September 19, 2013
On Wednesday, September 25, at 10 a.m., over 2,100 elementary and secondary students from some 15 Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario (CSCNO) schools will gather at Place Bonaventure (4764 Regional Road) in Chelmsford to take part in the celebration of the provincial Franco-Ontarian Day. As it has since 2008, this annual Francophone pride event will begin with an animated march and conclude with a host of events on the École secondaire catholique Champlain school grounds (61 Brookside St.). All members of the community are invited to attend this event organized by Champlain students and staff. First held in 2008, this pride building activity is very popular among CSCNO students, staff and families.
Wearing green and white clothing and proudly waving Franco-Ontarian flags and school banners, participants in this celebration of Franco-Ontarian vitality will march through the streets of Chelmsford. This animated march (tintamarre) will be followed by a concert featuring the internationally-renowned master drummer Amadou Kienou and his band, as well as and Gilles Parent, a variety of activities and a barbecue. The celebration will conclude at 1 p.m.
The provincial Franco-Ontarian day, celebrated officially for the fourth time, will take place on September 25th. The selected date coincides with the anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian flag, flown for the first time in Sudbury in 1975.
Students and staff from É.s.c. Champlain and the CSCNO take great pride in celebrating our flag’s 38th anniversary. While recognizing our Francophone and Catholic heritage, this activity promotes the excellence and dedication of our students as they seek to widen their Francophone space and fully live their culture in the province of Ontario.