Each year on November 11, schools across the Toronto District School Board come together to honor Remembrance Day, reflecting on the sacrifices of those who served and continue to serve in the pursuit of peace. Through meaningful ceremonies, engaging lessons, and acts of remembrance, students and staff take time to learn, reflect, and express gratitude.
The following stories highlight just a few examples of how TDSB schools marked this important day, demonstrating the diverse and heartfelt ways our school communities pay tribute to Canada's history and those who have served.
Bloor Collegiate Institute
Young students learned about with the histories of the World War is forever evolving. Some teachers are tackling the challenge of something that feels so far in the past feel relevant. “So if we take the statistics and whittle it down into some of the faces behind the numbers, then the students can find a personal connection to it,” said Katy Whitfield, a history teacher at Bloor Collegiate Institute.
Watch more at the 22:30 mark in this CBC news coverage: The National | Honouring Canadian veterans
Claude Watson School for the Arts
Students and staff from Claude Watson School for the Arts held an assembly to honour Veterans and Remembrance Day. The ceremony included a woodwind ensemble, concert band, and drama skit. The entire school was present (Grades 4-8) and sang a piece called “Dream a Dream” about unity and peace.
Watch more at the 30:20 mark in this CTV news coverage: Remembrance Day ceremonies take place across Toronto
Seneca School
As a follow up to the filming that was done last spring, I just wanted to provide some details about Operation Remembrance 2024.
Each day, from November 1st to 11th, Operation Remembrance 2024 released a short educational video created by students from participating schools across Canada. This included some students, staff and art from Seneca being featured in the video that was released on the final day, Remembrance Day. The 11 Days of Remembrance 2024 is a media initiative to encourage Canadian students to honour our Veterans and students have created short documentaries that tell stories of sacrifices made during times of conflict.
Watch Seneca students and staff in the Operation Remembrance 2024 video: