As we enter the month of June, a month devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we are reminded of the many opportunities we have as a Catholic learning community to reflect on faith, hope, dignity, and belonging. Rooted in the example of Christ and guided by His love, we are called to accompany one another with compassion, mercy, and respect.
At the 91pro视频 (HCDSB), we remain committed to nurturing safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning and working environments where every student, staff member, and family is valued, respected, and supported.
June also holds significance across Canada as National Indigenous History Month and Pride Month. This year, Ontario will also recognize the first official Ontario Day on June 1. Together, these observances invite us to deepen our understanding of one another, honour the diversity within our communities, and continue walking together in a spirit of justice, reconciliation, and hope.
Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
This year, our Catholic community is invited to pray together in preparation for the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
During Catholic Education Week, we reflected on our shared call to be pilgrims of hope on the pathway to holiness. As we continue that journey together, we pray that the love of Christ鈥檚 Sacred Heart 鈥� a heart that overflows with love for each and every one of us 鈥� may guide our words, actions, and relationships within our schools and communities.
Our novena begins with a preparation day on Wednesday, June 3rd, and ends on Friday, June 12th, on the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus .
As the oldest novena in the Church, it remains a powerful way to pray for renewal, guidance, and unity.
Learn more about the Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
National Indigenous History Month
June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, with a special focus on National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21st. Throughout the month, we honour the history, cultures, languages, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and M茅tis Peoples. It is a time to deepen our understanding of Indigenous identity and perspectives 鈥� including treaty relationships, leadership, resurgence, and creativity.
In HCDSB classrooms, students will engage in learning that reflects Indigenous experiences, stories, and voices 鈥� helping to foster greater awareness, respect, and reconciliation.
Learn more about Indigenous History Month at HCDSB.
Ontario Day – June 1st
On June 1, schools across Ontario will recognize Ontario Day, a provincial observance that celebrates the people, cultures, histories, and contributions that have shaped our province.
Established under the Ontario Day Act, June 1 marks the anniversary of the day in 1867 when Ontario officially became a province. Ontario Day provides an opportunity to reflect on our shared history, celebrate the rich diversity of our communities, and learn more about the people, places, and events that continue to shape Ontario today.
Throughout the day, students across HCDSB will participate in learning experiences that encourage curiosity, reflection, and civic engagement while exploring what it means to be part of Ontario’s story.
Learn more about Ontario Day at HCDSB.
Pride Month
As Catholics, we believe that we are all made in鈥痶he鈥痠mage and likeness of God, who created us and loves us unconditionally 鈥� just as we are. We are called鈥痶o鈥痥now, love and celebrate one another, just as God knows, loves and celebrates each one of us because we are 鈥渨onderfully made.鈥� We鈥痟onour鈥痶he鈥痠nherent dignity in each other by treating one another with sensitivity, compassion and respect. 鈥�
During鈥痶he鈥痬onth of June, our HCDSB schools will be鈥痳aising awareness around Pride Month鈥痑nd will journey alongside鈥痶he 2SLGBTQIA+ community in creating spaces of welcome in a search of dignity and justice for all.鈥疶he鈥痠nformation shared with students will be age-appropriate and consistent with grade-level curriculum expectations. As with all material that is taught in our Catholic schools, it will be presented through鈥痶he鈥痩ens of our Catholic faith.鈥��Click here鈥痶o鈥痳eview鈥痶he鈥痵tudent learning goals by division.
In keeping with鈥痶he鈥�91pro视频 motion passed on January 18, 2022, throughout鈥痶he鈥痬onth of June, our Catholic Education Centre and each of our HCDSB schools will fly鈥痶he鈥疨ride鈥痜lag鈥痑s a symbol of our commitment鈥痶o鈥痭urturing safe, welcoming and inclusive communities.鈥燬chools and the Catholic Education Centre will raise the Pride flag on the first instructional day in June 鈥� this year, that date falls on Monday, June 1, 2026. Learn more about Pride Month at HCDSB.
In our Catholic schools, we welcome and value all students, families, and staff, and celebrate the diversity within our communities. As we enter this meaningful month, may we continue to be guided by Christ’s example of love and compassion as we honour the dignity of every person and foster communities where all are welcome and all belong.
John Klein
Director of Education
