Post on 22-Mar-2018
transcript
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.
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Eid-AL-Adha
Eid-AL-Adha was celebrated on Thursday, September 24, 2015. 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, 2016.
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.
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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 seven-
branched 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 31 2014.
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 email 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 17th
. These items will be picked
up by Agincourt Community Services on Friday, December 18th
. Please see the
attached list of items that are always in need. Please support your local Food
Bank.
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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
16th
at 6:00 pm. As well, we invite you to join us for our annual Christmas Carol Sing-a-
long. 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 1:00 pm
Tuesday, December 15 9:00 am
Thursday, December 17 1:00 pm
Friday, December 18 9:00 am
The last day of school before the holiday is
Friday, December 18, 2015
School will resume on
Monday, January 4, 2016