The Rideau Students’ Union https://www.canva.com/desi gn/DAEfhfRmgFQ/jEZZy8K9 rgf2W7GTLhQ4gA/edit design graphic of circles going over with a darker gradient of blue over them

Table of Contents pg. 3 - Introduction pg. 4-5 - About pg. 6-11 - Projects & Reports pg. 12-13 - In-Person pg. 14-15 - Execs & Founders pg. 16-17 - Partners pg. 18-19 - News Coverage pg. 20-21 - Get Involved pg. 22-23 - Contact Info 2 Image: full body of RSU members standing in a group with an RSU sign in front of them. Transparent background.

Introduction The Rideau Students’ Union is open for anyone to join - we are always looking for new students to aid us in our projects. Continue reading this flipbook to know more! 3

About The RSU is a progressive student-ran organization located in Ottawa. The union’s goal is to amplify youths’ voices, primarily focusing on student issues. We work through policy, advocacy, and direct action, contributing to an overall better Ottawa. Founded by Faiz Jan, Sean McLeod, Gareth Dunbar, and Zane Balkissoon in November 2020, we’ve since worked on numerous initiatives. The union is primarily composed of OCDSB students from high schools such as Colonel By, Lisgar, Earl of March, and many more. 4

“ Discipuli meliora cras pro. “ 5 (Students for a better tomorrow.)

Projects 6 Due to COVID-19, the Ministry of Education was considering cancelling March Break during the 2020-2021 school year due to the amount of school already missed. This would’ve been detrimental to students’ mental health incredibly unfair. The RSU led a petition and called for students to speak their mind on the matter. March 2021 - Save March Break Led by: Faiz Jan, Austin Wang, et al. Image: Midshot of RSU member standing on a hill.

7 The Mental Healthcare Now project was an initiative made to put forward a policy regarding mental healthcare, made by the Rideau Students' Union, the Ontario Student Trustees' Association and the Toronto Youth Cabinet. May 2021 - Mental Healthcare Now Led by: Faiz Jan, Amy Nguyen, Kirsten Kelly, Joy Liu and Stephen Mensah

signatures from the entirety of the OCDSB, including parents and teachers. However, the Board elected to reject the demands of the petition after much stalling. Irregardless, it showed how great feats can be accomplished by students working together. January 2022 - Freeze Mark Campaign Led by: Austin Wang, Miriam Abdalla, and many more

9 October 2022 - Board of Trustees Beginning in April 2022, the RSU began to conduct research on trustee candidates running in the OCDSB board. This was done through meetings. We wanted to encourage voters to elect candidates who’d support students foremost. Using the information we gathered, we created infographics to inform voters. Led by: Austin Wang, Sharanya Sivas. Catherine Si, Owen Oussoren Image: Full body of a RSU member holding up a sign protesting for the Equal Access Initiative in front of Parliament Hill

Reports Math Curriculum - Drafted report on state of elementary math curriculum after conducting a study. Review of Octomester and Quadmester System - investigates the Quadmester and Octomester systems and their applications in Ontario high schools, how they affect students' academics, their mental health and possible alternatives to the system that allow for maximum learning while ensuring precautions remain to prevent virus spread during the Coronavirus pandemic. Mental Healthcare - evaluates the status and need for mental healthcare in Ontario and in Canada and assesses the viability of certain policy that could be implemented to solve the issues presented. 10

Authors 11 Written by: Diego Grunau, Austin Wang, Faiz Jan, Julien Liang. Written by: Amy Nguyen, Desmond Anuku, Austin Wang, Jaden Dai, Lefan Hu, Yeeren Chen, Amir Yazdani, Eric Luo, Faiz Jan, Andy Si, Alexander Li, and more. Written by: Faiz Jan, Amy Nguyen, Parnia Zahraei, Mariam El Sahhar and Gareth Dunbar.

In-person Events 12 Image is a full body picture of a group of people including RSU members standing in front of Parliament Hill, holding up signs for The Equal Access Initiative, a coalition of organizations advocating for mental health reform. They created a White Paper detailing the mental health related struggles faced by those in workplaces and schools. In order to advocate for action, the EAI had been holding events nationally. One was a protest held at Parliament Hill. Led by Sharanya Sivasathiyanathan, members of the RSU attended to show their support in numbers and in speeches. Image is a back shot of adults and teenagers on Parliament Hill. The RSU took part in organizing a rally to push for the voting age to be lowered to 16, led by the Ottawa South NDP. 16 year olds can already drive, work, and vote in political party leadership races. Many other countries have already lowered the age to 16 - young people are hardly represented in today’s politics.

13 Image is full-body of RSU members standing in a group with a RSU sign in front. The RSU held a picnic atop of Mooney’s Bay which was meant to be a socialization opportunity for members since the RSU operates almost entirely virtually. Will Cooper, who sits on the RSU Board of Directors, attended an OPSB meeting as a delegation after being approached by another organization. He spoke on the, at the time, recent dress code ‘blitz’ at Béatrice Desloges École Catholique Secondaire which resulted in peaceful demonstration by the students. Police got involved and detained multiple students.

14 Images: Circle cut outs of RSU execs.

15

Partners/Affiliates 16 Ontario Students for Covid Safety Equal Access Initiative Horizon Ottawa The Ontario Student Trustees’ Association ANLFO Peace of Mind

17 Picture of young adults and teenagers standing in Catherine McKenney’s campaign office.

News Coverage 18 Picture of RSU members making the letters ‘R’ ‘S’ ‘U’ with their hands.

19 Ottawa School Board Creates Anonymous Tip-line To Report Bullying Threats High schoolers petition for mark freeze after COVID-19 learning disruptions Ontario students seek grade 'freeze' during Omicron-interrupted semester School dress codes: What students have to say about policing spaghetti straps and ball caps

Get Involved Join here: https://www.rideaustudentsu nion.ca/join.html 20 Once you’ve filled out the form, you should receive an email with an invite to our Discord server. Image is screencap of the RSU signup page.

21 In the Discord server, you can sign up for different projects! When your help is needed, you’ll get notified. Examples of tasks could be making social media posts, meeting people, and drafting what actions to take next. Image is screencap of project role selection.

CONTACTUS Socials 22 Instagram - @the.rsu Twitter - @rsu_ca Discord - Rideau Students' Union#3612 Email - rideaustudentsunion@g mail.com Website - rideaustudentsunion.ca Images of the RSU’s social media profiles on Instagram and Twitter.

23 Image is back shot of multiple people standing on Parliament hill, containing adults and teenagers.

Join the Rideau Student’s Union today! Image is of a group of young adults and teenagers standing together, transparent background