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शुभ दीपावली

Diwali at Davisville

The Davisville Junior PS and Spectrum Alternative School community comes together for a celebration of light, home-cooked food and thanks for our teachers.

Thursday, November 5, 2026

Sign up to volunteerBring a dish
When
Thursday, November 5, 2026
Timing to be announced
Where
Davisville Junior PS & Spectrum Alternative School
School atrium and grounds, Toronto. Get directions
Who it's for
Our whole school community
Students, families, teachers and staff of both schools

What's happening

Three things anchor the celebration. Below them are more ideas we'd love to add, including ones shared by families.

A feast of Indian food

Families cook and share their favourites: samosas and chaat, rice and curries, and plenty of mithai. Every dish is labelled with its ingredients.

Thank you, teachers

Offerings of sweets, flowers and handwritten notes for the teachers and staff of both schools, presented together during the celebration.

Celebrations in the atrium

Decorate diyas, create colourful rangoli, explore the Diwali display table and learn what Diwali is all about.

Proposed additions

These need volunteers and a yes from the organizers. Ideas you send through the form appear here too. Tell us your idea.

  • Diya decorating

    Paint a clay diya to take home. We use LED tea lights, so there are no open flames in the school.

  • The story of Diwali

    A short, simple story about Diwali, the festival of lights, and why families celebrate it.

Ideas from families

No ideas yet. Be the first to suggest one.

How the day flows

This is a draft running order. We'll add times once the schools confirm the schedule.

  1. Step 1: Setup and decoration

    Volunteers place LED diyas, draw the entrance rangoli and set up the food tables.

  2. Step 2: Doors open

    Families are welcomed at the entrance. The welcome desk hands out the program and points the way.

  3. Step 3: Lighting the diyas

    A short welcome from the principals and organizers, and the lighting of the LED diyas together.

  4. Step 4: Thank you, teachers

    Students and families present offerings and notes of thanks to the teachers and staff.

  5. Step 5: Food is served

    The food tables open, with savoury dishes first, then mithai and chai.

  6. Step 6: Celebrations in the atrium

    Families decorate diyas, create rangoli, explore the Diwali display table and learn what Diwali is all about.

  7. Step 7: Closing and group photo

    A final thank-you and one big photo of everyone who gives consent.

  8. Step 8: Cleanup

    Everyone lends a hand to sort waste and leave the school just as we found it.

Lend a hand

A celebration this size runs on volunteers. Give an hour or the whole day, whatever works for you.

Pick your roles

Roles follow the order of the day above. Choose as many as you like, and each one shows who has signed up so far.

Your details

Shown with your roles as first name and last initial, like Priya S.

Add it so we can send your timing.

For last-minute changes on the day.

When can you help?

Bring a dish

Home-cooked food is the heart of the celebration. Tell us what you're making so we end up with a good mix of savoury, sweet and drinks.

Category
Dietary

Shown with your dish, like Priya S.

Ideas, thanks and questions

Suggest something new, write a thank-you note for a teacher, or ask the organizers anything. Ideas appear under Proposed additions for everyone to see. Notes for teachers are printed and handed over at the celebration, and questions go only to the organizers.

What would you like to send?

Shown with your idea as first name and last initial, like Priya S.

Good to know

Who can come?

Students, families, teachers and staff of Davisville Junior PS and Spectrum Alternative School. Bring the whole family.

When does it start?

We'll share the exact timing soon. Volunteers and cooks who sign up here hear first.

Will there be real diyas or candles?

No. To keep the school safe, every diya and tea light uses an LED. You still get the glow.

What about food allergies?

Every dish is labelled with its ingredients. Please keep contributions nut-free and tell us about allergens when you sign up a dish.

Can I bring food without signing up?

Please sign it up first. It helps us balance savoury, sweet and drinks, and make sure every dish gets a label.

Who can see what I sign up with?

Everyone can see your first name and last initial next to your roles, your dish or an idea you share, so the community knows who's helping. Thank-you notes and questions aren't shown on the site. Emails and phone numbers are private: only the organizers see them.

Will photos be taken?

Yes, but only of families who have given consent. Let the welcome desk know if you'd rather not be photographed.

I have an idea. Who do I tell?

Send it through the ideas form below. It appears under Proposed additions for everyone to see, and the organizers read every one.