The TDSB is proud to recognize important days of significance throughout the school year, including a number of heritage and history months. TDSB Committees, made up of community members and staff, are in place for many of these to plan activities that celebrate the month and our diverse TDSB community.
September is:
- Ukrainian Heritage Month
- Hispanic Heritage Month
October is:
- Islamic Heritage Month
- Somali Heritage Month
- Latin America History Month
- Dwarfism Awareness Month
Days of Significance:
- October 2: Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur
This week, many of our friends and neighbours will be celebrating a very important Jewish holiday called Yom Kippur. You might hear it called the “Day of Atonement” because it’s a special day for people to say sorry for any mistakes they’ve made over the past year.
On Yom Kippur, people think about how they can be better friends, siblings, and people. It’s a day to forgive others and ask for forgiveness. One of the main ways people observe the holiday is by fasting, which means they don’t eat or drink anything from the evening before until the evening of Yom Kippur. It’s a way to help them focus and feel closer to their community.
The holiday is a serious and thoughtful one, but it’s also a time of hope. It reminds everyone that it’s never too late to try your best and be a good person.
Dwarfism Awareness Month
October is Dwarfism Awareness Month, with International Dwarfism Awareness Day on October 25th. This day celebrates people with dwarfism and spreads awareness.
Dwarfism is a medical or genetic condition that results in short stature, but it doesn’t stop people from doing amazing things! A great organization called Little People of America provides support and information to individuals with dwarfism and their families.
We encourage all students to wear green on Friday, October 24th, to show our support. The date honours Billy Barty, an American actor with dwarfism who founded Little People of America in 1957.
If students, staff, or families wish to share additional resources, personal narratives, or upcoming events, please don’t hesitate to email AllenbyDEI (DEI is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion).