Remi Poliquin
Counsel
Milestones & Worthy Causes
by Cindy Finn
I am pleased to report that the new school year is off to a smooth start. Students and staff have settled into new routines, and we look forward to the next several months of learning and growing together.
September 25th was our first pedagogical day of the year, a day where classes were suspended for students so that staff could engage in professional learning and planning. In the youth sector, this was a day for teams to come together and work on students’ Individual Education Plans. In continuing education, staff from our adult education and vocational training centres came together to explore new ways of connecting with learners in an ever-changing world. Despite the uncertainty and challenges around us, our staff remain committed to supporting our students and meeting their diverse needs.
I am fortunate to witness that commitment firsthand, particularly during my visits to our schools and centres. These visits are one of the most rewarding aspects of my role as Director General. Earlier this month, I attended the Kindergarten Balloon Parade at Clearpoint Elementary, an annual tradition that beautifully welcomes the school’s newest learners. As kindergarten students and their families made their way along the path in the school yard carrying colourful balloons, they were greeted by cheering students, enthusiastic staff, and colourful handmade signs. It was a joyful and heartwarming example of the strong sense of belonging that is cultivated in our schools.
This month, two of our schools celebrated major milestones. On September 18th, I joined Pierre Elliott Trudeau Elementary School as they celebrated their 25th anniversary with a community barbecue, corn roast, and outdoor activities for families. It was a beautiful evening and a wonderful way to celebrate a quarter century of learning and community spirit. The following day, I visited John Rennie High School as they marked their 70th anniversary. The school was alive with activities honouring seven decades of history and achievement. I especially enjoyed touring classrooms that showcased different eras of the school’s history and browsing team photographs and yearbooks from years past. Reconnecting with former staff and alumni added another special dimension to the celebration. At both PETES and John Rennie, the strong sense of community that has been built over the years was evident. My sincere thanks to Principals Allan Fink and Melissa Hunter for their leadership in making these anniversary events such memorable successes.
In schools across Canada, two major events take place during the month of September. The first is the annual Terry Fox Run. Every year, students and staff come together to honour Terry Fox’s legacy by promoting healthy living and raising funds for cancer research. Forty-six years after Terry began his Marathon of Hope, communities across the Lester B. Pearson School Board continue to help keep his dream alive. Congratulations to our schools, centres, and Head Office for hosting runs and fundraising activities this month in support of the Terry Fox Foundation. The weather this month has been largely cooperative and social media pages are filled with images of students and staff walking for such a good cause.
The second activity that happens during the month of September is a renewed commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. It was five years ago, in 2021, that then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared Sept 30th as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Since that time, recognition has only grown around the importance of having a national day to reflect on the Calls to Action to address the impact of colonization on indigenous peoples and to move forward in a spirit of healing and reconciliation. This week, many of our schools and centres are recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation through Orange Shirt Day activities, assemblies, guest speakers, traditional dancers, powwows, and other learning opportunities.
It is remarkable to think that our current Grade 11 students were in kindergarten when Orange Shirt Day was first observed in 2015. These students belong to a generation that has grown up learning about this important aspect of Canadian history in ways previous generations did not. As Phyllis Webstad, the residential school survivor whose personal experience inspired Orange Shirt Day, has said: “Students are graduating with the knowledge of what happened to us. And they have empathy and they care.”
These experiences help students deepen their understanding of residential schools. The Great White Pine tree planted a few years ago here in front of our Head Office and the orange flags with the message ‘Every Child Matters’ that you see flying throughout our community are also ways we observe and remember. I encourage everyone to take time this September 30th to participate in a meaningful act of remembrance and reflection in honour of residential school survivors and their families.
Niá:wen – thank you.
