MARCH 2019 - Peel District School Board
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MARCH 2019
Principal: Jennifer Robinson Vice-Principal: Joseph Pileggi, Stacy Moonsammy
Acting Vice-Principal: Gayle Rotenberg Office Manager: Marinka Hilton
Office Assistants: Kavita Mahadeo, Julie Booth Guidance Counselor: Viviana Millones-Solorzano
Superintendent: Mrs. P. Daws (905-451-2862) Ext. 4230 Trustee: Ms. Balbir Sohi (416-828-4330)
Principal’s Message
Greetings Beryl Ford Families,
With the month of March beginning, we are all looking forward to the arrival of Spring. February is
typically a short month, but seemed even shorter with all of the snow days and bus cancellations during
the month. That did not stop the staff and students at Beryl Ford Public School from keeping busy and
engaged in learning and extra-curricular activities.
Throughout the month of February, staff and students focused on the Peel Character Trait of Honesty.
Students created electronic announcements showing quotes and photos related to honesty such as
“honesty is the right thing to do”, “honesty is telling the truth, no matter how bad or good it is” and
“being honest is checking out your books before you leave the library”.
The month of February at Beryl Ford was also a wonderful celebration of Black History. We had daily
announcements and displays that taught us about the contributions that have been made by black
people (e.g., scientists, academics, politicians and athletes). In addition, we held a patty day and a
celebration of Black History during our month end Assembly on February 28th. Many student groups
spent the month preparing and practicing for the assembly including our choir and dance groups. What
a spectacular show they put on!
During the month of February we also had three spirit days including Tie and Scarf Day, Red, White and
Pink Day and Ugly Sweater Day. Staff and students who participated earned points towards their school
house team. Ugly Sweater Day helped us learn about environmental initiatives such as turning down
the heat by a degree to save energy.
Our second term Counting on You program also began this month and includes before school activities
for Grade 7 and 8 students such as: Yoga/Mindfulness, Sports and Stats, Breakfast Cooking Class and
afternoon activities including: Robotics, Cooking Class, Visual Arts, French Chit Chat Club, Photography
and Fitness Fanatics.
Principal’s Message…cont’d…. Many student clubs were also active throughout the month including Red Maple and Silver Birch and the Forest of Reading Cafes in which staff members became expert readers who discussed a variety of Canadian literature with students. We also have our We Rise Boys’ Group running which aligns with the board’s plan to support black youth and our Girls Empower Group which empowers our intermediate female students in a variety of ways (e.g., pursuing careers in Science, Technology and Coding). Congratulations to our Sr. Boys Basketball Team for achieving 1st place in the NNPHEA Division 3 basketball tournament that also took place during the month of February. We would also like to thank Mr. Clarke and Ms. Maas for their outstanding efforts in preparing the team! Please note that our tubing trips that were cancelled due to the snow days have been rescheduled to the following dates: Grade 6-8 Snow Valley – March 20; and Grade 4-5 Chinguacousy Park – March 1. As we look ahead to the month of March, we have many events and activities to look forward to. Intramural March Madness Basketball will begin for our Grade 6 students and will host our annual Math and Munchies/EQAO information night on March 28th. In March, we will also implement the Ontario health curriculum from March 18-29. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have questions about the curriculum and lessons that will be taught during this unit. Our School Council will be meeting on March 28th at 6:00 p.m. and all parents/guardians are welcome to attend. During the meeting we will have a visit from Trustee Sohi and will also be discussing our school wide Chocolate Fundraiser that will be held during the month of April. I also wish our families a wonderful March Break, which will occur from March 11-15. We’re looking forward to another wonderful month of learning at Beryl Ford Public School! Ms. Robinson Principal
march
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Character Trait:
1 Lunchroom 2
Supervisor/
Respectful
Volunteer
Appreciation Day
Day 2
3 4 5 6 SUB DAY 7 PIZZA DAY 8 9
Spirit Day:
Shine Bright Like
A Diamond
Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 1 Day 2
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
MARCH BREAK MARCH BREAK MARCH BREAK MARCH BREAK MARCH BREAK
17 18 19 20 SUB DAY 21 PIZZA DAY 22 23
Health Health Health Curriculum Health Curriculum Health Curriculum
Curriculum Curriculum Week #1 Week #1 Week #1
Week #1 Week #1 (Gr. 1 – 8) (Gr. 1 – 8) (Gr. 1 – 8)
(Gr. 1 – 8) (Gr. 1 – 8)
Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 1 Day 2
24 25 26 27 SUB DAY 28 PIZZA DAY 29 30
Health Health
Curriculum Curriculum Health Curriculum Health Curriculum Health Curriculum
Week #2
Week #2 Week #2 Week #2 (Gr. 1 – 8) Week #2
(Gr. 1 – 8) (Gr. 1 – 8) (Gr. 1 – 8) School Council 6:00 p.m. (Gr. 1 – 8)
Math & Munchies/EQAO
Information Night 6:00 p.m.
Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 1 Day 2
Peel board celebrates public education during Education Week – April 8 to 12 The Peel District School Board will host hundreds of celebrations, activities and events across its 257 schools and worksites to celebrate Education Week from April 8 to 12. On April 15, the Peel board will host Showcase of Excellence, an evening to honour recipients for their outstanding contributions to public education. The theme for this year's Education Week is We Inspire. In addition to inviting parents and community residents to visit their classrooms during the week, Peel schools are hosting open houses, plays/musicals, storytelling, environmental activities, awards assemblies, talent shows and much more. More than 1,000 individuals will also be honoured during Education Week with Awards of Distinction for their contributions to their school or workplace. Schools and worksites will use social media to showcase their Education Week celebrations and events using the hashtag #WeInspire. Peel public schools celebrate Education Week Peel public schools will host hundreds of special activities and events to celebrate Education Week 2019 from April 8 to 12. The theme for this year's week-long focus on education is We Inspire. Each year, more than 50,000 parents and community members across Peel attend activities and events during Education Week. We are looking forward to an equally successful week this year. Lunchroom Supervisors Appreciation Day on March 1 In 2017, the board of trustees declared the first Friday in March as Lunchroom Supervisors Appreciation Day. This year, the recognition day falls on Friday, March 1, 2019. Take this opportunity to thank the important work of lunchroom supervisors, and their support and commitment to helping to ensure that students are safe and secure.
ParentConnect
Online parent portal to access important student information
Last year, the Peel District School Board launched ParentConnect, an online parent portal to access
important student information.
What is ParentConnect?
ParentConnect is a safe and secure website, created by the Peel District School Board, that acts as a single
point to stay informed and to access all electronic services provided to Peel board parents and legal
guardians.
The parent-friendly website will allow you to:
view school-based alerts and information
access real time absence reporting
view current and historic elementary report card information
get up-to-date busing information
review secondary school credit history and diploma status and more
To learn more about the benefits of ParentConnect, visit our school website or
www.peelschools.org/parentconnect
Keep your child safe on the Internet
Even without trying, children can come across materials on the internet that are obscene, disturbing,
violent, hate-filled, racist or offensive in other ways.
Here are some steps to help you ensure that your children use the internet as safely as possible:
make sure your children understand what sites are appropriate for them
keep the computer in a common area of the home like the kitchen or family room
discuss the meaning of an ‘unsafe’ site with your children
explain to your children what they should do if they reach an unsafe site
make exploring new websites a family activity
pay attention to the games your children may download or copy
look into software or online services that filter out offensive materials or sites
It's important to review safety tips with children regularly. It is possible for children to meet unsafe
strangers on the internet. Ensure your child knows the following rules:
never give out personal information (including name, address, phone number, age, school name or
location)
never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they meet online
never use bad language or send mean messages
never respond to e-mail messages that make them feel confused or uncomfortable
tell an adult immediately if something on the internet makes them feel uncomfortable
March Break Maple Syrup Days at the Jack Smythe Field Centre
Open House: Wednesday, Mar. 13 to Saturday, Mar. 16
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Enjoy the beauty and wonder of nature as spring blossoms. Jack Smythe Field Centre offers an exceptional
family experience with a visit to its maple syrup bush. The March Break programs run from Wednesday,
Mar. 13 to Saturday, Mar. 16. The open house begins at 10 a.m. and the last presentation of the day will
be at 3 p.m.
This year marks the 50-year anniversary of the Peel District School Board’s Sugar Bush program, which
provides families with outdoor, educational activities and hands-on experience. The program is run by
Peel board staff during March Break.
Families are invited to get involved as Spring comes to life through the following activities:
help tap trees and empty sap buckets.
sample some freshly-made maple syrup.
hike along our trails and feed the friendly chickadees by hand.
learn how pioneers collected and produced syrup compared to modern-day operations.
experience the Indigenous roots of sweet water.
visit the sugar shack where the sap boils and clouds of sweet smelling steam billow out of the
chimney.
The cost is $5.00/adult and $4.00/child 12 and under. Lunch will be available for purchase. It will include:
hot chocolate, cookies and hotdogs for you to roast over an open fire. Please note that all payments are
“cash” only.
Jack Smythe Field Centre is located at 14592 Winston Churchill Blvd. in Terra Cotta.
Directions to Jack Smythe Field Centre: Head North on Mississauga Rd.
Turn left on King St. (You will see Credit View P.S. on your left)
Turn right on Winston Churchill Blvd. (You will pass the Terra Cotta Conservation Area on your left)
Head to the top of the hill and turn left into the Jack Smythe Field Centre site.
For more information, please contact the Jack Smythe Field Centre at 1-905-877-7771.
Peel Learning Foundation aims to create hopeful tomorrows for Peel board
students
In partnership with the Peel District School Board, the Peel Learning Foundation was created to enable
Peel board students to achieve personal excellence by providing resources to help them overcome
barriers.
In its first year, the foundation will support Peel board students through:
Student Emergency Needs program
Depending on the need, the foundation will support individual students with food and clothing,
medical supplies, eyeglasses and transportation costs, or where there is an emergency situation that
requires a compassionate response.
Student Backpack program
The foundation will provide backpacks filled with school supplies that students need to fully
participate in regular classroom work. The backpacks will be provided to students in need in a
respectful and confidential manner. They are tailored for students in kindergarten to grade 3, grades
4 to 8, and grades 9 to 12.
Individuals or organizations who are interested in learning more about and supporting the foundation can
visit www.PeelLearningFoundation.org. You can also follow the foundation on Twitter and Facebook and
use the hashtag #CreateHope to join the conversation.
Sleep Tips for Parents, Children & Teens
From the PDSB Mental Health Resource Team
Many parents face difficulties getting their children back into regular sleep routines, especially after
holiday breaks. Studies have shown that a lack of quality sleep in children can increase the likelihood of
anxiety, depression, poor grades and school performance, and even physical pain. Research has proven
that kids need a lot of sleep in order to function adequately during the day, and sleep deprived children
often overcompensate for lack of sleep by becoming fidgety or even disruptive in school.
How much sleep does your child need every night?
Children ages 5-8 need the most sleep, requiring about 10-11 hours every night. Children ages 9-12 need
between 9.5-10 hours nightly. And teenagers 13-18 need between 8.5-9.5.
Knowing how much sleep your child needs every night is key in establishing a proper bedtime. And it's
important to remember that the above times aren't set in stone, but merely general approximations. Your
child will have their own individual sleep needs, and you may need to fine-tune their bedtimes a little bit
until you find your child less groggy and sleepy in the mornings, and more alert and aware.
Tips for getting your children on a regular sleep routine
1. Keep a regular bedtime schedule, including weekends.
2. Begin a relaxing bedtime routine such as baths, books, prayers, goodnights.
3. Turn off electronics at least an hour before bedtime.
4. Bedrooms should be cool, quiet, dimly lit, comfortable and associated with sleep.
5. Limit caffeine and sugar intake after lunch and none within three hours before bed.
6. Make sure they eat healthy and have regular exercise.
7. Communicate with your children about why regular bedtimes are important.
8. Practice these tips yourself and set a good example.
For updates and to follow along with the work of the PDSB Mental Health Resource Team, find them on
Twitter @MHRTPeel.
Adapted from Alaska Sleep Clinic (2018)
Smoking and Vaping Prohibited on School Property
The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (SFOA, 2017) came into effect on October 17, 2018. This law aims to
protect the health of Ontarians by regulating the sale, supply and use of tobacco and vapour products
(electronic cigarettes), and the smoking and vaping of cannabis.
Under the SFOA, 2017 it is illegal to smoke (tobacco or cannabis) or vape on:
School grounds (both inside the school and on the outdoor grounds, including the parking lot and
sports fields)
Public areas within 20 metres of school property.
New signs are being posted at our schools to notify users that smoking and vaping is prohibited in these
areas.
The smoking and vaping prohibition is always in effect and applies to staff, students and visitors.
Region of Peel - Public Health enforces the smoking and vaping prohibition and has been working with
school administrators to keep our schools smoke and vape free. Individuals found smoking and/or vaping
in a prohibited area may be subject to a fine.
For more information on how the SFOA, 2017 applies to schools, contact Region of Peel - Public Health at
905-799-7700.
For more information on the health effects of smoking and vaping visit the Health Canada website:
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/smoking-tobacco.html.
Optional Photo:
Photo Source: Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. https://www.ontario.ca/page/no-smoking-no-vaping-signs-businessesPeel Public Health tips to prevent and beat the flu During the winter season, it’s important to take precautions to avoid and help prevent the spread of germs and illnesses such as influenza or “the flu.” Influenza is a disease that affects the airways and the lungs. The flu can spread from person to person and can sometimes cause severe illnesses. Peel Public Health has provided these tips to help reduce the risk of becoming ill or spreading the flu: Get your annual flu shot: It’s not too late to get your annual flu shot. Visit your physician, a walk-in clinic, a pharmacy or find another location near you that is offering the free influenza vaccine. Stay home when you're sick: If your child develops flu-like signs and symptoms, (fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue), keep them home from school. Contact your health care provider if symptoms are severe. Practise good hygiene: Help your child get into the habit of covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze, and throw the tissue in the trash after it’s used. If they don’t have a tissue, they should cough or sneeze into their sleeve or elbow. They should also avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are spread this way. Wash your hands: Encourage your child to wash their hands often with soap and water or an alcohol- based hand sanitizer, especially after they cough or sneeze. There are many locations across Peel where you can get your flu shots: Peel flu clinics Family Doctors’ offices Walk-in clinics Pharmacies For more information, call Peel Health at 905-799-7700 or visit www.peelregion.ca/flu.
Bus cancellation and closing schools due to bad weather
During the winter months, we may need to cancel buses or close schools because of inclement weather.
Information regarding details of cancellations or closures will be available on Twitter @Peelschools,
Facebook at www.facebook.com/peelschools, www.peelschools.org and www.stopr.ca or by calling 905-
890-1010 or 1-800-668-1146. It is usually also announced on the radio and television stations listed below
VIRGIN RADIOFM99.9 BREAKFAST TELEVISION NEWS AM680
CFNY FM102.1/AM640 CJCL AM590 CHFI FM98.1
NEWSTALK1010 AM EZ ROCK FM97.3 CJBC (FR) AM860
FM Z103.5 FM93.1 FM Q107
CHIN FM100.7/AM1540 CBC99.1 CITYPULSE
GLOBAL NEWS CITY NEWS CTV
CFRB – (Bell Media)
One of the following messages will be announced:
Peel District School Board buses are cancelled
This means that schools remain open for students and staff, but buses are cancelled. Bus cancellations
could occur in all or parts of municipalities. Buses will remain cancelled all day. All activities that require
busing will also be cancelled. Permits, night school classes, child care and other activities in schools will
operate as usual.
All Peel District School Board schools and board offices are closed
This means that all schools and Peel board offices are closed to students and staff. All activities in schools
and board offices are also cancelled, including child care, night school and permits.
All evening programs and permits at the Peel District School Board are cancelled
This means that all activities in schools and Peel board offices are cancelled, including continuing
education courses and events. The buildings will be closed.
All weekend programs and permits at the Peel District School Board are cancelled
This means that all activities in schools and Peel board offices are cancelled, including continuing
education courses and events. The buildings will be closed.
What if my child does not go to school due to a bus cancellation or inclement weather?
If your child will be absent as a result of a bus cancellation or you choose to keep your child home due to
inclement weather, parents/guardians must report the absence using one of the following methods:
For elementary K-8 students: report it through SafeArrival by calling 1-855-209-6155 or visiting
go.schoolmessenger.ca
For secondary students: call the school office directlyCelebrating Faith and Culture
March 2019
CELEBRATION FAITH AND CULTURE
DATE
March Xsaak and Sugar Moon Aboriginal Spirituality
March 1 Intercalary Day Bahá'í
Sunset March 1 to 20 Alá (Fasting month) Bahá'í
March 1 World Day of Prayer Christianity
March 4 Mahashivaratri Hinduism
March 6 Ash Wednesday Christianity
March 11 Clean Monday (J) Christianity
March 14 New Year Sikhism
March 16 to 20 Ghambar Hamaspath-meadem Zoroastrianism
March 17 St. Patrick's Day Christianity
March 20 Sakyamuni Buddha’s Nirvana Day Buddhism
Eve of February 28 to Holi Hinduism
March 1
Sunset of February Purim Judaism
March 20 to 21
March 20 Shunki-sorei-sai Shinto
March 20 Lady Day (Ostara) Wicca
March 21 Naw Ruz/Navroze Bahá'í and
Zoroastrianism
March 21 Eid e-Navroz Islam
March 21, 24 or 25 Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva’s Buddhism
Birthday
March 21 Hola Mohalla Sikhism
March 26 Khordad Saal Zoroastrianism
Celebrating Faith and Culture Backgrounder
March 2019
The Peel District School Board is a mosaic of many cultures and faiths from all over the world. To
commemorate this diversity, the board recognises special faith and culture days of our communities.
March 2019 has several special faith and culture days to celebrate and remember:
March – Xsaak and Sugar Moon in Aboriginal Spirituality
Xsaak is celebrated by Nisga'a people of the Nass Valley in Northwest British Columbia. It is the season
when they fish for swarming Oolichan also known as candle fish (dried fish burnt and used for light). The
fish is dried, smoked and rendered into oil for trade and use in winter.The third moon of Creation is known as Sugar Moon by the Ojibwe people. This month the sap from Maple trees begins to run and it is collected by the Anishnabe as a healing medicine. February 26 to March 1 - Intercalary Days in Bahá'í For Bahá'í s, the Intercalary Days are days of feasting, hospitality, rejoicing, charity and giving of presents, as well as ministering to the poor and ill, as they prepare for the annual Fast. The Intercalary Days are also used to complete the 365 days solar year as the 19 month Bahá'í calendar falls short. Sunset March 1 to 20 - Alá (Fasting month) in Bahá'í In the Bahá'í calendar, there are 19 months of 19 days each. The Bahá'í day starts and ends at sunset. Alá signifying loftiness is the nineteenth and last month of the Bahá'í year, and it is a month of fasting. Members of the Bahá'í faith who are over the age of 15 abstain from food and drink each day from sunrise to sunset. March 1 - World Day of Prayer in Christianity World Day of Prayer is observed on the first Friday in March by Christian women of diverse traditions and countries. They come together in prayer on this day to affirm their faith. March 4 – Mahashivaratri in Hinduism The festival of Mahashivaratri is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is one of the three most important deities in Hinduism, along with Brahma, the creator, and Vishnu, the preserver. Lord Shiva is the destroyer and reproducer of life. During Mahashivaratri, adherents fast, chant, meditate, visit the temple and offer group prayers. March 6 - Ash Wednesday in Christianity Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent in the Western Christian liturgical year. Lent is a season of spiritual discipline, cleansing and fasting which occurs in the 40 days before Good Friday. The name Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient practice of putting ashes on one's head as a symbol of mourning and penitence. March 11 - Clean Monday (J) in Christianity Clean Monday also known as the Great Fast or Pure or Ash Monday is the first day of Lent for adherents of the orthodox faith. March 14 - New Year in Sikhism March 14 is the first day of the new Sikh Calendar Year. This is year 548 in the Sikh Nanakshahi calendar. The years in the Sikh calendar start with the birth of Guru Nanak Dev in 1469.
March 16 to 20 - Ghambar Hamaspath-meadem in Zoroastrianism Zoroastrian followers celebrate six seasonal festivals, known as the Gahambars. These are associated with agricultural seasons, and each Gahambar is celebrated by performing a Jashan (festivity) and thanking Ahura Mazda (the omniscient and omnipresent creator) for the seasons and the beautiful creations. Ghambar Hamaspath-meadem is also known as "All Souls" feast where departed relatives are remembered. March 17 - St. Patrick's Day in Christianity This feast day commemorates the anniversary of St. Patrick's death in the 5th century CE. The Irish observe this day as a religious holiday. Multi-day celebrations feature parades, concerts, outdoor theatre productions and fireworks shows. One traditional icon of the day is the shamrock. March 20 - Sakyamuni Buddha's Nirvana Day in Buddhism Nirvana Day, also known as Parinirvana, is an annual Buddhist festival celebrating the death of Buddha after achieving Nirvana (liberation from cycle of rebirth and suffering) at the age of 80. Followers of the faith visit temples, offer prayers, meditate and read scriptures describing the last days of Gautama Buddha. March 20 or 21 - Holi in Hinduism Holi is the Hindu festival that welcomes spring and celebrates new life and energy of the season. It has religious roots (attempt to burn Prahalaad by Holika and Hiranyakashyap), but the festival is also filled with fun and good humour. On the evening of Holi, large fires are lit and prayers and offerings are made. The next day is celebrated with colours, so Holi is also called the "Festival of Colours." People celebrate the festival by daubing each other with paint and throwing coloured powder (gulaal) around in an atmosphere of fun and frolic. The religious significance of the festival of Holi is to mark the burning of self-conceit, selfishness, greed, lust, hatred, in fact all the undesirable tendencies, thoughts and behaviours. Sunset of March 20 to 21 - Purim in Judaism Purim is one of the most joyous holidays in the Jewish calendar. It commemorates the story of Esther and how she saved the Jewish people who were living in Persia from extermination at the hands of an oppressive ruler and his advisor. This festival is celebrated through feasting, carnivals and group celebrations. Followers of the faith send food to friends and neighbours. Like all Jewish holidays, it begins at sundown and ends the next night. March 20 - Shunki-sorei-sai in Shinto Known also as Shubun-no-hi, on this holy day, ancestors are given reverence on home alters, as kami (god), and are considered active members of the living family. Grave sites are cleaned and purified.
March 20 - Lady Day (Ostara) in Wicca The spring equinox is "Lady Day." To followers of Wicca, it is a time of conception and new growth. It is celebrated by undertaking activities like planting seeds in the garden, collecting wild flowers, decorating and eating eggs, and cleaning the home that lead to prosperity. Green and yellow are colours specific to this feast. March 21 - Naw Ruz/Navroze in Zoroastrianism, and Bahá'í The spring equinox marks the New Year for members of the Zoroastrian community (following Fasli Calendar). The New Year’s Day will be observed on March 20 or 21 by followers of the faith. People from Persia or Iran who also celebrate Naw Ruz (Noruz) will observe it on 20th. The traditional Naw Ruz table called "Sofreh haft-seen" consists of seven kinds of food each beginning with the letter "s" or "sin" in Farsi symbolising life, health, wealth, abundance, love, patience and purity. sabzeh, wheat or lentil sprouts, symbolizes rebirth samanu, a creamy pudding made from wheat germ, represents holiness seeb, an apple, stands for health and beauty senjid, the dried fruit of lotus tree, signifies love sir, garlic (which is considered medicinal), represents health somagh, sumac berries, stands for the colour of sun and the victory of good over evil serkeh, vinegar, indicates old age and patience Other things associated with this celebration: a book symbolizing wisdom (holy texts or books of Iranian poetry) sekeh, coins, representing wealth sonbol and laleh, hyacinth and tulips, symbolizing spring painted eggs to reflect the fertility of the people and the land a mirror to symbolize reflection of life candles, indicating happiness goldfish to represent life From the first to the 12th day of the New Year, people visit each other. On the 13th day, called Sizdeh bedar, everyone goes on picnics, as it is considered unlucky to stay indoors on the 13th day. The Bahá'í people have adopted the Iranian custom of beginning the New Year in the spring equinox. The day begins at sunset, and the New Year celebrations are held during the evening of March 19th. It is one of the nine Bahá'í holy days on which work is suspended. It is generally observed with a meeting for prayer and celebration. March 21, 24 or 25 - Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's Birthday in Buddhism This day is celebrated by followers of Mahayana Buddhism as the birthday of the enlightened one who is most compassionate like Buddha and is known as Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. The celebrations include visiting the temples and offering prayers.
March 21 - Eid e-Navroz in Islam Shia followers of Islam observe this Eid. The day is associated with significant religious milestones for observers of the faith. Adherents believe that on this day the Prophet received his first revelation and also named his successor. This feast is an important celebration for Ismaili Muslims. March 21 - Hola Mohalla in Sikhism Hola Mohalla is a festival of mock battles where followers practice martial arts known as gatka. The festival is celebrated on the day following Holi. Guru Gobind Singh started it as a gathering of Sikhs for military preparedness against the ruling Moguls in Anandpur Sahib (in Punjab, India). Today it is a celebrated by holding competitions and display of martial skills. The day of observance varies for followers of revised and old Nanak Shahi Calendar March 26 - Khordad Saal in Zoroastrianism Zarathushtra (Zoroaster in Greek; Zarthosht in India and Persia) is the founder of Zoroastrian religion. Historians and religious scholars generally date his life sometime between 1500 and 1200 BCE. This day is recognised by members of the Zoroastrian faith following the Fasli calendar as Zarathushtra’s birth anniversary. If you have a colleague who celebrates one of these days, don't forget to offer them best wishes! If you have students in your school who are followers of any of the listed religions: - Make sure the dates are included on your school calendar - Have your principal announce the day over the PA system - Hold an assembly to talk with students about the importance of these days - Include a mention of these days in your school newsletter - Include information on your school website - Display student artwork announcing these days or depicting their ideas about these days - Invite a member of a local faith group to come in and discuss the significance of this day with students - Have class discussions about these days - Ask some of your students who celebrate certain holidays to write a short essay on how they celebrate this day at home. Have them read it to the class to share this celebration with the other students. - Have parents offer a cultural session Questions: If you would like any more information on how to celebrate these days, please call Ashley Bigda, Community Relations Officer at 905-890-1010, ext. 2573 or e-mail her Ashley.Bigda@peelsb.com.
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