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Mother鈥檚 Day celebrations at B.C. elementary school takes inclusive approach

Grownups Who Love Us Day invites students to celebrate any adult who takes on important roles
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An elementary school in Abbotsford won鈥檛 just be celebrating moms this week.

Students at Centennial Park elementary will be welcome to commemorate 鈥淕rownups Who Love Us鈥 Day, as well.

Several parents expressed confusion and outrage online over a school notice that went out earlier this week, while others supported the idea.

Kevin Godden, superintendent of schools for Abbotsford School District, said the decision was made together as a school.

鈥淪chool admin and staff discussed this amendment to the celebrated holiday last week to recognize the complexity and diversity of the school community they serve,鈥 he told The News.

鈥淔amily structures look different from home to home,鈥 he explained. 鈥淭he intention behind this day is to ensure the students at Centennial Park Elementary have a safe and inclusive space to celebrate mothers - and the grownups in their lives who love and support them.鈥

As some noted on a now-deleted post on social media, children have many important adults in their lives who step in as caregivers, including grandparents, foster parents, and even older siblings.

It鈥檚 certainly not the first school to be more inclusive on Mother鈥檚 Day or Father鈥檚 Day. Several schools in the Fraser Valley and beyond have been in the news in years past for making similar decisions for their students.

READ MORE: Letter says students can鈥檛 make Mother鈥檚 Day gifts at school


@CHWKcommunity
jessica.peters@abbynews.com

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Jessica Peters

About the Author: Jessica Peters

I am proud to be the editor of the Chilliwack Progress. When not at work, I'm busy hiking our local mountains and travelling around the province.
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