June is a month of celebrations and acknowledgments. This month, as is true all year, schools at the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board are committed to creating inclusive learning environments where every student and family is welcome and respected.
Throughout the month, SMCDSB schools will acknowledge the Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, National Indigenous History Month and Pride Month through classroom learning, activities, prayer and more.
Families at home are also invited to learn more and participate in this month’s recognitions.
Please see the resources below:
The Sacred Heart of Jesus
The heart is a well-known symbol for love and life. The Sacred Heart of Jesus represents Jesus’ love for all humankind and the life it gives us. Jesus did not actually have a flaming heart in His chest, but this image helps us understand His strong and burning love for each one of us.
Jesus respected the dignity of all God’s children. It showed in His words and actions. Jesus offered healing, help, and welcome to so many people. He did this regardless of their age, sex, language, ethnicity, culture, or ability.
Jesus emphasized His great love in His ministry. He also shared how much it hurt Him that people did not seem to care for others. The Friday that follows the second Sunday after Pentecost is the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
On this feast day, we thank Jesus for His love and sacrifice. We recommit to living and loving as Jesus did. We continue His mission by doing what we can to love all of God’s children and share our faith with them. In this way, we may fulfill God’s plan for His diverse world.
Learn more about The Sacred Heart of Jesus on the Archdiocese of Toronto website.
National Indigenous History Month
June is National Indigenous History Month - a time for all Canadians to reflect upon and learn the history, sacrifices, cultures, contributions, and strength of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Officially recognized in 2009, this month also highlights the importance of learning about the distinct and diverse stories and experiences among Indigenous Peoples - past and present - as part of our shared history.
Learn more about National Indigenous History Month on the Government of Canada Website and see our Board’s Territorial Acknowledgement.
Pride Month
This year, our board will celebrate Pride Month in a variety of ways—from rainbow flags in schools and other board buildings, to displays of support and acceptance on social media, prayers and messages that highlight how important love, welcome and understanding are for us as a Catholic school board.
The Pride flag that you will be seeing during the month of June is a more recent development of the earlier “rainbow” flag, which dates back to 1978. Its designer, Gilbert Baker, said that each stripe represented a key theme associated with Pride:
Red for life; Orange for healing; Yellow for sunlight; Green for nature; Blue for harmony/serenity; and Purple for spirit. We believe that these are values that are profoundly compatible with Christianity.
In recent years, triangular chevrons have been added to the left side of the flag, to produce what is now called the “Progress Pride” flag. It includes black and brown stripes, to recognize Black and Indigenous people, and other People of Colour (who have long been leaders in the LGBTQ2S+ movement). The light pink and powder blue stripes represent transgender men and women, and the white triangle stands for those who identify otherwise. This newer version of the flag also recognizes the “intersection” of issues of racism, sexual orientation and gender identity, and the struggle for equity and justice for all people who suffer exclusion, misunderstanding or oppression in our societies.