Flesherton high school celebrates first black history month initiative
Students and teachers at a local Flesherton high school are ensuring the conversation around inclusion and the stories from the past are front and center through its black history month initiative.
"Creating a space where students know that they matter is really important, and it's very valuable to me," said Rebecca Rose-Peacock, a Grey Highlands secondary school teacher.
The teacher recognized a need for greater awareness surrounding diversity and black history within the school after a change in demographic enrolment.
"The demographics within the school are changing very rapidly, and it is changing from something that really was a white rural town to something that is much more diverse, and with the changing student population, I thought it was really important to honour and celebrate the diversity that we have in our school," said Rose-Peacock.
Images of black Canadians and stories outlining a local connection to the underground railroad can be found through the hallways of the school, information and history that Rose-Peacock says are important for students to know.
"In the early and mid-1800s, this whole area had huge African American influence as escaped slaves came up from the railroad and settled here," said Rose-Peacock.
While the month recognizes the past, Rose-Peacock says it also focuses on enhancing the lives of black Canadians in the future.
The school also held a Pan-African flag-raising ceremony and has plans to hold more events in the coming weeks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pennsylvania chocolate plant blast kills 5, leaves 6 missing
An explosion at a chocolate factory in Pennsylvania Friday killed two people and left nine people missing, authorities said.

Ukraine says battle for Bakhmut is 'stabilizing'
The top commander of Ukraine's military said Saturday that his forces are pushing back against Russian troops in the long and grinding battle for the town of Bakhmut, and British military intelligence says Russia appears to be moving to a defensive strategy in eastern Ukraine.
Trump rallying supporters in Waco ahead of possible charges
Staring down a possible indictment, a defiant Donald Trump is hoping to put on a show of force Saturday as he holds the first rally of his 2024 presidential campaign in a city made famous by deadly resistance against law enforcement.
'Everything is interwoven': Trudeau and Biden vow continued Canada-U.S. collaboration during historic visit
U.S President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have announced updates on a number of cross-border issues, after a day of meetings on Parliament Hill.
Asylum seeker deal between U.S. and Canada won't stop drama at border, advocates say
The new asylum seeker agreement between Canada and the United States will not deter migrants from trying to cross into Canada outside official ports of entry, Quebec immigration advocacy groups say.
Scientists say they've solved the mystery of cigar-shaped comet 'Oumuamua
Scientists now say they know outerspace object ‘Oumuamua is, and the answer is more simple than some previous theories have suggested.
'A riot of colours' and 'stunning views' can be found in Canada's national parks. Here's where to go this summer
This past week, Parks Canada opened up its reservation system for the 2023 season, offering places to stay, hikes to take and national historic sites to visit across the country. According to three experts, here's where to travel this summer.
Incredible photos show northern lights dancing across much of Canada
Sky-gazers and shutterbugs across much of Canada were treated to a spectacular display of northern lights Thursday night and into Friday morning.
W5 | Comedian Russell Peters doesn't pull punches in climate of 'cancel culture,' 'political correctness'
CTV W5 speaks with members of the comedy industry, including Russell Peters, for a wide-ranging look at how political correctness and 'cancel culture' has changed the world of stand-up comedy.