Good Morning Lyonsgate Families,
As we enter December we have three weeks remaining in the fall term. The last day of classes before the winter break is Dec. 19 and we return in the new year on Jan. 6, 2025. As this term draws to a close, we begin to look ahead to not only the new year but the new school year to come.
Registration for the 2025.2026 school year opens this week. Please check your inbox for an email with the 2025.2026 school year registration form link and tuition schedules. This registration period is for current Lyonsgate Montessori School students returning next school year, and for any siblings of current students that may be starting school in September 2025.
If you have any questions about registration, please don’t hesitate to ask.
The deadline for submission of 2025.2026 registration forms is Monday, Dec. 16.
Thank you.
Toy Drive: Both the Lyonsgate Primary and Elementary campuses are holding a toy drive for CityKidz until Dec. 11. The Drive has been arranged by one of our senior Elementary students. Families are invited to donate new, unwrapped toys for elementary-age children for distribution through CityKidz. Donations of toys for older children, ages 10-12, are encouraged as there are often fewer donations for this age group. Sports balls, bedroom decor, Squishmallows, or Lego are recommended by our Elementary student, and you can also download the top toy list from CityKidz. Thank you.
Primary Scholastic: Casa and Toddler parents, if you would like to order any Scholastic items before the holidays, please do so online no later than Wednesday, Dec. 11. Items ordered by that date should arrive before the holiday break. Also, if an ordered item is a gift, please let us know so we can get it you on the sly.
Please click the links below for updates from your children’s levels and for recent photos at Lyonsgate:
Hello Toddler Families and Welcome December!
We are excited to announce that this winter we will be having a snow kitchen outside! We hope to be making lots of snow soup, snow cupcakes, and maybe even some snow pasta. We are asking for your support with this new adventure by donating any old pots or pans, muffin tins, mixing bowls, wooden/stainless/plastic spoons or spatulas that you are no longer using. Please let us know if you have any other kitchen items to share, we can’t wait to start cooking and baking!
The toddlers are working hard right now putting on new winter boots and big fluffy coats. When putting on their coat they can “do the flip,” put the hood (the jacket facing up and open) by your child’s feet, have them put their arms into the sleeves and then flip the coat up and over their head. Thank you for taking the time to work with your toddler on these skills!
Vanessa Findlay.
Click to view and/or sign up for Toddler flower contributions
The Casa students are excited and ready for winter. We are starting to see new coats, boots, some snowpants and snowsuits (even a dusting of snow!), and lots of hats, gloves, and mittens. Please remember to label everything! A few tips for winter gear:
- Practice at home can go a long way to supporting independence and confidence at school when putting on and taking off winter gear (they of course have grownups and peers to help at school as needed).
- Once the snow is on the ground, please avoid cloth or knit mitts and gloves. These become soaking wet with freezing cold water within minutes of playing in the snow.
- Backpack straps can be loosened a little to make it easier to get them on and off over bulkier coats.
- It can be difficult, we know, but if you can find gloves or mittens that still allow your child to grasp and hold things, their winter playground experience will be much more fulsome and less frustrating.
As we all know, children can sometimes be resistant to wearing winter clothing. We will always tell them that if mom and dad sent it to school to keep them warm, they are to wear it outside (if they are legitimately hot, depending on the weather, we can unzip a coat or remove a hat).
Thank you.
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
Photos by Theo
Monday, November 25-Wednesday, December 11: Toy Drive for CityKidz
I’m doing a toy driv. Plese donate to CityKidz a new toy for kids 9 and up. You have until Dec 11. I recommend Lego Frends or Ninjago, bedroom decorations, squishmallows and sport bolls.
– Pippa
Pippa is emphasizing donations of toys for older children ages 9-12, as there are often fewer donations for this age group, but toys for any age are welcome. You can also check out the top toy list from CityKidz. Thank you!
Monday, December 2: Elementary Open House
Please join us in the classroom this afternoon for our first open house of the year! Family members are welcome to arrive at the Elementary campus anytime between 3:15-4:15 to see displays of the children’s work from the first term. When arriving, please come to the lower cloakroom door, where you can stow your coats and bags before coming up into the classroom. You are also invited to visit the baked goods and hot drink sale on the front porch, hosted by Josephine and Hannah, who are fundraising for Plan International to sponsor girls to go to school.
Thursday, December 5: Rock-Climbing for Years 3-6
Students in Years 3-6 will have two sessions of rock-climbing experience at Gravity Climbing Gym, beginning on Thursday, December 5. Participating students must have an online waiver completed to boulder or climb in harness. Students should arrive prepared at school wearing their red Lyonsgate shirt and comfortable pants for climbing. The group will be departing campus at 8:50 a.m. and walking to the climbing gym on Frid Street. Presto cards or bus fare are not needed for this outing.
