Identity Months @ TDSB
April is Sikh & Hispanic Heritage Month & Latin American History Month
Sikh Heritage Month – April 2019:
Sikh Heritage Month is celebrated at the TDSB during the month of April. On March 22, 2016, Trustees voted to designate April of each year as Sikh Heritage Month, making TDSB the first school board in Canada to do so, and matching recognition by the Province of Ontario in 2013.
Sikh Heritage Month is to provide an opportunity for staff, students and community members to learn more about Sikh traditions and history, and celebrate the many contributions of Sikh Canadians. The theme for the year is A Century of Pioneer Families. We acknowledge that in 1919, Prime Minister of Canada Robert Borden at the Imperial War Conference was pressured after the great Valour of Sikh soldiers to ease restrictions of wives and children to join their husband and fathers in Canada.
A poster to reflect our theme has been created in collaboration with the Sikh Museum of Canada. Copies of the poster will be delivered to all our schools in the upcoming weeks. It is our hope this poster goes beyond the hallways and into the classrooms and workplaces and is used as an opportunity to continue system dialogue on equity and inclusive curriculum throughout the year. The poster is a great entry point in our Inclusive Design pedagogy, specifically as it relates to six threads including environment as a third teacher, engaging parents, family and community, designing instruction, and student voice.
The Sikh community is just one of the many ways that made our school board so rich in its diversity and we're proud to celebrate this heritage with everyone. We're proud to share resources available through our TDSB Professional Library, Ministry of Education New Learning Resources. In addition, quotes/facts are also available to you.
These may be found at our internal TDSB website
Heritage/History Months: http://tdsbweb/_site/ViewItem.asp?siteid=10380&menuid=44778&pageid=37498
Should additional information be required, please contact Peter Singh at peter.singh@tdsb.on.ca , Pardeep Nagra at Pardeep.nagra@tdsb.on.ca
Sikh Heritage Month: Movie “Tiger”
April is Sikh Heritage Month at the TDSB and our theme for this year's TDSB Sikh Heritage Month is Celebrating a Century of Pioneer Families. Sikh Heritage Month is an opportunity for staff, students and community members to learn more about Sikh traditions and history, and celebrate the many contributions of Sikh Canadians. We are proud to announce that the movie Tiger is available for our teaching staff to bring their grades 4 to 12 students to.
Tiger is a wonderful movie about a Canadian Boxer who fights for social justice both in and outside of the ring. There are many valuable lessons for students in this movie. Tiger is based on the true life of TDSB employee Pardeep Singh Nagra.
Tiger was chosen as a Top School Pick by Cineplex and also as part of Cineplex's Education Program.
Book your class, school or community group to attend and watch a great movie on a Canadian Boxer who fights for social justice both in and outside of the ring! Tiger, based on the true life of Pardeep Singh Nagra, is a knockout! A great educators film guide for Tiger is also available.
Hispanic Heritage Month
As stated in the Hispanic Heritage Month Act, (May 5, 2015): "Ontario is home to more than 400,000 first-, second- and third-generation Canadians of Hispanic origin. As early as 1914, Canadians who originated from 23 Hispanic countries began immigrating to the province and today the Hispanic community is one of the fastest growing in Ontario. Hispanic-Canadians represent a dynamic community that has made significant contributions to the growth and prosperity of the Province of Ontario.
By proclaiming the month of October as Hispanic Heritage Month in Ontario, the province recognizes the rich contributions of Hispanic-Canadians to our social economic, political and multicultural fabric. Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about the outstanding achievements and contributions of Hispanic people in the province."
Latin-America History Month
Latin-America History Month is celebrated at the TDSB during the month of April. In April 2016, our TDSB Board of Trustees voted that the month of April be recognized as Latin-America History Month.
During the month of April, the Latin-America History Planning Committee has organized many educational opportunities for our students, staff and the TDSB community to attend and learn about their history, culture and customs. They year's theme is The Universal Language of Art / Arte: El Idioma Universa.
As outlined in the TDSB Days of Significance Resource Guide, (https://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Calendar page 2),
"Latin-America immigrants began arriving in large numbers in Toronto in the late 1970's. Latin America is generally defined as the countries south of the United States where people speak Romance languages (such as Spanish, Portuguese, and French). Today, some of the people from these countries might identify as Latino, Latina, Latinx, or Hispanic.
"Before 1970, there were only around 3,000 people who identified as Latin American in Canada. In the early part of that decade, around 68,000 Latin Americans started arriving, some on tourist visas. Canada then, had a policy that allowed people to arrive as visitors and then apply for landed immigrant status.
"At this point, most Latin American immigrants were from the Andean region, where economic prospects were shrinking. In the 1970's, political unrest in Central and South America led people to flee their homes and countries, with thousands choosing to move to Canada."
Latin-America History Month at the TDSB: Poster Contest
April is recognized as Latin-America History Month at the TDSB and this year our theme is "The Universal Language of Art / El Idioma Universal." It is an occasion to recognize and celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Peoples from Latin America.
This year, we are encouraging students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 to showcase their art abilities by creating a poster that reflects what Latin-American art represents to them.
Please see the attached document for full details.
Registration deadline is Wednesday, April 10, 2019 by 3:00 pm.
May is Asian Heritage Month & Jewish Heritage Month
Asian Heritage Month – May 2019: Call-Out
The Toronto District School Board recognizes Asian Heritage Month in May, and the planning committee is currently looking for volunteers to join them in developing system-wide initiatives.
If you are interested in joining the Asian Heritage Month Planning Committee, please contact Dani Carnevale, Service Co-ordinator at dani.carnevale@tdsb.on.ca Should you require additional information about the Asian Heritage Month, please contact Roula Anastasakos, Executive Superintendent, Learning Centre3 at roula.anastasakos@tdsb.on.ca
Jewish Heritage Month - May 2019: Call-Out
The Toronto District School Board recognizes Jewish Heritage Month in May, and the planning committee is currently looking for volunteers to join them in developing system-wide initiatives. The first planning meeting details are noted below:
Jewish Heritage Month - First Planning Meeting: Monday, January 28, 2019 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
5050 Yonge Street - Committee Room A (Main Floor, Next to Boardroom)
If you are interested in joining the Jewish Heritage Month Planning Committee, please contact Dani Carnevale, Service Co-ordinator at dani.carnevale@tdsb.on.ca