Honouring Orange Shirt Week
Dear staff, students, parents and caregivers,
This week, Orange Shirt Week, is presenting us with many powerful opportunities for learning … learning that already has and is continuing to stretch across all of our staff, students and schools. As we consider the vital importance of the journey toward truth and reconciliation, this week serves as a reminder to take a moment to pause, to listen, to seek out new tools and resources, and to recommit to the work ahead.
You may have noticed that our District flags are at half-mast. They will remain so all week, as we honour all the Indigenous children who never came home. Our hallways are full of people wearing orange, as we show our support for residential school survivors and the generations of trauma and healing that families in our community are still working through.
While each school has organized their own activities and lessons throughout the week, I’ll take quick moment to remind you of two particular days of note:
- On Wednesday, September 29th we’re encouraging everyone who can, to focus on this day to wear an Orange Shirt or something else that is orange (acknowledging some have been doing this throughout the week already).
- Thursday, September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, all schools and district sites will be closed in honour of this first occurrence.
Early next week we’ll also be sharing some photos and stories of the lessons and activities that have supported healing and understanding for all students in our schools … so parents and caregivers can get a sense of what this powerful week has looked like within our schools. You can look for that on our website and social media channels.
I raise my hands in thanks to all of you who are on this journey with us,
Karim Hachlaf
Superintendent of Schools / CEO