Dear McKinney Families,

Thank you for such a warm and welcoming September. As new administrators to this community, we have truly enjoyed meeting all of the students, families and staff that make this such a vibrant place. We particularly enjoyed the Meet the Staff Event and the Terry Fox Run. Thank you to everyone who participated and donated.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

This federal statutory holiday was created through legislative amendments made by Parliament.

Wear orange

Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30.

Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”.  The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.

On September 30, we encourage all Canadians to wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools. (from: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/national-day-truth-reconciliation.html)

At McKinney, we are observing Orange Shirt Day on September 29th by wearing orange shirts, and participating in many educational activities and we will end our day with an Orange Shirt Day Assembly. 

Remember, there is NO SCHOOL on Friday, September 30th.

Dates to Remember:

• September 29 – PAC Meeting - 7:00 pm - In the school library

• September 30 – National Truth & Reconciliation Day (NO SCHOOL)

• October 5 – Hot Lunch (Sushi)

• October 10 – Thanksgiving (NO SCHOOL)

• October 11 – Individual Photo Day

• October 19/20 – Early Dismissal at 1:45 pm for Parent-Teacher Conferences

If you have a look at Our School Calendar on this website, there are some significant dates and celebrations outlined for some members of our community. To those who observe and/or celebrate these significant dates:

• Happy Mawlid al-Nabi
• Chag Sameach
• Happy Dassehra

Also, on the bottom right of this website there is a translating feature that will provide a rough translation for folks who would benefit from that.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Gordon and Brian