PWPSD students ready to honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

NDTRStarting Wednesday, September 25, students across Peace Wapiti Public School Division (PWPSD) will reflect on the legacy of residential schools through Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation activities. Students and staff are encouraged to wear orange shirts as they learn about Indigenous history and culture, and the importance of reconciliation through classroom resources, school-wide acknowledgement, and community participation.

SCHOOL

EVENT PLAN

Alternative Education

Throughout the day on Friday, September 27 students will have the opportunity to participate in a collection of classroom activities and a virtual program-wide assembly.

Beaverlodge Elementary School

On Friday, September 27, students are encouraged to wear orange as they participate in a variety of classroom activities.

Beaverlodge Regional High School

On Friday, September 27, students and staff with gather for a school-wide assembly hosted by PWPSD’s Indigenous Education Services team. Students and staff are encouraged to wear orange.

Bonanza School

On Friday, September 27, students and staff are encouraged to wear orange shirts. Orange floats will be available for purchase, with proceeds going to Shannen’s Dream.

Clairmont Community School

On Tuesday, October 1, everyone is invited to wear orange shirts. Students will work together to create an Orange Shirt display and will be part of a school-wide assembly.

Eaglesham School

On Friday, September 27, students and staff are invited to wear orange. Students will enjoy a day of Indigenous education through classroom-directed activities and wrap up the day with orange ice cream floats.

Elmworth School

On Wednesday, September 25, students are encouraged to wear orange shirts as they participate in school-wide Indigenous activities and games organized by the Grade 9 students.

Harry Balfour School

On Thursday, September 26, Harry Balfour students will participate in a day of learning organized by Indigenous Educator April Price.

Helen E. Taylor School

On Tuesday, October 1, students are invited to wear orange while they partake in classroom activities and a school-wide assembly.

Hythe Regional School

On Friday, September 27, students will create an orange shirt display, complete classroom activities, and participate in a parade through town.

La Glace School

Students and staff are encouraged to wear orange on Friday, September 27. The Leadership Team has planned an Orange Shirt Day themed scavenger hunt for the end of the day.

Penson School

Students will participate in a school-wide bulletin board, where each student will decorate an orange shirt and add it to the board. Teachers will be guiding activities within their own classrooms, and students and staff are encouraged to wear orange.

Robert W. Zahara School

On Tuesday, October 1, students and staff are encouraged to wear orange to honour Orange Shirt Day. Each class will choose a Call to Action and discuss steps they can take to achieve it. Their Call to Action will be written on a large, orange poster shirt and signed by each student. These posters will then be shared with the rest of the students during a school-wide assembly.

Spirit River Regional Academy

Throughout the morning of Friday, September 27, students will participate in a variety of classroom activities, and the Foods students will prepare Bannock. In the afternoon, students will don their orange shirts as they complete their Terry Fox Walk through town.

Teepee Creek School

On Friday, September 27, students and staff are encouraged to wear orange while they participate in different classroom activities.

Wembley Elementary School

On Friday, September 27, students and staff are invited to wear orange to honour Orange Shirt Day. The day will begin with a land acknowledgement and O Canada in Cree. Students will enjoy unique classroom lessons and activities throughout the day.

Whispering Ridge Community School

Friday, September 27 will begin with a land acknowledgement, O Canada in Cree, and a moment of silence. Students will participate in various classroom lessons and activities throughout the day, and teachers will discuss the Calls to Action with their classes. Students and staff are encouraged to wear an orange shirt while everyone participates in a school-wide art activity.

Why Orange?Every Child Matters

Orange Shirt Day is a reconciliation movement that grew from the St. Joseph Mission residential school commemorative event held in Williams Lake, B.C. in 2013. Based on former student Phyllis Webstad’s account of having her new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school, the awareness campaign is an opportunity to continue the discussion on all aspects of residential schools. The September date chosen for the observance reflects the time of year when children were taken from their homes. For more information about Orange Shirt Day and its resources, visit https://www.orangeshirtday.org/.