Saskatoon Public Schools is committed to recognizing the importance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30.

The school division is moving the professional development/planning day for teachers scheduled for Oct. 8 to Sept. 30. This means there will be no classes for all prekindergarten to Grade 12 students on Thursday, Sept. 30.

As a result of this change, Friday, Oct. 8, will be a regular school day for all students in the division. An updated school calendar is available on the division's website here.

The move will allow students to be with their families to honour the day and take part in reconciliation events in the community. The school division is planning age-appropriate learning opportunities and activities during the week leading up to Sept. 30.

Starting this year, Sept. 30 has been declared the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a federal statutory holiday. Currently, the provincial government does not recognize the day as a statutory holiday. Since all Saskatchewan school divisions are provincially legislated, September 30 is not a statutory holiday in our schools.

Our school division will be recognizing Orange Shirt Day on September 29. Students are encouraged to wear orange that day. There will be activities and lessons in schools that will foster students’ understanding of the impact of residential schools, ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Saskatoon Public Schools has recognized Orange Shirt Day for several years. It has been a day for learning and reflection on the tragedies experienced by Indigenous people due to Canada’s residential school system, and to ensure the impact and legacy is not forgotten. Orange Shirt Day began in Williams Lake, B.C. in 2013. The orange shirt is a symbol of the many losses experienced by thousands of students and families due to residential schools. Learn more at www.orangeshirtday.org

Orange Shirt Day is one of many actions Saskatoon Public Schools undertakes as part of the division’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.