Hello Lyonsgate Families,
Parent-Teacher conferences are coming up from Nov. 17-21. Sign-up is available below if you still need to book a conference timeslot. Both Lyonsgate campuses will be closed to students on Friday, Nov. 21, but childcare will be available during your conference. Meet Ms. Early below!
This Week’s Classroom Update
My name is Ms. Early, the new English-language Assistant in Casa North. It has been a wonderful few months now in our classroom, filled with curiosity, creativity, and connection. The students have especially enjoyed “Making Tea” lately – they take great pride in carefully choosing a flavour, pouring the water, steeping the tea, and then enjoying a warm cup while sitting at a table with friends. It has been a beautiful way to practice patience, grace, and care of oneself.
This week, we also made cardstock poppy crafts in honour of Remembrance Day. The students created their own poppies using a quatrefoil stencil, sponging red paint, and then cutting and gluing a black circle into the centre. They were then offered the opportunity to further practice their scissor skills by cutting their poppies from the cardstock. The mindful art experience opened gentle conversations about peace, gratitude, and remembering those who have cared for others. At circle, we read the poem “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae.
We have been ending our days with joyful music and songs that include plenty of movement and actions. The students all participate happily in this time to sing together, express themselves, and unwind after a busy day of learning and exploring.
It is always such a pleasure to witness their growing independence, kindness, and enthusiasm each day. Watching the children build new friendships and strengthen relationships from previous years has been lovely. With the buzz of a busy classroom quietly settling into normalization, I look forward to what discoveries the colder months will bring.
Warmest regards,
Ms. Early.
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, Nov. 21: Parent-Teacher Conferences. Both Lyonsgate campuses will be closed to students on Friday, Nov. 21, to accommodate Parent-Teacher conferences. Childcare is available during your conference. Please click here to select your conference timeslot.
Toddler and Casa Upcoming Important Dates
- Thursday, November 27, 3:30-4:15: Parent Education: Introduction to Elementary. While especially intended for parents of Casa students in their third-year and who will be turning 6 in 2026, all Lyonsgate parents are welcome to attend to learn about Lyonsgate’s Montessori Elementary program. Lyonsgate’s Elementary Montessori guides will present, “A Cosmic Education: The Montessori Approach to the Elementary Years.” Casa students are welcome to remain at the Primary campus for after care while parents attend the session at the Elementary campus. Please click here to RSVP your attendance. Thank you.
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
- Friday, November 21: Parent-Teacher Conferences. Parents are invited to sign-up for a conference to discuss their child’s recent achievements, current work, and upcoming goals. Please follow this link to sign-up for a P.D. day conference with your child’s lead guide, Michelle for students in Years 1-3, and Marissa for students in Years 4-7. If you are unable to attend that day, please contact your child’s lead guide to arrange another time. While the students have the day off, on-campus child care is available during your conference time. We look forward to speaking with you soon!
- Friday, November 28: OWL Workshop #2. Students in Years 4-7 will be attending the second workshop in the O.W.L. program on media literacy. They will be examining popular stories to identify what messages or values are being communicated. Following this workshop, students have a follow-up assignment to complete at home with their families, as well as reading before our next workshop in December.
- Monday, December 1: Open House. Families and friends are invited to join us for an after-school Open House to see displays of the children’s work from the first term. The classroom will be open to visitors from 3:15-4:15, with aftercare still available for students. The students will also be hosting a bake and craft sale to raise funds for their community outreach project. The upper elementary students have chosen to “adopt-a-family” through St. Matthew’s House for the holiday season. They will be shopping for groceries, winter necessities, and fun gifts to make their adopted family’s holiday season a little brighter.
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.
