**DSBONE MEDIA RELEASE**

Education Week (May 7-11) will serve as the backdrop for the first-ever District School Board Ontario North East Student Senate meeting. The public meeting is slated for May 8th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at 153 Croatia Avenue in Schumacher.

“This year’s theme for Education Week is ‘Equity in Action’,” says Director of Education, Lesleigh Dye. “’Equity in Action’ is about meeting each student according to their needs. Our new Senate will provide us with a strong student voice by promoting equity and celebrating diversity. I am in awe of the hard work and leadership demonstrated by our three student trustees in getting this task accomplished.”

The new Student Senate will include two representatives from each high school, as well as two Indigenous representatives.

“It’s been a lot of work trying to set up something new that hasn’t been done before,” admits Student Trustee Jaykob Walton, from Timmins High and Vocational School. “One thing that we’ve really tried to focus on is students electing students. In the past, adult or Board decisions were made in regards to electing students as trustees. Students want their own voices to be heard, so that will change.”

Indigenous Student Trustee, Brianna Julien, from Kirkland Lake District Composite School, says that students across the district have been engaged and excited about the new endeavour. “One girl from KLDCS actually ripped a poster that we made right off the wall, brought it down to the office and said I want to be a part of this, so that makes me excited because we created this.”

“It’s a great opportunity for our students,” adds Student Trustee Aiza Asif, from Iroquois Falls Secondary School. “The idea for them to come together to work towards improving student experience will change the way decisions are made at the Board. I hope real change comes from the Senate through recommendations made by our students.”

“Brianna, Jaykob and Aiza have done a wonderful job in laying the foundation for the future students of District School Board Ontario North East,” adds Board Chair, Bob Brush. “They are to be commended for all of their efforts on behalf of our students. I look forward to working with our new student representatives.”