In June, the federal government passed legislation to make September 30 a federal statutory holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day provides an opportunity to recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools. This may present itself as a day of quiet reflection or participation in a community event.
This day will be observed in Saskatchewan, but it is not yet a statutory holiday in Saskatchewan for employees who are not federally regulated.
To honour the spirit and intent of the federal declaration, and to honour our collective agreements that follow federally regulated statutory holidays, we are making the following changes to our school calendars:
- September 30 will be a Professional Learning and Development (PLD) day, and students will not attend classes.
- For elementary schools, the planned October 8 PLD is being moved, so Oct. 8 will be a regular school day for students and staff.
- Humboldt schools: the June 6 PLD will move to Sept. 30.
- St. Gabriel in Biggar: the Oct. 12 PLD will move to Sept 30.
- For high schools, early dismissal days in October and March will be combined into one PLD on September 30; those October and March days will be full days for students.
- Sept. 30 will be a statutory holiday for CUPE staff (not a work day).
- Sept. 30 will remain a work day for teaching staff and out-of-scope staff.
- For elementary schools, the planned October 8 PLD is being moved, so Oct. 8 will be a regular school day for students and staff.
As part of our collective response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, professional development on this day will be designed to help deepen our understanding of—and commitments to—the history and impact of residential schools, reconciliation, and anti-racist education. Some professional development already planned for October 8 will shift to September 30.
We will observe Orange Shirt Day on September 29.
In future years, it is possible the provincial government will alter existing legislation to align with the federal declaration of the statutory holiday. We will plan the 2022-23 school year calendars with this date in mind.
If you have any questions, please ask your principal or manager/supervisor.