International Walk to School Month

International Walk to School Month (IWALK) is an annual mass celebration of active transportation that takes place around the world throughout the month of October. 

Schools across Ontario can celebrate IWALK with special events on IWALK Day (the first Wednesday of October) or anytime throughout the month. Register your celebration activities and events with us!  

Use these promotional materials, resources, and activities to help you celebrate IWALK in your community! International Walk to School Month  

Women’s History Month

“We want women leaders today as never before. Leaders who are not afraid to be called names and who are willing to go out and fight. I think women can save civilization. Women are persons.”- Emily Murphy (1931)

Every October since 1992, Canada celebrates Women’s History Month, with the highlight being Person’s Day on October 18. October has been selected because of the historical significance of the “Persons Case” decision of 1929, a landmark victory in the struggle of Canadian women for equality.

Women’s History Month in October every year gives teachers a chance to help students begin to appreciate women’s contributions to history, and as part of that history, women’s fight for equality as a powerful social movement.

Learning Disabilities Awareness Month

Learning Disabilities Awareness Month is observed to increase understanding and reduce stigma surrounding learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and ADHD. Throughout October, organizations like the Learning Disability Association of Canada and the Learning Disabilities Association of Alberta provide resources, host events, and encourage conversations to foster empathy and support for those with learning differences and their families. 

Canadian Autism Awareness Month

October is Autism Awareness Month, where we come together to increase understanding and awareness of autism and to help end the stigma and discrimination that some Autistic people experience.

It is estimated that 1 in 50 children and youth aged 1 to 17 have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in Canada.

National Principals’ Month

CELEBRATE – Express your gratitude and let your principal know just how much their tireless efforts and dedication mean to you!

ADVOCATE – Lend your voice toward fortifying the principal pipeline, enhancing mental health support for students and educators, and protecting critical federal funding for K-12 schools.

Islamic Heritage Month

October is Canadian Islamic History Month, a time to celebrate Muslim heritage and recognize the significant contributions Muslims have made. It is an opportunity to learn about and appreciate Muslim culture, and to acknowledge the ongoing challenges and barriers that Muslim Canadians face.

Recognizing Canadian Islamic History Month can help combat anti-Islamic sentiment while supporting a compassionate, inclusive and safer Canada for everyone. The occasion is an opportunity to learn more about a segment of the Canadian population that is often misunderstood. Through education, community events and the sharing of positive stories, Canadians can connect and grow closer.

German Heritage Month

Almost 10% of Canadians claim some degree of German heritage, but our relationship is more than names on a family tree: about 400,000 Canadians travel to Germany each year and vice versa.

Library and Archives Canada’s collections offer a view into the contributions of people with German heritage to Canadian history and the ongoing relationship that we share.

Korean Heritage Month

Ontario is home to about 80,000 Korean Canadians. Koreans started to migrate to Ontario after the devastating Second World War (1939-1945) and Korean War (1950-1953), both of which heavily affected the Korean peninsula. 

Korean Canadians have made important contributions to the economic, political, social and cultural fabric of Ontario’s society. Having a Korean Heritage Month will provide an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about the outstanding achievements and contributions of Korean Canadians in the province of Ontario.

Cyber Security Awareness Month

Cyber Security Awareness Month (Cyber Month) is an internationally recognized campaign held each October to help the public learn more about the importance of cyber security. The campaign helps Canadians stay secure online by teaching them simple steps to protect themselves and their devices.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

According to the 2017 Canadian Survey on Disability, about one in five (6.2 million) Canadians aged 15 years and over has one or more disabilities that limit them in their daily activities. Among Canadians with disabilities aged 15-64 who weren’t employed, more than 850,000 had the ability to work if they had access to a fully inclusive labour market. This highlights the underrepresentation of persons with disabilities in the Canadian workforce, with only 59% of those aged 25-64 being employed, compared to 80% of working-age persons without disabilities.

5-11 Fire Prevention Week

This year’s Fire Prevention Week™ (FPW™) campaign, October 5-11, “Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home,” works to educate everyone about using these batteries safely. The campaign stresses how important it is to BUY, CHARGE, and RECYCLE safely when it comes to lithium-ion batteries.

5-11 Mental Illness Awareness Week

Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) is an annual national public education campaign designed to help open the eyes of Canadians to the reality of mental illness.

6-12 National Family Week

Since 1985, during the first week of October, Canadians in communities across the country come together for local festivities celebrating National Family Week. The week provides an opportunity to celebrate families and reflect on their importance in our lives.

19-25 Invisible Disabilities Week

Bring awareness, education and support to your family, friends, co-workers, community and around the world during Invisible Disabilities Week October 19 – 25, 2025.

21-25 National School Bus Safety Week

Held during the third full week of October each year, National School Bus Safety Week is an active and evolving public education program and an excellent way for parents, students, teachers, motorists, school bus operators, school administrators, and other interested parties – to join forces and address the importance of school bus safety. Designed to promote school bus safety, school districts throughout the country observe School Bus Safety Week

21-25 Media Literacy Week

In an increasingly complex digital world, we often find ourselves asking, “wait… what?” Tools like AI or social media and challenges such as misinformation or online hate can seem difficult to navigate. Media Literacy Week is here to answer Canadians’ questions about being online in changing times.

Hosted by MediaSmarts, Media Literacy Week is a national event to promote digital media literacy, with activities and events taking place in classrooms, libraries, museums and community groups across Canada. Learn more.

20-24 Week Without Violence

Each year during the third week of October, Canadians and people around the world mark the week with a week-long series of community events promoting diverse approaches to creating a violence-free world. People in schools, workplaces, and neighborhood organizations recognize this annual violence prevention initiative aimed at making violence a thing of the past.  

1 National Seniors’ Day

This is an occasion for all Canadians to join in celebrating older adults across Canada—whether a parent, a co-worker, a neighbour or a friend.

2 Custodial & Facilities Staff Appreciation Day

On October 2 we recognize and show appreciation to our custodians, assistant custodians and maintenance staff who work tirelessly each day to ensure the smooth operation of our schools and office buildings.

These individuals not only keep our sites clean, safe and well-maintained, but enrich their schools and workplaces with their energy, enthusiasm and humour.

4 National Day of Action for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls & Gender Diverse People

On October 4, we commemorate the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls & Gender Diverse People, also known as Sisters In Spirit Day. Our hearts are with our community members and families that are grieving the loss of mothers, sisters, daughters, kokum’s, aunties, cousins, and friends. 

Immediate Priorities from the “Urban Path to Reclaiming Power and Place Regardless of Residency”: 

  • Provide sustainable and long-term/evergreen core funding for urban Indigenous organizations and programs relevant to the safety of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, with investment in community needs assessments. (p.51) 
  • Establish a National Urban Indigenous Strategy, with a clear definition of “urban”, through a co-development process with urban service providers, community members, distinctions-based organizations and other key stakeholders. (p.49) 
  • Identify gaps caused by jurisdictional wrangling/ urban governance and failings/effects of distinctions-based model and policy. Focus on a comprehensive strategy for the rights of children, with special attention to the girl-child. (p.49) 

5 World Teacher Day

October 5 is a global celebration of the teaching profession. Since its inauguration in 1994, World Teachers’ Day (WTD) has highlighted the vital contributions of teachers and the immense value they bring to our lives.

5 Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur is considered the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. The holiday is preceded by Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and together they are known as the High Holy Days or, in Hebrew Yamim Noraim.

6 World Day of Bullying Prevention

Taking a stand against bullying is, in part, an act of vigilance that starts at home. Think about the behaviors you engage in and the light-hearted teasing you do with your co-workers, classmates, and friends.

Is it possible that what you see as harmless is in fact being perceived as a damaging and malicious act?

Do you observe bullying going on around you? Stand up and tell the offender to stop and be a champion for the person being bullied.

Spread information about what can happen as a result of bullying and be sure to really listen to your kids and friends if they’re complaining about how they’re treated in school. Bullying is a serious problem, and World Day of Bullying Prevention is our opportunity to take a stand against it and stomp it out.

10 World Mental Health Day

The overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.

The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

11 International Day of the Girl Child

October 11 is International Day of the Girl Child, a day dedicated to celebrating the voices and power of girls, championing their rights worldwide, and reflecting on the challenges they continue to face because of their gender.

Canada led the international effort to establish this day to draw attention to the persistent inequalities and dangers that too many girls face around the world. The United Nations subsequently adopted a resolution to formally recognize this important date.

Across Canada and around the world, girls are making an impact and creating positive change in their communities and far beyond. They are leading the way as students, entrepreneurs, volunteers and activists, and proving that you are never too young to shape the future and improve the lives of others.

Looking for an activity to mark International Day of the Girl Child? Take off on a fun storytelling adventure for kids 7–12 with the A Better World activity! With the help of some adventurous robots, players explore big ideas like gender equality, inclusion and fairness – no spaceship required!

This free activity gives you the tools you need to have meaningful conversations about gender equality in a simple, age-appropriate, and engaging way.

11 National Coming Out Day

Coming out to your loved ones isn’t a one-size-fits-all process; and choosing to remain in the closet for one’s safety does not make someone any less valid in the 2SLGBTQI community. Everyone has a unique experience and set of circumstances that determine how they live as their authentic self.

13 Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has been officially celebrated as an annual holiday in Canada since November 6, 1879. While the date varied by year and was not fixed, it was commonly the second Monday in October.

On January 31, 1957, the Governor General of Canada Vincent Massey issued a proclamation stating: “A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed – to be observed on the second Monday in October.”

16 World Food Day

Every year, on October 16th, the world comes together to celebrate World Food Day. This global event serves as a powerful reminder of the critical role that food plays in our lives. Beyond being a source of sustenance, food is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of cultural identity. This blog explores the significance of World Food Day, its history, the challenges we face, and the collective efforts to create a world where no one goes hungry. 

16 Global Dignity Day

On Global Dignity Day, everyone, everywhere is invited to look beyond what divides us and recognize the dignity and humanity we share. 

Teaching Tools

17 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

In a world characterized by an unprecedented level of economic development, technological means and financial resources, that millions of persons are living in extreme poverty is a moral outrage. Poverty is not solely an economic issue, but rather a multidimensional phenomenon that encompasses a lack of both income and the basic capabilities to live in dignity.

Persons living in poverty experience many interrelated and mutually reinforcing deprivations that prevent them from realizing their rights and perpetuate their poverty, including:

  • dangerous work conditions
  • unsafe housing
  • lack of nutritious food
  • unequal access to justice
  • lack of political power
  • limited access to health care

Read more on the background for the Day

18 Library Workers’ Day

The Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA) has designated the third Friday in October as Canadian Library Workers Day.

CLWD is a day for Canadians to recognize the valuable contributions made by all those who work in and for the public, academic, school, government, academic, corporate and private libraries that are integral to our communities.

Canadian Library Workers Day is recognized during Canadian Library Month, an annual celebration of libraries, library workers, and the services they provide to their communities.

18 Persons Day

October 18 is Persons Day in Canada. It marks the day in 1929 when the historic decision to include women in the legal definition of “persons” was handed down by Canada’s highest court of appeal. This gave some women the right to be appointed to the Senate of Canada and paved the way for women’s increased participation in public and political life. Though this decision did not include all women, such as Indigenous women and women of Asian heritage and descent, it did mark critical progress in the advancement of gender equality in Canada.

23 School Bus Driver Appreciation Day

These dedicated professionals are the backbone of our transportation system, ensuring our students travel safely and comfortably every day.

Join us in extending our appreciation throughout the year! From building strong connections with students to creating a positive environment on the road, our drivers go above and beyond. Let’s celebrate their commitment, reliability, and the vital role they play in our community. Together, we can acknowledge and thank these everyday heroes who make a difference in the lives of our students and families.

24 Child Care Worker & ECE Appreciation Day

Each year, the day is proclaimed by the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care (OCBCC), the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), municipalities and school boards across Ontario, and is observed by hundreds of child care centres, unions, and allies.

24 Diwali

The word Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, which means “row of lights,” which devotees light outside their homes during the festival to represent the light that guards against spiritual darkness and symbolize good over evil.

25 Dress Purple Day

Every October, children’s aid societies and Indigenous Child and Family Well-Being Agencies (child welfare agencies), together with their community partners, raise awareness about the importance of supporting vulnerable children, youth, and families through the provincial Dress Purple Day campaign. 

31 Halloween

Halloween is a holiday noted for its pagan and religious roots and secular traditions. In much of Europe and most of North America, observance of Halloween is largely non-religious, celebrated with parties, spooky costumes, jack-o’-lanterns, pumpkin carvings, and the giving of candy. But the holiday also marks the beginning of Allhallotide, a three-day Christian triduum dedicated to remembering the dead that begins with Halloween (October 31) and is followed by All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2).