topics and experiences that connect with their lives.
This year, the program focused on mental wellness, mentorship, technology and artificial intelligence. Students participated in activities and conversations, learned from mentors and experts, and connected with resources beyond the classroom.
The program was offered at St. Patrick High School and St. Pius X High School, bringing together students from across the OCSB. Students also had opportunities to learn from community partners and experts, including Carleton University, and to explore resources such as the Lacasa Library and its collection of Black Canadian and North American history.
Hearing From Students
One of the most important parts of the update to Trustees was hearing from the students themselves about their experiences.
Their feedback spoke to the value of seeing themselves represented in their learning, meeting other students with shared experiences and having a space where they felt comfortable contributing to conversations.
Students also talked about the confidence they gained through the program and how they could carry that confidence back to their schools and classrooms.
Those student voices matter. They help the OCSB understand what is working, where there is growing interest and how programs can continue to respond to the students they serve.
A Program That Continues to Grow
The numbers tell part of the story.
With 207 students registering this year, interest exceeded the number of spaces available. That growth has also prompted conversations about what the program could look like in the future.
One possibility being explored is developing the current one-week program into an accredited summer course. This could give students more time to explore Afrocentric learning, develop relationships, and build on the experiences currently offered during the week.
That work is still in the early stages, but Trustees welcomed the continued growth of the program and the opportunity to explore how it could reach more students in the future.
Supporting Students and Their Success
The Black Student Summer Program has grown considerably since it began in 2021, but its purpose remains focused on students: giving them opportunities to learn, connect, ask questions, meet mentors and see themselves and their experiences reflected in their learning.
Trustees’ support for the program reflects the OCSB’s commitment to listening to students and creating school communities where they can learn, contribute and belong.
As the program continues to evolve, student experiences and student voices will remain important in shaping where it goes next.
