UGDSB students and staff remember those affected by residential schools on Orange Shirt Day
September 30, 2020
GUELPH, Ontario – On September 30, Upper Grand District School Board students and staff continued their conversation on the importance of reconciliation by recognizing Orange Shirt Day.
Orange Shirt Day originated in the spring of 2013 as a response to Phyllis’ story about when she had her brand new orange shirt taken away from her on her first day at the St. Joseph Mission residential school.
At the UGDSB, discussions about the importance of reconciliation happen year-round and are grounded in our curriculum. On Orange Shirt Day, these important discussions continue to happen in the classroom and this year, the virtual classroom.
This year, students at Sir Isaac Brock PS will be participating in a virtual event for Canadian students called ‘Every Child Matters.’ At this event, students will have the chance to join thousands of other Canadian students to learn first-hand from residential school survivors, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, artists and leaders from nations and cultures across the country.
The Elementary Remote School Otters will be offering slide deck resources with staff. This will allow staff to continue conversations with students. Each class is invited to contribute student voice messages to residential school survivors and share photos of themselves wearing their orange shirt.
As part of the learning virtual learning this year, the Terry James Resource Centre created a bitmoji classroom with First Nation, Métis, Inuit education resources and activities for staff to share with their students to continue their learning on Orange Shirt Day.
In preparation for Orange Shirt Day, students at Erin District High School completed Orange Shirt cut outs with important facts about residential schools. Each morning leading up to September 30, facts were shared with the school during morning announcements.
For more information about Orange Shirt Day, visit https://www.orangeshirtday.org/
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