Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division took the first step towards creating a Sask. Rivers Pride logo at Monday’s school board meeting.

Education Director Robert Bratvold said the goal is to take submissions from student groups and staff and select anywhere from one to three logos for future use.

“We know that inclusion and belonging and celebrating diversity is an essential part of our society,” he explained. “Think of the motto of our province, ‘from many people, strength.’ It reflects that diversity.

“We also know that the LGTBQ2S+ community has been suppressed and repressed for a long, long time, so it’s important to, in an official way, recognize and support that group in our society that brings great things to our community.”

Bratvold said they’re still very early in the logo design process. For now, they play on using a separate Pride logo submitted by an outside group two years ago.

The goal is to consult with students and staff in the fall and winter, and unveil the logo early next spring.

“Every school has a gender and sexual diversity lead staff member, and we’ll consult with that group, and arrive at a logo or small set of logos that represent Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division in a way that also reflects Pride,” Bratvold said.

Saskatchewan Rivers student council executive members created a short survey to gather student and staff feedback on creating a school division pride logo. They received 559 responses (341 students and 218 staff) with 87 per cent supporting the creation of a Pride specific school division logo.

Roughly 83 per cent of staff said they supported the move. For students, 89 per cent supported it.

Bratvold said he welcomes discussion for students, staff or committee members who oppose the decision, but he’s confident it won’t become a controversial issue.

“Whenever there are parents who have concerns around initiatives or programs or events within our school division, we certainly welcome those conversations. That’s an important part of diversity, recognizing different perspectives,” he said. “I think that the vast majority of our students, our staff and our community members will recognize the importance of celebrating diversity.”