Sprucedale students mark Orange Shirt Day

Sprucedale Public School principal Lisa Cairncross addresses students during the school’s Truth and Reconciliation Day ceremony on Sept. 30. The Survivors’ Flag was flown at half-mast in remembrance of residential school Survivors, the children who never returned home and the lives and communities impacted by Canada’s residential school system. Contributed photo

By Diane Danen

Students at Sprucedale Public School in Shakespeare marked Orange Shirt Day and Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30 with classroom activities and a school-wide gathering.

The entire school gathered outside in the morning, where principal Lisa Cairncross addressed the students. Senior students then raised the Survivors’ Flag, which was flown at half-mast as an expression of remembrance for residential school survivors, the children who never returned home and the many lives and communities affected by the residential school system.

Students wore orange shirts and took part in classroom activities designed to help them learn about the history of residential schools and the meaning behind Orange Shirt Day.

Through wearing orange, participating in classroom activities and gathering together as a school, students and staff at Sprucedale joined communities across Canada in recognizing the history of residential schools and the importance of continuing to learn about truth and reconciliation.