Our programs follow the seasonal rhythm of the year. We celebrate Festivals and other special days that are part of our multi-cultural heritage. Other days may be celebrated by individual teachers in their programs, not as public events.
Celebration of the festivals throughout the year provides us with rich nourishment for our inner selves and contributes to the well-being and stability of the school community. Festive events are held seasonally and presented by the teaching staff with some help from the Directors, parents, valued friends and volunteers. Some examples of these are our Harvest Fair, Enchanted Garden, Lantern Walk, Spiral Walk, Christmas Dinner, and May Day.
Information on the festivals is included at the end of this handbook. If you have any questions regarding the festivals, please feel free to talk with your child's teacher or Site Supervisor.
CANDLEMAS
February second (which is also Ground Hog Day) is the day to celebrate the rendering of fat to make candles.
SHROVE TUESDAY
Our Pancake Supper, usually held at 5:30pm, is always well-attended.
EASTER
We celebrate the coming of spring at this time of year.
TODDLER EASTER EGG HUNT
Each spring we look forward to the Toddler Easter Egg Hunt
MAY 1st
On this day we dance around the Maypole and sing our special songs.
FAMILY BBQ
This is held in June at Tapiola where we hold our summer program.
FAIRY FESTIVAL
Before the end of the school year when it feels that summer has arrived, our preschool children head to the woods or a park for this special event.
HARVEST FAIR
Each year we celebrate the end of the summer and Nature's bounty by getting together for this event at the end of the day.
ENCHANTED GARDEN
At Little Lions we do not want to celebrate a festival such as Halloween that is based on anything that is frightening for children, but we do realize that children love to dress up in a costume and go out at night.
LANTERN WALK
The Feast of St. Martin, November 11 (which is also Remembrance Day) celebrates the kindness of St. Martin who brought light to the darkness of the world through his kind deeds.
ST. NICHOLAS DAY
This day is celebrated within the daycare so no parent involvement is required at the daycare. At the centre, the children will hear a story about St. Nicholas and the good deed he did as a child by giving new shoes and food to poor children.
SPIRAL WALK
This beautiful Advent event celebrates the way our love can bring light to the darkness of our world. We begin with the story of Mary weaving a robe for the Christ Child.
EPIPHANY
The Twelfth Day of Christmas is still celebrated in many parts of the world. In Thunder Bay we often refer to this day as Ukrainian Christmas.
CHRISTMAS
At Little Lions we celebrate Christmas in a traditional way with the story of the birth of the Christ Child.
