Schools from across SJASD observed Remembrance Day and Indigenous People's Veteran's Day this week with ceremonies, art and classroom lessons.
At École Voyageur, students delved into the true meaning of Remembrance Day, expressing their understandings of empathy, peace and gratitude through artwork, stories, poems and songs.
On November 10, students participated in a school-wide Remembrance Day service streamed online. The service featured choral performances, a bilingual recitation of the famous poem In Flanders Field, and also recognized Indigenous veterans. Administrators brought in special guest speaker Capitaine Maxime Cliché, a Public Affairs Officer with the Canadian Armed Forces.
Vice Principal Pamela McLachlan says Capitaine Cliché shared his most recent deployment experience to help train the Ukrainian Military in 2020 (before the Russian invasion of Ukraine), and the importance of the poppy, known around the world and in Canada as a symbol of remembrance.
“Capitaine Cliché presented to our students on the historical contributions of the Canadian Armed Forces in World War I and World War II and the ongoing ways the military supports defense and peacekeeping throughout the country and globally," says Pamela, adding that “the red poppy serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by our armed forces, symbolizing our commitment to never forget the price of peace and freedom."
At Hedges Middle School, students learned about Indigenous Code Talkers, an elite unit tasked with developing a coded system based on their traditional native languages for disguising military intelligence during World War II.
Hedges students also participated in a school-wide Remembrance Day assembly on November 10th featuring veteran Dr. Popplow, who served in the Royal Military Institute and the Royal Canadian Air Force for over 30 years.
Principal Tammy Baydock says students were fortunate to hear from Dr. Popplow. “He spoke about the advances in medicine and the raised awareness of the toll war takes on mental wellness. Dr. Popplow also addressed the wars of the present day that are affecting many in our community. Thank you Dr. Popplow for sharing your experiences and perspectives with our students," she says.
At Athlone School, staff members start planning early for Remembrance Day.
In September, staff volunteered to form a Remembrance Day committee and ordered learning resources (bookmarks, postcards and posters) through Veteran's Affairs Canada to support classroom instruction.
“Right after Halloween, we started our Remembrance Day activities and programming," explains Principal Ryan Miller.
Community members were invited to send in artifacts and pictures of family members who have served for a cabinet display, and educators produced a video of all the family members within the school community to be honoured during their Remembrance Day service.
The service this year, also held on November 10th, featured an authentic piper and bugler in uniform to perform during the professional, Last Post, Reveille and Lament. The assembly ended with an Ode of Remembrance.
“We invited our friends from the Sturgeon Retirement Residence to come to our school service," says Ryan, adding that the entire community was invited to the service to “share in the importance of reflection and empathy."
Remembrance Day was first observed in 1919 to commemorate the armistice agreement that ended the First World War on Monday, November 11, 1918 at 11 a.m.. More than 2.3 million Canadians have served and more than 118,000 have lost their lives.
For more information on Remembrance Day activities in SJASD, follow school and Division accounts on Instagram.
(From top to bottom): Capitaine Maxime Cliché speaks to students from École Voyageur during their Remembrance Day service; Veteran Dr. Popplow, students and staff following a service at Hedges Middle School; A traditional piper and bugler performed at Athlone School's service.
