Administrative Update: Winter Reminders
Hello Lyonsgate Families,
With the winter weather starting to arrive, we have a few reminders about how to keep everyone as comfortable and healthy as possible. Please see below for information about:
Staying Healthy (letter from Hamilton Public Health)
Please Check the Weather Daily
We have all seen and heard that flu season and other respiratory afflictions are significant this year, and that children’s hospitals, including our own McMaster Children’s Hospital, are facing dire situations with pediatric in-patient occupancy already well above capacity due to children with respiratory viruses.
Please continue to use and abide by the School Screening Tool (available on the Home page at lyonsgate.ca) in all cases of illness.
Please also see the following letter that Hamilton Public Health has asked us to share with you this week:
HPHS - FamiliesLetter_RespiratoryIllnessPrevention - Nov 15 2022
Please Check the Weather Daily
You can find a link set to the daily weather forecast at Lyonsgate’s postal code on the Home page at lyonsgate.ca. Please check the weather forecast each day to ensure students have the appropriate clothing/outerwear for the day. At Lyonsgate, children get outside in all but the most inclement of weather and the right clothing makes the experience all the more comfortable and enjoyable.
We make the call to stay inside or to go outside for recess and dismissal at the time. If it’s raining in the morning it does not necessarily mean it will be indoor recess, and the outdoor space may be wet and/or muddy. Please always assume students will be going outside every day.
A few notes and tips about winter wear:
- Independence is central to Montessori education. Outwear that students can, to the greatest degree possible, put on and take off independently sets your child up for success and builds confidence in their own abilities, both of which optimize their development in their Montessori environments. Practice with outerwear at home can make mornings with Mom and Dad, and transitions at school, a better experience for everyone.
- Water resistant gloves and mittens are essential when there is snow on the ground. Cloth or knit gloves and mittens are inevitably soaking wet within minutes of getting outside, resulting in children’s hands becoming freezing cold.
- Every student will get wet and/or dirty. Please make sure your child is well stocked with spare socks and other clothes at school.
- Please label EVERYTHING!
Snow Day Closures
Lyonsgate families travel to school from all areas of Hamilton and beyond. As such, Lyonsgate utilizes the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board inclement weather process, which posts cancellation notices by 6:00 a.m. If HWDSB closes, so does Lyonsgate. If there is a snow day, we will communicate that to you as early as we can in the mornings via email and the Home page at lyonsgate.ca. (For more information from HWDSB, please see “Ref. E: HWDSB Winter Weather Bus Cancellations and School Closures” in your Parent Handbook).
Declared Cold Alert Days
When the City of Hamilton declares a cold alert Lyonsgate students remain indoors for recess and dismissal. Cold alerts are issued when the temperature is -15°C and below or when the wind chill is -20°C and below.