march 2018 Principal: Jennifer Robinson Vice-Principal: Joseph Pileggi Office Manager: Marinka Hilton Office Assistant: Kavita Mahadeo Office Assistant: Shanthy Piragash Guidance Counselor: Viviana Millones-Solorzano Superintendent: Mrs. P. Daws (905-451-2862) Ext. 4230 Trustee: Mr. Harkirat Singh: (647) 209-8000

Principal’s Message

Greetings Beryl Ford Families, It is a pleasure to update you on the wonderful events and activities that occurred at Beryl Ford Public School during the month of February. First and foremost, we actively celebrated Black History Month each day throughout the month of February. Teachers embedded learning about Black History in their classroom curriculum and the Black History Month Committee provided the entire school with daily announcements to help us learn more about Black History and the contributions of Black Canadians. The month concluded with an engaging Black History month assembly that featured the Intermediate Choir, the Step Dance Team, as well as a wonderful duet done by Mrs. Solorzano and Joshua on the trumpet, accompanied by Kwaku on the piano. We are also very proud to share that our We Rise Together Boys’ Group has continued to meet throughout the month of February and the boys worked together to prepare a dinner for their parents at the school. The group also prepared and presented a video presentation that was included in our Black History Month Assembly, and thanks to our Superintendent, Patrika Daws, the boys will view a showing of the movie Black Panther in early March. Extra-curricular activities have been in full swing this month as well. Both the intermediate and junior choirs have been rehearsing for their presentation and both morning and after school sports drop-in programs for the intermediate students have seen great participation. Our Grades 4 to 6 students have also been active during lunch hour sports. Both the Chess Club and Scrabble Club have been practicing non-stop for their upcoming competitions. We are also thrilled to share that our Boys’ Basketball Team came in 3rd place for the basketball tournament while our Girls’ Basketball Team placed 4th. Go Bengals!

This month we also introduced the new gender neutral O’Canada lyrics to our students. The Canadian Government passed a bill that received royal assent to change the lyrics from “in all thy sons command” to “in all of us command”. The students have been taught the new lyrics and have been singing them each morning during morning announcements.

Our Eco-Team kept working on their Olympic challenge to engage us all in school wide eco-friendly activities including Sweater Day on February 16th. During this day, we turned down the temperature by 2 degrees to do our part for energy conservation. If you are visiting the school, you will soon see a new addition in our front hallway. We are currently having a monitor installed that will display near real time electronic meters for our school’s electricity, water and natural gas consumption. The intention is to raise awareness about energy and

water consumption at Beryl Ford PS and to encourage students to take environmentally friendly action.

As we look ahead to March, both students and staff alike are looking forward to the March Break. The staff have a special assembly planned for March 9th as a kick-off to a fun-filled holiday. Stay tuned for details in the April Newsletter! Looking forward to another learning-filled month,

Ms. Robinson Principal

march Sunday

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

March Character Trait: Respectful

1 PIZZA DAY

Day 1

2 Lunch Room Supervisor Appreciation Day Day 2

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5 Immunization Clinic Catch up Day – Gr 8 Day 3

6 Day 4

7 SUB DAY

Region of Peel Family Literacy Program 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Day 5

8 PIZZA DAY Day 1

9 SPIRIT DAY:

SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A

DIAMOND Day 2

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M

B

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A

R

14

R

E

15

C

A

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Day 3

20 Day 4

21 SUB DAY

WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY Region of Peel Family Literacy Program 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Day 5

22 PIZZA DAY Day 1

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Day 2

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25 SUB/PIZZA

ORDERS DUE

26

Day 3

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Day 4

28 SUB DAY

GRAD PHOTO RETAKES (SK & GR.8) Region of Peel Family Literacy Program 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Day 5

29 PIZZA DAY

Day 1

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GOOD FRIDAY SCHOOL CLOSED

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School Success BOOK ROOMS AT BERYL FORD

PUBLIC SCHOOL

At Beryl Ford Public School, we now have two book rooms. One book room is for our Primary and Junior Divisions, and the other book room is for our Intermediate Division. The book rooms have been partially funded in partnership with School Council. In alignment with our Literacy Theory of Action, “If we regularly provide, explicitly teach and utilize assessment vocabulary, academic/instructional vocabulary and problem solving strategies, then students will be able to understand, communicate and apply their knowledge,” the book rooms will provide all of our students with resources to develop their thinking at the literal, inferential and evaluative levels. A wide selection of literary resources support teachers in providing students with materials and texts at varying reading levels. The book room contains high-quality, diverse titles in many genres, levels, and themes, as well as multiple copies for small group instruction. The book rooms are always evolving with new additions of books being added. Books that are culturally relevant, inspire students to think critically and provide students with the opportunities to make real life connections, will motivate the students to enjoy reading and improve their decoding, fluency and comprehension.

Parent resources help you support your child’s learning

At the Peel District School Board, our mission is to inspire success, confidence and hope in each child. There is no doubt that families play a vital role in helping us achieve this goal. As our partner in education, we hope you'll stay connected to your child's learning throughout his or her entire school experience. Visit www.peelschools.org/parents/helpyourchild to explore all resources available to parents. There you will find easy-to-navigate buttons that connect families to tip sheets and web pages on a number of different topics, including math, homework, special education, EQAO and mental health.

School Reporter: Ayesha (8D) Sweater Day

Sweater Day took place on Feb 16th, 2018. The purpose of Sweater Day was so the school could reduce the heat by 2 degrees and let the students have fun with it. Students were asked to wear their fuzzy and cool sweater to stay warm. It was a great way to show school spirit. The teacher in charge of Sweater Day was Mrs. Evangelisto, who also runs the Eco Team. Members of the Eco Team were in charge of reporting how many students in each class participated as well as taking photos for our yearbook. To make this even better the points help with the Eco-Olympics which was great. First place winners for sweater day was the Community Class! The second place winners was Mrs. Evangelisto’s class! This saved a lot of money and students had a great time wearing their colourful vibrant sweaters! Thanks to everyone that participated!

School Reporter: Gabrielle (8E) Black History Month

Every February, Canadians are invited to participate in Black History Month festivities and events that honour the legacy of Black Canadians, past and present. In order to commemorate Black Canadians, the Beryl Ford community organized an assembly, which took place on Monday, February 26. Various students have endured practice after practice, supervised by the staff, to ensure that the production would be outstanding. Conducted by Mr. Tees and Mrs. O’Connor, Beryl Ford’s very own choir will be appearing at this production. It is said that the choir will be performing a well-known hit, “Hall Of Fame” by The Script (ft. Will.I.Am). The intermediate choir has practiced virtually every day, working on their vocals and harmonies. Additionally, a congregation of students have been practicing a step dancing routine, to perform on this date as well. Managed by Mrs. Galifi, these steppers have been attending practices regularly to establish a clean routine, without utilizing music. All things considered the students and staff of Beryl Ford will hopefully be in for a treat, while watching these performances and the variety of others.

School Reporter: Qhiara (8D) Black History Month

“Black history is everyone's history”, stated Ms. Hylton. During the month of February, Beryl Ford celebrated a series of African-American leaders. Our school had an amazing assembly honouring strong Black Canadians and Americans. The assembly was centered around the talented arts and learning about historians. We had a beautiful performance by the Beryl Ford Step Team, and also by the intermediate choir who sang the song “Hall Of Fame”. We also had a trumpet and piano duet of “ What a Wonderful World”, with Ms. Solorzano and Joshua on the trumpet, accompanied by Kwaku on the piano. Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by Black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history and Canadian history.

Build Happiness External factors often only have a partial influence on our level of happiness. Promotions, new relationships and lucky lottery wins give only a temporary boost to happiness before we return to our baseline.

Sustained happiness takes work. Listed here are a few exercise ideas that, when practiced frequently, can build habits of happiness.

Journal About Gratitude Every night write down three good things about your day. They don’t have to be major. They might be as simple as a good meal, talking to a friend, or getting through something difficult.

Say, “Thank You” Keep your eyes open throughout the day for reasons to say “thanks”. Try to notice and recognize the actions that people do, such as a coworker who works hard or a friend who seems willing to listen.

Take a Gratitude Walk Go for a walk and make a special effort to appreciate your surroundings. You might notice the smell of flowers, a pretty building, or a soothing breeze. Spend a few minutes focusing on each of your senses (sight, hearing, taste and touch) to find new things you may not have noticed.

ParentConnect

Online parent portal to access important student information

The Peel District School Board is excited to announce the launch of ParentConnect, an online parent portal to access important student information. The pilot program was introduced at select schools and phased in to all Peel schools on Feb. 23, 2018.

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

Important changes coming to SafeArrival system in May 2018 The Peel District School Board is currently using the SafeArrival system by Synervoice Technologies. As Synervoice has been sold to West Communications, there will be slight changes to our SafeArrival system and how you will report your child’s absence from school. The phone number to report your child’s absence will stay the same, but there are a few other changes. Beginning May 14, 2018, all elementary school parents/guardians need to report their child’s full-day absences, late arrivals and/or early departures from school via our new School Messenger SafeArrival system.

The phone number will stay the same: 1-855-209-6155

Website has changed to: go.schoolmessenger.ca

Download a new app: School Messenger App (from Google or Apple) (please be sure to delete the old Safe Arrival app after May 11)

Please continue to use our current Synervoice system until Friday, May 11, 2018. The new School Messenger SafeArrival will be live on Monday, May 14, 2018. Important to note: The transition to a new company and system will require parents to set up a new account with School Messenger SafeArrival as data will not be transferred from the old system to the new. More information on how and when to set-up your new account will be coming in the next month.

It's time to register children born in 2014 for kindergarten

We inspire success, confidence and hope in each student…and it all starts in kindergarten! If your child was born in 2014, he or she can start kindergarten in September 2018. You can register your child at any time during regular school hours—just visit the school he/she will be attending to register. What you will need to bring to registration

Proof of child's age (one of the following) Canadian birth certificate Canadian passport citizenship card/certificate Permanent Resident Card confirmation of permanent residence work permit refugee permit Proof of address (one of the following) Ontario driver's license utility bill bank statement/client slip (directly from financial institution) credit card statement federal government forms (e.g. Social Insurance Number, Service Canada documents) purchase agreement Proof of custody – children must live with their parent(s) unless provided documentation supports an alternate living arrangement Proof of immunization – proof that your child has been immunized/vaccinated

Prevent the flu. It's in your hands. Hand washing is the most important way to prevent the spread of infection. Always wash your hands with soap and water when they are dirty. Clean your hands before:

i. touching your eyes, nose or mouth ii. touching/preparing food or drinks

iii. eating or drinking iv. caring for someone in your home who can easily get sick (baby, elderly or someone who

has an unhealthy immune system) v. first aid

Clean your hands after:

i. touching pets or other animals ii. touching raw meat, particularly chicken

iii. touching surfaces such as a railing or grocery cart iv. touching money v. touching objects sick people have touched

vi. touching blood or body fluids such as urine, vomit or feces vii. contact with those who have a cold, the flu, diarrhea or virus of any kind

viii. changing diapers ix. wiping your own or a child's nose x. sneezing or coughing

xi. using a facial tissue xii. using the washroom

xiii. removing gloves xiv. cleaning xv. gardening

What to do when you cough or sneeze:

i. cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve ii. put used tissues in the wastebasket

iii. clean your hands with soap and water or a hand sanitizer

For more information call Peel Health at 905-799-7700 or visit www.peelregion.ca/flu.

2018 March Break Maple Syrup Days at the Jack Smythe Field Centre Open Wednesday, March 14th - Saturday, March 17th 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 runs from Wednesday, March 14 to Saturday March 17 from 10 a.m. with the last presentations of the day at 3 p.m. The Peel District Sugar Bush program has been in operation for more than 40 years and provides families with an educational activity and a hands-on experience. The program is run by Peel District School Board teachers and staff during March Break. Families are invited to get involved as spring come to life in the following activities:

help tap trees and empty sap buckets.

Sample some homemade 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. Directions to Jack Smythe Field Centre, 14592 Winston Churchill Blvd., Terra Cotta: North on Mississauga Rd, Left on King Street (You will see Credit View P.S. on your left), Right on Winston Churchill Blvd (You will pass the Terra Cotta Conservation Area on your left) to the top of the hill and left into the Jack Smythe site. For more information, please contact the Jack Smythe Field Centre at 1-905-877-7771.

Using social media safely

With the growing number of social media sites, it is no surprise that social media is the most common form of communication for children and teenagers. Posts, status updates, comments, instant messages, video uploads, tweets and texts have become a regular part of their lives. While there are many positive benefits to using social media, including staying connected with friends and expressing your interests, students must be cautious in their use of these networks. Among the most popular social media platforms used are Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube and Whatsapp Messenger. Many of these platforms are free and are available on smartphones and other electronic devices. These platforms are easy to navigate and often allow information to be shared instantly, not only with friends, but with strangers. On social media, it is important to remember that the world is watching.

Here are some tips, provided by the Canadian Safe School Network and GetSafeOnline.org, to keep your children safe and help them make smart choices when using social media:

Set some boundaries for your child before they get their first ‘connected device’ (mobile, tablet, laptop or games console). Once they have it, it can be more difficult to change the way they use it or the settings.

Have a conversation about what is appropriate online behaviour and what actions could have huge repercussions that could damage their reputation and be harmful to others.

Talk to your child about the kind of websites they look at. Encourage them to speak to you if they come across something they find worrying or upsetting on websites, games or social media.

Discuss with your child what is safe and appropriate to post and share online. Written comments, photos and videos all form part of their ‘digital footprint’ and could be seen by anyone and available on the internet forever, even if it is subsequently deleted.

Explain to your child that being online doesn’t give them anonymity or protection, and that they shouldn’t do anything online that they wouldn’t do face-to-face. Users should only accept people they know in order to protect themselves from spammers, strangers and others who may be using social networking sites to commit crimes.

Unlike when they’re meeting someone face-to-face, children don’t always know who they’re actually ‘talking’ to online, even if they think they do. Tell your children they must never email, chat, or text with strangers, and it’s never okay to meet a stranger in the real world.

Ensure your children set their privacy settings appropriately. Take the time to learn how privacy settings work on your children’s favourite sites, and teach them how to control their privacy.

Tell your children never to share personal and private information with anyone online. This includes, but is not limited to, his or her full name, age, birth date, address, phone number, social insurance number, credit card information and parents’ full names.

Limit the amount of time that your children spend on social media platforms and talk about the importance of healthy and appropriate use of technology.

Celebrating Faith and Culture March 2018

DATE

CELEBRATION FAITH AND CULTURE

March Xsaak and Sugar Moon Aboriginal Spirituality Eve of February 28 to March 1

Holi Hinduism

Sunset of February 28 to March 1

Purim Judaism

Sunset March 1 to 20 Alá (Fasting month) Bahá'í March 2 Lantern Festival/Magha Puja Buddhism March 2 World Day of Prayer Christianity March 2 Hola Mohalla Sikhism March 14 New Year Sikhism March 16 to 20 Ghambar Hamaspath-meadem Zoroastrianism March 17 St. Patrick's Day Christianity March 18 Vasant Navratri and New Year’s Day Hinduism March 20 Shunki-sorei-sai Shinto March 20 Lady Day (Ostara) Wicca March 20 or 21 Naw Ruz/Navroze Bahá'í and

Zoroastrianism March 21 Eid e-Navroz Islam March 25 to 31 Holy Week begins Christianity March 25 Palm Sunday Christianity March 25 Shri Ramnavami Hinduism March 26 Khordad Saal Zoroastrianism March 29 Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday) Christianity March 29 Mahavir Jayanti Jainism March 30 Good Friday (Holy Friday) Christianity Sunset of March 30 to April 6

Pesach (Passover) Judaism

March 31 Sakyamuni Buddha’s Nirvana Day Buddhism

Celebrating Faith and Culture Backgrounder March 2018

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 2018 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.

Eve of February 28 to March 1 - 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 February 28 to March 1 - 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.

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 2 – Lantern Festival/Magha Puja in Buddhism

Magha Puja is celebrated on the full moon day of the third month in the Buddhist calendar. The festival commemorates the day on which Buddha recited the Ovadha Patimokkha (the Fundamental Teaching) to his disciples. The day is also celebrated for the Fourfold Assembly - gathering of 1,250 Arahantas (accomplished holy ones) at Veruvana Temple in Rajgarh city (India) of their own accord without notification on the full moon day and all 1,250 disciples being ordained by Buddha himself. Adherents renew their dedication to Dhamma (teachings of Buddha) practice on this day. Lantern festival, is celebrated mid-autumn on the full moon night of the eighth month of the lunar calendar by Chinese, Vietnamese, Taiwanese and Timorese communities. This festival celebrates the summer harvest and is a time for rejoicing. Brightly coloured lanterns are hung in front of homes, and parades are held in towns and villages. In Vietnam this festival is also called Children's Festival. Families gather together to share meals and moon cakes.

March 2 - 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 2 - 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 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 18 - Vasant Navratri and New Year’s Day in Hinduism

Chaitra Navratri (March 18 to March 25) begins from this day. This festival is observed twice a year, in the month of Chaitra and then in Aswayuja (September/October). It lasts for nine days in honour of the nine manifestations of goddess Durga. During Navratri (the word literally means "nine nights"), devotees of Hinduism observe a fast and undertake religious activities like puja. This day is also the beginning of a New Year 2075 for Hindu followers of Vikram Samvat Calendar. The New Year’s Day celebrations and festivities vary amongst the many denominations of the faith. Gudi Padwa will be observed on this day and Ugadi will be celebrated on the 18th.

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 20 or 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 - 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 25 to 31 - Holy Week begins in Christianity

Holy Week is the period from Holy Monday to Easter Sunday. In Eastern Orthodox Christianity it is also known as Great Week. It is the last week of Lent. Each of the days of Holy Week has its own traditions of services.

March 25 - Palm Sunday in Christianity

Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week leading up to Easter for Eastern Orthodox churches who follow the Julian calendar. It celebrates the story of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where people spread palm branches and clothing before him. During Palm Sunday services, many churches distribute cut palm leaves, sometimes woven into the shape of a cross.

March 25 - Shri Ramnavami in Hinduism

Ramnavami celebrates the birth of Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu and son of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya in India. He is the hero of Ramayana, the Sanskrit epic of 24,000 stanzas. A continuous recital of the book takes place for about a week prior to the celebration and on the day itself, the highlights of the story are read in temples. Many communities and temples celebrate this festival for nine days, beginning from Gudipadwa—the first day (pratipada) of the month of Chaitra. Celebrations on the day begin with a prayer to the sun early in the morning. At midday, when Lord Rama is supposed to have been born, a special prayer is performed. In northern India especially, an event that draws popular participation is the Ramanavmi procession or Ramleela – depiction by drama/play.

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.

March 29 - Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday) in Christianity Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday) is remembered as the time Jesus ate a final meal together with his followers. On the evening of Maundy Thursday, Christians remember Judas' betrayal of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

The end of Lent is observed differently by the various Christian denominations. Followers of the faith mark this period with prayer, fasting and abstinence.

March 29 - Mahavir Jayanti in Jainism

Mahavira-Jayanti is the festival to commemorate the birth of Lord Mahavira, who was the 24th and the last Jain Tirthankara (enlightened soul). He was born on the 13th day of the rising moon in the month of Chaitra (March/April) in 599 BCE in India. Jain temples all over the world are decorated with flags for the occasion. On his birth anniversary, the followers of the faith observe the day by visiting temples, offering prayers, reaffirming their beliefs, meditating and listening to discourses on Mahavira's life and teachings. Mahavira-jayanti is celebrated not only to mark the birthday of Mahavira, but also to inculcate his teachings in one’s life. Mahavira preached that right faith (samyak-darshana), right knowledge (samyak-gnana), and right conduct (samyak-charitra) together is the real path to attain the liberation of one's self.

March 30 - Good Friday (Holy Friday) in Christianity and Canada

Good Friday commemorates the execution of Jesus by crucifixion. It is a day of mourning for followers of the faith. During special Good Friday services, Christians meditate on Jesus' suffering and death on the cross, and what this means for their faith.

Sunset of March 30 – April 6 - Pesach (Passover) in Judaism

Pesach, or Passover, commemorates the liberation of the Jews from Egypt and slavery. It is celebrated for eight days. Pesach begins at dusk (before sundown) on March 30th . The first and last two days of the festival are full holidays - work is not done by followers. A highlight is the Seder (meaning "order") meal held in each family’s home on the first evening of Pesach, when the story of their deliverance is recounted as narrated in the Haggadah (the Telling, the Story). Matzah (unleavened bread) is eaten throughout the festival, as are other foods that contain no leaven and are symbolic to the struggle. There is a great spring cleaning in the home before the festival to ensure that no trace of leaven is left in the home during Pesach.

March 31 - 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.

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 905-890-1010, ext. 2809