Good Morning Lyonsgate Community,
This Friday, Feb. 28, is a PD Day and both Lyonsgate campuses will be closed.
It is forecast to be a soggy week as temperatures rise and all that snow starts to melt (with a possibility of rain in the forecast too!). Please see the reminders from the Casa and Toddler staff below about extra clothes, weather appropriate gear, and the need to please label everything.
See the Elementary section to learn how they are participating in this week’s Provincial election, and for an invitation for all Lyonsgate families to their upcoming art show.
Please click the links below for updates from your children’s levels and for recent photos at Lyonsgate:
Our Canadian winter is once again proving to be an incredible learning tool. The toddlers are learning a choreographed dance of putting on their winter gear. Pulling up stiff snowsuits with zippers and straps, balancing as they put their feet into thick boots, putting on neck warmers, hats, and mittens. This is when we see all the motor skills work and repetition done with our dressing frames begin to pay off.
Outside, the children navigate snow piles that are up to their waist one day and that the next they can walk up and down with ease. They push the snow around with their shovels and delight in making their own slides as they climb up and roll down our “hill filled” playground. And then we return inside to repeat our winter gear dance again but in reverse …and sometimes wet. Thank you for providing extra sets of mittens, socks, and toques!
Vanessa Findlay.
Click to view and/or sign up for Toddler flower contributions
It has been very cold these past couple of weeks. The children have loved playing in the snow at recess, but some of them have been very cold not having the proper gear on. Please be sure that you’re checking the weather for the whole day and that your child is dressed appropriately. They spend at least an hour outside each day and if they aren’t moving around they get cold quickly. With all the extra gear your children are wearing, please be sure to label everything as they can get mixed up in the shuffle of things. It is always great to send in extra sweaters to leave at school for if your child gets cold in the classroom as we don’t have extras to provide them. Extra socks are also great to have this time of year as the children’s feet sometimes get wet from playing outside.
Reminder that if your child has borrowed any Lyonsgate clothing to please return it back to the school. We are running low on our extra supplies. Thank you.
The Casa Team.
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
Weekly Update
What a wonderful week of snowy adventures we’ve had! The children were thrilled to strike a balance between cozy indoor recreation times on extremely cold days and to dive into the snow to make elaborate forts and snow figures on the slightly warmer days. In geography, some children learned about the composition of the Earth and its distinct layers. Others were hearing tales of the map-making voyages of Captain Cook, and were saddened to learn that many explorers never made it back home. As the students gain a deeper understanding of the immense size and complexity of our planet, they also develop awe and gratitude for the courageous and inquisitive humans that have sought to understand their place in the world in the face of great adversity. Wishing you a lovely week ahead!
Marissa and Michelle.
(photos this week from Charly S., Marissa, and Claire)
Karate at UFMA: Tuesday, February 25
Students in Years 1-3 will return to the dojo on Tuesday afternoon for karate, and should come prepared with their red Lyonsgate t-shirt and comfortable pants for physical activity.
Kick-boxing at UFMA: Thursday, February 27
Students in Years 4-6 will continue their kick-boxing classes on Thursday afternoon, and should come prepared with their red Lyonsgate t-shirt and comfortable pants for physical activity.
Student Vote: Thursday, February 27
All Lyonsgate Elementary students will have the opportunity to learn about the democratic process by participating in the Student Vote version of the Ontario provincial election. Students at all levels will be introduced to the different levels of government and the four main political parties in Ontario in lessons leading up to election day. They will participate in a mock-election, and compare the results of the Ontario-wide Student Vote with the results of the actual election.
Elementary Art Show: Monday, March 3
The students are excited to welcome their families to view displays of their recent work at the Elementary Art Show. Featured works will include pieces from recent studies of the Group of Seven, as well as art work created in connection with other curriculum areas and independent research. Casa children and parents are also welcome to come by and see the show! Visitors are welcome to arrive anytime between 3:15 and 4:15, with the art show closing at 4:30.
Community Outing: Thursday, March 6
The upper elementary students will be traveling by public bus during the afternoon work cycle to visit the McCallion Planetarium at McMaster University. The group will be attending a presentation called “Lost at Sea” to learn about navigation at night. Students should come prepared with their red Lyonsgate t-shirt, as well as their Presto card or bus fare.
