Hello Lyonsgate Families,
This week, we have a classroom update from Casa South French Language Assistant, Mme Gervais. For Casa and Toddler families, we have an RSVP for an upcoming Parent Education session, and sign-ups for Show & Share and in-class observations. There is also information about Elementary parent observations and important details for some Elementary outings and trips.
This Week’s Classroom Update
Hello Lyonsgate Families,
Hello! I am Elise Gervais. I am the French Language Assistant in the Casa South classroom. I am new to Casa South but not so new to Lyonsgate. I was the Toddler Montessori Guide for many of the students who are now in Casa. It is a wonderful opportunity to witness all the growth and development of the ones I have known from before, and also to meet new students and discover each of their unique, intricate personalities.
Throughout the day, I am speaking French to the students and using French language materials to build their vocabulary, and each day just before lunch we have a French circle where we sing French songs and read French books. I am always amazed at children’s ability to adapt and absorb everything in their environment, especially at this age. I have been impressed by their capacity and enthusiasm to learn new things and acclimatize to the routine and habits of being at school.
The students are already able to understand most of the frequently used French phrases that I have been using from the beginning of the year such as, “Lave-toi les mains s’il te plait” and “Choisis un travail s’il te plait.” Sometimes I can hear them quietly singing some of the songs we have been singing at circle time while they are working or getting ready to go outside.
This is a song that we have been singing about the leaves falling:
Les Feuilles (to the tune of Freres Jacques)
Les feuilles tombées, les feuilles tombées,
C’est l’automne, c’est l’automne
Rouge, orange et jaune
Rouge, orange et jaune
C’est l’automne, C’est l’automne
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, November 21: Parent-Teacher Conferences. Both Lyonsgate campuses will be closed to students on Friday, Nov. 21, to accommodate parent-teacher conferences (child care will be available during your conference). Sign-up for conference timeslots will be available soon.
- Halloween: We know that Halloween is a very exciting time for children. However, we ask that costumes and candy are not brought to school, and are saved for after-school fun with family and friends.
Toddler and Casa Upcoming Important Dates
- Monday, Oct. 27: Fall/Winter lunch menu starts. You can view the lunch menu under “Parents” on the school website, and you can see which week we are on on the school calendar.
- 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.
- November 4, 5, and 6: Casa Show & Share. Show & Share is an opportunity for Montessori students to invite their parents into the classrooms to show them some of the materials they work with. Show & Share takes place at the end of your child’s school day, from 3:30-4:00, and you will be visiting the classroom with up to 6 other families. We ask that phones and other devices are please not used to take photos or video during Show & Share; thank you. Please click below to select a day for your Show & Share visit:
- November 4 – June: Casa Parent Observations. Beginning Nov. 4, Casa parents are invited to book an in-class observation during the morning work cycle. Observations are an option and not a requirement, and bookings are open for the rest of the school year. You are welcome to schedule one observation each term (the current fall term, the winter term from Jan.-March Break, and the spring term from late-March-June). Please click the link for your child’s classroom below to book your 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
- 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 and hiking down the Bruce Trail. 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.
- Tuesday, Nov. 4-June: Parent Observations Open. 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.
- Wednesday, November 12: Class Field Trip. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be preparing to attend the Brott Education Concert: Blast Off! Orchestra in Orbit, learning about the instruments of the orchestra, concert etiquette, and studying a few of the pieces we will hear played live. All Elementary 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, please visit your local library and show your child’s library card to receive one, and far enough in advance to ensure it is activated before the trip. Students planning to use cash are asked to bring it in a zip-closure plastic bag with their name on it on Monday, November 10.
- Coming Soon: Friday, November 21: Parent-Teacher Conferences
