News Release
November 7, 2007
For Immediate Release
Afghan Vet and Museum-Quality Display highlight Dufferin-Peel’s Remembrance Day events
Students and staff from Dufferin-Peel Catholic schools and administrative offices will remember the sacrifices of Canadians in wars and peacekeeping missions with special Remembrance Day services and activities on November 8 and 9.
“Remembrance Day holds very special meaning for those in our community who experienced war first-hand, or whose parents, grandparents or even brothers and sisters experienced war,” said John Kostoff, director of education. “We all owe a huge debt of gratitude to those who sacrificed much on our behalf and this makes Remembrance Day that much more important to remember.”
On November 9, staff at the Catholic Education Centre will hold a special service at 10:45 a.m. presided by the Adult Faith Team, including Gillian Federico, a reservist and chaplain of the 32 Canadian Brigade Group. Staff with family members in Canadian Forces and veteran members of the Toronto Scottish and Lorne Scots Regiments, have been invited to the service to be recognized and thanked for their contribution. Piper, Adam Lawrence, a graduate of Cardinal Leger Secondary School and the St. Joan of Arc Catholic Secondary School band will perform at the service.
“Students today are exposed daily, through the media, to war, sacrifice and loss experienced by Canadian soldiers, many of whom are not much older than they are. This, I believe, has a tremendous impact on our youth,” added Kostoff.
Many Dufferin-Peel Catholic schools have also planned services, liturgies and displays to commemorate the event.
Brian Masson, a teacher at Christ the King School in Mississauga has put together a museum-quality Remembrance Day tribute, with an exhibit of over a thousand authentic artifacts. The public can view this interactive display on Thursday, November 8 from 8:45 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Staff and students have also organized a solemn Remembrance Day ceremony, which will be celebrated in the school gym at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 9.
Ryan Kenny, a St. Joseph Secondary School teacher and Army Reservist, will speak at his school’s Remembrance Day ceremony on November 9 about his recent tour of duty in Afghanistan. The ceremony will also include a slide-show presentation about the origins of Remembrance Day and Canada's military history, a video documentary, and an interpretation by the drama club.
A complete list of school Remembrance Day events, is available on the board’s website www.dpcdsb.org.
In observance of Remembrance Day, flags at all Dufferin-Peel schools and other facilities will be flown at half staff.
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is one of largest and most diverse school districts in Ontario, with approximately 88,000 students in 144 Catholic schools throughout Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon and Orangeville. With over 10,000 employees, the board is also one of the largest employers in the region.
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For information, contact: Nancy Marshall, Communications Officer
(905) 890-0708, ext. 24278