International Transgender Day of Remembrance

To commemorate the International Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20th, the Early Learners and the Grade one/two students welcomed a story being read about gender, identity and acceptance of one another. The book "from the stars in the sky to the fish in the sea" written by a Toronto author is a beautiful picture book that captivated the students with words that foster identity formation from the heart. The students ideas and thoughts generated deep discussion about the importance of being true to what you feel inside and trying not to conform to the binary gender norms that many in society dictate. 

After the story was read, the students shared their thoughts and ideas around why the hashtag for the International Transgender Day of Remembrance would be #wewontbeerased...here is what they said:

Ad – they won’t be pushed away; fight for your rights; if we are united, we can help

C – will always be remembered; it doesn’t matter about your gender; don’t play with people who are bullying but instead talk to them so you can start to be their friend

G – never forget your family; remember everyone; don’t let people push you around

M – don’t let other people push you around; don’t erase you – it means, like, erasing means taking something away, you are there, then they take you away, and they may laugh at you; don’t listen to other people, always be true to yourself; if bullies push you around stand up to them

Ap – violence hurts everyone; think what you think and think about what something means

Ke – remember your sisters, and your grandmas and grandpas

Z – you have your rights and stick with your rights; be yourself and help other people; don’t be somebody else to make friends – be yourself

S – remember your friends

Ka – it doesn’t matter what other people think