Holocaust Remembrance Day: Remembering, Respecting and Reflecting
Last Thursday, Grade 8 students Matthew Weinroth and Ethan Starkman spoke to the assembled Middle School to honour International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Carolyn Du ‘24 and Zak Khan ‘25 did the same at Monday's Middle/Senior School Assembly.
Our school has a particularly heartfelt tradition of paying our respects on Remembrance Day and that was certainly the case this past Fall during our November 11 ceremonies.
Our tradition of remembrance and respect will also be evident in March when about 30 CDS students visit France, Belgium and Holland to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, retrace the route of Canadian soldiers across western Europe, and visit poignant sites such as the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam.
There are other dates in the calendar worthy of remembrance and reflection and one of those occurred this past weekend. Our students presented a reverent and touching summary of International Holocaust Remembrance Day at both these assemblies.
The United Nations has put forward International Holocaust Remembrance Day to be observed on January 27th each year. The date of January 27 was chosen because it marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration and death camp in 1945.
International Holocaust Remembrance Day is a day dedicated to remembering the victims of the Holocaust. At a time when our world really needs it, our community embraces the guidance from the UN and UNESCO to speak about the lessons of Holocaust history as we commemorate the victims and honour the survivors.
It is a time for reflection and to heighten our awareness about the consequences of discrimination, hatred, and prejudice. The day encourages individuals and communities to stand together against antisemitism and all forms of hatred and persecution.
Our student presentations encouraged our students to carry on the tradition of remembrance and respect that is so strong at CDS as we demonstrate kindness through our thoughts, words and actions - here at school and beyond.
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
