Thursday, December 18th, 2025 Announcement
Ojibwe Word of the Day
Mdaas
(mi-dahs)
Meaning: Stocking
1) NLSS students, prepare yourself for next Friday’s performances by NLSS Staff. Last Year’s debut of Slightly Chilled, a parody of Frozen, was a smashing success. What will the teachers bring to the table this year?
Don’t miss out on a fun afternoon tomorrow. Period after lunch will feature hilarious skits and toe tapping music. But it doesn’t end there, last period will be a battle between students and staff on the volleyball court, plus the champion of rock, paper, scissors will be crowned.
2) NLSS Holiday Challenge: Every Eagle for themselves! Every student will be given a holiday bell. The goal is to win as many rock-paper-scissor challenges by the end of the day to compete in a winner-take-all final battle at the holiday events on Friday. Donations to play will be collected by your teacher handing out the bells.
There are a few guidelines:
1. You cannot refuse a challenge
2. You are only required to give up ONE bell necklace (one point each at the end) if you lose
3. If you win against a staff member and gain their bell necklace those are worth 5 points at the end
4. Challenges can ONLY happen at breaks and lunch. If you are seen rock-paper-scissor-ing during class time then you forfeit ALL of your points to that teacher
5. Challenge will end at the start of last period – you will count the number you have and teachers will record the class winner and their #AND collect the bells back
3) Winter Solstice – The winter solstice happening on December 21, occurs when the Earth’s Northern pole reaches its maximum tilt away from the Sun. The winter solstice is the day with the shortest period of daylight and longest night of the year, and when the Sun is at its lowest daily maximum elevation in the sky. The northern polar region experiences continuous darkness or twilight around its winter solstice. Re
4) International Migrants Day
International Migrants Day gives us opportunity to shine a spotlight on the invaluable contributions of millions of migrants around the world. It’s also a day for us to highlight the increasingly complex environment in which migration occurs. Conflicts, climate-related disasters and economic pressures continue to drive millions of people form their homes in search of safety or simply opportunity.
This past year, we saw record levels of internal displacement, rising humanitarian needs across ongoing and new crises, and tragically, the highest-ever death toll of migrants in transit. Yet, alongside these challenges, are stories of resilience, progress and hope. The evidence is overwhelming that when migration is managed safely and strategically, it can be a powerful force for good. By supporting regular pathways for migration, we can enable opportunities for migrants, better protect their rights, and contribute to greater prosperity in the countries come from and those that host them.
30 a traditional celebration of the sun and the warmth o
5) Christmas Eve is the evening or day before Christmas, observed on December 24th. This marks the culmination of Advent and serves as a time of religious observance and festive celebration for Christians, while others enjoy secular traditions like family gatherings, gift-giving, caroling, and preparing for Santa’s arrival, all in anticipation of Christmas Day. It’s a night of hope, filled with traditions rooted in faith, history, and cultural customs, from Midnight Mass to leaving out cookies for Santa.
6) Christmas, celebrated annually on December 25th, is a sacred religious holiday as well as a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For roughly two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, opening gifts from Santa Claus.
7) Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated on December 26 in Great Britain and some Commonwealth countries, particularly Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. During this day, servants, tradespeople, and the poor traditionally were presented with gifts. Because the work of servants was required for the Christmas Day celebrations of their employers, they were allowed the following day for their own observance of the holiday. December 26th is also the feast day of St. Stephen, the patron saint of horses, and Boxing Day has come to be a day of sporting events, including horse races, foxhunting, and rugby.
8) Your mighty Boys Hockey team defeated our most heated rival yesterday, defeating LCCVI 3-1 in Petrolia. Tanner W was a wall in net, turning aside all but one of the Lancer shots. Kayden got the scoring started, Colby C would give the Eagles the lead mid way through the third and Nathan L would seal the victory late with an empty net goal. Brody P, Tyler R and Tyler R were awesome on defence, showing poise with the puck, playing physical and making things very difficult on the Lancers. This was a true team win, all players played a part in this victory.
Petrolia Flyers High School Night
9) Attention all you hockey fans. The Petrolia Flyers are hosting their annual HIGH SCHOOL night, tonight where they will be hosting the always tough Exeter Hawks. Come out and support your Yeck Division Champion Flyers. Wear your Eagles Spirit Wear to the game or show your student card and only pay 5$ to get in. Game time is at 7:30
10) Holiday Week! Theme Days: Monday: Holiday Accessory Day, Tuesday: PJ Day, Wednesday: Anything but a Backpack Day, Thursday: Red and Green Day, Friday: Holiday Spirit Day
11) Lots of crafts in the library at lunch while supplies last; make a tree ornament, 2026 Vision Board, or a 2026 Bingo Card. Holiday movies continue in the library at lunch. Join us!
12) Basketball Players: Hoodies and dryfit shirts will be ready this week, which means money for these is due!
13) For the month of December, if you borrow a book recommended by Miss Syer or Ms. Herrington, you will be entered into a draw for a prize. Stop by the library to find out how to participate.
14) Alien RPG on Dec. 19th. Want to do something different next Friday afternoon? Imagine yourself on a colony in space about to be overrun by xenomorphs, trying to survive! Sounds fun…right?Right?? If it does find Mr. Singh and sign up. We have room for 4 players. Never played an RPG? No worries it’s fun and easy. But remember: in the cold emptiness of space no one can hear you scream. Have a nide day!!:) (Mr. Singh)
15) Intramural Girls Volleyball League – An intramural girls volleyball league will be starting for anyone looking to play organized volleyball after school. This will run on Wednesdays from 2:30-4:00 starting December 17. All players of all abilities are welcome – gym shoes are required. A sign up sheet is posted outside of the Girls Phys Ed Office, see Mrs. Cundick if you have questions.
16) Eagles Chess Club – This week we shall meet Thursday, December 18th. Don’t forget to download a chess clock to your phones. Come and join us in the “King’s Game”! All are welcome – beginners and experienced players. (Mr. Singh)
17) Eagle Cup Floorball Tournament – schedule is posted on the whiteboard in the gym outside of the boys’ locker room. Make sure you know when your team is playing and show up on time for your games. The tournament begins on Thursday at lunch.
18) Grad photo sessions are coming back in January 19-20. Location: Library Career Centre. Schedule your session at schedule.prestigeportraits.ca or phone Prestige Customer Service 1-888-676-1647.
19) Las Posadas: This religious festival is an interpretation of the Christian nativity story held in towns, villages, and cities in Mexico and across Latin American countries from December 16 to 24. These nine days represent the nine months of Mary’s pregnancy. Children and adults dress up and hold a procession through the streets every evening, singing songs and eating traditional foods. Some may dress up as Mary and Joseph or carry images of the couple. You might even see donkeys, shepherds, and angels.
20) Kwanzaa is an annual week-long celebration of African American culture and heritage, observed from December 26th through January 1st. The holiday was created in 1966 by educator and activist Dr. Maulanga Karenga to encourage pride, unity, and a connection to African roots during a time when many Black people faced unfair treatment in the United States. The name Kwanzaa means “first fruits” in Swahili (swa-heel-ee). Each day of the celebration, families and friends gather to reflect on the Seven Principles (which include unity, self-determination, and faith) and light a candle in the kinara. There are seven candles: one black symbolizing unity, three red symbolizing the past, and three green symbolizing the future. The festivities often involve the exchange of gifts and a shared feast, culminating on January 1st.
21) This is a reminder about the gingerbread house competition that is happening this week. Your period D class has the opportunity to create a Gingerbread house using cardboard and other craft supplies. Key Club members will be around on Thursday to judge them. Prizes will be delivered by the end of class that day.
22) The Business classes would like to thank staff and students for the success of last week’s two day Fair. All the vendors sold out of their goods and were pleased to share their it all with you. Without that support this event would not be possible. Both days were well attended, the enthusiasm was fantastic and the learning was dramatic. Thanks Everyone. (Mr. Tichenoff)
23) The cafeteria will be serving a turkey dinner for $10.99 on 17th, 18th, 19th December which includes roast turkey with stuffing, corn, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce topped with gravy and a sweet treat.
24) Holiday Plans? Great! But what about March Break 2027? You may know what you’re doing this holiday season…but do you know what you are March Break 2027? We do- and we want YOU to join us! Don’t spend all your holiday cash- start saving now. Think adventure, think fun, think a trip you’ll never forget. Destination Secret (for now). Adventure Guaranteed. All the exciting details will be revealed in the New Year!