Lyonsgate Update March 4, 2024
Good Morning Lyonsgate Families,
This is the last week before the March Break. Have a wonderful, restful, or adventuresome, two weeks everybody and we’ll see you on Monday, March 25.
It’s a gradual return to full-time schooling when we return as we have an early Easter this year with Good Friday and Easter Monday falling on March 29 and April 1 respectively, followed by the rescheduled PD day on April 8 (originally April 19) due to the total solar eclipse that day.
Hello Toddler Parents,
It was wonderful to observe parents coming into the classroom with their children for Show and Share. It was heart-warming to see children touring the environment with such enthusiasm and pride.
Please remember to consult the weather each day before sending your child to school and send the appropriate outerwear. It seems like such a mixed bag of temperatures from one day to the next.
Ms. Gervais.
Bonjour à Vous Tous!
We are almost at the end of our winter term. We have been practicing many songs:
- Meunier tu dors
- Pomme de reinette
- Les sept jours de la semaine
- Tête, épaules, genoux…
- Sur le pont d’Avignon
- Le petit navire
- Dans mon sac à dos
Action songs helps build confidence, language development, memory recall, listening skills, coordination, and following of directions.
We continue to work on “les opposés,” naming and matching colours, animals, transportation, weather, different foods, and seasons.
I’m looking forward to our upcoming term and introducing more fun exciting activities!
Bonne semaine mes chères familles!
Mme Renée Perazzo.
The students are excited to be wrapping up the second term of school and anticipating lots of fun over the spring break! For the past nine weeks, the children have worked hard to improve their reading, writing, and math skills, while also working hard to care for the classroom and each other. They kept their hands busy with collaborative model-building in geography and demonstrating heart functions in biology. They read beautiful stories and shared their thoughts in literature circles and laughed a lot as they acted in short plays for reader’s theatre or French class. They learned karate and kick-boxing, tried a variety of dance styles, and returned to soccer skills, with senior students stepping into coaching roles. They learned more about human history and the important inventions and events that have shaped our culture, and others’. They delighted in experimenting with new artistic styles, and are thrilled to reveal their own artistic works to you this afternoon at the Elementary Art Show. We are looking forward to a great final week of the term, and hope you all enjoy a wonderful spring break!
Warmly,
your Elementary Team.
Open Classroom Art Show — TODAY
Family members are invited to join us as the Elementary campus is transformed into a gallery of student artwork! The classroom will be open to visitors from 3:15 p.m.-4:15 p.m. Our student fundraising team will be selling brownies and cookies in support of KidsSport Canada, which helps children access sports programs in their communities with registration fees and equipment, so be prepared with your sweet tooth and some change! We look forward to celebrating and sharing the children’s work with you.
Elementary Progress Reports — Friday, March 8
Keep an eye out for your child’s progress report, which should be accompanying them home from school this Friday. While there are no parent-teacher conferences scheduled at the end of the second term, parents are always welcome to contact us to discuss how things are going at school. We look forward to meeting with all families at the beginning of June.
March/April Scholastic Order
Your child recently brought home a flyer from Scholastic with spring deals on books for all ages, with many more titles available on their website. If you would like to be included in our April shipment, please place your family’s online Scholastic order by Friday, March 15.
To receive free shipping, simply include our class code: RC144312 when checking out, and your order will be grouped together with others from the school, and shipped to campus. Please let us know if there are any surprise or gift items in your order you would like to be kept hidden from your child, and we’ll set it aside for you to pick up discreetly. Happy reading!
from the Classroom Historians
Lyonsgate Update Feb. 26, 2024
Good Morning Lyonsgate Families,
Toddler Show & Share is this week; please see the Toddler section.
Also, the weather forecast for this week is a bit of a wild one. Please keep an eye on the forecast for each day to ensure children have the appropriate outer wear for the day.
Hello Toddler Families,
This week, we are offering a Show and Share. This is a wonderful chance to come into the classroom with your children and explore together. It is an opportunity for your child to show you around and maybe even give you some lessons!
If you still need to register for a Show & Share visit, please see the email “Toddler Show & Share Sign-Up” sent Feb. 20.
Ms. Gervais.
Bonjour Chers Parents,
“Merci!” to all the parents that came to our Parent Education event last Thursday. I just want to add that all the language activities we presented to you that lead to reading, it’s the same process of teaching French. For example: Moveable Alphabet, Sandpaper Letters, Sound Games, Classified Cards, and reading small books phonetically are all Montessori materials and activities practiced in French. Once the students master those activities in English, they are introduced in French as well.
Lately, we have worked on three different communication phrases:
- Quelle est ta couleur préferée?
- Quelle est ta saison préferée?
- Quel est ton animal préferé?
Songs:
- Un éléphant qui se balancer…
- Un petit pouce qui dance
- Une souris verte
Our Casa North students enjoyed a collection of books written by Mo Williams:
- Quelqu’un a pris mon ballon!
- Pas facile d’attendre!
- Veux-tu jouer dehors?
Bonne semaine à tous!
Mme Murati
Upper Elementary Outing — Thursday, February 29
Upper Elementary students are reminded to be prepared with their red Lyonsgate t-shirt, their Presto card, and comfortable footwear for this month’s outing. The students will be taking public transit to Princess Point to access the Desjardins Recreation Trail for a winter hike. Students are welcome to bring along a simple nut-free snack and light-weight water bottle, and should be prepared for whatever weather we may encounter!
Open Classroom Art Show — Monday, March 4
Family members are invited to join us as the classroom is transformed into a gallery of student artwork. The classroom will be open to visitors from 3:15 p.m.-4:15 p.m. Sweet treats prepared by our student fundraising team will be available for purchase in support of KidsSport Canada.
from the Classroom Historians
Emmett and Eloisa.
Lyonsgate Update Feb. 20, 2022
Good Morning Lyonsgate Families,
We hope everyone had a fantastic long weekend and found time for great Family Day activities. Here are your updates of important dates, RSVPs, and news and info from your children’s teaching staff.
This Week:
- Toddler Parent Education: Wednesday, Feb. 21, 3:00-3:30 p.m. Please enter through the grey door off the parking lot, and please resist the urge to peek into the playground for a quick wave.
- Casa Parent Education: Thursday, Feb. 22, 3:45-4:30. Your children’s Casa guides will be discussing “A Path to Reading.” Please enter through the grey door off the parking lot, and please resist the urge to peek into the playground for a quick wave. If you plan to attend, please RSVP here: https://go.oncehub.com/CasaFebParentEducation
Coming Up & Ongoing:
- Casa Open Classroom Observations: Parents of Casa students are invited to contact their child’s classroom guide to arrange a date and time for a 20 minute observation in your child’s Montessori classroom, during the morning work cycle. Please contact your child’s Montessori guide at:
- Ms. Beach in Casa North: casanorth@lyonsgate.ca
- Ms. Robinson in Casa South: casasouth@lyonsgate.ca
- Toddler Show & Share: Show & Share in the Toddler classroom will take place Wednesday, Feb. 28, to Friday, March 1. You will be welcomed into your child’s Montessori environment with up to five other families between 3:30-4:00 to enjoy some of your child’s favourite activities with them. Sign-up will be emailed separately.
- Elementary Open Classroom Art Show: On Monday, March 4, from 3:15-4:15, family members are invited to join us as the classroom is transformed into a gallery of student artwork. Sweet treats prepared by our student fundraising team will be available for purchase in support of KidsSport Canada.
- Free Screening from Anderson Therapy: Lyonsgate Montessori School collaborates with Anderson Therapy Services to provide a holistic approach to education and developmental support for students. This collaborative effort ensures that students receive the individualized attention and support necessary to thrive at school, and in life. Anderson Therapy Services is offering free screening services for parents, ensuring early detection and intervention for any potential developmental concerns in children. This proactive approach empowers parents with valuable insights and support, and promotes the well-being and healthy development of children.
Ms. Craigie, Learning Resource Specialist.
Please click the image below for contact, query, and booking information.
Greetings Toddler Families,
I hope all is well and that you all enjoyed a relaxing Family Day weekend.
Please join us for our parent education session on: “The Social-Emotional Life of Toddlers: insight on how to talk to young children with respect, help them develop communication skills, and build resilience and self-regulate.”
The mental health of children has always been an integral part of the Montessori community: “We must study the profound and mysterious psychology of the little child, observe its development, and find what we can do to help,” Maria Montessori.
The Montessori approach advocates for children to listen to their inner voice, follow their instincts, and make choices. The guides are committed to protecting the emotional well being of each child. Children are encouraged to express their emotions and build healthy relationships through clear communication and respect.
In Understanding the Human Being, Silvana Quattrocchi Montanaro, M.D., writes,” It is our responsibility to children, and, therefore, the future of humanity, to provide them with a model for relationships with other people that involves respect for the individual and that allows everyone who lives together to express an opinion and make decisions …The child wants freedom and respect, and we should create a family and social groupings in which these values are real and operational.”
Good Morning Lyonsgate Families,
I have heard many coworkers say that they had struggled with math before learning the Montessori way. The students in Casa South have been working hard to learn and master these concepts.
Our younger students have been exploring Number Rods(representation of numbers one to ten that involves gross motor movement), gathering to play the Memory Game of Numbers (holding a number in mind and retrieving that number of objects from a different area of the classroom), using the Golden Beads (a tangible representation of quantity and place value up to the thousands), and just counting everything in sight. Many of the numeracy activities in Montessori involve moving the body to aid in memory, which might be tracing sandpaper numbers or walking across the room to gather items.
Our older students have been working on making number rolls (writing numbers in sequence, starting at one and continuing as high as they can), working with the Strip Board to add and subtract up to eighteen, and playing the Stamp Game (adding and multiplying numbers up to the thousands). Next they may move on to delve into regrouping, fractions, and division.
In the Montessori classroom, we follow the child and our children are showing us that they’re excited to learn and understand the world through mathematics.
Thanks for reading.
Ms. Dewey.
With only four days of school last week, the students were very busy with their regular lessons and independent studies. Some of the children were delighted to conduct demonstrations and experiments with sea and land breezes while others learned more about tectonic plates. Following weeks of collaborative research, older students were excited to come together and share their research in the pastoral culture of the Maasai of east Africa. We also want to thank everyone who joined us for our Parent Education Event on Mental Health and Wellness. We look forward to seeing everyone at the upcoming student art show on March 4th!
Marissa and Michelle.
With photos in the gallery from the Classroom Historians, Charlie and Leo.
Upper Elementary Outing — Thursday, February 22
Upper Elementary students are reminded to be prepared with their red Lyonsgate t-shirt, their Presto card, and comfortable footwear for this month’s outing. The students will be taking public transit to Princess Point to access the Desjardins Recreation Trail for a winter hike. Students are welcome to bring along a simple nut-free snack and light-weight water bottle, and should be prepared for whatever weather we may encounter!
Elev8 Dance — Friday, February 23
The class will be attending P.E. outings at Elev8 Dance on Friday afternoons throughout the month of February. Please help your child remember to wear their red Lyonsgate t-shirt on Friday, February 23, for our final dance class this term!
Open Classroom Art Show — Monday, March 4
Family members are invited to join us as the classroom is transformed into a gallery of student artwork. The classroom will be open to visitors from 3:15 p.m.-4:15 p.m. Sweet treats prepared by our student fundraising team will be available for purchase in support of KidsSport Canada.
Lyonsgate Update Feb. 12, 2024
Happy Monday Lyonsgate Families,
A few notes for the week(s) ahead:
- Friday, Feb. 16, is a PD day and both Lyonsgate campuses are closed.
- Monday, Feb. 19, is the Family Day statutory holiday and both Lyonsgate campuses will be closed.
- See the Elementary section for RSVP and details about their Parent Education event this Thursday.
- Parent Education events for Toddler and Casa parents are next week on Wed., Feb. 21, and Thurs. Feb. 22, respectively.
Greetings Toddler Parents,
This past week we had the pleasure of welcoming a new student into our community. It was heartwarming and fascinating to observe the other children gather around to marvel at this new little person. Some children took on a nurturing role while others just stared (probably a little too closely) and asked questions like, “What is his name?”
We enjoyed the strangely tropical weather for February and the children were able to shed their hats and mittens and use their hands to build with blocks outside on the picnic table. It was nice to feel the warm sun on our faces and see some of the children able to leave their boots at home in favour of running shoes and light jackets. At the same time, I wondered how we should introduce the wisdom of climate action to small children who are getting ready to inherit this planet. Most of the teaching that occurs in our environment happens by modeling the desired, most responsible behaviour. At the moment, we compost all of our food waste in the classroom, and we recycle all paper and plastic. These are good daily habits. Is there something more we could be doing?
Ms. Gervais.
We are so excited to invite all of you to come observe in our Casa classrooms, not only to observe your child but the classroom as a whole. The observations will take place during our morning work cycle and can happen throughout the rest of the school year after contacting your child’s guide to set up a time.
While observing, it is important to note that you are there to watch, not interact, so that you are able to get the best interpretation of the classroom. In the words of Maria Montessori, “the adult must respect the concentration of a child as that of a researcher or an artist.” The Casa class belongs to the child and we are visiting their space.
Observation is one of the most important parts of our days. Observing the children and the class as a whole allows us to meet everyone’s needs, understand the children and the classroom, as well as help us adjust things accordingly. Observing children in the classroom allows us into the secret world of the child by letting us know what they do and why they do them. Each time we observe we can decide one of two things: 1. to act on our observation, or 2. to not act. Other times, when observing, we are just learning more about the child.
“Wait while observing. That is the motto for the educator. Let us wait and be always ready to share in both the joys and the difficulties which the child experiences. Let us have endless patience with [their] slow progress and show enthusiasm and gladness at [their] success.” — Maria Montessori.
Ms. Briar Beach.
Flower Arranging Sign-Up: Thank you for all of the beautiful bouquets of flowers for the students’ Flower Arranging activity. We would love it if our Casa families could please sign up for a second round as we head into the spring term:
In class this week there was a lot of enthusiasm for work with the pin map material, identifying the countries within a continent, as well as important bodies of water. In biology, students learned more about the cardiovascular system, exploring the characteristics and functions of different types of blood cells. The students also had a great second visit to Elev8 Dance on Dundurn! There was a lot of laughter and fun as they played a series of partnered movement games, a balance challenge, and practiced a dance routine. Some of the students were surprised to learn at the end of class that they had been studying ballet, with practice at fundamental movements such as tendu, tombe, and bourree!
Wishing you a great week ahead,
Marissa and Michelle.
Parent Education Event — Thursday, February 15
Our next parent education event will be taking place after school on Thursday, February 15, from 3:30-4:15. Parents are invited to join Marissa and Michelle to discuss a Montessori approach to supporting children’s mental health and social wellness during the Elementary years.
Please note, all Elementary students will be traveling to the HAAA at 3:20 that day ahead of the parent presentation. Students whose families are attending the parent education event will be included in the aftercare program (with no charge). These students will return to the Elementary campus by 4:30.
All other students will be dismissed from the HAAA park between 3:30-3:45 p.m.
Please email elementary@lyonsgate.ca with how many adults are planning to attend, and whether you require Elementary or Casa child care that day, by Tuesday, Feb 13.
Elev8 Dance — Friday, February 23
The class will be attending P.E. outings at Elev8 Dance on Friday afternoons throughout the month of February. Please help your child remember to wear their red Lyonsgate t-shirt on Friday, February 23, for dance class!
Open Classroom Art Show — Monday, March 4
Family members are invited to join us as the classroom is transformed into a gallery of student artwork. The classroom will be open to visitors from 3:15 p.m.-4:15 p.m. Sweet treats prepared by our student fundraising team will be available for purchase in support of KidsSport Canada.
Lyonsgate Update Feb. 5, 2024
Good Morning Lyonsgate Families,
We have a few updates for you this week, but unfortunately no photo gallery. The illnesses that have been spreading amongst the children the last couple of weeks took down a few staff members last week too.
Casa Open Classroom Observations: Parents of Casa students are invited to contact their child’s classroom guide to arrange a date and time for a 20 minute observation in your child’s Montessori classroom, during the morning work cycle. Please contact your child’s Montessori guide at:
- Ms. Beach in Casa North: casanorth@lyonsgate.ca
- Ms. Robinson in Casa South: casasouth@lyonsgate.ca
Primary Parent Education: Parent Education events for Casa and Toddler families will take place in a couple of weeks:
- Toddler Parent Ed.: will take place on Wednesday, February 21, from 3:00-3:30.
- Casa Parent Ed.: will take place on Thursday, February 22, from 3:45-4:30.
We will have more details next week.
Toddler Show & Share: Show & Share in the Toddler classroom will take place Wednesday, Feb. 28, to Friday, March 1. You will be welcomed into your child’s Montessori environment with up to five other families between 3:30-4:00 to enjoy some of your child’s favourite activities with them. Sign-up will be available later this week.
April PD Day Switch: As you may have seen, the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board, as well as a few other area school boards, have moved an upcoming PD day to Monday, April 8, due to the total solar eclipse. Lyonsgate is following suit and the PD day originally scheduled for April 19 will now be on Monday, April 8. Please click here to view the full release from HWDSB including Hamilton Public Health’s support for the move.
This past week in the Toddler classroom there have been a lot of emotions. When we notice a child that is experiencing some big emotions we offer our support and attempt to figure it out with the child. Working with toddlers requires some detective work because most of them have not developed the self-awareness or the language skills to express their emotions. We are working on that.
The first thing we consider is if there is a biological that needs attending to? Are they uncomfortable physically? Are they hungry or tired or not feeling well? Next we might try to figure out if there is something in their world that might be affecting them emotionally. Is there a new baby at home? Has their routine been altered in some way and they are struggling to recalibrate? Are they trying to navigate the delicate social dynamics of the classroom?
Sometimes the answer is simple. We had a child last week who was simply tired. Trying to get through the day was like trudging through sand so when it came time for nap they were very grateful and they slept more than usual and woke up in a much better mood.
Other times it is more complicated. There might be things happening at home that we don’t know about. Perhaps there are renovations happening or relatives from out of town visiting which has led to some shifts in the normal routine. Anything out of the ordinary can disrupt a child’s regular routine and make them more vulnerable to big emotions.
We acknowledge these emotions and begin to help them name and tame them: “I can see that you are feeling sad right now and you are missing your mother.”
Then we might try to anchor these emotions by reminding them about the familiar routine: “Well, let me tell you what is happening next. We are going to have a snack and then we will go outside and play and very soon it will be home time. You are almost there!”
Or we might help them solve a social problem in the classroom: “I noticed that you were working on that puzzle and someone took some of the pieces away. That is frustrating! I can see that you are feeling frustrated right now. Maybe we can ask them if they can give back the puzzle pieces so that you can finish the puzzle.”
It probably isn’t easy to be a toddler and it will be a while before they will be able to manage and regulate their emotions. The best we can do to help them is to validate where they are at, help them talk about it, and model emotion intelligence in ourselves. We can set the stage for good mental health when we help them express and manage their emotions.
Ms. Gervais.
This Casa update highlights one of our perennial Practical Life activities — silver polishing. “Why bother to polish silver these days?” is a commonly asked question; what is the purpose? It’s a reasonable question; who has time to take care of such high maintenance items? The short answer is, we do!
Why do we do it? There are a few reasons for this work. It invites concentration as children follow a logical a sequence of steps to achieve a goal. It is very satisfying to bring a dull and tarnished surface to a lustrous finish. Also, it brings awareness to the difference between metals, silver and stainless steel for example. Inevitably, the question arises, “Where does tarnish come from?” This opens the door to discussions about the chemical reaction involved — oxidation — new vocabulary, and a little science is added to the activity.
And finally, it brings beauty to our classroom whether it’s a vase for flower arranging, a candelabra, or a shoehorn, etcetera. So if you have any silver at home that could use a polish, Casa children will be happy to put a shine on it.
Ms. Robinson.
from the Classroom Historians
Hi Everybody,
Recently, the upper elementary students went on a hike at Princess Point. Some of the upper elementary started lit circles this term. A few of the fourth year have been practicing long division and flat bead frame. Some of our younger students have been using the story cubes and using their imagination to make a story. Some of the students have been making model of a canyon. Have a great week.
Written by Sam.
Photos by Harrison and Sam
Elev8 Dance — Friday, February 9
The class will be attending P.E. outings at Elev8 Dance on Friday afternoons throughout the month of February. Please help your child remember to wear their red Lyonsgate t-shirt on Friday, February 9, for dance class!
O.W.L. Workshop 5 — Friday, February 9
This second half of this month’s O.W.L. workshop on gender will be held from 9:00-10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 9.
Parent Education Event– Thursday, February 15
Our next parent education event will be taking place after school on Thursday, February 15, from 3:30-4:15. Parents are invited to join Marissa and Michelle to discuss a Montessori approach to supporting children’s mental health and social wellness during the Elementary years.
Please note: all Elementary students will be traveling to the HAAA at 3:20 that day ahead of the parent presentation. Students whose families are attending the parent education event will be included in the aftercare program (with no charge). These students will return to the Elementary campus by 4:30.
All other students will be dismissed from the HAAA park between 3:30-3:45 p.m.
Please email elementary@lyonsgate.ca with how many adults are planning to attend, and whether you require Elementary or Casa child care that day, by Tuesday, Feb 13.
Lyonsgate Update Jan. 29, 2024
Hello Lyonsgate Families,
A few upcoming dates to note as we head into February:
- Feb. 15: Elementary Parent Education (see Elementary section for details and RSVP)
- Feb. 16: PD Day
- Feb. 19: Family Day statutory holiday
2024.2025 Registration Payment and Signatures
Thank you for your 2024.2025 registration form submissions. If you still need to make your initial payment, please do so as soon as possible. You can find the payment options and dates here: https://lyonsgate.ca/returning-student-sibling-tuition-fees-and-schedule/. If you have any questions, please email Sarah at accounts@lyonsgate.ca.
Signatures: On Thursday, Feb. 1, and Friday, Feb. 2, we will have your registration forms ready for signatures.
- Primary Parents (Casa & Toddler): please come to the glass foyer after dropping off your children to sign the hard copy of your registration form. Thank you.
- Elementary Parents: please come to the front porch before picking up your children at the end of the day to sign the hard copy of your registration form. Thank you.
Beginning next week, we will begin offering available spaces to families on our waitlists.
This past week, we had a delightful but brief encounter with snow. We took full advantage of the moment and worked together to build a snow wall, using containers from the shed. This provided lots of opportunity for heavy lifting and sensory exploration. Small children are all scientists. They conducted experiments with the snow using all of their senses. We admired the snow falling from the sky, the children took off their mittens and handled the snow and many of them tasted the snow which is a sacred rite of passage for children. Eating day old snow was discouraged.
“Good morning! How are you??” Is a familiar greeting at drop off. As educators, this is our first opportunity to gain information about your child, how they are feeling, and how we can help support them during the day. Please let us know if there is anything out of the ordinary or remarkable about your child. Did they sleep well? Rise early? Not eat breakfast? Upset about a lost stuffy?? Excited about a grandparents’ visit? All of these pieces of information and a quick health & wellness check-in give us insight into the care that your child needs to have the best possible day and learning experience.
Ms. Gervais.
“The teacher’s task is not to talk, but to prepare and arrange a series of motives for cultural activity in a special environment made for the child.” — Maria Montessori.
January always seems to be the pivot month for me in Casa. The children return from vacation and seamlessly fall back into the swing of things. They come back with the confidence of knowing the rhythm of the classroom. They come back to the smiles of all their friends who they have built relationships with. They come back to knowing what they know they know.
We as educators are afforded the privilege to look back on how far they have come: dressing independently, working confidently on classroom activities, and playing with friends with care and patience.
Some call January the dark and gloomy month, but in the world of Montessori all our little seeds are beginning the journey to poke their heads up from the soil and show all their radiant colours of knowledge, emotional growth, and independence.
Ms. Canessa.
Although it was a short school week, the students were busy! Several students completed independent projects, including a diorama of an NHL game and a research poster about lacrosse, while others continue investigating black holes, stars, and even pomegranates. Younger students have been exploring the concept and measurement of time in geography and human history. Some were introduced to the BC/AD timeline and learned to represent their ages in years on a graph, while others started building a timeline of human inventions and important events for each century of the common era. Many students also enjoyed an introduction to the cardiovascular system in biology. The Upper Elementary students happily finished off the week with a foggy hike at Princess Point and fun discoveries like turkey tail fungi and improvised fishing lines. Next week, our Classroom Historians Sam and Harrison will bring you the kids’ perspective!
Marissa and Michelle.
Elev8 Dance — Friday, February 2
The class will be attending P.E. outings at Elev8 Dance on Friday afternoons throughout the month of February. Please help your child remember to wear their red Lyonsgate t-shirt on Friday, February 2 for dance class!
O.W.L. Workshop 5 — Friday, February 2
This month’s O.W.L. workshops on gender will be held from 9:00-10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 2, and Friday, February 9. Activities and readings from Home Link #4 will help your child connect with the previous workshop and prepare for the next topic.
Parent Education Event — Thursday, February 15
Our next parent education event will be taking place after school on Thursday, February 15, from 3:30-4:15. Parents are invited to join Marissa and Michelle to discuss a Montessori approach to supporting children’s mental health and social wellness during the Elementary years.
Please note, all Elementary students will be traveling to the HAAA at 3:20 that day ahead of the parent presentation. Students whose families are attending the parent education event will be included in the aftercare program (with no charge). These students will return to the Elementary campus by 4:30.
All other students will be dismissed from the HAAA park between 3:30-3:45 p.m.
Please email elementary@lyonsgate.ca with how many adults are planning to attend, and whether you require Elementary or Casa child care that day, by Tuesday, Feb 13.
Lyonsgate Update Jan. 22, 2024
Good Morning Lyonsgate Families,
Reminder: this Friday, Jan. 26, is a PD Day and both Lyonsgate campuses will be closed.
Construction Update: we had an exciting week last week as the Primary campus’s new roof and heating system installation moved to the rooftop above Lyonsgate. There were trucks and cranes and noise from above. We commend the work crews for accommodating to our presence and needs as they paused work while children were nearby, and for working through the bitter cold and snow. It’s been amazing to see the children’s capabilities of working through these distractions, and their gift of concentration throughout this process. We are extremely grateful to all of you for your patience and understanding as we look forward with excitement to the improvements to the building.
Summer Camps: While we suffer enjoy the winter weather, please be aware that registrations for summer camps will open soon. The City of Hamilton posted last week that registration for Camp Kidaca summer camps begins February 7 at 8:00 a.m.! For more info and to register, visit hamilton.ca/campkidaca. Here are few more summer camp listings:
- https://www.rbg.ca/things-to-do/courses-camps-programs/camps/summer-camps/
- https://www.ourkids.net/camp/hamilton-camps
- https://www.ymcahbb.ca/camp/day-camp
- https://camps.mohawkcollege.ca/
- https://www.todaysfamily.ca/programs/summer-day-camps/
- https://rec.mcmaster.ca/programs/youth-camps-march-break-summer/camps
- https://redbook.hpl.ca/taxonomy/term/11658 (camps listing from Hamilton Public Library)
This week in the Toddler classroom, we have been experiencing a lot of banging and drilling over our heads because the school is in the process of getting a new roof. Initially, some children were disturbed by the loud noises, but as the week went by most of them became accustomed to the sounds and were able to sleep through it! Toddlers are remarkably adaptable.
They take great comfort in their routine and familiar habits but they can accept interruptions and disruption when it is explained to them what is going on. We let them know that the roofers were using various tools and that they were doing their work and that it would be finished soon. We overheard another child telling a friend, “Don’t worry. It’s just the roofers using their tools. It will be over soon.” One child used humour to cope with the drilling noise by stating, “It sounds like a fart!” It was nice to witness such kindness, resilience, and healthy coping skills.
Outside, we are busy putting mittens and hats back on the toddlers during recess. Naturally, it takes a bit longer to get everyone ready to go outside with all of their cold weather gear. If you have time to allow your toddler to practice doing some of the work of getting dressed independently it would really help us here at school. They can pull their legs through their snow pants and find their feet. They might be able to finish zipping up their jacket once you have started it. They can step their feet into their boots while holding onto a wall or a piece of furniture for balance, and they can work on putting on their own hat. Mittens are a bit tricky. We find that putting the coat on after the mittens helps to keep them on a bit longer.
Ms. Gervais.
Salut tout le monde!
On commence très bien l’année!
Here we are, already started our second term. The children have adjusted very well after being away for the winter break.
They have been enjoying some new and familiar activities; some with different objects to enrich the French vocabulary.
We have been counting whenever the opportunity arises and singing some of my favourites:
- Le petit navire
- Sur le pont d’Avignon
- Dans mon sac à dos
- Tête, épaules, genoux…
- Les jours de la semaine
- Des chansons échos
Books are such great resources to help expand vocabulary, imagination, and knowledge. If you have any French children’s books at home, please feel free to send them with your child to share with their friends. Merci!
À la prochaine!
Mme Perazzo.
The Elementary students were busy last week with new explorations in geography, history, and art! Many students continued their study of the physical earth, learning more about the different layers of the Earth, its tectonic plates, and the build-up of sedimentary layers. In history, Upper Elementary students developed their vocabulary around the different phases of history, learning about the transition of some cultures from pastoralism to an agricultural lifestyle. Lower Elementary students were excited to learn more about the style of Eric Carle, and began their own process of preparing painted papers, based on warm or cool colours, for future cut-and-paste creations. The students had a great time visiting the karate dojo again, with enthusiastic cries of “ki-yah” as they pummeled the kickboxing bags or practiced their jab-cross punch combinations.
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead,
Marissa and Michelle.
Upper Elementary Outing — Thursday, January 25
Upper Elementary students are reminded to be prepared with their red Lyonsgate t-shirt, their Presto card, and comfortable footwear for this month’s outing. The students will be taking public transit to Princess Point for a winter hike. Students are welcome to bring along a simple, nut-free snack and light-weight water bottle, and should be prepared for mud!
January Scholastic Order
Your child recently brought home a Scholastic book flyer, offering discounts on books for families and encouraging a love of reading. Many popular series and children’s classics are available through the monthly flyers, with even more titles listed on their website. Every purchase you make from Scholastic earns bonus bucks for our classroom, which we use for new library books, art supplies, and music materials.
If you would like to be included in our January shipment, please place your family’s online Scholastic order by Friday, January 26th.
To receive free shipping, simply include our class code RC144312 when checking out, and your order will be grouped together with others from the school, and shipped to campus.
Orders placed from the January flyer after that date will be included in our February order. Please let us know if there are any surprise or gift items in your order you would like to be kept hidden from your child, and we’ll set it aside for you to pick up discreetly. Happy reading!
from the Classroom Historians
Josephine.
Lyonsgate Update Jan. 15, 2024
Welcome to the winter term Lyonsgate families. The students returned with a joyful energy, and a bit of holiday fatigue as we all adjusted back to early mornings and full school days. We have a few updates for you:
- CCMA Accreditation: Lyonsgate Montessori has been re-accredited by the Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators. Lyonsgate will always offer authentic Montessori educations for your children.
- New Arrival & Dismissal Policy at Primary Campus: On January 1, a new policy requirement came into effect called “Safe Arrival and Dismissal.” You can view the full policy in your Parent Handbook. What it means for Casa and Toddler parents:
- If your child is absent and we have not heard from you, we are required to contact you to ascertain why the child is absent. We will begin contacting parents at 9:30 each day. If your child will be absent for any reason, please email admin@lyonsgate.ca and your child’s classroom, or leave a message at 905-525-4283.
- We are also required to contact you if your child is not picked up as expected. If you are going to be late picking up, please call 905-525-4283 to let us know, or email admin@lyonsgate.ca if you can do so before 3:15 p.m.
Welcome Back Toddlers,
It was great to see everyone after the holidays and hear some stories about what the children got up to over the break. One child reported with glee, “I did nothing!” We asked, “Did you eat some nice food?” “No!” “Hot chocolate?” “No!” “Did you have any visitors?” “No!”
Another told us an elaborate story of a pet turtle that eats bamboo which we later found out was completely fabricated. Some of our older toddlers are developing a rich imagination.
We are welcoming a few new toddlers to our community over the next few weeks. It is really lovely to see how the more experienced toddlers often become very nurturing towards the new and younger students.
On a practical note, please remember to send plenty of good winter gear. It seems that winter has finally arrived. We could use two pairs of mittens, extra socks, and an extra layer for under the outerwear for comfort during cold and wet weather. Thank you.
Ms. Gervais.
Bonne Année 2024!
It has been nice getting to hear from the children about their holiday break.
In Casa North, the students are working with winter animals and their habitats. For example:
- Le loup vit dans la montagne.
- Le lapin vit dans le terrier.
Students have also been introduced to two different French songs: “Pirouette Cacahuete” and “Un Petit Pouce qui Danse” (which is a finger play).
Now, we are starting to express our feelings/emotions at French circle. I ask them, “Comment te sens-tu aujourd’hui?” (How do you feel today?). No worries, so far! Tout le monde est content(e), excité(e) mais un peu fatigué.
We enjoyed reading a collection of books written by Jeremy Tankard (stories about a little bird and his friends, ie. Gros Grognon, Gros dodo, Gros gâté).
En attendant que la neige tombe …pensons à mettre nos pantalons de neige! Il fait froid!!
Mme Murati.
from the Classroom Guides
We had a wonderful first week back at school following the winter break! The students were thrilled to be back together with their friends and start the second term off with a winter scavenger hunt. There was a lot of enthusiasm for word problems in math this week, racing to build and name different types of angles, and exploring the measurement of time in centuries. In art, Upper Elementary students had a great time experimenting with relief printing by carving image blocks out of potatoes and pressing their designs onto paper. In P.E., the younger students had a fantastic time learning about high blocks, jabs, and knee strikes, with lots of laughter in the dojo, while the older students enjoyed a kick-boxing class complete with rock music to get them energized.
from the Classroom Historians
– Josephine
Friday, January 19 — P.E. Karate and Kick-Boxing
All students will return to the dojo on Friday for another P.E. class in karate or kick-boxing. Please support your child in remembering to wear their red Lyonsgate t-shirts for special P.E. outings such as trips to the dojo, rock-climbing, or indoor sports fields.
Friday, January 19 — O.W.L. # 4, Part 2
Upper Elementary students are kindly encouraged to complete the required reading for this workshop on their own, at school, or with a trusted adult at home, if they have not already done so! The kids are having a lot of fun learning about the changes of puberty to come.
Lyonsgate Update Dec. 18, 2023
Happy Monday Morning Lyonsgate Families,
Just a few things as we embark upon the last week of school before the winter break:
- Registration for the 2024.2025 school year is due today for returning Lyonsgate Montessori students and any siblings that may be starting school. Please see the email “2024.2025 Lyonsgate Registration” sent Dec. 5 for the registration form link and info.
- This Friday, Dec. 22, is the last day of the fall term. The winter term begins on Monday, Jan. 8. Have a fantastic time together with family, friends, and your wonderful children.
- Please drop off any items for the Salvation Army toy drive by the end of the day today. New, unwrapped toys, games, puzzles, or books are very much appreciated for the holiday season.
Hello Toddler Parents & Guardians,
We hope this message finds you well during this festive season. As we embrace the joys of the holidays, we wanted to share the enriching experiences and learning moments your children have been enjoying in our Montessori Toddler program.
Exploration and Independence: Our Montessori environment continues to foster a love for exploration and independence among our young learners. Through carefully curated materials and guidance from our teachers, the children are encouraged to follow their interests, develop their skills, and discover the world around them at their own pace.
Music:
“Music is key for refining a child’s auditory sense. The Montessori sensorial curriculum begins this work, but music brings much more complex stimuli, teaching a child to understand different qualities of sound: colour, volume, tone. This enhances other aspects of brain development, especially language and communication, as well as mathematical thinking. Creating music, whether through singing or instrument play, also integrates the mind and body and enriches our motor skills – which, as we know, is the foundation of building human intelligence.” — Leila Smeyatsky Jacobs, “Music for the Montessori Child”.
Music is a powerful component to our children’s learning and we have been practicing a very simple French version of “Jingle Bells” to help us get into the spirit of the holidays. We have added the lyrics so you can sing along with your child.
Vive le Vent (to the tune of jingle bells)
Chorus
Vive le vent, vive le vent,
vive le vent d’hiver
qui s’en va sifflant, soufflant
dans les grands sapins verts.
Vive le temps, vive le temps,
vive le temps d’hiver
boules de neige et jour de l’an
et bonne année grand-mère.
Wishing you all merry holiday and a JOYful new year!
The Toddler Team.
Good Morning Casa Families!
Every year, the autumn term seems to fly by, yet September feels so long ago. At this time of year we spend time reflecting on how far our students have come, what they’re interested in, and who their friends are.
In Casa South, our students are doing so much language work these days. In September, many children shied away from this type of work, seemed to lack confidence, and needed some lessons refreshed. In December, we see them with sound games, writing lists and booklets, or reading aloud to one another, and to us. It’s beautiful to see such blossoming confidence, curiosity, and a hunger for more difficult work. We see this attitude carry over into other areas as well: exploring sensorial extensions, diligently helping clean the classroom, seeking new challenges in the math area. It’s lovely to see the motivation and enthusiasm in our young friends.
As we look ahead to the new year, we begin to plan an academic path forward for each child, but as the year comes to a close we wish you all a joyous, restful holiday.
Ms. Dewey.
Thursday, December 21 — Upper Elementary Outing
Upper Elementary students will be travelling by public transit to view some seasonal decorations and stop in at the Art Gallery of Hamilton to visit the Bruegel-Bosch Bus, by Kim Adams. Students are reminded to wear their red Lyonsgate t-shirt and to bring either their Presto card or bus fare for the trip.
Friday, December 22 — Class Party
To celebrate the final day of school together before the winter break, the kids will enjoy a class party with games and crafts, followed by a special community lunch: pizza delivery! After outdoor time, the students will enjoy some sweet or salty treats and have the option to watch a short video. Students may bring something nut-free to donate to our treat buffet if they wish, and everyone will be welcome to select some treats to eat.
from the Classroom Guides
It’s hard to believe that the first term of the school year is almost over. We’ve had a wonderful fall exploring the solar system and its elements, the diversity of animal life on Earth, and the achievements of early humans. The children have shared stories and songs, created beautiful works of arts, investigated gardens and woods nearby, and solved dozens of math problems! In their leadership role as class elders, Nash and Sam hosted a charity bake sale in support of Kids Sport Canada, raising $221 in cookie sales and another $60.50 in donations to help other children in Hamilton gain access to sports programs in their community. Thank you for bringing your appetites and generosity to the bake sale! Our classroom is always a hive of activity, thanks to the joyful enthusiasm of your children. We wish you all a wonderful winter break together, and look forward to welcoming the children back to school in the new year.
Marissa and Michelle.
from the Classroom Historians
Amica and Abby.
Lyonsgate Update Dec. 11, 2023
Good Morning Lyonsgate Families,
Registration for the 2024.2025 school year opened last week. Please see the email, “2024.2025 Lyonsgate Registration” sent on Tuesday, Dec. 5. We are very excited to continue seeing your children grow, learn, and develop together. Please submit registration forms for returning students, and any siblings starting school, by Monday, Dec. 18, and please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions. Thank you.
Lyonsgate Toy Drive & Elementary Bake Sale
Lyonsgate is holding our annual toy drive for the Salvation Army again this year. If you would like to donate, please drop off new, unwrapped toys, games, puzzles, or books at the Primary (Aberdeen) campus by Monday, Dec. 18. Thank you.
Two Elementary students are hosting a bake sale in support of KidSport Hamilton, at the Elementary campus, after school this Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 3:30 p.m. Drop by for a quick cookie (or two) before heading home!
Food Safety Update from the Caterer: you may have seen or read about the salmonella outbreak associated with certain brands of cantaloupe and honeydew melon. Lyonsgate’s Primary campus lunch provider, Wholesome Kids, has let us know that although they have not received either product from the affected brands, out of an abundance of caution, they are removing both cantaloupe and honeydew melon from the menus until the outbreak issue is resolved.
Hello Toddler Parents,
It was really wonderful to connect with all of you during our parent and guide conferences this week. Thank you for making time to talk about your children and offer us insight into your lives outside of school. As we approach the very exciting time of the holiday break, I thought that you might be baking and preparing food for the season and it would be fun to include your children in the festivities. Cooking and eating at this time of year can be such a rich treat for the senses, and children at this age are immersed in a sensitive period for learning through their senses. At the same time, cooking with children can feel a bit counter-productive and stressful. Here are a few tips to consider before embarking on this experience together:
1. Prepare the environment ahead of time.
Decide ahead of time what parts of the process the child might be able to take part in. Have boundaries in mind before you get started. Pre-measure the ingredients so that they can add them at the appropriate time. Could they help stir in the ingredients?
2. Do not expect efficiency.
Expect delays and detours. Young children are scientists conducting experiments. Allow for extra time for exploration and be open to making a mess. Perhaps they can have a lump of dough to roll out on their own and add cinnamon and sugar?
3. Involve them in each part of the process in some way: the preparation, the clean up, and the enjoyment of consuming something they have helped to create.
Involving small children in food preparation offers so many avenues for learning. It develops fine motor skills, teaches life skills, basic math skills, offers a sensory experience, and provides an opportunity to do important and creative work that contributes to the family in a valuable way.
Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!
Ms. Gervais.
This week, two Casa North students in their third year of Casa want to tell you all about what’s been going on in their classroom:
What’s new?
“We have a new craft where you can make a new candle made out of toilet paper rolls.”
“And a new craft to make a heart.”
What do you remember that’s happened lately?
“I remember there were lots of leaves falling, they blew away.” “And rotted away.”
They also explained a few of the photos in the photo gallery:
“He is picking out spiders with tweezers. They’re fake spiders.”
“He is picking up coloured balls with tweezers. There’s a mat underneath and you have to match them.”
“You have to hand stuff to Ms. Beach that she asks for — ‘can I have a bear.’ There’s “the” and “a” cards.”
“She’s using the sketchbook; it learns for you how to draw.”
Anything else you’d like to tell everyone about your class?
“Casa North is wonderful.”
Wednesday, December 13 — Elementary Charity Bake Sale
Sam and Nash are hosting a bake sale in support of KidSport Hamilton, at the Elementary campus, after school this Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 3:30 p.m. Drop by for a quick cookie (or two) before heading home!
Friday, December 15 — Gravity Climbing Gym
Students in Years 3, 4, 5, and 6 will return to Gravity Climbing Gym for P.E. All students should remember to wear their red Lyonsgate shirts, comfortable pants for climbing, and have long hair tied back. Thank you!
Friday, December 22 — Class Party
To celebrate the final day of school together before the winter break, the kids will enjoy a class party with games and crafts, followed by a special community lunch: pizza delivery! After outdoor time, the students will enjoy some sweet or salty treats and have the option to watch a short video. Students may bring something nut-free to donate to our treat buffet if they wish, and everyone will be welcome to select some treats to eat.
from the Classroom Guides
The whole class had a wonderful time exploring space at the McCallion planetarium last week! They learned about constellations, took a closer look at several planets, and caught a glimpse of far away galaxies in the images captured by the Hubble telescope.
Thank you to everyone for joining us at the Open House event and Parent-Teacher conferences. The children were so excited to welcome you into the classroom, and it was our pleasure to speak with you further about their achievements this term.
We are looking forward to lots of fun over the last few weeks of school before the winter break, with both the charity bake sale and holiday party coming soon.
Marissa and Michelle.
from the Classroom Historians
“This young boy is sketching a tiger from a picture using coloured pencils.”
“The uppers are making posters of different elements in the periodic table. She made a poster of helium.”
“The class elders made a sign about our bake sale. Come buy some cookies if you want on the thirteenth of December.”
“He is making a flip book on the element platinum. A flip book is a piece of paper that is cut into flaps. On each flap there is a question and when you flip it over there is the answer.”
“That’s Saturn and the little white dots are its moons. It has 85 moons. We saw it at the McMaster planetarium.”
Lellie and Georgia.
