Hello Lyonsgate Families,
Sign-up for Parent -Teacher conference times is available below. This week, we have a classroom update from Elementary. We are also wishing you all a restful, candy-filled weekend after the excitement of Friday. Be sure to check the sections below for important dates and information.
This Week’s Classroom Update
The Elementary classroom is always a busy hive of activity, with lots of communication and collaboration! To work effectively together as a social group, it is important for each child to have an understanding of their own family’s culture, as well as that of their friends and others in our community.
During the elementary years, children experience an intense drive to discover and adopt the culture that surrounds them. In the early years, an absorbent mind develops the fundamental skills of physical autonomy and communication in order to navigate the world outside the womb. From around the age of six, children employ their reasoning minds to study the motivations, behaviours, and consequences of human culture. This second stage of development is marked by a growing awareness of the interconnectedness of life, and the importance of human community to meet our fundamental needs.
As we move through the fall season, the children are developing their experience of time, living with the rhythm of seasonal change, witnessing the cycles of the natural world, and discovering days of significance for their human community. Learning about the reasons for these days, as well as how to observe them, contributes to each child’s understanding of social norms and shared experiences beyond the family. The goal is to introduce awareness of the diversity of cultural expression in human communities while also emphasizing what they have in common. We are planting seeds of interest that may germinate later for some children, while laying dormant in others.
This term, we began by learning about the significance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, as well as some of the history and traditions of Indigenous groups such as the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Inuit. They heard the creation story of Turtle Island and traditional ways of life on this land. They learned about what happened when settlers arrived from Europe, and learned about the 94 Calls to Action for Canadians to work toward reconciliation.
At Thanksgiving, they discussed our material and spiritual needs, and expressed gratitude for all the things humans have been gifted and achieved. For Diwali, they heard the story of Ramayana, and talked about how in the conflict between good and evil, our courage and compassion can lead to the triumph of light over dark. They also worked in teams to create rangoli designs with coloured salts, and experienced the impermanence of all things when their beautiful art was simply swept away.
Last week, the children enjoyed talking about their own Halloween traditions, and preparing for the holiday with silly jokes, scary songs, and baking some pumpkin bread to share. They also had a great time finding symbols of Halloween on an indoor scavenger hunt, and visiting our haunted classroom library for a spooky sensory story.
Through classroom explorations of days of significance, from their origin and traditional observances to where and how they are honoured today, the children deepen their understanding of themselves and others. As they move beyond the tangible elements of these days and focus more on the ideals reflected, the children can consider which virtues are most important to them, and begin to construct their own sense of morality and justice. This is a key part of Montessori’s commitment to education toward a more peaceful world. In the coming weeks, the students will continue this important work as they learn about other days of significance, such as Remembrance Day, Chanukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa.
We look forward to welcoming you into the classroom soon for parent observations through November, and at our after-school Open House in December!
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
- 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:
- 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.
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
- 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. All Elementary students will be travelling by public bus to attend the Brott Education Concert: Blast Off! Orchestra in Orbit at FirstOntario Concert Hall. The class will be leaving campus by 8:55 a.m. so please help your child prepare to arrive on time! 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 sealable plastic bag labelled with their name on Monday, November 10, and those using a Presto card are also welcome to bring it in advance.
- 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!
