Principal’s Report
As we head into December, we can certainly enjoy the beauty that comes with the white blanket of snow (not so much the shoveling! J) I would like to thank each of you for your continued support and encouragement here at the school. The kind words, emails and notes are greatly appreciated and we are happy to work alongside you and your children to make this a successful school year for all.
As we head into the Christmas season and school break is just around the corner, I would like to remind you to please take this time to spend together as a family, create new and exciting traditions and look for the glimmers of hope and happiness around us during this season. Finally, I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas, Safe New Year and Wonderful season with your family and friends. We hope that the school break provides some rest and relaxation for all. Remember that school starts again on Monday January 6th.
Sincerely,
Andrea Taylor – Principal @ Le Roi Daniels
News from the School
Uniform Check:
Christmas break is a wonderful time of year to check your child’s uniform and stock up for items for the remainder of the year. Please be sure that your children have CLEAN WHITE dress shirts, navy dress pants (NOT LEGGINGS, joggers (elastic at the ankles) or sweat pants – if the material is stretchy, it should not be worn to school), green cardigans with all their buttons and tunic dresses that are long enough (should be touching their knees).
We have been noticing LOTS of leggings and stretch pants that are being worn by the girls, sometimes even under their dresses. This is not part of the uniform. Students need to wear tights or socks with their dresses or DRESS pants. When it is cold outside, they need to wear their snow pants for an extra layer and warmth. Please ensure you are supporting your children in meeting these expectations. The uniform is an important part of our program and they work together as a class team to earn a prize of ice cream as a class.
SPECIAL EVENTS in the last week of December:
Monday, Dec 16- Students who formally celebrate Christmas as part of their religious beliefs and cultures are invited to wear their fancy, formal dress attire for a special photo opportunity to celebrate Christmas (like we have done for Eid, Diwali, Lunar New Year etc). This is NOT A CASUAL DAY – students who do not culturally celebrate this holiday are expected to be in FORMAL UNIFORM.
Tuesday, Dec 17 - CASUAL DAY - All students are invited to wear any colour that can be found in Christmas lights.
Wednesday, Dec 18 - CASUAL DAY – All students are invited to wear a Christmas sweater
Thursday, Dec 19 - CASUAL DAY – All students are invited to wear Santa hats, elf ears or antlers. Parents are invited to join us on this day for carolling in the gym at 1:30. The Grade 2 Choir will also be preforming during this time.
Friday, Dec 20 - All students are invited to wear PJs for the day. This is the last day of school before the break.
VOLUNTEER of the MONTH :
Congratulations to Gaganpreet Toor who has won 2 movie tickets. Thank you for your commitment and dedication to volunteering at our school to make it great!
LRD shows GENEROSITY!
As part of our ongoing commitment to teach our students the value of kindness and generosity, we are excited to announce a donation drive benefiting the Mustard Seed and Food Band, local organizations that provide support to individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty.
We are asking each grade to contribute a specific item to help those in need:
· Kindergarten students: Students will be “filling a sock” with special toiletry items to donate to the Food Bank. Please see your child’s Google page for all the details.
· Staff are providing cash and grocery gift cards for the Food Bank
Grade 1-3 will be collecting items for the Mustard Seed:
· Grade 1 students: Please donate toiletries such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, or toothbrushes. These everyday items make a big difference to those who don’t have access to basic necessities.
· Grade 2 students: We are asking Grade 2 students to bring in mittens. As the colder weather sets in, warm mittens can provide comfort and protection for those facing the harsh winter months.
· Grade 3 students: Toques (warm hats) are a great item for Grade 3 students to contribute. These are essential for staying warm during the winter and are always in demand.
Please send your child’s donation to school by December 13, 2024.
Together, we can make a meaningful impact in our community by showing kindness to those who need it most. We thank you in advance for supporting our students in learning the value of generosity and for any participation in these activities that you are able to provide.
We look forward to a great month of LRD showing GENEROSITY!!
101 Dalmatians Performance:
We are going to be hosting our school wide performance of 101 Dalmatians on January 30th in the evening. Ticket forms will be sent home Monday, December 2 and seats will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis starting Tuesday morning, so please be sure to send your forms back ASAP! Costume information can be found on your child’s Google Classroom. We are looking forward to an amazing performance and look forward to seeing you all there.
Character Education
This month, our Character Education focus is on GENEROSITY, a value that encourages us to give not just with finances, but with our hearts, time, and talents! Generosity comes in many forms, and we want to help our students understand that it’s about more than just giving material things. In the classroom, students can be generous by sharing their ideas, helping a classmate who is struggling, or offering a kind word to encourage a fellow classmate. At home, families can practice generosity by spending quality time together, listening attentively, or helping a neighbor with a task, such as shoveling or walking their dog. Generosity extends to the community as well, whether through volunteering, donating goods, or simply being kind to those around us. We encourage families to look for everyday opportunities to model generosity; teach children that giving is not always about money, but about offering love, time, attention, and effort in ways that make the world a better place. Read more [under School News] about our special generosity donation drive to help those in need this winter!
Truth and Reconciliation Commitment
Over the past few months, students and staff at Le Roi Daniels have explored the Spirit-To-Be domain from the CBE Indigenous Education Lifelong Learning Framework. To celebrate their unique and personal gifts, both within and beyond the school community, they engaged in a beading activity that highlighted their cultural values.
As we transition into the winter months, we also shift our focus to the Heart-To-Belong domain of the CBE Indigenous Education Lifelong Learning Framework. Students and staff will delve into the meaning of this domain, exploring Indigenous ways of being, belonging, and doing. Together, students and staff will celebrate their culture and heritage, fostering connections and shared learning with their peers.
Cultural Celebrations
CHRISTMAS - December 25th
Christians celebrate Christmas Day to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration.
UNDUVAP FULL MOON POYA/SANGHAMITTA DAY - December 15
This is considered one of the major Buddhist holidays and is celebrated on the December Full Moon. Sanghamitta was the daughter of King Ashoka who spread Buddhism to Sri Lanka from India.
HANUKKAH - December 25 – January 2
Hanukkah (Chanukah) is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods. The Hebrew word Chanukah means “dedication,” and is thus named because it celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple.
Kwanzaa – December 26 - January 1
Drenched in rich traditions, and based on seven key principles, this seven-day celebration of individuals with African roots is an invitation to contemplate what has been, what is, and what can be in African American communities and those across the world with ties to Africa. [Oprah Daily 2020]
School Council News
Hello Parents!
Hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing time with your families during the Fall break to recharge before the Holiday Season.
We had our last Parents Council meeting on November 19th online, thank you to all who attended this meeting. Our next Council meeting will be held online on January 21st, 2025 @ 6:30pm. Please watch for an email from Mrs. Taylor on how to register to receive the meeting link. We hope to see more parents at our next meeting as parent(s) participation is the key to the success of Parent Council. This is a great way to connect with other parents and learn about the activities that are happening throughout the school.
Thank you to all the families who came out to the Family Movie Night, this was a huge success. We are working on planning another Family Fun Night so please watch your emails for more information in the New Year.
Upcoming events:
· Fun Lunch: Wednesday December 18th, featuring Little Caesars which is posted on Healthy Hunger (healthyhunger.ca). Please note that Kindergarten students attending on Tuesday/Thursday should not order. As a reminder, please be sure to read the ingredients on Healthy Hunger to ensure it meets your child’s dietary restrictions prior to ordering.
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you at our next council meeting.
Rebecca Garrie, Co-Chair
Indrani Nath, Co-Chair