Hello Lyonsgate Families,
We hope everyone had a great long weekend. The next P.A. Day is Friday, June 6, for parent-teacher conferences. Sign-up for conference time-slots will be available next week.
Updates:
- Casa and Toddler Field Trip: Casa and Toddler students will venture to the RBG Arboretum/Nature Interpretive Centre for the morning on Friday, May 30. Cost for the field trip is $15/student, payable by cash or e-transfer to accounts@lyonsgate.ca before Friday, May 30. They will be participating in the “Making Sense of Nature” program that emphasizes sensory activities and explorations. Toddler parents: please meet us at the RBG Nature Interpretive Centre between 9:30-9:45; Toddler students require parent/guardian accompaniment throughout the field trip and can return to the school for 12:30 to have lunch and nap (one parent/guardian is free, additional accompaniment is $15/person).
- Linc Closure: this Friday, May 23, the Lincoln Alexander Parkway will close for the weekend for maintenance. If you regularly use the Linc, some alternate route planning will be necessary on Friday.
- Toddlers are discovering new life.
- How the Casa classroom works.
- Elementary students went to the 1800s.
Please click the links below for updates from your children’s levels and for recent photos at Lyonsgate:
Happy Tuesday Toddler Families,
I hope every one had a wonderful long weekend! Lately, along with chatting about the changes in whether, we have been talking about the changes in our outdoor environment. We discuss things like plants, trees, animals, and more outside. The magic of seeing new leaves on trees and how quickly they can appear. Flowers peaking up through the dirt and finding flower petals. Lots of children are searching for and picking up flowers, leaves, and petals on their walk to school, excited to show us what they have found on the way.
We have also watched lots of ants and critters crawling around and have taken the time to observe them. We have seen birds flying and chirping above our heads or in the yard on the other side of the fence. It’s so exciting to watch our outdoor environment bloom as spring is here. We have also talked about how all these things are living things and feel, just like us. Lots of beautiful things to see, do, and more fresh air!
Just a reminder: an email was sent to some families asking if they would like sunscreen applied in the afternoon before dismissal. If you did not receive an email there is sunscreen at the school for your child. If you choose to send sunscreen in, please label it and hand it to the person greeting you at the gate (and no aerosol sunscreens please). Children should arrive in the morning with sunscreen on for our morning outside time.
Have a beautiful week,
Ms. Relic.
Click to view and/or sign up for Toddler flower contributions
Our classrooms are so much more than just places for academic learning; they’re vibrant spaces where kids build their mental strength and grow into strong, independent individuals. We focus on developing problem-solving skills and encourage fun, meaningful conversations, active practice, and critical thinking. We love celebrating efforts over results, cherishing those joyful moments as we engage with our children.
We believe in keeping the lines of communication open by asking questions like, “How do you feel about this activity?” and “What do you think about those colours?” We embrace the learning that comes from mistakes and see them as valuable moments for kids to discover more about themselves than we could ever teach them. Setting healthy boundaries is important to us, and we give children the words to express their needs, whether it’s asking for a bit of space or chatting with their classmates and teachers.
Decision-making is at the heart of our classroom culture. Kids can choose their activities and seating, and voice their needs for snacks or drinks. This little independence helps them take responsibility for their wants and well-being. We also introduce the idea of delayed gratification in a fun way, as many activities are linked to mastering foundational skills, creating excitement as they look forward to playing with the bead cabinet, for example.
With all the opportunities that our classroom offers, mental strength really thrives. I encourage you to bring some of these principles into your home, too! Children are like little sponges, always watching and learning from the adults in their lives, shaping them into the successful citizens of tomorrow.
Ms. Canessa.
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
Everyone had a fantastic time exploring life in the 1800s at Westfield Heritage Village. The students rotated through four learning stations, exploring artefacts and listening to the guides talk about the land, farming, travel, and school. Out on the trails, they learned about settlers clearing the land for crops, planting rows of white pine to build their barns and houses, and how to identify challenging plants such as poison ivy and buckthorn. On the family farm, they learned about the daily chores necessary to feed and shelter the family through the changing seasons, and at the inn they performed a guided play about the comforts and dangers of traveling by horse and wagon. In the one-room schoolhouse, the children were familiar with reading cursive and were quick to answer the math problems asked. They were less keen on the idea of walking an hour to school in the morning or having to bring in their own wood to contribute to the fire, and so were eager to each ring the large school bell and dismiss class for the day. It was a beautiful day for an outdoor picnic, and the children loved a whole day spent learning outside the classroom.
Thursday, May 22: Bake Sale Fundraiser for the S.P.C.A
Theo and Matteo are hosting a bake sale to raise funds for the S.P.C.A! They will be selling cookies on the front porch after school from 3:30-4:00 p.m. Children in aftercare are also welcome to buy a treat and a staff member will assist them as needed. Coins and small bills are preferred.
Friday, May 23: O.W.L. Workshops
This week, students in Years 4-6 will be completing Workshop 8: Decisions and Actions (originally scheduled for May 9), and beginning the planned Workshop 9: Consent and Peer Pressure.
Thursday, May 29: Upper Elementary Outing
Students in Years 4-6 will be heading out on the public bus to hike the Waterfront Trail. They are kindly reminded to wear their red Lyonsgate t-shirts, and bring along their Presto card or bus fare. Students should be prepared with comfortable, closed-toe footwear, and are welcome to bring along a small snack, water bottle, and any sun protection gear they may want.
Monday, June 9: Elementary Cultural Fair
Elementary parents, siblings, and other special people in your child’s life are invited to our Cultural Fair after school on Monday, June 9th. The Cultural Fair is our final open classroom of the year, with students showcasing work from the third term, including their explorations of the ancient Maya civilization. Families are welcome to visit the Cultural Fair anytime between 3:15-4:15 p.m. When you arrive, please use the front porch entrance to the Maple Room and come inside! Our regular aftercare program will still be available to registered students until 4:30.
Friday, June 13-Saturday, June 14: Senior Sleepover
Students attending the senior sleepover should arrive at school on Friday with their sleeping bag, pillow, and overnight bag. At the end of the school day, the children will have some supervised outdoor time and a snack, along with the aftercare students, until 4:30. After that, the sleepover begins! We have lots of activities planned for the evening, and will be serving dinner as well as some healthy snack options again before bedtime. In the morning, we’ll be having breakfast together before students head home at 8:30 a.m. Please check next week’s update for a sign-up link and further details!
Save-the-Dates!
Friday, June 6 – Parent-Teacher Conferences
Tuesday, June 17 – Grand River Rafting Graduation Trip for Students in Year 6
Thursday, June 19 – Last Day of School / Elementary Graduation Ceremony from 3:00 – 3:30 p.m.
