Hello Lyonsgate Families,
- Parent Education: This Thursday, Nov. 7, is a Parent Education event open to all Lyonsgate families and that will cover Maria Montessori’s Second Plane of Development (the Elementary years). See the Elementary and Casa sections below for details and to RSVP.
- Show & Share: Next week is Show & Share for Casa and Toddler parents. Parents are invited into their Toddler and/or Casa children’s classrooms at the end of the school day, from 3:30-4:00, so that your children can show you some of their favourite Montessori materials and work. Please click here to select a Show & Share visit day.
- Parent-Teacher Conferences: Parent-Teacher conferences will take place on Friday, Nov. 22. Both Lyonsgate campuses will be closed to students that day to accommodate the conferences, but childcare will be available during your 20-minute conference timeslot. Sign up Parent-Teacher conferences will be available next week.
- Fall/Winter Menu: The new Fall/Winter menu for hot lunches at the Primary campus came into effect last week. You can always view the menu under your “Parents” tab at lyonsgate.ca, and you can see which week of the menu we are on by checking your Lyonsgate calendar.
Please click the links below for updates from your children’s Montessori levels, and a gallery of photos from the last week.
Hello Toddler Families,
With the weather transitioning to more rainy, cool days, we are starting to see thick coats, rain boots, hats, and sometimes even mittens. We thank you in advance for making sure that everything is labelled! A great activity to start practising with your child is putting on/taking off their snow pants. Snow will be here before you know it and the motion of pushing down/pulling up snow pants mimics that of pushing down/pulling up your pants in the bathroom …so this activity does double duty!
In the classroom, we are seeing children revisiting materials and activities that they have been introduced to. One of their favourite activities is using the broom and mop. Ever observant, if a teacher is cleaning up, a child will grab a broom to help. Most recently children have been recognizing when the floor is wet and will get a mop to clean it up. These jobs are purposeful, help build muscle strength and coordination, and more importantly help the child feel that they belong to and can be active participants in their classroom community.
Vanessa Findlay.
Greetings from Casa,
Along with the time change we can expect the weather to shift from autumn temperatures to an early winter chill. This of course means added layers of clothing: neck warmers, heavier jackets, hats, mittens, boots, and eventually snowpants. We ask that children wear neck warmers rather than scarves for safety reasons and mittens rather than gloves as they keep little fingers warmer, especially when having fun with snow. Water resistant mittens are best; thin fabric mittens quickly become soaked and uncomfortably wet and cold.
Labelling every item of clothing (both outdoor and indoor) provides the best chance that your child will go home with everything they wear to school. Items that can’t be easily identified go into our lost and found basket where you may look for missing mittens, etcetera.
Children really enjoy spending time outside during winter when they are well-prepared; time will tell when and how much snow will fall during these next few (long) months.
Warmly,
The Casa Team.
Thursday, November 7: Parent Education Event at the Elementary Campus: Your Emerging Elementary Child 3:30-4:15 p.m.
Casa parents are invited to join Elementary guides Marissa and Michelle for a parent education event dedicated to exploring the transition from Casa to Elementary, and focusing on the theme of self-construction. This stage marks a pivotal moment in your child’s development, where they begin to take greater ownership of their learning and identity. We will discuss how families can understand, celebrate, and support the coming changes in personality, communication, and independence as each child follows their own path through the second stage of childhood, regardless of where they go to school. This parent education event is open to all Casa parents who want to learn more about what to expect next! Casa students are welcome to stay for child care at the Primary Campus during the event. Please RSVP here with how many adults are planning to attend, and whether you require child care that day, by Tuesday, November 5.
The Elementary class was full of energy last week as the children enjoyed a variety of activities to learn more about the history and celebration of both Halloween and Diwali. Teams of students enthusiastically carved pumpkins, went out on a Halloween decoration scavenger hunt in the neighbourhood, and worked together to make beautiful rangoli designs using dyed salts. We had a wonderful time getting our hands dirty, singing spooky songs, and learning more about the history of holidays celebrated in our community.
Marissa and Michelle.
Thursday, November 7: Parent Education Event: Your Emerging Elementary Child 3:30-4:15 p.m.
Join Marissa and Michelle for a parent education event dedicated to exploring the on-going transition of children through the Elementary program, and focusing on the theme of self-construction. This stage marks a pivotal moment in your child’s development, where they begin to take greater ownership of their learning and identity. We will discuss how families can understand, celebrate, and support the on-going changes in personality, communication, and independence as each child follows their own path through the second stage of childhood.
Please note, all Elementary students will be traveling to the HAAA that day at 3:20, ahead of the parent presentation. Elementary students whose families are attending the event will be included in the aftercare program (free of charge). These students will return to the Elementary campus by 4:30. All other students will be dismissed from the HAAA park between 3:30-3:45 p.m.
Thursday, November 14 AM: Brott Education Concert
During the morning work cycle, we will have the pleasure of attending the annual Brott Education Concert! All Elementary students will travel by chartered school bus to and from the First Ontario Concert Hall to enjoy musical performances from the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and Hamilton Children’s Choir, along with lots of opportunities for audience participation. All Elementary students should arrive wearing their red Lyonsgate shirts to attend the performance.
Thursday, November 14 PM: Save-the-Date! Elementary Student Charity Bake Sale
Senior students Abby, Lellie, and Pippa will be hosting a charity bake sale on campus after school. Check your email next week for more details from the kids!
