YORK REGION DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION OF HERITAGE/SIGNIFICANT MONTHS/DAYS Background: At the October 2016 Chair’s Committee meeting Corporate Communications shared research related to the recognition of heritage/significant months/days at Board meetings. During that Chair’s Committee proceedings, Corporate Communications was asked to bring back a fulsome list of months and days that the Board may consider recognizing at its Board meetings through formal motions on a monthly basis. Currently, York Region District School Board recognizes heritage months and celebrations through the following: Public website: recognize events identified in the holidays and observances calendar; and heritage months. Twitter: tweets regarding heritage months and tweeting to some specific events that may occur throughout the year at individual sites. Board meetings: recognition is done informally by the Director during “information items” and by trustees at their discretion during “announcements.” Rationale: Corporate Communications has reviewed the list of months and days recognized by the Province of Ontario (as listed on the Ministry of Citizenship website) and other significant days that the Board has recognized through the mediums listed in the Background. While other dates may be added on an ongoing basis, it is recommended that the Board recognize the months/days in the chart below. When Board meetings occur on dates following the significant day/month, it is also recommended that the Board pass a motion at its meeting preceding the month to be recognized. Where Board meetings occur on dates following the significant day/month, it is further recommended that the Board pass a monthly motion at its meeting preceding the month to be recognized. Month/Day description Month/Date Holocaust Awareness Day January 27 Family Literacy Day January 27 Tamil Heritage Month January Family Day February 20 Pink Shirt Day February 22 Black History Month February Heart Month February International Women’s Day March 8 Earth Hour March 25 Co-op Education Week March date TBD World Water Day March 22 Social Work Month March National Nutrition Month March Autism Awareness Day April 2 Day of Pink April date TBD World Health Day April 7 Pause to Play Day April date TBD Vimy Ridge Day April 9 Earth Week April date TBD Pitch In Canada Week April date TBD Day of Silence April 17 Earth Day April 22 Holocaust Remembrance Day April 23-24 National Volunteer Week/Month April 23-29 Administrative Professionals Day April 26 National Day of Mourning April 28 Allergy Awareness Week (first week) / Food Allergy Awareness Month May 1 -5 Education Week May 2 -6 Support Staff Appreciation Day May 3 South Asian Arrival Day May 5 International Day Against Homophobia May 17 No Tobacco Day May 31 Aboriginal Awareness Week May date TBD Mental Health Week May date TBD Asian/South Asian Heritage Month May Dutch Heritage Month May Jewish Heritage Month May Peace Tree Day June 1 World Environment Day/Week June 5 Portugal Day June 10 United Empire Loyalists Day June 19 National Aboriginal Day Jun 21 National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism June 23 Canadian Multiculturalism Day June 27 National Aboriginal History Month June Bike Month June Peace Tree Month June Brain injury awareness month June Italian Heritage Month June Portuguese Heritage Month June Ukrainian Heritage Day September 7 International Literacy Day September 8 World Suicide Prevention Day September 10 Franco-Ontarian Day September 25 Ally Week September 26-30 Orange Shirt Day September 30 Mental Illness Awareness Week October 2 – 8 Walk to School Day/Week October 5 World Teacher Day October 5 World Mental Health Day October 10 Local Government Week October 16 - 22 International Eradication of Poverty Day October 17 Waste Reduction Week October 17 - 23 Spirit Day October 20 Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day October 26 International Walk to School Month October Healthy Workplace Month October Autism Awareness Month October Learning Disabilities Awareness Month October Child Abuse Awareness Month - Wear Purple on October 18th October LGBTQ History Month October Character Community Week October date TBD Take Me Outside Day October 27 Media Literacy Week October 31 - Nov 4 National Skilled Trades and Technology Week October 31 - Nov 6 York Region Crime Prevention Week November date TBD Take Our Kids to Work Day November 2 Remembrance Day November 11 Anti-Bullying Week (3rd week) November 13 -19 International Day of Tolerance November 16 Transgender Day of Remembrance November 20 Universal Children’s Day November 20 Holodomor Memorial Day November - 4th Friday CPR Awareness Month November Financial Literacy Month November World AIDS Awareness Day December 1 International Day of Disabled Persons December 3 Relationship to Board Priorities: This report reinforces the Board’s commitment to the engagement of students, staff, parents/guardians and community members in public education. It also emphasizes positive relationships among students, staff, parents/guardians, and community members. Estimated Cost: Not applicable. Timeline: Immediate. Recommendations: That the York Region District School Board approve the following recommendations: 1) That the Board recognize the months/days identified in the Recognition of Heritage/Significant Months/Days report. 2) That motions be added to the Special Announcements section of the monthly Board Meeting agenda to recognize each day and/or month at the Board meeting. Communications Implementation Plan: Coordinating Council of Superintendents December 2, 2016 Chair’s Committee December 6, 2016 Board Meeting December 13, 2016 Respectfully submitted, December 6, 2016 For further information, please contact Corporate Communications or the Director of Education. .