West Buncombe E.S. Eagle Update
December WBES Parent Newsletter
What's Happening This Week:
In preparation for inclement weather, we will be sending home a packet of work on December 14th. Kids should complete the packet the 1st day we have a "no school" day. We call it an asynchronous day. What it really means is that your child's teacher will not be leading instruction that day. For all subsequent days, we will have synchronous instruction (teacher remotely led instruction) There will be more information forthcoming.
Last week we had a visit from out new superintendent Dr. Jackson. He toured the school and was able to visit a few classrooms. Later this month he will be at West Buncombe for a whole day seeing all the great teaching and learning.
Ms. Oramas's 3rd grade
Booster-Thon Fundraiser
Some other December Holidays
Here are some (not all) of the December Holidays from around the world:
Saturnalia – December 17th to 23rd
The Winter Solstice has been celebrated almost as soon as human beings were capable of plotting time via the movement of the moon and the stars. Versions of this holiday exist across the globe, but the Roman variant includes a week-long celebration of feasts and festivities before the big night!
Pancha Ganapati – December 21st to 25th
A Five-day long Hindu festival honoring the God Ganesha. The holiday was created by an American Siddha Yogi and Shaivism Guru in the 1980’s to provide Hindu’s in America a way to express their faith. Ganesha is the God of New Beginnings, Success, and Wisdom, which makes his celebration at the dawning of the new year all the more important. Ganesha is part Elephant and is one of the best known and most worshiped Hindu Gods.
Yule – December 21st
The Pagan winter solstice was a practiced holiday across many religions, on the longest night of the year, and the turning point at which they days stopped shrinking and began growing longer again. It is still honored in some way or another throughout Europe and America. ‘Yule Logs’, wreaths, and even Christmas trees all derive from this ancient holiday. In Sweden, Christmas is still generally referred to as ‘Jul’ (pronounced ‘yule’) and involved images of goats and other Norse traditions. Even though versions of these traditions exist in Christianity, modern Pagans around the world still honor the holiday in its original form.
Kwanzaa – December 26th
A pan African religious celebration originating in the US. The holiday was created by university professor Maulana Karenga in 1966 to honor African heritage and African American culture. The holiday draws from dozens of different cultures and religions across Africa. Most African Americans are unable to trace their cultural or genealogical origins due to the forced diaspora of the early American slave trade. So, Kwanzaa honors all those of African roots and ancestry. Kwanzaa has seven core principles, one of which is honored each night before the entire celebration ends in a feast and exchanging of gifts on January 1st.
Boxing Day
Celebrated across the UK and its former colonies, Boxing Day is a time-honored tradition for many Brits. Banks and shops are shut (although some of that is changing) and you are generally expected to remain at home and spend time together. The name originates from a ‘Christmas Box’ or a small gift or present given to local tradespeople, errand boys, or charities on that day.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah may take place at any point between November and January. Because its dates are based on the Hebrew Calendar, the days do not always line up the same way every year with the Gregorian Calendar. The ‘Festival of Lights’ goes on for eight nights, with a new candle on the Menorah being light every evening.
Small toys or chocolate coins are often given to children, and families enjoy unique and kosher foods while spending time together and playing games.
🗓 Important Dates
Dec 7 8:15am - Title 1 Literacy Events for Parents in the theater
Dec 7 Staff Meeting
Dec 8 5pm -Title 1 Literacy walk-through event for parents
Dec 8 5:30pm Grade 4 Winter Concert
Dec 9 Dr. Jackson, superintendent visits
Dec 14 Inclement Weather Packet goes home to families
Dec 19 No school until Jan. 2nd
4th Grade Winter Concert!
Thursday, Dec 8, 2022, 05:30 PM
West Buncombe Elementary School, Erwin Hills Road, Asheville, NC, USA
✏️ Assignments
💡 Reminders
- All assignments should be submitted via...
- Ask your child about...