November 11th, 2024

Today is Remembrance Day, a day of solemn reflection and gratitude. The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) honours those who have served during times of war, conflict, and peace.

We honour all Canadians who have served and are serving to protect our country. This includes the sacrifices of many communities who have supported us today. Our recognition includes those who identify as:

  • 2SLGBTQIA+
  • Black
  • Chinese
  • Indigenous
  • Japanese
  • Jewish
  • Muslim
  • Sikh
  • Women

We are grateful for their service.

Marking Remembrance Day in the WRDSB

We will take this opportunity to increase learning and awareness of our storied history in relation to our present day liberties, advancements, strengths, and opportunities as a nation.
It is important for us as a board to pause on Remembrance Day to reflect on the past, acknowledge the challenges of our present, and hope for a more peaceful future.

National flags at all WRDSB schools and other board facilities will be lowered on November 11 to mark Remembrance Day.

Students and staff across WRDSB have been working on classroom lessons and activities, school-wide efforts to commemorate and honour the heroes who have served and continue to serve Canada during times of war, conflict, and peace.

Throughout our school board, we’re taking time to remember, reflect and appreciate the sacrifices of those who served. On Sunday, November 3, staff and students took part in the Sikh Remembrance Day Ceremony at Mount Hope Cemetery in Kitchener, to pay tribute to Private Buckam Singh, who was one of only nine Sikh soldiers allowed to serve with the Canadian Forces in WWI. On November 8, we marked National Indigenous Veterans Day, taking the opportunity to pause, reflect, remember, and honour the military service, sacrifices, and contributions made by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples in service to this country we now call Canada.

Ceremonies

For those families and community members who wish to take part in a Remembrance Day Ceremony in Waterloo Region, there are a number of options:

Cambridge

Galt

Location: Galt Cenotaph
Date: November 11, 2024
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Event Type: Parade

Hespeler

Location: Queen/Tannery Downtown Cenotaph
Date: November 11, 2024
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Event Type: Ceremony

Preston

Location: Preston Legion, 334 Westminster Drive North. Marching to the Preston Cenotaph
Date: November 11, 2024
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Event Type: Ceremony then marching to Preston Cenotaph

Elmira

Location: Elmira Cenotaph
Date: November 3, 2024
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Event Type: Ceremony and parade

Kitchener

Location: Kitchener Cenotaph, corner of Frederick St. and Duke St.
Date: November 11, 2024
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Event Type: Ceremony and parad

New Hamburg

Location: New Hamburg Cenotaph
Date: November 11, 2024
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Event Type: Parade

Waterloo

Location: Waterloo Cenotaph
Date: November 11, 2024
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Event Type: Ceremony

Please contact the organization hosting the ceremony if you have any questions about the event.