The Government of Canada has proclaimed Sept. 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The intention of the day is to recognize and honour residential school survivors, their families and communities. It will also ensure that public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.
As this is a federal holiday it only applies automatically to the federal government, federal crown boards and agencies and federally regulated companies.
However, for the 2021-22 school year, Thursday, Sept. 30 will be a non-operational day to commemorate truth and reconciliation across the Calgary Board of Education. This means there will be no classes and schools will be closed for the day. As a result of this change, Friday, Dec. 10 will once again be a regular school day.
This decision applies to this year only. Over the course of the 2021-22 school year, we will review how best to recognize this event in subsequent years.
School websites will be updated in the coming days to reflect this change.
The CBE asks that all schools recognize Truth and Reconciliation Week from Sept. 27 to Oct. 1, 2021. This week will honour Every Child Matters and Orange Shirt Day and provides flexibility for schools to select at least one school day within this week to recognize Orange Shirt Day with students while learning about the history and legacy of residential schools.
Chief Superintendent of Schools