December 2025 Newsletter
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!) 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.
Thank you so much to all those families who were able to attend Parent -Teacher conferences as it is an important time for teachers to share how your children are doing. It was also wonderful to see so many people taking advantage of the Book Fair!
The roads are extremely slippery with the recent snow, and we would like to remind you to please be extra cautious as you drive and walk around the school area. We want to make sure all students, staff and families are safe as they come to and from school. It is also important to ensure your children are dressed for the outdoor temperatures. Students will go outside for morning, and lunch breaks as long as the temperature is not -20. We want to make sure everyone is dressed to enjoy the winter weather and please be sure to label all items.
We would also like to remind everyone, especially when roads are bad, if you arrive late, after 8am, it is important to have your children come to the front door as all other doors are then closed and locked. The last thing we want is for a child to be left outside in the cold, unsupervised. If you are late, it is important to make sure they get to the front door.
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 5.
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, full length 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). Black shoes should be in good condition without broken laces, Velcro or too small.
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 15- 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 Christian holiday are expected to be in FORMAL UNIFORM.
Tuesday, Dec 16 - CASUAL DAY - All students are invited to wear any colour that can be found in Christmas lights.
Wednesday, Dec 17 - CASUAL DAY – All students are invited to wear a Christmas sweater
Thursday, Dec 18 - 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 19 - All students are invited to wear PJs for the day. This is the last day of school before the break.
VOLUNTEER(S) of the MONTH :
As we have missed the last 3 months, we will be drawing 3 names!
Congratulations to Avni Soni, Manish Gidwani & Shyla Washington who have all won 2 movie tickets. Thank you for your commitment and dedication to volunteering at our school to make it great!
Character Education
This month, our Character Education focus is about Generosity—the simple act of sharing what we have; whether it’s our time, our help, or our kindness with others. Students are exploring what it means to share what they have and will be encouraged to look for ways to make someone else’s day a little brighter. In classrooms, generosity might look like including a classmate in a game, sharing materials without being asked, or offering to help tidy up. On the playground, it can be taking turns, inviting someone who is alone to join in, or giving a compliment that makes a friend smile. In the community, students can show generosity by donating gently used items, helping a neighbour, serving at a homeless shelter or food bank, or simply the kind act of holding the door for others. At home, generosity might be helping with chores, giving a family member the last cookie, or using kind words during a tough moment.
Throughout the month, we will encourage students to notice generous actions in themselves and others, and to understand how even small acts of giving can make a big difference. Together, we can build a school community where generosity shines every day. Read more below about our special generosity donation drive to help those in need this winter!
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 Calgary Drop-in Center and Food Bank, 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:
· Students: will be “filling a sock” with special toiletry items to donate to the Drop in Center. Please see your child’s Google page for all the details and send in your grade specific items BEFORE December 12.
· Staff are providing cash and grocery gift cards for the Food Bank
· Kindergarten students: Please see your child’s Google Classroom page for specific information for each Kindergarten Room.
· Grade 1 students: Please donate toiletries such as soap, shampoo, and hairbrush or combs. 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 and SOCKS. 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) and SOCKS 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 12, 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!!
Truth and Reconciliation Commitment
Over the past few months, students and staff at Le Roi Daniels have been engaging deeply with the Spirit-To-Be domain from the CBE Indigenous Education Lifelong Learning Framework. As part of this learning, the school community is participating in meaningful activities to honour and celebrate the unique gifts, identities, and cultural values that each student brings—both within and beyond our school.
Moving forward, we will continue to intentionally embed the Indigenous Holistic Lifelong Learning Framework into our school environment. This will guide us in creating ongoing opportunities for students to express their understanding of each domain in authentic and personal ways. Students will be encouraged to make meaningful connections to their own cultures, traditions, and lived experiences while also exploring and respecting Indigenous ways of knowing and learning.
Through this intentional work, our goal is to foster a strong sense of belonging and to nurture a community where all students, families, and staff feel valued, represented, and connected.
Cultural Celebrations
What Is Sanghamitta Day?
Sanghamitta Day is a special day for many Buddhists, especially in Sri Lanka and other parts of Asia. It honors Sanghamitta Theri, a Buddhist who helped bring Buddhism to Sri Lanka a very long time ago. Sanghamitta Day is a time to celebrate wisdom, kindness, and peace. People might go to temples, give offerings, and spend time thinking about how to live in a kind and caring way—just like Sanghamitta did. Happy Sanghamitta Day to those who celebrate!
What Is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah is a special Jewish holiday that lasts for eight nights. It usually happens in December, and it’s also called the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah celebrates a story from long ago about hope, courage, and a small miracle—when one tiny jar of oil lasted for eight days in a temple that had been rebuilt. To celebrate, families’ light candles on a menorah, one more each night. They might also play games like dreidel, eat special foods like latkes (potato pancakes), and give or receive small gifts. Happy Hanukkah to everyone who celebrates!
What Is Christmas?
Christmas is a holiday celebrated on December 25 by many people around the world. For Christians, it honors the birth of Jesus Christ, and it’s a time of joy, giving, and love. Christmas is also celebrated in many ways by families and communities. People might decorate trees with lights and ornaments, exchange gifts, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy special meals and music. Some people also do kind things for others during this time, like donating to charities or helping those in need. Merry Christmas!
What Is Kwanzaa?
Kwanzaa is a holiday that is celebrated from December 26 to January 1. It was created to honor African heritage, culture, and community. Each day of Kwanzaa celebrates a different value, like unity, responsibility, creativity, and faith. Families light a candle each night on a special candle holder called a kinara, share stories, music, and food, and spend time together. It’s a time to learn about African traditions and history, and to focus on family, community, and making the world a better place.
Happy Kwanzaa to those who celebrate!
MOON TEACHINGS - December
In the month of December, we recognize Aboriginal Spirituality. The twelfth moon of creation is the Little Spirit Moon and a time of healing. The thirteenth moon of Creation is the Big Spirit Moon. Its purpose is to purify us and to heal all of Creation.
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 18 online, thank you to all who attended this meeting. Our next Council meeting will be held online on January 20, 2026 at 6:00pm. 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.
Upcoming events:
- Fun Lunch: Wednesday December 17, 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
Grace Ebade-Abu, Co-Chair