The Tam O Shanter Times

Transcription

1 The Tam O Shanter Times Linking Tam O Shanter Junior Public School and the TAM Community December 2015 From the Principal s Desk During the month of December, students at Tam are being introduced in a variety of ways to the diverse celebrations that occur around the world during this month. With our approaching Christmas concert and winter holiday, we are reminded of the spirit of the season and the many symbols that accompany this time of year. The rich diversity of cultures in our school encourages us to focus on some of the feelings and symbols common to all of these celebrations. Tam students and Staff have been busily preparing decorations and special music for this festive season. To support the diversity in our community, the TDSB Equity Department has provided parents with some information about these celebrations and their commonalities. If we have inadvertently missed a celebration that occurs at this time of year in your community, we apologize. Please share this information with the school, and we will try to include this information in our celebration in the future. Whatever winter festivity you celebrate, I would like to wish you a wonderful time of celebration with family and friends. Happy Holidays! Hanukkah December 6, 2015 to December 14, 2015 is a special time for people of the Jewish faith. Hanukkah (The Festival of Dedication or The Festival of Lights) goes back to the time when the Greek-Syrians who ruled over the entire Middle East region sought to prevent the Jews from observing their religion. The Jews emerged victorious in a series of battles and re-established Jewish observance in the land. This commemoration is a very important aspect of Judaism. During the celebration, the eight candles of the menorah, the Hanukkah lamp, are lit one day at a time. Spinning a dreidel is traditionally associated with the festival. Tam O Shanter wishes students, staff and families of the community who will be lighting the menorah in their homes a joyful time of sharing. Diwali November 11, 2015 marked Diwali. This is a Hindu, Sikh, and Jain festival that originated in India. It is commonly known as the Festival of Lights. It celebrates the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. To celebrate this joyous and important festival, people get together with friends and family, exchange gifts of sweets, and greet each other with the words Subh Diwali. Many light small clay lamps, called dipas or diyas, candles and even neon lights.

2 - Page Two - Eid-AL-Adha Eid-AL-Adha was celebrated on Thursday, September 24, This occasion is celebrated in Thul Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar. This is known as a sacred month within the community. It marks the month of the Hajj, or Pilgrimage, an important act of worship for Muslims, where up to three million people travel to Mecca and perform the pilgrimage together. During Eid-AL-Adha, which lasts four days, Muslims remember the story of Abraham and Isaac and how they restored Ka ba in Mecca. Those performing the Hajj traditionally proceed to slaughter a lamb or other suitable animal. The meat is then divided into thirds. One-third is given to those in need, one-third to family and friends, and one-third stays with the family. The celebrations typically involve visiting friends and family and sharing in a festive atmosphere. Christmas December 25, 2015 is Christmas for most Christians of the West, who follow the Gregorian calendar. Some Eastern Orthodox churches, such as the Ukrainian church, follow the Julian calendar and will celebrate Christmas on January 7, For Christians, Christmas is a joyous religious celebration of the birth of Jesus. Christmas has a long tradition of gift giving originating with the Three Wise Men bearing gifts to the newborn baby. Christmas has also become a secular holiday enjoyed by many non-christians. Many celebrate Christmas by exchanging gifts, singing, and visiting with family and friends. Christmas has absorbed the festive atmosphere and many of the traditions of the Roman Saturnalia and other festivals it replaced. Santa Claus is based on a real person a bishop named Nicholas who gave gifts to children and to the poor. St. Nicholas feast day is December 6, which is why Santa Claus has become for many, associated with Christmas. Tam O Shanter wishes students, staff and families of the community who will be celebrating Christmas in their homes a joyful time of sharing.

3 - Page Three - Kwanzaa December 26, 2015 to January 1, 2016 marks the time of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is a cultural observance created in 1966 to celebrate the African-inspired traditional values and African- American ancestry and heritage. Kwanzaa is being observed by increasing numbers of African-Canadian families. On each day of the week of Kwanzaa, a candle is lit in a sevenbranched candelabrum, called kinara, to represent one of the seven principles celebrated during Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Children often receive gifts, and the week may end with a great feast the Kwanzaa Karamu followed by dance, music, and readings. Tam O Shanter wishes students, staff and families of the community who will be celebrating Kwanzaa in their homes a joyful time of sharing. New Year s Day January 1 marks the New Year in the Gregorian calendar, and is celebrated by many communities worldwide and in Toronto. Korean New Year is often celebrated on the Solar New Year, January 1. Many Korean families use this day to honour ancestors, have special food, and play traditional games. In North America, January has become a day for Buddhists of all schools to attend a special service in the local temple. For members of the Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese communities, the Lunar New Year will be celebrated January For many people, New Year s Eve is a secular holiday and has become an occasion for lively celebrations and the making of personal resolutions or promises to do something. For many it has become a joyous night to celebrate, count down to midnight, and toast to the New Year. Tam O Shanter wishes students, staff and families a HAPPY NEW YEAR! Stand Up Against Bullying Bullying can be physical, verbal or social. Cyber bullying happens when or chat lines are used to send hurtful messages. Bullying is not a one time event, but happens repeatedly and affects how a person learns and how they feel about themselves. Everyone has the right to be respected and the responsibility to respect others, in person and online! Let s use our words to help stop bullying ACSA FOOD BANK Tam will be collecting non-perishable food items for the ACSA Food Bank from Monday, December 7 to Thursday, December 17 th. These items will be picked up by Agincourt Community Services on Friday, December 18 th. Please see the attached list of items that are always in need. Please support your local Food Bank.

4 - Page Four - SEPT WOMEN S CAFÉ Every Tuesday at 9:00 am there is a special opportunity for women of our community. One of our SEPT workers, Aqeela, is holding a Women s Learning Café to discuss current concerns, issues and to meet other Tam parents. (Please see the flyer posted on our Website for further information!). See you there! CHRISTMAS CAROL SING-A-LONG/SPECIAL MUSIC PRESENTATIONS Tam O Shanter s Christmas Concert will be held in the evening of Wednesday, December 16 th at 6:00 pm. As well, we invite you to join us for our annual Christmas Carol Sing-along. This will take place from Monday, December 14 to Thursday, December 18. Times are approximate so please confirm with the office on the day you wish to attend. Monday, December 14 Tuesday, December 15 Thursday, December 17 Friday, December 18 1:00 pm 9:00 am 1:00 pm 9:00 am The last day of school before the holiday is Friday, December 18, 2015 School will resume on Monday, January 4, 2016

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