Because there is no school on September 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we will observe Orange Shirt Day on Sept. 29.

In June, the federal government passed legislation to make September 30 a federal statutory holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

This day will be observed in Saskatchewan, but it is not yet a statutory holiday in Saskatchewan for employees who are not federally regulated.

To honour the spirit and intent of the federal declaration, to honour collective agreements for some job classifications that follow federally regulated statutory holidays, and to align with provincial regulations for learning hours, we are making September 30 a Professional Learning and Development (PLD) day, and students will not attend classes.

• Saskatoon and area elementary schools: The previously planned PLD day on October 8 will be a school day for students.
• Humboldt elementary schools: The previously planned PLD day on June 6 will be a school day for students.
• St Gabriel School in Biggar: The previously planned PLD day on October 12 will be a school day for students.
• Saskatoon high schools: The previously planned early dismissal days in October and March will now be full days of classes for students. 

As part of our collective response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, professional development for staff on this day will be designed to help deepen our understanding of—and commitments to—the history and impact of residential schools, reconciliation, and anti-racist education . We invite you to reflect on your own this day to honour the intent of the federal declaration.

We will observe Orange Shirt Day on September 29.