Paisley Road PS To Raise the Every Child Matters Flag
The Every Child Matters flag will be raised at Paisley Road P.S. on September 30th
Families are welcome to join us for the first student led EVERY CHILD MATTERS flag raising event at Paisley Road P.S. You can wear an orange shirt as one way to show your support of Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous Nations. It will be held outside in front of the school from 2:40- 3:00 pm.
Last year a group of students began learning about Truth and Reconciliation and read all 94 Calls to Action. They learned the truth about Indian Residential Schools by listening to people who lived it, by reading and by researching. The students made a proposal to the principal requesting to fly the Every Child Matters Flag. We completed the paperwork and have the support of the school board for this student-led initiative. Students consulted a Residential School survivor with whom they had been working, about their idea. She was impressed by their initiative, and supported this idea for reconciliACTION. The students also received approval from the UGDSB Principal of Indigenous Education. Further, the students made proposals and presentations to Mayor Cam Guthrie and Sara Sayyed, Senior Advisor for Equity, Anti-racism and Indigenous Initiatives for the City of Guelph.
Flying the flag is an expression of remembrance, meant to honour residential school survivors and all the lives and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada. It is not performative, but a reminder of the work we must do. Flying the flag shows that we care and are willing to do the work. Several Junior classes have already committed to reading the 94 calls to action and/or article of UNDRIP (The United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People) each day as part of our commitment to learning. The students at Paisley will be working together to plan how they can help make sure EVERY CHILD MATTERS and the staff are here to support them. On September 30th, we welcome you to honour and respect those who lost their lives in Indian Residential Schools and those who survived together. Donations will be accepted.
Categories: News