Category: Library News

There’s a new interactive display in the library where you can test your numeracy skills; it’s a giant Sudoku board! The board will change weekly so you can give it a try more than once. We just ask that you return the yellow number to the storage area after you’re done so that other students can give it a try. Not sure how to play? Check out this site for instructions.

Looking for something to read in February? Why not pick a novel full of love and romance in honour of Valentine’s Day? Come check out our display of recommended romantic reads in the library.

“February is Black History Month and it gives British Columbians an opportunity to honour, celebrate and reflect on the stories, experiences and accomplishments of Black Canadians.  This year, Canada marks the 28th official Black History Month, and this year’s theme is “Ours to Tell.”  Sharing the many stories of success, sacrifice, resilience, triumph and community will hopefully help inspire our students and communities to work together to build a more equitable society that is inclusive and leaves no one behind.” 

– Beth Applewhite, District Principal, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

To help staff and students better recognize and celebrate Black History Month in Canada, our wonderful Alpha CARES team has generated a handout with excellent links and information.

CTV also has a great article that highlights Priceville, which was a thriving Black community in Ontario. In the article, there is a great audio clip on writer Tanya Hayles, who discusses why it’s important for Canadians to celebrate Black Excellence throughout the year.

Additional Resources:

• List of Famous Black Canadians
• Vancouver Black Library
• Black Strathcona Tours
• Periodic Tale of Black Canadian History
• Black History Month: Canadian Pioneers
• Looking at the Legacy of Joe Fortes
• Africville: A Community Destroyed
• CBC Short: Harry Jerome
• A Place to Belong: Hogan’s Alley
• The Story of Viola Desmond
• Rosemary Brown: Canada’s First Black MLA
• Remembering Canada’s All Black Batalian
• International Decade for People of African Decent
• Government of Canada: Black History Month
• Canadian Encyclopedia: Black History
• Black Scientists in Canada
• Remembering Black Loyalist and Communities

September 30th has been declared Truth and Reconciliation Day annually in Canada, in recognition of the harm the residential school system did to children’s sense of self-esteem and well being, and as an affirmation of our commitment to ensure that everyone around us matters. It is a day to listen, learn, and celebrate Indigenous cultures, strength, and resiliency. This year we are celebrating it on September 29th, in schools.

For additional information check out some of the following sites:

• A History of Residential Schools in Canada
• Where are the Children – Healing the impacts of Residential Schools
• UBC – The Residential School System
• Do You Live Near a Residential School? CBC
• 3-minute video with an interview with Phyllis Webstad.
• Heritage Minute: The Chanie Wenjack Story
• Historica: Intergenerational Trauma
• Editorial + Podcast: Kamloops 21 – What’s Happened Since?
• Wawahte – Stories from Residential Schools
• Video by Justice Murray Sinclair called “What is Reconciliation”
• Spoken word poem about Decolonization and Reconciliation
• TED talk by Kevin Lamoureux on Reconciliation
• On Reconciliation – Short Esssay by Richard Wagamese

• The National Centre for Truth & Reconciliation (NCTR) has a free educational program (September 26^th to 30^th ) that is open available now for you to register to join.  This year’s theme is “Remembering the Children”