National Day For Truth & Reconciliation

October 30 is Canada’s National Day for Truth & Reconciliation. Even as you enjoy a day off of school, please take time to reflect on the real reason for this day.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was established in response to Call to Action 80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which called on the federal government, in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, to create a statutory holiday recognizing Survivors, their families, and communities while ensuring the history and legacy of residential schools are publicly remembered.
(Canadian Heritage at Canada.ca)

What can you do to observe this day with thoughtfulness and respect? To get started, here a few ideas:

  • Visit the Museum of Surrey’s display, “Where are the Children? Healing the Legacy of Residential Schools.” This exhibit is free and you will find close by in the heart of Cloverdale. Find out more at Museum of Surrey Indigenous Hall
  • Attend the Semiahmoo First Nation to Host 6th Annual Walk for Truth and Reconciliation in White Rock. The walk starts at 11:OO AM. Find out more.
  • Watch the CBC /APTN special coverage of the ceremony on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, starting at 8:00 AM. Or if you are fortunate enough to go to Ottawa, attend in person.
  • Become familiar with the “94 Calls to Action.”
  • Learn about how much progress has been made on the Calls to Action.
  • Resolve to take action in a way that you can.

Orange Shirt Day

Wear an orange shirt to school on Tuesday, September 29

September 30th is Truth and Reconciliation Day in Canada. Our school will be closed that day as the nation takes time to face the truth of our history and considers a path forward of reconciliation. As a school community, we continue to learn more about Truth and Reconciliation. At Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary, we encourage all students and staff to wear an orange shirt in school on Tuesday, September 29, as well as on September 30th.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was established as the Canadian government’s formal recognition of the importance of Orange Shirt Day, observed on September 30 over most of the last decade, as part of the overall effort of raising awareness and provoking discussion about the impact of Residential Schools in Canada, and finding the path toward reconciliation.

Truth & Reconciliation

September 30 is not just a day off of school. Learn more about why Truth and Reconciliation is something all Canadians should care about. Join with us during Truth & Reconciliation Week at Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary as we learn more about the Indigenous Peoples of Canada, our shared history as Canadians, and what our shared future might look like.. Dress for Orange Shirt Day at school on September 29. Observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a genuine resolve actively participate in reconciliation in our country in the coming year.

Autumn Equinox

The Autumnal Equinox will occur on Tuesday, September 22 at 5:04 PM Pacific. This day marks the beginnng of Autumn (or Fall) in the Northern Hemishpere. The tilted earth makes its way around the sun through the solar year. On this date the sun will appear to be directly overhead the equator at noon. The sun will continue to appear to travel south in our skies, towards the Tropic of Capricorn and the start of winter, before returning for the spring and summer. Many cultures and belief systems are deeply in tune with the cycles of the seasons. The Celtic calendar observes mid-autumn at this time, which in recent years has become known popularly as Mabon.

source: Colivine, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur, or the “Day of Atonement”, is the holiest day on the Jewish Calendar. For devout Jews in Canada and around the world, Yom Kippur is the most important Holiday, beyond Hanukkah or even the Passover. Many Jews will spend the entire day in fasting, praying and other observances.

In 2026 Yom Kippur begins at sundown on September 20, and ends at nightfall on September 21. (This is according to the Gregorian Calendar, while the Jewish Calendar is at year 5787.)

Find out more:

What is Yom Kippur? (Chabad.org)

My Jewish Learning

History.com

National Geographic

CBC Kids

Check out these books at YOUR School Library:

International Day of Peace

September 21 is the International Day of Peace, established by the United Nations and recognized by peace loving people everywhere.

From the United Nations:

Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day

On 21 September, the world marks the International Day of Peace.

Today, amidst staggering volatility, the search for peace feels overwhelming—but it has never been more urgent.

Peace is more than the absence of war; it is the foundation necessary to collectively tackle humanity’s challenges. It is the lived experience of safety, dignity, opportunities and cooperation in our daily lives.

Under the theme Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day, this year’s International Day of Peace honours the ‘everyday architects of peace’—people driving local action, laying the groundwork for stability, and building a lasting peace from the ground up.

Remember, peace isn’t just built in conference rooms—it is shaped by everyone, everywhere, every day.

Everyone, everywhere can do their part for peace. Take one small step for peace every day:

Give your time to help someone else.

Lend your voice to drive positive change.

Host a Peace Circle – an intergeneration youth-led conversation on solutions.

Use your platform to promote a cause or tell a story of peace and hope

Show us how you’re building the architecture of peace and justice using #InvestInPeace.

Surrey Schools ONE

Students.
Parents.
Teachers.

Check this out: A portal to a world of online resources. Go where google alone can’t get you.

Created by Teacher-Librarians, Surrey Schools One is your first stop before linking to recommended online resources, many of which are subscription based but free to you as a member of the Surrey Schools community. Whether you are a student, a teacher, or an educator in the Surrey School District, you will find quick and easy access to essential resources with Surrey Schools One.

SurreySchoolsOne

Democracy

Today is International Day of Democracy. Celebrate democracy. Learn more about democracy. Most importantly, stand up for democracy.

Check out the books above, and many others in our school library, to learn more about democratic citizenship, and why the fight for democracy is an ongoing struggle that rages not just in “other parts of the world” but here at home in our neighbourhoods, cities and nation.

Find out more:

United Nations

The Rule of Law

BBC: What is Democracy?

Five actions to boost women’s political participation

The Carter Center

Canadian Civil Liberties Association

Join the Library Team!

The School Library is open for the 2026-2027 school year. However, we need student volunteers so that we can offer borrowing options to students at lunch. If you are interested in joining us, come down to the School Library to learn more!

Could this be YOU?

Please also fill out our online application form to let us know that you are interested.

Find out more about the Library Team

Shanah Tovah!

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year feast and celebration. It is the first of the “High Holy Days” of Judaism, and is followed closely by Yom Kippur.

source: CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The Jewish Calendar is a lunar calendar, therefor the dates of Rosh Hashanah and other Jewish holidays will vary according to the Gregorian Calendar (the standard calendar used in most of the world for politics, business and daily life.)  In 2026 Rosh Hashanah begins at Sundown on September 11 and ends at nightfall of September 13. According to the Jewish calendar, the new year is 5787 AM (Anno Mundi).

Shanah Tovah!

Find out more:

Rosh Hashanah 101

Chabad.org

History.com