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Voluntary, self-identification of aboriginal students subject of meetingsCommunity information sessions areThe talks begin at 7 p.m. with lightThe joint Halton School Boardstion form that will be sent to homes inbeing held across Halton this month torefreshments and cultural entertainmentAboriginal Education Advisory CommitteeSeptember.discuss a new provincial policy theprovided.(AEAC), involving the Halton Catholic andThe collection of this data will increaseVoluntary, Confidential Self-IdentificationThe Ministry of Education has identifiedpublic school boards, have developed athe capacity of the school boards to respondof First Nation, Ms and Inuit Students.aboriginal education as one of its key pri-policy on voluntary, confidential self-iden-to the learning and cultural needs of FirstParents and community members areorities with a focus on meeting two pri-tification of First Nation, Ms and InuitNations, Ms and Inuit students, saidinvited to learn more about the directive atmary challenges by the year 2016.students.Sherry Saevil, aboriginal liaison officerthree public meetings in late May.The ministry wants to improve achieve-The policy development included com-with the Halton Catholic and public schoolThe Oakville meeting is May 31 at Holyment among First Nation, Ms and Inuitmunity consultation. Parents of all Haltonboards.Trinity Secondary School, 2420 Sixth Line.students and to close the gap betweenpublic and Catholic schools will have theThis data will enable the school boardsThe other two sessions are on Tuesday, Mayaboriginal and non-aboriginal students inopportunity to voluntarily identify theirto continue to promote the development of 24 at E. C. Drury High School, 215 Ontariothe areas of literacy and numeracy, reten-child as being of aboriginal ancestry (Firsta positive personal and cultural identity,St. S., Milton, and Monday, May 30 at Notretion of students in school, graduation ratesNations, Ms or Inuit).and a sense of belonging for these students,Dame Secondary School, 2333 Headonand advancement to post-secondary stud-Self-identification will take the form of in an effective and meaningful way, sheForest Dr., Burlington.ies.a question found on the student verifica-said.11 Wednesday, May 25, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER www.insideHALTON.com