Stephen Lecce tells schools to honour Queen’s funeral after York board warns discussion could be ‘triggering’

The province has told schools to honour Queen Elizabeth on Monday by observing a moment of silence and running activities to learn about her reign after one board told educators to avoid any tributes to her because that “can be triggering.”

Thestar.com
Sept. 16, 2022
Isabel Teotonio and Kristin Rushowy

The province has told schools to honour Queen Elizabeth on Monday by observing a moment of silence and running activities to learn about her reign, after one board told educators to avoid any tributes because that “can be triggering.”

Last Friday, the York Region District School Board sent a tip sheet to administrators about how staff should respond to students’ questions about the Queen’s death -- including not initiating discussions because it “can be triggering,” to “refrain from developing tributes or activities to memorialize” her death and to “not play ‘God Save the Queen’ during announcements.”

Students, it adds, have different lived experiences -- including hidden loss or trauma -- and while some are comfortable discussing the Queen’s death, others may not be.

The tip sheet also noted “monarchies are steeped in problematic histories of colonialism which connect to ongoing present day oppression of individuals and groups” and it’s important to consider how people’s experiences may shape their perspectives of the monarchy.

The tip sheet was sent prior to Premier Doug Ford announcing that Sept. 19, the day of her funeral, will be a provincial day of mourning. The federal government has declared it a holiday.

The Education Ministry then sent out a memo “strongly encouraging” staff and students to observe a moment of silence and told schools to “ensure that the day’s activities include learning about the many contributions the Queen made to our province, country, and Commonwealth, and the accession of King Charles III to the throne.”

The York school board was then told it must follow suit.

“We have made clear our direction that all schools are to recognize the profound impact of Queen Elizabeth II’s lifelong and unwavering devotion to public service,” Education Minister Stephen Lecce said in a statement to the Star.

He said he told the York board “to implement the province’s expectation, honour the Queen on the date of her funeral, and enrich students with a strong understanding of the values and enduring legacy of Canada’s constitutional democracy.”

The board has since sent a memo to its staff sharing the ministry’s directive, and asked that teachers “make plans that suit your classroom and school context appropriately.”

Board spokesperson Licinio Miguelo said the tip sheet was sent prior to the province’s announcement and that “it is common practice for us to provide resources to educators on responding to recent significant global events, particularly those regarding death.”

He said the focus “is always to ensure children are supported while in our classrooms. In a region as richly diverse as ours, there will be different reactions to news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.”

Ministry spokesperson Grace Lee said Lecce issued a letter last Friday to the entire education sector, encouraging discussion and memorials to celebrate the life of the Queen and has spoken to board chairs and directors.

Schools must schedule the moment of silence at 1 p.m., she said, adding “those students who choose not to participate do not have to, however all schools are to celebrate and memorialize the life of the late Queen.”

The Star contacted several boards around Greater Toronto, and all said they planned to hold a moment of silence and have informed principals to plan for that and other royal-related activities.