Aa
Calgary students can opt out of Remembrance Day ceremonies, few do
Like their Edmonton counterparts, Calgary students are able to opt out of Remembrance Day ceremonies if their parents choose, officials said Thursday.
Noting it rarely happens, Calgary Board of Education spokeswoman Karen Drummond said students can withdraw from events and ceremonies.
“This is something we’ve had provisions for in our policy for quite some time,” she said.
“We have a policy that states parents have the option of withdrawing their student from activities on the grounds of religious beliefs.
“It’s something that has been going on for some time and we’re prepared to address whenever these things take place.”
All schools in the Calgary public system hold ceremonies to observe Remembrance Day, and very few students choose to not take part.
“I don’t think we’re seeing any increase in numbers,” said Drummond.
“It’s a small number of students who opt out, but it’s something that does happen.”
All schools in the Calgary Catholic system observe Remembrance Day through ceremonies as well, and while they are able to, spokesman Janet Corsten said she isn’t aware of any students choosing not to take part.
“If that was to occur and a parent was to request that their child be removed from a Remembrance Day ceremony, obviously we would work with the parents but it has never been a concern for us.
“Oftentimes the Remembrance Day ceremonies are woven into liturgy, because we are a Catholic system.”
While some expressed outrage at students being able to skip the ceremonies, retired major-general Lewis MacKenzie said earlier this week freely made choices should be honoured.
“It’s unfortunate but there are all kinds of factors, especially when related to religion,” said the 71-year-old veteran.
“That’s an understandable reaction but if it’s in rare cases, it’s not fair or just to make a big deal out of it.”
http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/11/08/calgary-students-can-opt-out-of-remembrance-day-ceremonies-rarely-do
Noting it rarely happens, Calgary Board of Education spokeswoman Karen Drummond said students can withdraw from events and ceremonies.
“This is something we’ve had provisions for in our policy for quite some time,” she said.
“We have a policy that states parents have the option of withdrawing their student from activities on the grounds of religious beliefs.
“It’s something that has been going on for some time and we’re prepared to address whenever these things take place.”
All schools in the Calgary public system hold ceremonies to observe Remembrance Day, and very few students choose to not take part.
“I don’t think we’re seeing any increase in numbers,” said Drummond.
“It’s a small number of students who opt out, but it’s something that does happen.”
All schools in the Calgary Catholic system observe Remembrance Day through ceremonies as well, and while they are able to, spokesman Janet Corsten said she isn’t aware of any students choosing not to take part.
“If that was to occur and a parent was to request that their child be removed from a Remembrance Day ceremony, obviously we would work with the parents but it has never been a concern for us.
“Oftentimes the Remembrance Day ceremonies are woven into liturgy, because we are a Catholic system.”
While some expressed outrage at students being able to skip the ceremonies, retired major-general Lewis MacKenzie said earlier this week freely made choices should be honoured.
“It’s unfortunate but there are all kinds of factors, especially when related to religion,” said the 71-year-old veteran.
“That’s an understandable reaction but if it’s in rare cases, it’s not fair or just to make a big deal out of it.”
http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/11/08/calgary-students-can-opt-out-of-remembrance-day-ceremonies-rarely-do
Okay, there wasn't a draft but if you are a complete Pacifist then you would be opposed to your country going to war at all.
The US no longer has the draft yet many are upset about the Wars we've been waging. There were people in the US who didn't want us in WWll.
If you are totally opposed to war in all situations, you could see a day set aside to remember vets as a day set aside to remember or even glorify war.
You feel as you do for a variety or reasons, and understanding doesn't negate how you feel.
The US no longer has the draft yet many are upset about the Wars we've been waging. There were people in the US who didn't want us in WWll.
If you are totally opposed to war in all situations, you could see a day set aside to remember vets as a day set aside to remember or even glorify war.
You feel as you do for a variety or reasons, and understanding doesn't negate how you feel.
OH, perhaps. I hadn't thought of that, and it does give me a different perspective. But we have never ever had a draft here, so all who chose to serve volunteered to do so. And so even those who are complete and total pacifists should be grateful (at least in my mind) that they had the right to opt out. I still cannot be ok with this.
In trying to understand the objection, the only thing that comes to mind is some people are against war for any reason. If you were a Pacifist I could understand the view that honoring vets is a form of approving war.
Maybe if you were a Quaker you wouldn't want you kids participating.
I can see from that view point why someone would be opposed.
Maybe if you were a Quaker you wouldn't want you kids participating.
I can see from that view point why someone would be opposed.
But please always remember why you have the right to do so is my only issue here.
EXACTLY!!!!!
I know what happens here is probably not as big an interest as what is going on in the US right now, but thanks for commenting and understanding. This is just such a huge deal here.....all over the media.
My goodness!!! Of course anything is a big issue, and quite frankly it's nice to not be talking about US for a change!!
EXACTLY!!!!!
I know what happens here is probably not as big an interest as what is going on in the US right now, but thanks for commenting and understanding. This is just such a huge deal here.....all over the media.
My goodness!!! Of course anything is a big issue, and quite frankly it's nice to not be talking about US for a change!!
Haha..I like bobbling better!
I know what happens here is probably not as big an interest as what is going on in the US right now, but thanks for commenting and understanding. This is just such a huge deal here.....all over the media. I too do not understand why religion is an issue.
Canada is not designated a Christian country by the UN. We are multicultural and a distinct society, which means that we honor and respect all religions. So our public services are very generic and very non denominational. Pray to whom you choose, or choose not to pray, that is ok. But please always remember why you have the right to do so is my only issue here. And our children have to be taught why that is so incredibly important.
I know what happens here is probably not as big an interest as what is going on in the US right now, but thanks for commenting and understanding. This is just such a huge deal here.....all over the media. I too do not understand why religion is an issue.
Canada is not designated a Christian country by the UN. We are multicultural and a distinct society, which means that we honor and respect all religions. So our public services are very generic and very non denominational. Pray to whom you choose, or choose not to pray, that is ok. But please always remember why you have the right to do so is my only issue here. And our children have to be taught why that is so incredibly important.
OR....mind BOGGLING!!!!!
LMAO!
LMAO!
What possible "religous" reason could someone have for not honoring veterans who fought for your rights?? I don't get it. I swear, some people just like to buck the system, because they can.
Very disrespectful.
I mean, I guess it's good that's it's not mandatory, but still...it's just mind bobbling!
Very disrespectful.
I mean, I guess it's good that's it's not mandatory, but still...it's just mind bobbling!
Thanks MrsP. I really appreciate your understanding. This is just such an upsetting thing for me. I still cannot believe some would object to their children remembering our veterans. We may be a small military force here, but they fought bravely and so many of them died for what they believed.
"And maybe everyone needs to remember that the entire reason all of us are free to pray (or not pray) as we choose to whom we choose is BECAUSE of our vets. They fought for that right for everyone!! "
Amen Sista!!
Amen Sista!!
And maybe everyone needs to remember that the entire reason all of us are free to pray (or not pray) as we choose to whom we choose is BECAUSE of our vets. They fought for that right for everyone!!
Is your veterans day also on Sunday? We have a moment of silence on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Then we lay wreaths and have services to honor those that have served. It's always been a big deal to me and I guess that it was instilled in me how lucky I am to have been born in a free country, and why we are a free country. It makes me sad that someone would choose not to honor those that have served. All religions and all ethnic background served, and our services do have prayer, but it is very non denominational. It just hurts me to my core that anyone would choose not to allow their children to participate in school services. We can never ever forget.
Our Veterans day is on Sunday..11/11:)
Remembrance day is like our Veterans day.
"I do not care what your ethnic origin or religious beliefs - that is your choice and I will respect that. But when you choose to not honor those that died for us? I have a problem with that. "
I agree! I can't even imagine why they would not want to honor your vets..Thank you to both your grandfathers for serving. I respect ANYONE that gives their life for their country....
"I do not care what your ethnic origin or religious beliefs - that is your choice and I will respect that. But when you choose to not honor those that died for us? I have a problem with that. "
I agree! I can't even imagine why they would not want to honor your vets..Thank you to both your grandfathers for serving. I respect ANYONE that gives their life for their country....
This weekend is a long weekend here in Canada to celebrate Remembrance Day. Both my grandfathers are veterans (although no longer with us), so this is a big deal to me. I have various mementos (a ww1 paybook, helmet, etc.) that I proudly keep. My son is almost 3, and with great pride I intend to take him to ceramonies on Sunday. I believe it is incredibly important that he know why we are a free country and that people like his great grandfathers fought and risked their lives to keep us that way. And of course so many who have given their lives to ensure we enjoy all the freedoms we have today. So when I read this story, and of course it's been all over our news, I was horrified. Horrified that some parents actually choose that their children NOT be involved in Remembrance Day. In my country we are all imigrants unless you are Aboriginal. I do not care what your ethnic origin or religious beliefs - that is your choice and I will respect that. But when you choose to not honor those that died for us? I have a problem with that.
You must join this user group in order to participate in this discussion.
You are reading content posted in the Current Events . . . Group
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
