Hello Lyonsgate Community,
We hope everyone had a restful, or adventuresome, March Break. It’s wonderful to be back and to see everyone a little bit taller! This week we have an update from the Elementary program, upcoming dates for Easter and an April PD Day, and information about the HAAA park closure in the Elementary section.
This Week’s Classroom Update
The Elementary students returned from the March Break eager for spring and new explorations. Montessori’s “cosmic” approach to education emphasizes the web of interconnections between all things in our universe, from the simplest elements to planetary bodies, and encompassing all kingdoms of life. This week, the students received a variety of lessons about the effects of planetary movements on life on Earth and our human experience. Depending on each student’s prior experiences and knowledge, they are called to receive a new lesson that emphasizes further connections. Some of our younger students learned about how the Earth’s rotation produces day and night while its tilt and elliptical revolution is the reason for our seasons. Other students explored the composition of the Earth by making clay models of its layers, while many of the senior students examined how the tilt of Earth’s axis results in the equinoxes and solstices.
They were also asked to imagine what it was like in ancient times to wonder about our world, without the scientific knowledge to understand observations. They thought about how the ancient Greeks would create myths as salve for scientific curiosities left unsatisfied, and heard how they imagined the seasons came to be, with the story of Demeter, the goddess of the harvest, and her daughter, Persephone. When Hades, the god of the underworld, abducts Persephone and drags her down into the Earth, her mother falls into despair and brings the first winter upon the world. Through the interventions of the Olympians and the trickery of Hades, Persephone is fated to divide her time between the world above and the world below, resulting in the cycle of seasons.
Outside of the these common lesson threads, some younger students were excited to begin preparing some weather reports in French, create personal dictionaries of English-to-Spanish translations, or continue working with the maps and atlases to identify major rivers around the world. Older students were eager to step out of the classroom, planning a trip to a local art gallery and cafe on Ottawa Street North, advancing their independence at going out with friends into the community for both education and entertainment. We look forward to many more opportunities to go out in our community through the spring term!
Wishing you a lovely spring weekend,
Marissa and Michelle.
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 [find Flower Contribution sign-up links there too]
Elementary Upcoming Important Dates
Check your Lyonsgate calendar regularly for up to date events and information. You can add the school calendar to your own by clicking the “+” at bottom left on mobile or “Add to Google Calendar” on desktop.
Lyonsgate Upcoming Important Dates and Information
- Friday, April 3: Good Friday. Both Lyonsgate campuses are closed.
- Monday, April 6: Easter Monday. Both Lyonsgate campuses are closed.
- Friday, April 24: PD Day. Both Lyonsgate campuses are closed.
Toddler and Casa Upcoming Important Dates
- Friday, April 3: Good Friday. Both Lyonsgate campuses are closed.
- Monday, April 6: Easter Monday. Both Lyonsgate campuses are closed.
- Friday, April 24: PD Day. Both Lyonsgate campuses are closed.
Casa Parent Observations: Casa North Observations | Casa South Observations
If you are able, please choose a week or two throughout the school year to contribute a bouquet of fresh cut flowers to your child’s class: Toddler | Casa North | Casa South
Elementary Upcoming Important Dates
- HAAA Park Closure: April 2026-Spring 2027. The Hamilton Amateur Athletics Association Park (H-Triple-A) is the oldest sports park in Hamilton, first hosting The Hamilton Cricket Club in 1874. The current park facilities are due for an extensive renovation, which will require the full closure of the park to the public from spring 2026 to spring 2027.
To accommodate the students’ mid-day recreation time outdoors, our primary park location for the duration of the renovations will be Hill Street Park, across from the Hill Street Community Gardens and adjacent to the local dog park. We may also utilize other parks and playgrounds in the neighbourhood from time to time, such as Jackson Street Park or Beulah Park.
You can check out the plans for the new park at HAAA Park Project – City of Hamilton. Previous students at Lyonsgate were part of the consultation process many years ago, advocating for built-in sports nets, a bouldering wall, and chess tables. We are excited for all the new amenities and improvements that are planned.
For families and students who use Charlton Avenue to go to and from school, please be aware that the north sidewalk will be closed intermittently to accommodate trucks entering or exiting the HAAA grounds. A flag person will be present and pedestrians will be asked to use the south sidewalk. There will also be reduced street parking available on Charlton Avenue between Locke St. and Queen St., and drivers are encouraged to consider other parking options in the area.
- Friday, April 3: Good Friday. Both Lyonsgate campuses are closed.
- Monday, April 6: Easter Monday. Both Lyonsgate campuses are closed.
- Friday, April 24: PD Day. Both Lyonsgate campuses are closed.
Elementary Parent Observations: Parents are welcome to email elementary@lyonsgate.ca to arrange a classroom observation time, at least one week in advance please. Observations take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings between 9:00-11:30. (Other days and times may be available if needed). You will be observing the whole Elementary environment and classroom, not solely your own child.
