Year 8's starting highschool

You may not know a lot of people when you start high school. Your friends from intermediate might be going to a different high school. Even if you know other people there, you might feel nervous that you don't know any people older than you. You could be thinking how are you going to make friends among all these people?

Most high schools hold an orientation before school actually starts. These are helpful because you learn your way around the building and get to meet some of your teachers, but you also get to meet older people that go there. So when you show up on your first day of school, you could already know some people.

When you talk to people at orientation, you'll probably find that heaps of them are feeling like you are. They're all new to the school and don't know what to expect. Talking to them and introducing your-self can make new friendships.

Diwali

Diwali is known as the "festival of lights," is a festival celebrated between mid-October and mid-November for different reasons. For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. For Jains, Diwali marks the attainment of moksha or nirvana by Mahavira in 527 BC. Diwali is an official holiday in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore, and Fiji. The name "Diwali" translates into "row of lamps". Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps (diyas) filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. These lamps are kept on during the night and one's house is cleaned, both done in order to make the goddess Lakshmi feel welcome. Firecrackers are burst in order to drive away evil spirits. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends.