Dear Families,
We’ve had two active weeks of learning. If you’re wondering what your kids are doing back at school, take a peek at what’s happening in our elementary program in our first blog of the school year – and stay tuned for more from our students…Don’t forget to check out our Facebook page with links to articles of interest!
Please find below, reminders for the coming weeks!
Enjoy your weekend,
The Staff at Lions Gate Montessori
DATES & NOTES TO REMEMBER
Thursday, September 21│Annual Terry Fox Run
Friday, September 22 │ PD Day NO SCHOOL for Students
Friday, September 22 │ School-wide Back-to-School picnic hosted by the LGMS Parent Support Group
Monday, October 9 │ Thanksgiving Public Holiday NO SCHOOL
Annual Terry Fox Run│Thursday, September 21st: Extended day and elementary students will be participating in the annual Terry Fox Run beginning at 9:30 am on Sunset Beach. Students should arrive at their respective school per the usual drop-off time and will depart for the Run from there. Parents who would like to participate in the Run are welcome to meet us 9:30 am at Sunset Beach. Please ensure that your child is dressed in appropriate running attire and for the prevailing weather conditions. Donations can be made by clicking here.
Hot Lunch (Elementary and Extended-day Children Only): Cut-off dates and times for upcoming months are as follows:
October Cut-Off: Thursday, September 28, 3:00 PM
November Cut-Off: Thursday, October 26, 3:00 PM
December Cut-Off: Thursday, November 30, 3:00 PM For more information on our hot lunch program, go to http://www.lionsgatemontessori .org/community/hot-lunch-progr am/ (log-in required)
CASA COMMUNITY (PRE-SCHOOL & EXTENDED-DAY)
Labeling: Please make the extra effort to label your child’s clothing, shoes, food containers, water bottles, and bags. Many children have identical items. It is very helpful for the children for the staff to be able to identify the objects quickly. This is especially the case when the children identify the objects themselves. Thank you!
Bring a proper jacket to school: We have entered the season of fall, seems to be on its way to arrive soon, please make sure your child has a proper jacket with him/her when coming to school.
Preparation for an Emergency: North Creek asks each family to prepare a personal letter for your child to be kept in our emergency kit. In case of an earthquake or other disasters, a letter from home along with a family picture would no doubt be a very special item to have on hand for comfort.
Terry Fox Run: The AM and PM Preschool children will receive lessons on The Legacy of Terry Fox’s Dream and participate in a power walk. The Extended-Day children will receive the same lesson, learning more about his story, and participate in the school run. Please have your children come to school on September 28th in runners.
ANAPHYLAXIS ALERT! We have been notified that two children in our Casa community have life-threatening allergy (anaphylaxis) reactions. The triggers are dairy, eggs, tree nuts, and hummus. The school is following the VCH guidelines, the families are working with the school, and all AM and PM Preschool and Extended Day are learning about it. Starting in September 2017, North Creek is a nut free environment. Teachers and students will be asked to wash their hands vigilantly and regularly, both at North Creek and in the Extended Day classroom at Anchor Point. Please refrain from bringing these foods and see it as an opportunity to introduce other foods for snacks and lunches to the school environment as you introduce your child to anaphylaxis awareness. If dairy, eggs, and hummus is not avoidable, please inform the teachers of the items at the door. It will help us coordinate the classroom to protect all the children. For more information, please visit www.foodallergycanada.ca . Thank you very much for your attention and assistance.
ANCHOR POINT COMMUNITY (GRADES 1 & UP)
FSA: This year, all schools will administer the BC Ministry of Education’s new Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) from October 2 to November 10, 2017. The school is currently awaiting the arrival of the test package from the ministry. (A separate email has been sent out to Grade 4 parents.)
Arrivals and Dismissals: Classes begin promptly at 9:00 am for elementary. Students who do not arrive promptly often miss important lessons and begin their days harried. Late arrivals and repeated tardiness are recorded for all students in kindergarten and up. Please call us and let us know if your child is arriving late for arrival. It is essential to call if you know that you are going to be late for pick-up and can get to a phone. This greatly relieves your child’s anxiety while waiting and prevents your emergency contact person from being called unnecessarily.
Daily Work Journals: We’re sending our students’ work journals home for the weekend starting this week! Please take some time to review what has been noted – we think you’ll find some great fodder for conversation! Kindly make sure these journals are sent back to school every Monday.
Birthdays at Anchor Point: Birthday celebrations with peers are a welcome event in the classroom. You may send a special snack to school on this special day. Nutritious cupcakes, carrot cakes or fruit bars are preferable. A special book or photographs of your child growing up are wonderful things that can be shared with the class. Your child may wish to present a book, or artifact on nature, science, or history to the classroom to be added to our permanent library collection. Please write an acknowledgment on the inside of the book cover such as,”Presented to Lions Gate Montessori on the occasion of John’s 7th Birthday.”
Children’s birthdays that fall during vacation times may be celebrated on the last week before vacation, so please confirm with us at least a week prior to our break to arrange for this. If you are planning a party outside of school for your child, please refrain from asking the teachers to hand out invitations during class time.
Please note that this year, we will be celebrating on Fridays from 11:30 pm to noon. We ask parents to kindly set aside a few (3 to 5) of pictures reflecting milestones or interesting moments in their child’s life such as a fun trip, a place he/she likes to be, a special moment with a family member, etc. We will talk about these memories and students will proceed to ask questions to learn more about the birthday classmate. It is optional to bring a treat to distribute, but if you’d like to, kindly make sure you have enough for all the students (34).
COMMUNITY NOTICES Wondering what to do with your family this weekend? Check these out!
Olde Harvest Fair – Saturday, September 16th I Since the first annual fall fair held in 1888, Surrey residents have marked the harvest with a bounty of food, neighborly competitions, and music. It is traditionally a time of uniting families with others in the community. People of all ages are invited to do just that at this free, family friendly event.
The 16th Annual Scotiabank Dance Centre Open House – Saturday, September 16th I This annual Open House offers a chance to experience a host of different dance styles in a day of free classes, workshops, studio showings, and events at Scotiabank Dance Centre, Canada’s flagship dance facility. FREE Admission!
UNINTERRUPTED: From the heart of the river to the heart of the city – 9 – 9:30 pm Tuesday to Saturday evenings Final show Sunday Sept. 24th I This is a cinematic summer art installation that has transformed Vancouver’s Cambie Bridge into a wild B.C. river – immersing audiences in the incredible journey of migrating sockeye salmon.
Celebration of Senses September 16th I Join us for our event at UBC Farm, in Vancouver, to experience and discover local food thanks to workshops and to enjoy many activities such as art displays, live music or a culinary event!
Southlands Country Fair – Sunday, September 17th I The Southlands Riding Club will host the 16th annual Southlands Country Fair. The Country Fair has become a popular annual tradition where citizens of the lower mainland are invited to come enjoy “a day in the country without leaving the city”. The Fair runs from 10:00-5:00 RAIN or SHINE (most events will be moved under cover if it rains)
Canuck Place Adventure Race – Sunday, September 17th I Experience the ultimate end-of-summer challenge at the Canuck Place Adventure Race! This family-friendly event features a 15 km bike ride, 6 km trail run, and a thrilling new obstacle course at beautiful Jericho Beach Park in Vancouver. Race on your own or as part of a relay! Children can enjoy the Canuck Place Adventure race in their own custom course that includes a 3 km bike ride, 2 km trail run, followed by their own obstacle course! All proceeds from this event support over 715 Canuck Place children with life-threatening illnesses and their families all across BC!
Pirates At The Cannery! – Saturday & Sunday, September 16th & 17th I Avast ye mateys! Celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site. Shady Isle Pirates and Buccaneers of the Black Fleet are taking over the Cannery with a pirate encampment and pirate games, artifacts, storytelling and more! Best of all – Admission is Free! Yaaaarrrr!!