Jason Phillips

Happy Weekend Lyonsgate Families,

We are two full weeks into the school year and all of our students have started school. Thank you to everyone that was able to attend our Casa and Toddler parent education event this past week, and we look forward to welcoming Lyonsgate parents to the first Elementary parent education session this coming week. It’s Photo Day on Tuesday!

This Week’s Classroom Update

It has been a busy start to the school year getting back into the swing of things. It is nice to finally have our whole class together as we worked through the staggered starts. The older children have been great helpers for our new friends in Casa North, and the new children are starting to get settled in the classroom and get used to the daily routine. We know it’s hard at the beginning of the year, and there are some tears, but consistency makes it easier for your children. We have already seen some new relationships form as well as old ones reconnect.

We’re looking forward to a good school year in Casa North!

The Casa North Team.

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Please click the links below for important dates from your children’s levels, other valuable information, and for recent photos of Lyonsgate’s Montessori students at work:

Lyonsgate Upcoming Important Dates and Information

Toddler and Casa Upcoming Important Dates

Elementary Upcoming Important Dates

Photo Gallery

Check your Lyonsgate calendar regularly for up to date events and information.

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Lyonsgate Upcoming Important Dates and Information

• Tuesday, Sept. 23: School Photo Day! All Lyonsgate students will have their school photos taken by Lifetouch.
• Friday, Sept. 26: PD Day. Both Lyonsgate campuses are closed.
• Monday, Oct. 13: Thanksgiving Holiday. Both Lyonsgate campuses are closed.
• Friday, Oct. 24: PD Day. Both Lyonsgate campuses are closed.

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Toddler and Casa Upcoming Important Dates

• Monday, Sept. 22: Vaccine history forms for Casa and Toddler students are due. Please complete and return the provided Public Health form (do not just send a copy of an immunization record).
• Thursday, Sept. 25: Toddler and Casa Scholastic book orders are due. Fall catalogs will come home with your children. Please order online using the school’s “class code.”
• Friday, Oct. 31: Casa and Toddler field trip to Brantwood Farms. [Toddler Parents: please plan to attend the field trip with your toddler student].

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Elementary Upcoming Important Dates

• Tuesday, Sept. 23: School Photo Day! Elementary students should be sure to arrive on time, as the class will be leaving campus at 8:50 a.m. to walk together to the other campus for photo day.  Once all the elementary students have had their picture taken, the class will return to the Elementary Campus together for the rest of the morning work cycle.
• Wednesday, September 24: Upper Elementary Outing. During the afternoon work cycle, students in Years 4 – 7 will be travelling by public bus into Westdale to hike the Royal Botanical Garden trails at Cootes Paradise. They are kindly reminded to wear their red Lyonsgate t-shirts, and bring along their child fare-free Presto card or bus fare ($3.75 cash in each direction).  Students should be prepared with comfortable, closed-toe footwear, and are welcome to bring along a pocket-size, nut-free and nutritious snack (e.g. granola bar, dried fruit), and water bottle.
• Thursday, September 25: Elementary Parent Education session. Please join us for our first Parent Education Event of the year on Harnessing the Power of Imagination: Learning in the Second Plane of Development. Parents are invited to join us on campus from 3:30 – 4:20 p.m.  During the event, child care for elementary students will be provided at the HAAA park with Lyonsgate staff, with the children returning to campus at the end of the presentation.  Younger siblings enrolled at the Primary Campus may remain there for aftercare during the event.  Please let us know how many adults plan to attend, and whether your children will be staying in childcare by completing the registration form by Monday, September 21. All Elementary students will travel to the HAAA park ahead of the event for dismissal, even if they are not staying for childcare.  Students regularly registered for aftercare will also be at the HAAA park, if you plan to pick up before the group returns to campus at 4:20.
• Thursday, Oct. 2: Elementary Cross Country Run. The class will be travelling by chartered school bus to La Salle Park in Burlington to participate in an annual cross-country run with students from other Montessori schools. This is intended to be a fun run where each of our students is working toward their personal goal while supporting their peers. For some students, this means having the courage to go to the starting line and try running with friends along a marked course. Others may be setting the goal of improving their pacing, their endurance, or their speed.
  This event is hosted by Fairview Glen Montessori as a fundraiser for a charity of their choice, and Lyonsgate will be donating the entry fee for all our Elementary participants. Students should come prepared for a big day outdoors, wearing their red Lyonsgate t-shirt, and carrying a robust litterless snack and lunch along with their water bottle, and a hat or sunglasses if desired. They will have a chance to eat some of their snack at the park before the charity run begins mid-morning. After their run, students will enjoy a picnic lunch and playground time mid-day, followed by a brief ceremony celebrating the participants. The students will be returning to campus in time for regular dismissal and aftercare.

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Photo Gallery

Hello Lyonsgate Families,

Read below to learn about the start of the school year in Lyonsgate’s Toddler classroom, important upcoming dates and other information, and for photos of Lyonsgate’s Montessori students at all levels engaged with their Montessori materials and in their Montessori school days.

This Week’s Classroom Update

Welcome to our Montessori Toddler Community! We are so excited to begin this meaningful journey with you and your family. One of the most important foundations of early childhood development is the feeling of safety and security. In our classroom, we strive to create a warm, predictable, and nurturing atmosphere. We have spent the first week together getting to know each other, doing very familiar things like singing “Wheels on the Bus,” reading books about cars and farms, and enjoying lots of sensory play. We know that young children thrive when they feel emotionally and physically safe, and that trust is essential for their learning and development. We understand that toddlers need time to build trust, and we gently support this process through respectful communication, consistent routines, and reflective observation. Over time, this secure bond will allow your child to feel confident and free to explore, try new things, and take healthy risks in their learning.

When children feel safe and connected, they are better able to regulate their emotions, cooperate with others, and engage fully in their environment. Our classroom encourages the development of self-regulation through gentle limits, clear expectations, and supportive guidance. Throughout the year the children will learn to express their feelings, manage frustration, and resolve conflict with kindness — all essential skills for lifelong emotional health.

“The education of even a small child, therefore, does not aim at preparing [them] for school, but for life.” Maria Montessori.

The Toddler Team.

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Please click the links below for important dates from your children’s levels, other valuable information, and for recent photos of Lyonsgate’s Montessori students at work:

Lyonsgate Upcoming Important Dates and Information

Toddler and Casa Upcoming Important Dates

Elementary Upcoming Important Dates

Photo Gallery

Check your Lyonsgate calendar regularly for up to date events and information.

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Lyonsgate Upcoming Important Dates and Information

• Tuesday, Sept. 23: School Photo Day! All Lyonsgate students will have their school photos taken by Lifetouch.
• Friday, Sept. 26: PD Day. Both Lyonsgate campuses are closed.
• Monday, Oct. 13: Thanksgiving Holiday. Both Lyonsgate campuses are closed.
• September 17, 18, and 19: City of Hamilton Fall Recreation program registration opens; click here for info.
• Hamilton Public Health offers a Group Theraplay program that is free for caregivers and children ages 2-6; click here for more information.

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Toddler and Casa Upcoming Important Dates

• Thursday, Sept. 18, 3:45-4:30: Lyonsgate principal Rachel Lyons will present the first Parent Education Session for Toddler and Casa families at the Primary campus on Aberdeen Ave. The topic will be Montessori’s First Plane of Development. Students of attending parents will have child care provided by Lyonsgate staff, and we will provide a snack to tide them over. Please register for the Parent Ed. session here and for kids’ snack no later than Monday, Sept. 15.
• Monday, Sept. 22: Vaccine history forms for Casa and Toddler students are due. Please complete and return the provided Public Health form (do not just send a copy of an immunization record).
• Thursday, Sept. 25: Toddler and Casa Scholastic book orders are due. Fall catalogs will come home with your children. Please order online using the school’s “class code.”
• Friday, Oct. 24: PD Day. Both Lyonsgate campuses are closed.
• Friday, Oct. 31: Casa and Toddler field trip to Brantwood Farms. [Toddler Parents: please plan to attend the field trip with your toddler student].

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Elementary Upcoming Important Dates

• Friday, September 19: Elementary Our Whole Lives (O.W.L.) Workshop 1. During the afternoon work cycle, students in Years 4 – 7 will have their first OWL workshop of the year, where they will discuss the concept of developing values and collaborate to create a set of social guidelines to keep OWL workshops, fun, informative, and ensure everyone is both comfortable and supportive of their peers. Students will receive an OWL handbook with a list of readings to complete at home from the book It’s Perfectly Normal, as well as follow-up activities to do with a trusted adult. Families are strongly encouraged to purchase a copy of the book for use at home, and children also have a copy in the classroom. There are no required readings before the introductory OWL workshop.
• Tuesday, Sept. 23: School Photo Day! Elementary students should be sure to arrive on time, as the class will be leaving campus at 8:50 a.m. to walk together to the other campus for photo day.  Once all the elementary students have had their picture taken, the class will return to the Elementary Campus together for the rest of the morning work cycle.
• Wednesday, September 24: Upper Elementary Outing. During the afternoon work cycle, students in Years 4 – 7 will be travelling by public bus into Westdale to hike the Royal Botanical Garden trails at Cootes Paradise. They are kindly reminded to wear their red Lyonsgate t-shirts, and bring along their child fare-free Presto card or bus fare ($3.75 cash in each direction).  Students should be prepared with comfortable, closed-toe footwear, and are welcome to bring along a pocket-size, nut-free and nutritious snack (e.g. granola bar, dried fruit), and water bottle.
• Thursday, September 25: Elementary Parent Education session. Please join us for our first Parent Education Event of the year on Harnessing the Power of Imagination: Learning in the Second Plane of Development. Parents are invited to join us on campus from 3:30 – 4:20 p.m.  During the event, child care for elementary students will be provided at the HAAA park with Lyonsgate staff, with the children returning to campus at the end of the presentation.  Younger siblings enrolled at the Primary Campus may remain there for aftercare during the event.  Please let us know how many adults plan to attend, and whether your children will be staying in childcare by completing the registration form by Monday, September 21. All Elementary students will travel to the HAAA park ahead of the event for dismissal, even if they are not staying for childcare.  Students regularly registered for aftercare will also be at the HAAA park, if you plan to pick up before the group returns to campus at 4:20.
• Thursday, Oct. 2: Elementary cross country with area Montessori schools.

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Photo Gallery

Hello Lyonsgate Families,

We have details for you about the year-end picnic, and the Casa and Elementary graduation ceremonies:

Elementary Graduation Ceremony:

• The Elementary graduation ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 19, at the Elementary campus, from 3:00-3:30 p.m., and will include some light refreshments. Each graduating student is welcome to invite two adults to attend the ceremony. The outdoor classroom will be opened to arriving guests at 2:55 p.m.

Year-End Family Picnic:

• Lyonsgate families are invited to join us for a fun day of play and picnic-ing to end the school year. Meet at Dundas Driving Park, pavilion #1, where we will be from 11:00-2:00. We are moving the picnic a bit earlier this year to help our Toddler students who need their afternoon naps. Besides the two playgrounds, Driving Park has a splash pad and wading pool, so swimsuits and towels are good to bring, as well as picnic blankets, sun protection, and any balls or frisbees or other park fun your family enjoys. Bring a picnic lunch and snacks for your family, and while definitely not a requirement you are welcome to contribute a potluck item to share. Remember, no nuts, and we also have anaphylactic allergies to fish and eggs.

Casa Graduation Ceremony:

• The Casa graduation ceremony, for students completing their Casa programs and entering Lyonsgate’s Elementary program or grade 1, will take place at the family picnic at Dundas Driving Park. The ceremony will start at 11:30, and we ask that graduates be there by 11:15.

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City of Hamilton Summer Program Registration Opens This Week: Click here for info and click here to register.

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TODAY! Elementary Cultural Fair and Final Bake Sale: see the Elementary section below.

Please click the links below for updates from your children’s levels and for recent photos at Lyonsgate:

Toddler

Casa

Elementary

Photo Gallery

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Toddler

Good Morning Toddler Families,

I hope everyone is well and finally enjoying the constant warm weather we have been having. This week we have spent a lot of our time outside! We have had so much fun in our outdoor environment exploring all of our senses — smelling plants/flowers, seeing/hearing animals, and touching/digging in dirt.

On Wednesday, we spent our morning enjoying the warm weather, sun, and nature. We even had our morning snack outside together and did some work repotting plants — a jade plant that needed a bigger pot and some snake plant leaves that we had propagated. Ms. Findlay talked to the toddlers about the roots and parts of the plants, like a “pup” (a small new plant which grows from a parent plant) which one of our propagated leaves sprouted. They all worked together to scoop dirt and repot these plants for our classroom.

We have have brought out a little bin of dirt for the children to use our mini “diggers” to scoop, fill, and dump during recess time. As well, we have gotten a big green tube (donated by a fellow Lyonsgate family — thank you!) for our outdoor space that the children have really enjoyed crawling through, hanging out in, and playing peek-a-boo with friends.

Wishing everyone an amazing week ahead, as we cannot believe there are only two weeks left of school!

Ms. Relic 🙂

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Casa

Good Morning Casa Families,

I hope that everyone is doing well as we head into our last few weeks of the school year.

As the weather is getting warmer and the sun is out now, we ask that parents remember to apply sunscreen to their children before heading to school. As you may have heard, every Monday morning, weather permitting, we will be taking the children to Beulah Park, so having sunscreen already applied and sending along a full water bottle with your child will help ensure everyone is safe and happy. These trips are a lovely way for the children to socialize and enjoy some fresh air and their natural outdoor surroundings.

Thank you to all the parents that came out for parent-teacher conferences last week. We appreciate connecting and sharing the children’s experiences and progress with you.

Personally, as we head into the last few weeks of school, I just wanted to say how much I’ve enjoyed working with all the Casa children. It’s been delightful watching them grow and learning from them everyday. I look forward to seeing all the returning children in September and wish our graduating students all the best.

As always, thank you for your continued support, we appreciate it very much.

Wishing each family a wonderful week,

Ms. Houston.

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Elementary

It is hard to believe that the end of the school year is already drawing near! The children are still full of enthusiasm for learning, even as they begin to dream of lazy summer days or new adventures on the horizon. Last week, there was a lot of excitement about the preparation of a traditional Mayan drinking chocolate. Students were excited to toast cacao nibs, grind them with a mortar and pestle, and combine the cacao powder with corn flour, cinnamon, dried chili pepper, and water. While stirring and simmering, comments like “looks like hot chocolate” and “smells pretty good” were common. However, once the concoction had cooled to room temperature and was ready to taste, they quickly discovered they had made a thin, bitter, and spicy brew! Although one tough palate savoured the flavor and said it was “pretty good,” the rest agreed they prefer their drinking chocolate sweetened with sugar. Lessons in history may not always be as expected, but this can make them even more memorable. The children are very excited to share with you their personal passion projects and collaborative pieces that reflect their learning this term at this afternoon’s Cultural Fair. We hope to see you all there!

Marissa and Michelle.

TODAY! Monday, June 9: Elementary Cultural Fair

Elementary parents, siblings, and other special people in your child’s life are invited to our Cultural Fair after school on Monday, June 9th. The Cultural Fair is our final open classroom of the year, with students showcasing work from the third term, including their explorations of the ancient Mayan civilization and other subject areas. Families are welcome to visit the Cultural Fair anytime between 3:15-4:15 p.m. When you arrive, please use the front porch entrance to the Maple Room and come inside! Our regular aftercare program will still be available to registered students until 4:30.

TODAY! Monday, June 9: Bake Sale Fundraiser for L.A. Strong (California Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund)

Beck and Charlie will be hosting the final student bake sale of the year during our Cultural Fair this afternoon. The Cultural Fair begins at 3:15, and the bake sale will open shortly afterward, running from 3:30-4:15. We look forward to seeing you there!

LA STRONG is a charity run by the Los Angeles government to support wildfire relief efforts. The reason they are doing this is because LA is very prone to wildfires. They are raising money to give supplies for the people who got burned and supplies for the firefighters, like food and water.
– from Beck and Charlie

Friday, June 13 – Saturday, June 14: Senior Sleepover

Students attending the senior sleepover should arrive at school on Friday the 13th with their sleeping bag, pillow, overnight bag, water bottle, and a personal after-school snack. They are also welcome to bring a treat such as a candy, cookies, chips, or popcorn to share with the group if they wish! The student will have supervised free play at the HAAA park until 4:30, and then return to campus for the evening. We have lots of fun activities planned, as well as a pizza dinner, a fresh-baked dessert, and a healthy bedtime snack. In the morning, we’ll have breakfast before students head home at 8:30 a.m. 🙂

Tuesday, June 17: Grand River Rafting Trip for the Graduates

The sixth-year graduates will be celebrating their many years of learning at Lyonsgate with a day out rafting on the Grand River! The graduates will be travelling by chartered bus to Brant Conservation Area, where they will be outfitted for the trip and given some paddling instructions, before embarking on a 5km journey on the river. Students should be prepared for the day with their red Lyonsgate t-shirt, sun protection, and shoes or closed-toe sandals that can get wet stepping in and out of the raft. They should bring along their litterless lunch and a full water bottle as well.

Thursday, June 19: Last Day of School/Elementary Graduation Ceremony

The last day of school is Thursday, June 19. The Elementary students will be cleaning up the classroom, playing games, and preparing to celebrate our graduating students! The Elementary graduation ceremony will be held on campus from 3:00-3:30 p.m., and will include some light refreshments. Each graduating student is welcome to invite two adults to attend the ceremony. The outdoor classroom will be opened to arriving guests at 2:55 p.m. 🙂

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Photo Gallery

Good Morning Lyonsgate Families,

Thank you for finding the time this week to come in and chat with your children’s Montessori guides about the school years your Montessori students have had. We are astounded by the growth and development children experience every school year, from Toddler to sixth-year Elementary, no matter how many years go by and how many children we see. They are always uniquely wonderful, and teach us as much as we can ever teach them.

If you still need to select a timeslot for your parent-teacher conference, please do so by clicking here. Both campuses will be closed to students on Friday, June 6, but child care is available during your conference timeslot.

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Please click the links below for updates from your children’s levels and for recent photos at Lyonsgate:

Toddler

Casa

Elementary

Photo Gallery

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Toddler

Hello Toddler Families,

We want to start off this week by saying how much we enjoyed having you at the RBG with us! It was so lovely to get to spend time with some of our families outside of school. This week, the Toddler students have been really into nature. We were talking a lot about birds and birds’ nests, how different birds use different materials to build their nests, and we have also got to explore different flowers with our flower arrangements in the classroom. During our trip to the RBG, the Toddlers got to explore their 5 senses throughout nature. They used their sight by matching their colour square to something along our hike. They used hearing by listening to all the different bird chirps. Touch by guessing if they had snake skin, wooden round, or a pinecone in their mysterious bag. They used their smell when passing flower bushes, stopping to smell the flowers!

Thank you,

Ms. Kubiak.

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Casa

Our field trip to the Royal Botanical Gardens on Friday was truly inspiring. The joy in the children’s faces as they rode the school bus to and from the RBG was contagious. We sang songs and marveled at the sights of the city, immersing ourselves in the beauty of learning through nature. Each child was encouraged to explore the world using their five senses, as we walked a trail that revealed stunning trees, vibrant birds, curious bugs, and even a turtle. We listened to the gentle whispers of the wind and the enchanting melodies of bird songs. The children touched and felt the textures of animal antlers, fur, bones, leaves, pinecones, and tree bark. In a fun game, they closed their eyes and sharpened their listening skills to navigate like bats. Upon returning to school, the children couldn’t wait to share their exciting adventures and discoveries.

It’s crazy to think that we only have 3 more weeks of the school year. We look forward to meeting with all of you at parent-teacher conferences this coming week. Keep an eye out for your child’s end of year videos coming in. They will be shared with you through a Google Drive link in the coming weeks.

Ms. Beach.

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Elementary

With only a few weeks remaining in the school year, the classroom is bursting with energy as students wrap up projects, create new challenges, and prepare for the transition to summer break and new adventures. Last week, there was a lot of excitement in class learning about geographic land and water forms and making models and posters of complementary features. Out on the Waterfront Trail, older students loved spending time visiting nesting mute swans, seeing their downy cygnets, and checking out the RBG’s fishway. Back at school, the older students were working hard to prepare the final mock-up of their first class newspaper, developing new computer skills as they adjusted their layout, margins, columns, and images. There was a also great deal of enthusiasm to learn about participating in a spelling bee and lots of cheering as competitors cleared each round of words. As we continued our exploration of ancient Mayan culture, everyone was fascinated to learn about the Mesoamerican ball game (also called pitz or tlachtli) played with a hard rubber ball on outdoor limestone courts. We look forward to sharing some of the children’s work with you at the upcoming Cultural Fair!

Marissa and Michelle.

Thursday, June 5: Bake Sale Fundraiser for the World Wildlife Fund

Josephine and Hannah are hosting a bake sale to raise funds for the World Wildlife Fund Canada! They will be selling lemonade, double-chocolate cookies, and vanilla muffins on the front porch after school from 3:30-4:15 p.m. Children in aftercare are also welcome to buy a treat and a staff member will assist them as needed. Coins and small bills are preferred.

Friday, June 6: Parent-Teacher Conferences

We look forward to meeting with you to talk about your child’s growth and accomplishments! Please remember to sign-up for a time slot by Thursday, June 5.

Monday, June 9: Elementary Cultural Fair

Elementary parents, siblings, and other special people in your child’s life are invited to our Cultural Fair after school on Monday, June 9th. The Cultural Fair is our final open classroom of the year, with students showcasing work from the third term, including their explorations of the ancient Mayan civilization and other subject areas. Families are welcome to visit the Cultural Fair anytime between 3:15-4:15 p.m. When you arrive, please use the front porch entrance to the Maple Room and come inside! Our regular aftercare program will still be available to registered students until 4:30.

Friday, June 13: Saturday, June 14: Senior Sleepover

Students attending the senior sleepover should arrive at school on Friday the 13th with their sleeping bag, pillow, and overnight bag. At the end of the school day, the children will have some supervised outdoor time and a snack, along with the aftercare students, until 4:30. After that, the sleepover begins! We have lots of activities planned for the evening, and will be serving dinner as well as some healthy snack options again before bedtime. In the morning, we’ll be having breakfast together before students head home at 8:30 a.m. If your child is planning to attend the senior sleepover, please complete the registration form by Friday, June 6. (If you have more than one child attending, please complete a form for each child. 🙂)

Tuesday, June 17: Grand River Rafting Trip for the Graduates

The sixth-year graduates will be celebrating their many years of learning at Lyonsgate with a day out rafting on the Grand River! The graduates will be travelling by chartered bus to Brant Conservation Area, where they will be outfitted for the trip and given some paddling instructions, before embarking on a 5km journey on the river. Students should be prepared for the day with their red Lyonsgate t-shirt, sun protection, and shoes or closed-toe sandals that can get wet stepping in and out of the raft. They should bring along their litterless lunch and a full water bottle as well.

Thursday, June 19: Last Day of School/Elementary Graduation Ceremony

The last day of school is Thursday, June 19. The Elementary class will be cleaning up the classroom, playing games, and preparing to celebrate our graduating students. The Elementary graduation ceremony will be held on campus from 3:00-3:30 p.m., and will include some light refreshments. Each graduating student is welcome to invite two adults to attend the ceremony. 🙂

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Photo Gallery

Hello Lyonsgate Families,

Friday, June 6, is a PA Day and both Lyonsgate campuses will be closed to students to accommodate year-end parent-teacher conferences. Conferences are 20 minutes in length and child care will be available during your conference. Please click here to select a conference timeslot. (Some classes have availability for after school conferences earlier in the week).

Also:

• Last week’s planned closure of the Lincoln Alexander Parkway was postponed due to the significant rainfall. The Linc will close this Friday, May 30.

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Please click the links below for updates from your children’s levels and for recent photos at Lyonsgate:

Toddler

Casa

Elementary

Photo Gallery

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Toddler

Hello Toddler Families,

This week in Toddler world, the students have been working really hard on counting. Children are counting how many blocks are in the tower they build during outdoor play. In the classroom, they are counting how many rocks are in their playdough creations, and are also counting objects relative to number symbols with our counting cards. The Toddler students really enjoy our number counter, starting with one object and, as they move down the counter, it has different numbers of objects [to count] on the spindle.

A friendly reminder as more students are in the process of toilet learning: if your child has started this journey please send extra clothes with them as accidents are part of the process (also, please remember to label all clothing and shoes that come to school with your child).

Thank you,

Ms. Kubiak.

Click to view and/or sign up for Toddler flower contributions

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Casa

Lyonsgate’s Casa students enjoyed the novelty of a couple of indoor recesses during the rainy days last week, and were excited to see the new-look of the downstairs area of the building now that the renovations are mostly complete. Thank you all for your patience during the grand opening last week too.

We are also seeing the explosions in cognitive, emotional, and social growth (and as always their physical growth) that is common during this third term. The students moving to our Elementary program next year have been enjoying their visits to the Elementary campus, and the Casa students returning next year will start to get their first experiences as class leaders as they begin to welcome Toddler students to their classrooms for familiarization visits.

Have a great week!

Click to book a parent observation in: Casa North | Casa South

Click to view and/or sign up for flower contributions in: Casa North | Casa South

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Elementary

Last week, the class continued their exploration of early Mayan culture by learning about their most important crop: corn! They recalled that in the Mayan creation story, the Framer and Shaper made their people from white and yellow corn, and delighted in depictions of the god of maize with a head shaped like an ear of corn. The children had a lot of fun learning about nixtamalization (soaking dried corn in a limewater solution), trying their hand at grinding cut corn with a mortar and pestle, and finally, mixing corn flour to make tortillas! In other work, many of the younger students were busy working with fractions this week, while some older students were excited to take their knowledge of negative numbers into work with the Cartesian plane. Theo and Matteo hosted a bake sale that had many classmates happily munching on brownies and cookies on the way home for school, and raised $117 for the S.P.C.A. The class ended the week with a spring pasta salad for community lunch, followed by a sing-along of old student favourites. We are looking forward to another week of joyful learning ahead!

Marissa and Michelle.

Thursday, May 29: Upper Elementary Outing

Students in Years 4-6 will be heading out on the public bus to hike the Waterfront Trail. They are kindly reminded to wear their red Lyonsgate t-shirts, and bring along their Presto card or bus fare. Students should be prepared with comfortable, closed-toe footwear, and are welcome to bring along a small snack, water bottle, and any sun protection gear they may want.

Friday, May 30: O.W.L. Workshops 9 and 10

This week, students in Years 4-6 will be completing Workshop 9: Consent and Peer Pressure, as well as Workshop 10: Healthy Relationships. Students are kindly reminded to complete their Homelink assignments and any required reading.

Monday, June 9: Elementary Cultural Fair

Elementary parents, siblings, and other special people in your child’s life are invited to our Cultural Fair after school on Monday, June 9th. The Cultural Fair is our final open classroom of the year, with students showcasing work from the third term, including their explorations of the ancient Maya civilization and other subject areas. Families are welcome to visit the Cultural Fair anytime between 3:15-4:15 p.m. When you arrive, please use the front porch entrance to the Maple Room and come inside! Our regular aftercare program will still be available to registered students until 4:30.

Friday, June 13-Saturday, June 14: Senior Sleepover

Students attending the senior sleepover should arrive at school on Friday, June 13, with their sleeping bag, pillow, and overnight bag. At the end of the school day, the children will have some supervised outdoor time and a snack, along with the aftercare students, until 4:30. After that, the sleepover begins! We have lots of activities planned for the evening, and will be serving dinner as well as some healthy snack options again before bedtime. In the morning, we’ll be having breakfast together before students head home at 8:30 a.m. If your child is planning to attend the senior sleepover, please complete the registration form by Friday, June 6 (if you have more than one child attending, please complete a form for each child 🙂).

Save-the-Dates!

Friday, June 6: Parent-Teacher Conferences

Tuesday, June 17: Grand River Rafting Graduation Trip for Students in Year 6

Thursday, June 19: Last Day of School/Elementary Graduation Ceremony from 3:00-3:30 p.m.

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Photo Gallery

Hello Lyonsgate Families,

We hope everyone had a great long weekend. The next P.A. Day is Friday, June 6, for parent-teacher conferences. Sign-up for conference time-slots will be available next week.

Updates:

• Casa and Toddler Field Trip: Casa and Toddler students will venture to the RBG Arboretum/Nature Interpretive Centre for the morning on Friday, May 30. Cost for the field trip is $15/student, payable by cash or e-transfer to accounts@lyonsgate.ca before Friday, May 30. They will be participating in the “Making Sense of Nature” program that emphasizes sensory activities and explorations. Toddler parents: please meet us at the RBG Nature Interpretive Centre between 9:30-9:45; Toddler students require parent/guardian accompaniment throughout the field trip and can return to the school for 12:30 to have lunch and nap (one parent/guardian is free, additional accompaniment is $15/person).
• Linc Closure: this Friday, May 23, the Lincoln Alexander Parkway will close for the weekend for maintenance. If you regularly use the Linc, some alternate route planning will be necessary on Friday.
• Toddlers are discovering new life.
• How the Casa classroom works.
• Elementary students went to the 1800s.

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Please click the links below for updates from your children’s levels and for recent photos at Lyonsgate:

Toddler

Casa

Elementary

Photo Gallery

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Toddler

Happy Tuesday Toddler Families,

I hope every one had a wonderful long weekend! Lately, along with chatting about the changes in whether, we have been talking about the changes in our outdoor environment. We discuss things like plants, trees, animals, and more outside. The magic of seeing new leaves on trees and how quickly they can appear. Flowers peaking up through the dirt and finding flower petals. Lots of children are searching for and picking up flowers, leaves, and petals on their walk to school, excited to show us what they have found on the way.

We have also watched lots of ants and critters crawling around and have taken the time to observe them. We have seen birds flying and chirping above our heads or in the yard on the other side of the fence. It’s so exciting to watch our outdoor environment bloom as spring is here. We have also talked about how all these things are living things and feel, just like us. Lots of beautiful things to see, do, and more fresh air!

Just a reminder: an email was sent to some families asking if they would like sunscreen applied in the afternoon before dismissal. If you did not receive an email there is sunscreen at the school for your child. If you choose to send sunscreen in, please label it and hand it to the person greeting you at the gate (and no aerosol sunscreens please). Children should arrive in the morning with sunscreen on for our morning outside time.

Have a beautiful week,

Ms. Relic.

Click to view and/or sign up for Toddler flower contributions

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Casa

Our classrooms are so much more than just places for academic learning; they’re vibrant spaces where kids build their mental strength and grow into strong, independent individuals. We focus on developing problem-solving skills and encourage fun, meaningful conversations, active practice, and critical thinking. We love celebrating efforts over results, cherishing those joyful moments as we engage with our children.

We believe in keeping the lines of communication open by asking questions like, “How do you feel about this activity?” and “What do you think about those colours?” We embrace the learning that comes from mistakes and see them as valuable moments for kids to discover more about themselves than we could ever teach them. Setting healthy boundaries is important to us, and we give children the words to express their needs, whether it’s asking for a bit of space or chatting with their classmates and teachers.

Decision-making is at the heart of our classroom culture. Kids can choose their activities and seating, and voice their needs for snacks or drinks. This little independence helps them take responsibility for their wants and well-being. We also introduce the idea of delayed gratification in a fun way, as many activities are linked to mastering foundational skills, creating excitement as they look forward to playing with the bead cabinet, for example.

With all the opportunities that our classroom offers, mental strength really thrives. I encourage you to bring some of these principles into your home, too! Children are like little sponges, always watching and learning from the adults in their lives, shaping them into the successful citizens of tomorrow.

Ms. Canessa.

Click to book a parent observation in: Casa North | Casa South

Click to view and/or sign up for flower contributions in: Casa North | Casa South

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Elementary

Everyone had a fantastic time exploring life in the 1800s at Westfield Heritage Village. The students rotated through four learning stations, exploring artefacts and listening to the guides talk about the land, farming, travel, and school. Out on the trails, they learned about settlers clearing the land for crops, planting rows of white pine to build their barns and houses, and how to identify challenging plants such as poison ivy and buckthorn. On the family farm, they learned about the daily chores necessary to feed and shelter the family through the changing seasons, and at the inn they performed a guided play about the comforts and dangers of traveling by horse and wagon. In the one-room schoolhouse, the children were familiar with reading cursive and were quick to answer the math problems asked. They were less keen on the idea of walking an hour to school in the morning or having to bring in their own wood to contribute to the fire, and so were eager to each ring the large school bell and dismiss class for the day. It was a beautiful day for an outdoor picnic, and the children loved a whole day spent learning outside the classroom.

Thursday, May 22: Bake Sale Fundraiser for the S.P.C.A

Theo and Matteo are hosting a bake sale to raise funds for the S.P.C.A! They will be selling cookies on the front porch after school from 3:30-4:00 p.m. Children in aftercare are also welcome to buy a treat and a staff member will assist them as needed. Coins and small bills are preferred.

Friday, May 23: O.W.L. Workshops

This week, students in Years 4-6 will be completing Workshop 8: Decisions and Actions (originally scheduled for May 9), and beginning the planned Workshop 9: Consent and Peer Pressure.

Thursday, May 29: Upper Elementary Outing

Students in Years 4-6 will be heading out on the public bus to hike the Waterfront Trail. They are kindly reminded to wear their red Lyonsgate t-shirts, and bring along their Presto card or bus fare. Students should be prepared with comfortable, closed-toe footwear, and are welcome to bring along a small snack, water bottle, and any sun protection gear they may want.

Monday, June 9: Elementary Cultural Fair

Elementary parents, siblings, and other special people in your child’s life are invited to our Cultural Fair after school on Monday, June 9th. The Cultural Fair is our final open classroom of the year, with students showcasing work from the third term, including their explorations of the ancient Maya civilization. Families are welcome to visit the Cultural Fair anytime between 3:15-4:15 p.m. When you arrive, please use the front porch entrance to the Maple Room and come inside! Our regular aftercare program will still be available to registered students until 4:30.

Friday, June 13-Saturday, June 14: Senior Sleepover

Students attending the senior sleepover should arrive at school on Friday with their sleeping bag, pillow, and overnight bag. At the end of the school day, the children will have some supervised outdoor time and a snack, along with the aftercare students, until 4:30. After that, the sleepover begins! We have lots of activities planned for the evening, and will be serving dinner as well as some healthy snack options again before bedtime. In the morning, we’ll be having breakfast together before students head home at 8:30 a.m. Please check next week’s update for a sign-up link and further details!

Save-the-Dates!

Friday, June 6 – Parent-Teacher Conferences

Tuesday, June 17 – Grand River Rafting Graduation Trip for Students in Year 6

Thursday, June 19 – Last Day of School / Elementary Graduation Ceremony from 3:00 – 3:30 p.m.

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Photo Gallery

Good Morning Lyonsgate Families,

This Friday, May 16, is a PD day and Monday, May 19, is the Victoria Day statutory holiday. Both Lyonsgate campuses will be closed to students. Fingers crossed for a warm, sunny long weekend!

Also going on at Lyonsgate:

• After two years of significant renovations, the Yugal Kunj temple has their grand opening this coming weekend. There will be tent set-up taking place in the parking lot beginning Thursday morning. It may be easier to park on nearby streets on Thursday.
• Elementary students are going “Down on the Farm.”
• Casa est en Francais.
• Toddlers know the weather.

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Please click the links below for updates from your children’s levels and for recent photos at Lyonsgate:

Toddler

Casa

Elementary

Photo Gallery

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Toddler

Hello Toddler Families,

We are so happy to be seeing the sun on a more regular basis! With all of the different weather happening lately, we’ve been learning about the sun, clouds, rain, and that far off memory of snow. We’ve been chatting about what clothes we wear in which kind of weather …rain boots, sun hats, and how sometimes we come to school in hats and sweaters and go home in T-shirts. A friendly reminder that shoes need to be closed toed and labelled.

An email was sent to some families asking if they would like sunscreen applied in the afternoon before dismissal. If you did not receive an email there is sunscreen at the school for your child. If you choose to send sunscreen in please label it and hand it to the person greeting you at the gate (and no aerosol sunscreens please). Children should arrive in the morning with sunscreen on for our morning outside time.

Vanessa Findlay.

Click to view and/or sign up for Toddler flower contributions

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Casa

Chers Parents,

Je tiens à vous adresser un petit mot pour vous partager quelques moments de notre apprentissage du français en classe.

Avec vos enfants, nous explorons la langue à travers différentes activités adaptées à leur niveau et à leur rythme. Récemment, nous avons enrichi notre vocabulaire autour de plusieurs thématiques telles que les couleurs, la famille, et les animaux.

Des chansons comme, “Trois petits chats” et “L’alouette,” ont également été intégrées aux séances afin de stimuler l’écoute, la prononciation et le plaisir d’apprendre. Ces comptines sont de formidables outils pour ancrer le vocabulaire tout en créant une ambiance joyeuse.

Nous avons aussi entamé la lecture d’un livre éducatif intitulé dans la nature. Il ne s’agit pas d’une histoire classique, mais d’un support riche en découvertes que nous parcourons progressivement, en prenant le temps de bien assimiler le contenu de chaque partie.

Cordialement,

Mme Hammouche.

Click to book a parent observation in: Casa North | Casa South

Click to view and/or sign up for flower contributions in: Casa North | Casa South

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Elementary

The class was very busy last week preparing to celebrate Mother’s Day by preparing some writing to describe, pay tribute, or tease(!) their mothers with heartfelt letters and a variety of poetic forms. In biology, studies in botany continued with further investigation of seeds, from sprouting peas to comparing monocots and dicots. In zoology, many students were also eager to examine a real bird specimen, identifying key features of birds up close and learning about different types of feathers. Everyone also heard a story introducing them to the history of the Maya people, and what their life was like more than 5,000 years ago. We will continue to study the culture of the ancient Maya over the coming weeks. This week, we look forward to learning more about the history of people living in our area of Ontario, with a whole class field trip to Westfield.

We hope you enjoy the week and the extra-long weekend ahead!

Marissa and Michelle.
with photos from Colin.

Thursday, May 15: Class Field Trip to Westfield Heritage Village

The whole class will be traveling by chartered school bus for a full day at Westfield Heritage Village. We’ll be participating in the “Down on the Farm” program to explore what daily life was like in rural Ontario in the early 19th century. The trip is largely outdoors and will take place rain or shine, so please be prepared for any weather! Students are reminded to wear their red Lyonsgate t-shirt for the day, and to bring along an easy-to-transport, litter-less lunch and water bottle. The students will be able to stow their lunch bags at the indoor dining space while they are touring the village.

Friday, May 16: P.D. Day / Scholastic Orders Due

The staff will be busy on campus preparing for the final lessons of the term and several special events coming soon! The kids can enjoy an extra-long weekend for Victoria Day.

If you wish to be included in our next shipment from Scholastic Book Club, please submit your online order by noon, using the class code RC 14412. We’ll be placing the classroom order by the end of day for quick shipping of new books for the sunny days ahead. If you wish any part of your order to remain a surprise, please let us know by email.

Thursday, May 22: Student Bake Sale

Theo and Matteo are hosting a bake sale to raise funds for the S.P.C.A. They will be selling cookies on the front porch after school from 3:30-4:00 p.m. Children in aftercare are also welcome to buy a treat and a staff member will assist them as needed. Coins and small bills are preferred.

Save-the-Dates!

Monday, June 9: Elementary Cultural Fair from 3:15 p.m.-4:15 p.m.

Friday, June 13-Saturday, June 14: Senior Sleepover for Students in Years 3-6

Tuesday, June 17: Grand River Rafting Graduation Trip for Students in Year 6

Thursday, June 19: Last Day of School/Elementary Graduation Ceremony from 3:00-3:30 p.m.

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Photo Gallery

Good Morning Lyonsgate Families,

The next PD Day is coming up on Friday, May 16, which leads into the Victoria Day long weekend; Lyonsgate will also be closed Monday, May 19, for the holiday.

Casa and Toddler Families: On the morning of May 30, we are planning a field trip to the RBG Arboretum. Toddler students will need parent or guardian accompaniment and transport for the trip. Casa students will travel to and from by chartered school bus. We will have more details once they are confirmed.

Elementary Families: See the Elementary section for a number of upcoming “save-the-dates.”

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Please click the links below for updates from your children’s levels and for recent photos at Lyonsgate:

Toddler

Casa

Elementary

Photo Gallery

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Toddler

Hello Toddler Families,

Spring brings so many new learning opportunities and the children are noticing everything! There are ants scurrying in the dirt, wet worms after the rain, and new buds on the trees. Snowsuits with zippers have changed to rain coats with snaps, and shoes that fit in September are starting to feel a bit snug. In the classroom, we are learning how to snip with scissors as we work on hand-eye coordination. Our water play area continues to be popular with many different boats to float and drive. This week, our artists will be exploring stamping and learning how an envelope works. Watch for backpacks full of masterpieces!

Vanessa Findlay.

Click to view and/or sign up for Toddler flower contributions

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Casa

Good Morning Casa Families,

I hope that everyone is doing well as we head into some warm and beautiful weather. Remember that this time of year weather is unpredictable, so it is helpful to have some warmer options just in case, as outdoor activities are a big part of our day here at Lyonsgate.

Since the sun is out now, we also ask that parents remember to send in sunscreen for their children. The sunscreen must be in the original container and clearly have their name labeled on it. Some of our children at Lyonsgate have allergies so please do not send in aerosol sunscreens.

We also recognize that with the season change, there will be new jackets and shoes the children will be excited to show off. Please make sure to confirm any new articles of clothing and shoes can be easily put on and taken off. Practicing getting their outdoor gear on/off at home will help to make their day at school go much smoother, and is a great way to help foster independence and give them confidence to know they can do it on their own.

As always, thank you for your continued support, we appreciate it very much.

Wishing each family a wonderful week,

Ms. Houston.

Click to book a parent observation in: Casa North | Casa South

Click to view and/or sign up for flower contributions in: Casa North | Casa South

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Elementary

The students had a great time last week with a focus on civic responsibilities and privileges. They worked together in six different teams to distribute nearly 400 collection bags for the neighbourhood food drive, volunteering their endless energy for the greater good! They also enjoyed learning about the importance of voting, and how citizens are represented in the government, before casting their own ballot for the riding of Hamilton Centre. In contrast to the real election, the students returned the incumbent NDP to office, but with only a two-vote margin over the Liberal Party. The children continue to enjoy new explorations in botany, and are learning a song about the six parts of plants.

Have a great week!

Marissa and Michelle.

Friday, May 9: O.W.L. Workshop # 8, Part 2

Students in Years 4-6 will be completing their O.W.L. workshop on Decisions and Actions.

Thursday, May 15: Class Field Trip to Westfield Heritage Village

The whole class will be traveling by chartered school bus for a full day at Westfield Heritage Village. We’ll be participating in the Down on the Farm program to explore what daily life was like in rural Ontario in the early 19th century. The trip is largely outdoors and will take place rain or shine, so please be prepared for any weather! Students are reminded to wear their red Lyonsgate t-shirt for the day, and to bring along an easy-to-carry litter-less lunch and water bottle.

Friday, May 16: P.D. Day – No School for Students

The staff will be busy on campus preparing for the final lessons of the term and several special events coming soon! The kids can enjoy an extra-long weekend for Victoria Day.

Save-the-Dates!

• Monday, June 9: Elementary Cultural Fair from 3:15 p.m.-4:15 p.m.
• Friday, June 13-Saturday, June 14: Senior Sleepover for Students in Years 3-6
• Tuesday, June 17: Graduation Trip for Students in Year 6
• Thursday, June 19: Last Day of School/Elementary Graduation Ceremony from 3:00-3:30 p.m.

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Photo Gallery