Background
Participation in and exposure to patriotic exercises play an important role in the development of good citizenship in students.
Procedures
- Patriotic exercises will be designed to develop:
- An understanding and appreciation of what it means to be a Canadian;
- An awareness of civic rights, obligations and responsibilities; and
- A feeling of pride in our cultural heritage, which can flourish in the Canadian Mosaic.
- A student may be excluded from patriotic exercises on receipt by a Principal of a written statement signed by a parent. The student may be permitted to leave the classroom or remain without taking part. Exclusion from patriotic exercises will be without prejudice to any other activities of the school.
- Each morning before regular instruction commences, all individuals shall stand to participate in the playing of the National Anthem.
- The Canadian Flag, the Alberta Flag and portraits of the King shall be prominently displayed in each school, particularly in areas where students congregate for special activities.
- Whenever students are gathered for functions sponsored by the school and if circumstances are amenable, the activity shall be opened with the singing of "O Canada".
- Each Principal shall develop procedures, which will involve students and staff, to meet the intent of this Administrative Procedure.
- Remembrance Day is to be acknowledged and honoured as outlined below:
- Each Principal shall ensure a Remembrance Day Ceremony is conducted. All students shall either attend the ceremony or remain in the school elsewhere.
- On the school day immediately preceding November 11 at least two (2) minutes of silence from 11:00 a.m. to 11:02 a.m. will be observed in a Remembrance Day ceremony or by another appropriate means.
- In the event that staff and/or students, for reason of conscience, are unable or unwilling to participate, they shall make it known to the Principal so that alternate arrangements can be made.