Hello Lyonsgate Families,
This week’s classroom update introduces Casa North French teacher Mme Murati, who provides a summary of the French program and lists some of the phrases, songs, and books your children are familiar with from school. We also have information and RSVP for the next Toddler and Casa Parent education session on Oct. 29, the details for the Oct. 31 Casa and Toddler field trip, and all of our busy Elementary student information.
This Week’s Classroom Update
Bonjours chers parents d’élèves,
I’m Mme Murati, the French teacher in Casa North. I am on my 14th year of teaching French at Lyonsgate. “Je suis très heureuse de débuter une nouvelle année scolaire!” Thank you to all the parents for informing your children that one of the teachers speaks only French in the classroom. They were well prepared!
In Casa North, we gather for “French circle” daily where the students learn how to greet in French, to introduce themselves, express their emotions and feelings, and preferences for food, animals, etc. We sing lots of French songs, we read French books, and do finger plays.
Phrases we learn:
- Comment ça va?
- Ça va bien
- Ça va comme-ci comme-ça
- ça va mal
- All students learn how to introduce themselves to others in French (name, age, where they live): “Je m’apelle (name), j’ai (age) ans, et j’habite à Hamilton.”
Songs we have been singing:
- “Bonjour, Bonjour!” by Alain le lait
- “Petit Escargot”
- La Famille Tortue”
- “Pomme de Reinette et Pomme d’Api”
- “Frère Jacques”
Books we have been reading:
- “Trop de carottes!” by Katy Hudson
- “Les écureuils qui se querellent” by Jim Field
- “Est-ce que je peux jouer?” by Mo Williams
- “Veux-te jouer dehors?” by Mo Williams
Merci de votre confiance,
Mme Murati.
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
- 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.
- Wednesday, Oct. 29: Casa and Toddler Parent Education Session. Casa and Toddler parents and caregivers are invited and encouraged to attend our next Parent Education sessions, running concurrently from 3:30-4:15 on Wednesday, Oct. 29, covering the concept of independence as relevant to the different age groups. Please click here to RSVP.
- Toddler: “We will explore the language and ways that we encourage children to learn to care for themselves, their classroom, and the world around them.”
- Casa: “We will explore how we help your children grow their independence skills using Montessori materials such as Dressing Frames, and Care of the Environment and language activities”.
- 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:
-
- 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
- Monday, Oct. 20: Diwali. Elementary students will be participating in lessons and activities to learn about the history and celebration of Diwali.
- Thursday, Oct. 23: Park Play Day. Lyonsgate students of all ages are invited to meet up at Beulah Park after dismissal for some free play. This is also a wonderful chance for parents to socialize and get to know some of the other families. If your child’s routine dismissal plans are altered by planning to go to Beulah Park, please let us know via email to elementary@lyonsgate.ca. We hope to see you there! Regular after-care will still be offered on campus until 4:30 p.m.
- 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.
- Friday, Oct. 31: Halloween. Elementary students have a regular school day with community lunch, while the students from the Primary campus enjoy a field trip to a local farm. While we save costumes and candy for celebrations with family and friends after school, Elementary students can anticipate some fun, Halloween-themed activities during the day. Please help your child to remember to leave their candy, chips, and chocolate at home to enjoy in the coming weeks.
- 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!
