O Canada in high school

[tasuinam]

So I was at my kids high school today - volunteered to give a presentation and since it was slot 1 - I was expecting an assembly in the gym with O Canada and the announcements for the day

I was surprised that kids were in their classrooms and O Canada was on the intercom AND no one even mouthed the words - kids stood up is all
When did this happen???????????
Do kids even know the words to O Canada anymore?

 

[Rob]

So I was at my kids high school today - volunteered to give a presentation and since it was slot 1 - I was expecting an assembly in the gym with O Canada and the announcements for the day

I was surprised that kids were in their classrooms and O Canada was on the intercom AND no one even mouthed the words - kids stood up is all
When did this happen???????????
Do kids even know the words to O Canada anymore?

Do any of us as Sparkle socks keeps changing the words.

 

[Mario]

Welcome to the new world! I am surprised its legal for them to play O Canada without insulting someone now a days!!!

 

[Freight Broker]

When I was going to school we had to stand and sing.. not too much of an ask.. I like the original version but the newer one is fine and probably more inclusive.

Better than mouthing the words to Oh Canada.. how about two years mandatory service in our military? Every newcomer.. everyone born in Canada on their 18th birthday.. two years. They're desperate for people... and we're falling short of our NATO obligations.. Oh Canada..

 

[tasuinam]

When I was going to school we had to stand and sing.. not too much of an ask.. I like the original version but the newer one is fine and probably more inclusive.

Better than mouthing the words to Oh Canada.. how about two years mandatory service in our military? Every newcomer.. everyone born in Canada on their 18th birthday.. two years. They're desperate for people... and we're falling short of our NATO obligations.. Oh Canada..

Was service ever mandatory? I thought it was only some countries that requeired it ...

 

[BPOVFB]

Nope and barring a land invasion, it shouldn't be. Though, maybe we start with the +50 crowd instead of the young-uns and new comers.

 

[Freight Broker]

Never mandatory to my knowledge, but it should be. We all benefit from the hard won freedoms most of us take for granted. Start with the 50+.. sure.. a lot of us have already done our time voluntarily.. so we could be utilised as trainers.. not a bad idea. Two years.. not a lifetime commitment.

 

[tasuinam]

Never mandatory to my knowledge, but it should be. We all benefit from the hard won freedoms most of us take for granted. Start with the 50+.. sure.. a lot of us have already done our time voluntarily.. so we could be utilised as trainers.. not a bad idea. Two years.. not a lifetime commitment.

two of my friends signed up in their 40s - midlife crisis and all .... loved every secodn of the training and got exceptionally cool gear like -2000 something rated sleeping bags

 

[Freight Broker]

The winter exercises in negative 30 temperatures.. feeling wet and freezing cold for days on end and being required to function.. gave me a better appreciation for life working indoors..that and a couple of construction jobs I had.. After that.. working indoors?.. WOW!

 

[Jim L]

I think that it would be better to make the kids do 4 weeks of volunteer in the military one summer to get their high school diploma. The military can have any program from age 14 up. It would give the kids some exposure and maybe give them the opportunity to have some direction in their life.

 

[tasuinam]

I think that it would be better to make the kids do 4 weeks of volunteer in the military one summer to get their high school diploma. The military can have any program from age 14 up. It would give the kids some exposure and maybe give them the opportunity to have some direction in their life.

my kids did Cadets - they had to wash and iron their uniforms and polish their shoes ... was torture for them
and there were kit inspections as well - all new cos goingto school in PJs is apparently accepatble now

 

[Jim L]

my kids did Cadets - they had to wash and iron their uniforms and polish their shoes ... was torture for them
and there were kit inspections as well - all new cos goingto school in PJs is apparently accepatble now

That is exactly my point - 4 weeks of that may give them a small window on how life really is. It may give them some sense of pride in themselves so they don't wear their bed clothes day and night.

 

[loaders]

What has made Canada such a great country is how for generations we have accepted immigrants from all over the world. In doing so we have been able to enjoy and experience all that these different cultures have to offer. Plus, as Canadians we ALL enjoy the right to worship and celebrate our holidays in any way and on any day we choose. Whether it is Greek Orthodox Christmas, Jewish Hanukkah, Hindu Dawahli , or Chinese New Years, they all make Canada a stronger and better place for “us Canadians” to live. I am of Irish descent and on March 17th (not a Canadian Holiday) every year I try and wear something green and definitely have a pint of Guinness to celebrate my Irish heritage. I hope that doesn’t bother you! Well actually, I don’t care if it does.

If you chose to live in Canada, you should represent as a Canadian. We have our National Anthem, holidays (Christmas, Halloween, Easter, St. Patricks Day, Valentines Day, New Years Eve). Everyone should be celebrating these days on the day it happens because you live in Canada.... Not on the day your country chooses.
You came to Canada because you didn't like your country or there were better opportunities here for you and your family.... So celebrate the way us Canadians Celebrate....

 

[tasuinam]

If you chose to live in Canada, you should represent as a Canadian. We have our National Anthem, holidays (Christmas, Halloween, Easter, St. Patricks Day, Valentines Day, New Years Eve). Everyone should be celebrating these days on the day it happens because you live in Canada.... Not on the day your country chooses.
You came to Canada because you didn't like your country or there were better opportunities here for you and your family.... So celebrate the way us Canadians Celebrate....

Not sure what this has to do with the discussion..... I was talking about the change in school assembly every morning

 

[tasuinam]

What has made Canada such a great country is how for generations we have accepted immigrants from all over the world. In doing so we have been able to enjoy and experience all that these different cultures have to offer. Plus, as Canadians we ALL enjoy the right to worship and celebrate our holidays in any way and on any day we choose. Whether it is Greek Orthodox Christmas, Jewish Hanukkah, Hindu Dawahli , or Chinese New Years, they all make Canada a stronger and better place for “us Canadians” to live. I am of Irish descent and on March 17th (not a Canadian Holiday) every year I try and wear something green and definitely have a pint of Guinness to celebrate my Irish heritage. I hope that doesn’t bother you! Well actually, I don’t care if it does.

LOVED the Chicago river turning green - was the highlight of the year ... I worked downtown and my first year there when I saw it - was amazed

 

[Eeyore]

Not sure what this has to do with the discussion..... I was talking about the change in school assembly every morning

Everything.... As you mentioned The Canadian National Anthem............. Schools aren't recognizing any of our Canadian Traditions.....

 

[tasuinam]

Everything.... As you mentioned The Canadian National Anthem............. Schools aren't recognizing any of our Canadian Traditions.....

they are - they just do it differently ... also part of being Canadian is understanding that people have different backgrounds - so on the holiday issue since you brought it up - Truth and Reconciliation is actually what should be the most Canadian value ... not valentine's day / halloween - that actually most Canadians also oppose as commercial ...

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms explictily states: so if I choose not to celebrate Christmas I do not automatically become non-Canadian .... all the holidays you mentioned are from the Judeo Christian tradition -

Fundamental freedoms​

Everyone in Canada is free to practise any religion or no religion at all. We are also free to express religious beliefs through prayer or by wearing religious clothing for example. However, the Charter also ensures that others also have the right to express their religious beliefs in public.

 

[loaders]

Learning the words to the National Anthem is great and I am glad to see that my 5 year old grandson can get most of the way through, with a bit of help from Gramps! Singing it occasionally is pretty good too. Learning about tolerance and the meaning of inclusiveness and appreciating what others have to offer are equally, if not more important. Canadian traditions and values go far beyond memorizing the words to a song.