News Release
November 8, 2011
For Immediate Release
Liturgies, guest speakers and dramatic presentations, part of
Dufferin-Peel’s Remembrance Day commemorations
Students, staff and community members from Dufferin-Peel Catholic schools will pay tribute to war veterans and current Canadian Forces members through special events and activities including, school assemblies, visits from veterans, interactive displays, dramatic presentations and liturgies.
“Many of the tributes our schools have planned this year give our students a glimpse of what war is like through first-hand stories, from both men and women who have served, and from testaments of family and friends who have lost loved ones,” says John Kostoff, Director of Education. “It’s truly fantastic that our students and schools continue to embrace the traditions of Remembrance Day. These memorial events really help students understand the sacrifices made by our veterans, and the men and women currently serving. It helps us understand and appreciate how lucky we are to live in Canada, with so many opportunities.”
Leading up to Remembrance Day, students from schools across the board wrote letters and cards for Canadian troops stationed around the world. These letters will arrive by November 11.
On November 11, staff at the Catholic Education Centre will hold their annual Remembrance Day liturgical service at 10:45 a.m., where members of the St. Joan of Arc school band and chamber choir will perform. A moment of silence will also be observed at 11 a.m. to remember.
A museum-like exhibit, with over a thousand authentic war artifacts, will be on display at Christ the King Catholic School in Mississauga, November 7-11, 8:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. and November 10, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. for the public to touch, see and explore. The exhibit is an annual creation of Brian Masson, a teacher at the school, who also coordinates the school’s Remembrance Day ceremony.
Throughout the week of November 7-11, Kelly Scanlan, an Our Lady of Mount Carmel graduate and member of a Canadian Forces Reserve Unit, will be visiting classrooms at St. Edith Stein School in Mississauga, to speak about her experiences in Afghanistan.
On November 11, students at Father Francis McSpiritt Catholic School in Brampton will remember those who served our country through a student led dramatic presentation that will reflect military history and the journey from war to peace.
Known as the Bosnian Anne Frank, Nadja Halilbegovich will be speaking to the students of Cardinal Leger Secondary School in Brampton on November 11. Nadja will be telling the story of her life and struggles in Bosnia shortly after war broke out there in 1992.
Many Dufferin-Peel Catholic schools have also planned liturgies, assemblies and other special events, including visits from veterans and Canadian soldiers to mark Remembrance Day.
Download a detailed list of school Remembrance Day events.
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is one of largest and most diverse school districts in Ontario, with approximately 85,000 students in 146 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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Media Contact: Nancy Marshall, Communications Officer
(905) 890-0708 ext. 24278