From Red Deer Public Schools

Remembrance Day ceremonies go virtual for Red Deer Public Schools

Recognizing Remembrance Day in our schools and remembering those who fought and continue to fight for our freedom is extremely important to students and staff in Red Deer Public Schools – in fact, it’s one of the biggest ceremonies on our school calendar each year.

With COVID-19, schools are not able to host their traditional Remembrance Day ceremonies given the limits on assemblies in schools. Red Deer Public Schools had to think outside the box on how all 12,000 of our students and staff would commemorate Remembrance Day. Schools came together and produced a dynamic video that will be shown Division-wide on November 5.

“Our Remembrance Day video has a strong Red Deer connection with all our schools participating in the production,” said Bruce Buruma, Director of Community Relations. “We showcase Red Deer landmarks that were used during the wars with details from local Historian Michael Dawe. We honour Red Deer Public students who served in World Wars I and II. Throughout the presentation we showcase amazing student art with Remembrance Day themes.”

Commemorating the 75 anniversary of the end of World War II, the video highlights the Dutch Liberation. “Two Red Deer women share their story of the difficult times growing up in Holland under German occupation. Even today, you can see the joy in their faces when they remember what it was like being liberated by Canadian soldiers at the end of the war,” said Buruma.

Community invited to watch our Remembrance Day Video. With local Remembrance Day ceremonies cancelled due to the pandemic, Red Deer Public Schools invites our community to watch the video, which can be viewed here.