Hello Lyonsgate Families,
This week, we have details about the Casa and Toddler field trip on Oct. 31, an update from the Toddler class, and a reminder about sick students.
Illness Prevention: Please do not send children to school if they have exclusionary symptoms (see: Sick Child? Here’s What to Do). If you feel your child requires symptom relieving medication to attend school, we ask that you please keep them home. Symptom relief medications inevitably wear off during the school day and we often end up calling you to pick up a sick child mid-day, and they can still spread germs to other children and staff. Thank you.
This Week’s Classroom Update
The toddlers have been busy building independence this month! As we move into the second month of the school year, the children are feeling more settled and secure in their classroom routines which allows them to learn and explore with growing confidence. Many children are joyfully practicing taking off their shoes and putting them on independently, setting their lunch table with a placemat and required tableware, and cleaning up their items when done. It is wonderful to hear them confidently exclaim, “I did it!” when completing a task on their own. We are also seeing excellent progress in emotional regulation –waiting for their turn for snack or for a favourite material provides daily opportunities for patience and respect for others. It is a joy to witness their growing sense of community and self-reliance each day!
As the weather is starting to get colder and more layers are needed, we please ask that you label any hats, mitts, jackets, etc., that are brought in. Thank you very much!
The Toddler Team.
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
- Monday, Oct. 13: Thanksgiving Holiday. Both Lyonsgate campuses are closed.
- Thursday, Oct. 23: Park Play Day. Lyonsgate families are encouraged to meet up at Beulah Park after school for socialization and play.
- Friday, Oct. 24: PD Day. Both Lyonsgate campuses are closed.
Toddler and Casa Upcoming Important Dates
- Thursday, Oct. 23: Park Play Day. Lyonsgate families are encouraged to meet up at Beulah Park after school for socialization and play.
- Friday, Oct. 31: Casa and Toddler field trip to Brantwood Farms. Casa students will travel by school bus from Lyonsgate to Brantwood Farms. Barring traffic delays, we intend to depart Lyonsgate on the bus at 9:30. Toddler parents and students can meet the Toddler staff at Brantwood from 9:45. The program runs for 2 hours from 10:00-12:00, with a snack break (provided by Lyonsgate). Cost for the field trip, payable by cash or e-transfer to accounts@lyonsgate.ca, is:
- Casa students: $25
- Toddler parents and students: $17/person (ie. $34 for one parent and child).
Lyonsgate students will enjoy apple picking, pumpkin picking, farm animals, a wagon ride, and a corn maze. Tours run rain or shine so please ensure students are wearing appropriate outer and footwear for the day’s weather. Each student is asked to bring 1 or 2, clearly labelled, durable reusable bags to bring home apples, pumpkin, and popcorn cob (Toddler parents, bring a bag for yourselves as well).
After the field trip:
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- Toddler students will enjoy lunch with parents after the field trip and can return to Lyonsgate at 1:00 p.m. for regular afternoon nap, activities, dismissal, and after care.
- Casa students will return to Lyonsgate by school bus and will have their regular lunch at 1:00, followed by afternoon work cycle or nap at 1:45, with regular dismissal and after care.
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
- Elementary Request: We kindly ask that plastic toys, stuffed animals, over-size backpack-charm toys, and make-up kits be left at home. Thank you.
- Friday, October 17: OWL Workshop 1. Students in Years 4-7 will be attending “Workshop 1: Sexuality and Values,” having completed their orientation to the OWL program at their first meeting in September. Students will be bringing home their OWL handbook with the reading assignments and follow-up activities that day. There are no required readings to prepare for the first workshop.
- Wednesday, October 29: Upper Elementary Outing. During the afternoon work cycle, students in Years 4-7 will be travelling by public bus up the mountain into the Westcliffe neighbourhood and hiking down the Bruce Trail back to our area of Kirkendall North. They are kindly reminded to wear their red Lyonsgate t-shirts, and bring along their child fare-free Presto card or bus fare ($3.75 cash in each direction). Students should be prepared to hike in any weather in comfortable, closed-toe footwear. They are welcome to bring along a pocket-size, nut-free and nutritious snack (e.g. granola bar, dried fruit), and water bottle.
- Wednesday, November 12: Class Field Trip. We are thrilled to be attending the Brott Education Concert: Blast Off! Orchestra in Orbit at FirstOntario Concert Hall to hear orchestral music inspired by the cosmos, from famous classical compositions to popular movie themes. All students will be travelling by public transit to and from the concert hall during the morning work cycle. Each student will need either a children’s Presto card to travel for free on the HSR transit system or $3.75 exact cash fare for each direction ($7.50 total). If your child does not yet have their own Presto card, stop by the desk at a Hamilton Public Library and show your child’s library card to receive your fare-free card. Please keep an eye on our weekly updates for more details as we get closer to the big day!
