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

Indigenous Peoples Collection

Celebrate National Indigenous History Month in Canada by learning more about First Nations, Metis and Inuit people. Come down to your School Library to browse through our Indigenous Peoples Collection. This section of the School Library is devoted to titles from authentic indigenous writers.

All titles in the Indigenous Peoples Collection are designated with spine labels bearing the “IPC” prefix. Sublocations in the IPC include:

  • Coast Salish
  • Northwest Coast
  • First Nations
  • Inuit
  • Metis
  • Urban
  • Global
  • Own Voice
  • Truth and Reconciliation

and more…

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada.