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