Toronto District School Board Recognizes "Filipino Independence Day" on June 12, 2021

 

By Tony A. San Juan, OCT-Retired
Toronto-Canada
November 29, 2020
 


Canada's largest publicly-supported school board, the Toronto District School Board( TDSB), has recently approved to mark and observe next year "Filipino Independence Day" on June 12, 2021, a "Day of Significance" specifically in the Toronto public -school system. TDSB,  through its school year calendar, is proud to recognize this meaningful day of significance to the Filipino students, their families, and the community in general.

The salient action is a welcome move as part of the policy on equity and diversity in recognizing a number of history and heritage events in the city's public schools among which is the "Filipino Heritage Day". The important day is in commemoration of the Philippine Independence Day as well as the celebration of the unique, vibrant, and rich culture and contributions of Filipinos in Canada. Thus, the day is a great opportunity for understanding Filipino heritage and achieving shared pride for many Filipino Canadian students at the Toronto District School Board.

Ms. Fermer Santos, a long-serving high school vice-principal at TDSB, together with retired teacher Mr. Tony A. San Juan, also from TDSB, coordinated with the office of Mr. Peter Langford and Mr. Pardeet Nagra, TDSB Employment Equity Office in having a Filipino heritage-focused celebration day on June 12, 2021, to be officially recognized and included in the School Board’s calendar of "Days of Significance".  Demographically, the Board is one of the most diverse school boards in Canada, serving approximately 247,000 students in 583 elementary and secondary schools throughout Toronto with about 23% of the student population born outside Canada and over 120 languages spoken by TDSB students and their families.

The school system calendar “highlights secular and creed- based observances and holidays, significant events and celebrations, public holidays, and other important dates". The school year calendar of events provides information considered by school administrative heads, instructional staff, students, parents, and community organizations when planning educational events, school-related activities, and other important observances.

The Board-generated calendar periodically shows an "impressive list of mainly religious, cultural, and non-Canadian celebrations for a public school". Accommodations and inclusion in the "Day of Significance List" are "made formally and determined on an individual basis subject to the operational procedures of the Board regarding creed beliefs, practices, and observances". The countdown for the school system-wide celebration of the Filipino Heritage Day known officially as "Filipino Independence Day" on the calendar now begins. (Tony A. San Juan, OCT-Retired).