Remembrance Day 2021
Remembrance Day 2021 commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Poppy, Canada’s symbol of Remembrance. Today, the Poppy is worn each year to honour Canada’s Fallen.
In July of 1921, the Great War Veterans Association adopted the Poppy as the flower of Remembrance. The person who first introduced the Poppy to Canada and the Commonwealth was Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae of Guelph, Ontario, a Canadian Medical Officer during the First World War. John McCrae wrote his famous Poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ on a scrap of paper in May 1915, after seeing the beautiful, vivid red poppies. The idea for the Poppy was dreamed up by Madame Anna Guérin of France, after being inspired by John McCrae’s poem. Anna suggested that all WWI allies should use poppies as a tribute to fallen soldiers which should be made by French widows and orphans.
The banner above was created especially for CGS students by our own Paula. In commemorating Remembrance Day, we develop and exhibit the virtues of respect, leadership, citizenship, responsibility, and gratitude.
Early Start
The Early Start classes are learning all about the poppy! They even decorated a wreath for their classroom doors and made outdoor decorations!
Senior Kindergarten
The SK class learned that during WWI soldiers were given bears by their loved ones to remind them of what they were fighting for. People handmade bears for fundraising drives or to send to soldiers on the frontlines. Military units used teddy bears as mascots or good-luck charms. A very famous teddy bear, now showcased in the Canadian War Museum, also went to WWI and fought in the pocket of one of our Canadian heroes. A real black bear named Winnie the Bear and later named Winnie the Pooh by Christopher Robin at the London Zoo provided love and comfort to many soldiers in training camps in England.
During WWII teddy bears went to war once again and have been a warm and uplifting presence in subsequent wars and peacekeeping missions. The SK’s made their own Winnie the Pooh bears as a part of the CGS commemorative decorations.
CGS Remembrance Day Assembly
CGS commemorated together virtually. Special thanks to our classroom teachers, Carrie our art teacher and especially Mani our Music and drama teacher for their work putting this beautiful assembly together. Our classes sang, presented their art and writing to commemorate those who have fought so bravely for the freedom we enjoy today.
Our CGS Peace Tree was full of Post Cards for Peace. Students have been learning about what a Veteran is and what Canadian Armed Forces members do and were encouraged to write a postcard message of appreciation or how they will remember the sacrifices and achievements of Veterans or Canadian Armed Forces members. CGS Teachers hung the Post Cards for Peace early this morning as a beautiful way to recognize each student’s contribution.
Our resident photographer, Don, got some beautiful Remembrance Day commemorative photos from outside of the CGS building and from Sunnybrook.
