Día de la conmemoración – Remembrance Day

As a child growing up in Canada, I recall Remembrance Day as an annual tradition that usually included a school assembly, a day off from school and news broadcasts of local or national services to honour Canadian veterans who served in active duty in  international wars, regional conflicts or as international peacekeepers. We can learn more about the Canadian observance of Remembrance Day by checking out the following federal government webpage:

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/military-history/history-heritage/remembrance-ceremony/2.html

“Armistice Day or “Remembrance Day” as it has come to be known, originated following the end of the First World War. The Armistice agreement was signed between Germany and the Allied Forces in Paris on Monday, 11 November 1918 at 0500 hours. The ceasefire went into effect at 1100 hours the same morning. The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.”

As Canadians, we all have different family stories and connections to these wars. As a first-generation Canadian, I do not have Canadian war veterans in my family. Instead, as a child I would always try to do the math and imagine how old my grandparents were in relation to the veterans, and what they might have experienced on the European continent. My grandparents lived in Romania and experienced the wars from a perspective that is different from the stories that are told here in Canada. During the First World War, my ancestors lived within the boundaries of the Austro-Hungarian Empire which had a blended population of ethnic Hungarians, Romanians and many people of Jewish ancestry. At the conclusion of that war, new borders were drawn and their area formally became Romanian territory. My grandparents entered adulthood during the Second World War. My dad was born in 1945, in Romania, right before the Second World War officially ended. I cannot imagine what it might have been like to live during that period of time. I think of my grandparents and what they might have felt as civilians, in relation to the uncertainty of conflict on a global scale, displacement and genocide. They lived in contested territory, having witnessed German expansion and then being absorbed into the “iron curtain” of the Soviet Union.

Earlier this fall, my younger son and I participated in a tour at the Union Cemetery. There you can see monuments and orderly graves that are lined up like soldiers, to honour the young service people that served in both the First and Second World Wars as part of Canada’s allegiance to their allies in Western Europe. We are taught to recognize these sacrifices as protecting our way of life, paving the way for the decades of peace that we have enjoyed in our beautiful country. Sadly, we are reminded that war, and the disruptions to daily life and safety have continued worldwide and that these experiences directly impact families across our city who have loved ones that reside in active conflict zones. For many, peace and safety is not yet within reach. On each Remembrance Day, I keep close to my heart the wish for peace, safety and security for everyone. 

This year our Grade 5 students will lead our annual Remembrance Day Service. It will take place on Wednesday November 8, starting promptly at 10:45am. It will include official elements such as the laying of wreaths, observing a moment of silence and sharing of the Last Post. We work with students to understand that this is not a typical assembly- for example, we will not applaud as it is a solemn service. Teachers will work with students to remind them of these expectations.

Even if you do not have a child in grade 5, you are welcome to attend our service to honour Canada’s commitment to lasting peace and the sacrifices of our military personnel.

Child and Youth Wellbeing Series  - Understanding Vaping

 

November 16, 2023

6:30 to 8:00 PM

Across Canada, e-cigarette use, also known as vaping, is reaching new heights amongst teenagers. This presentation will focus on common devices used for vaping, substances vaped such as nicotine and cannabis, and the health risks associated with vaping. We will present on how to engage in challenging conversations with your young person regarding vaping.

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