Orange Shirt Day and National Day of Truth + Reconciliation

Today we honour Orange Shirt Day and National Day of Truth + Reconciliation at Willow Park. It is nice to see so many orange shirts in classrooms, hallways, the learning commons, and on the playground. Teachers and students are sharing what they know. It's a beautiful day.

Here are some resources to better help you understand.

CBE Music : For decades, Indigenous artists have documented their history through song. Here are 10 tracks that documented Canada's history of residential schools.

Gord Downie Wenjack Fund : These are just a few examples of how you can spend your time on September 30. For more ideas to work into your planning for Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth + Reconciliation look here. 

CanLit for Little Canadians (promoting children's and YA books by Canadian authors and illustrators) : For teachers looking to help their students understand National Day for Truth + Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on September 30, here is a list of 30+ books to help you get started.

CBC Kids : Great resources for kids for National Truth + Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. 

Calgary Reads : Learn more about residential schools and Truth + Reconciliation with these book picks. Read our article here. 

Welcome Back!

Great news! The Learning Commons is open for business this year! 

There are some modifications for Covid of course:

• Teachers can book the Learning Commons for one class at a time
• One class at a time can come for book exchange
• Students can browse the shelves when their class is here for book exchange
• Books are no longer required to quarantine between uses
• Students must sanitize their hands on the way in
• Students must sanitze their area before they leave
• Masks must always be worn in the Learning Commons

New Books On Display!

Come on up to the Learning Commons and check out a new book.