Community

Spring Break Memo

Dear Families,

Thank you for your support in protecting our school community during this evolving COVID-19 situation. As a small school with strong traffic controls (limiting entrance to our school only to enrolled students/families and staff) and ongoing classroom cleaning throughout each day, the risk for virus spread is low and there were NO cases of COVID-19 prior to going on break. Our students and teachers have been very proactive in reminding themselves and each other to wash their hands throughout the day. However, we have taken the extra precaution to close one day earlier to sanitize all materials, furniture, and walls to ensure that we return back to school in a virus-free environment – sealed from contamination for at least 14 days. North Creek and Anchor Point facilities have been and will remain vigilant with regards to cleaning, hand hygiene, and educating students on respiratory etiquette while working with families to support students who may be away for extended periods. Please read the attached (Ref: 218644) letter from the Deputy Minister of Education.

As per the BC Minister of Health Adrian Dix’s announcement of March 12, 2020, for all persons travelling outside of Canada during Spring Break, please ensure you follow the self-isolation procedures for 14-days after completing your travel before returning to school.

Useful Links:
B.C. urges end to large gatherings as well as international travel – including to the U.S.: https://globalnews.ca/ news/6668957/bc-coronavirus- update-march-12/
The Pandemic Coordination Plan: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/ assets/gov/health/about-bc-s- health-care-system/office-of- the-provincial-health-officer/ reports-publications/pandemic- provincial-coordination-plan. pdf
Latest travel notices and advisories on the Government of Canada’s website: https://travel.gc.ca/ travelling/advisories
BC Centre for Disease Control site: http://www.bccdc.ca/ health-info/diseases- conditions/coronavirus-(novel)
We plan to return back to school on Monday, March 30th unless directed to do otherwise by the Health Authorities. Some schools in Canada have been instructed to remain closed beyond their Spring Break period so please check your email over the next 2 weeks for any updates from the school. Both North Creek and Anchor Point facilities are now equipped with No Touch thermometers at the door. All persons entering the school will be checked before entry. Those individuals (including staff, students and family members) showing a fever will be asked to return home.

CONGRATULATIONS to Lower Elementary students Aaron, Felix, Olive and Saba who took home 2 out 5 prizes at last weekend’s Science Games organized by the Engineers and Geoscientists BC! They were awarded the Silver Medal and “Most Innovative Team” by the province’s Minister of Education, Honourable Rob Fleming and Ms. Lianna Mah, President of Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia. Many thanks to Ms. Janice, Ms. Roiza who guided the team on their sustainable building materials project and LGMS families who came out to support our team!

Wishing you and yours a creative, warm, and safe Spring Break,
The Staff at Lions Gate Montessori

NORTH CREEK COMMUNITY (PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN)
A friendly reminder that avoiding tardiness is very important for all students. Arrival time for morning Preschool and Extended-Day/Kindergarten students is at 8:45 AM! We start giving lessons at 8:45 am. It is important that your child is involved from the beginning of the day together with his/her group just as it is important that late arrivals don’t interfere with the lessons that have already begun.

For students who took their indoor shoes and toothbrushes home at Spring Break, please remember to bring them back when you return. Thanks!

ANAPHYLAXIS ALERT! We have been notified that a child in our Casa community has life-threatening allergy (anaphylaxis) reactions. The triggers are walnut, pecan, and egg. Sensitive reactions alert on tomatoes, certain kinds of fruits, and lactose intolerance. Some children have gluten and dairy-free diets. The school is aware of each child’s needs and we are following the VCH guidelines to protect our students. All AM and PM Preschool and Extended Day are learning about this. North Creek is a peanut and 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 take this opportunity to introduce your child to anaphylaxis awareness. Kindly inform the teachers of particular items or needs at the door. It will help us coordinate the classroom to protect all the children. For more information, please visit Food Allergy Canada. Thank you very much for your attention and assistance.

ANCHOR POINT COMMUNITY (GRADE 1 & UP)
A friendly reminder that avoiding tardiness is important for all students. The children must be at school by 9:00 AM. It is important that your child is involved from the beginning of the day together with his/her group just as it is important that late arrivals don’t interfere with the lessons that have already begun.

Please provide a change of clothes and a pair of indoor shoes for your child in case you haven’t done so yet. For students who took their indoor shoes home at Spring Break, please remember to bring them back when you return. Thanks!

Taekwondo Lessons: Students have their last Taekwondo lesson on March 31st., after Spring Break. Physical Education lessons are mandatory. All students are expected to participate. Students who do not participate must submit an excuse note from a parent/guardian.

ANAPHYLAXIS ALERT! We have been notified that a child in our elementary community has life-threatening allergy (anaphylaxis) reactions. The triggers are walnuts and pecans. The school is following the VCH guidelines, the families are working with the school, and all Extended Day and Elementary students are learning about it. Teachers and students will be asked to wash their hands vigilantly and regularly at Anchor Point. Please refrain from sending these foods to school. Instead, this is an opportunity to introduce other foods for snacks and lunches to the school environment as you introduce your child to anaphylaxis awareness. For more information, please visit Food Allergy Canada. Thank you very much for your attention and assistance.

COMMUNITY NOTICES We’re hoping that families will still have opportunities to enjoy some Spring Break activities. Here are some updates and ideas!

Suggestions from an article | Social Distancing With Kids: 10 Things To Do Together, by Heather Dixon

Metro Events Cancelled due to COVID-19 | Please note that the links on this list will be updated as quickly as possible.

Spring Break Events in Metro Vancouver | Check out some suggestions on their site!

Surrey Parks | Explore and connect with nature! Experience these Surrey parks’ habitats, history, trees, and trails with activities that are family-friendly, hands-on, exploratory, and engaging.

Mid-Term Memo

Dear families,

With news about the spread of COVID-19, the school has been especially vigilant in protecting the community and students by showing awareness on the subject and what we can do to care for the self and the environment. We maintain a system of cleaning and disinfecting policy before, during, and after school. We have changed our habit of handshaking to a bow or waving at our daily greeting and dismissal. Our hand washing, cough/sneeze etiquette, staying home when sick, keep clean and stay healthy methods are consistently practiced and in parallel with The Ministry of Health guidelines. The newest letter to school parents/guardians from the Ministry is here for your review. We want to express our gratitude to all the families for your support. Thank you.

Want to learn more about stress and resilience? Confident Parents: Thriving Kids – Anxiety Program is a new, free service available to help BC families with young children who are experiencing challenges with anxiety. This is a web and telephone-based coaching service for parents and caregivers that effectively reduce mild to moderate anxiety in their children ages 3 – 12. Available at no cost to families across BC through the teacher or school counselor referral. For more information and referral forms, please visit www.confidentparentsbc.ca.

A very special event organized by the PSG at The Kids Only Market is happening this Sunday! Thank you to everyone who participated in the great clothing donation. We are looking forward to a terrific sale at the Coal Harbour Community Centre! See you there on March 1st, from 10AM to 1PM.

Wishing you a very lovely weekend,
The Staff at Lions Gate Montessori

UPCOMING DATES AND NOTICES
Sunday, Mar 1 | Kids Stuff Only Market | see note below under “fundraising”
Thursday, Mar 5 | Kindergarten Vision Screening | Notice has been sent home.
Saturday, Mar 7 | BC Science Games | Good luck to Felix, Aaron, Saba and Olive who are attending this event with Ms Janice and Ms Roiza!!
Wednesday, Mar 11 | Bake Sale
Mar 16 – 27 | Spring Break
Wednesday, Apr 1 | Preschool & Ex-Day/K | Urban Safari Rescue Society | Visit at both morning and afternoon programs at North Creek. See form attached and return it to school by March 11th.
Thursday, Apr 2 | Kindergarten Hearing Screening
Apr 10 & 13 | Good Friday & Easter Monday | NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, Apr 22 | UE | Real2Reel workshop | See form attached. Payment on Munchalunch is open. Please make sure no Hot Lunch is ordered for your child that day.
Friday, Apr 24 | PD Day | No school for students

HOT LUNCH | Elementary, Extended-Day/Kindergarten, Pre -school Language Students
Online ordering for March Hot Lunch is closed. Please order April Hot Lunch by March 25, 2020. Pizza Wednesdays from Rocky Mountain Flatbread are a student-led fundraiser. Net proceeds are retained by the Students’ Enrichment Activities Fund and are used to supplement costs for field trips and specialist workshops.

FUNDRAISING PARTICIPATION: We’ve got loads of activities and outings planned for the year! As many of these require admission or other payments, a Students Enrichment Fund has been set up to reduce costs for families. The following are two easy ways to help raise money for the fund – just by doing what you already do!

1) Kids Stuff Only Market – The market will be held on Sunday, March 1st, 10AM to 1PM at the Coal Harbour Community Centre! Come check out the lovely frocks, “photo” dresses, Sailor Suits, dress shirts, jackets, pants, and shoes. Please do not hesitate to contact Martes Farrugia (Evelyn’s mom), if you have questions or want to volunteer time to run the stall with her or price the items before the event.

2) FlipGive – This is an online shopping platform that connects you with the stores you shop at – and will give cash back for our school team. Brands and stores such as Amazon, Indigo, Adidas, and Nike now have a way to give back to the community and you can fund our school by simply shopping, eating out, and traveling. It’s a win-win for everyone! Please share below with our friends and family to do fundraising for our school

You can join our team now using our invite code VQOJ9E in on of 2 ways:
1. Download the FlipGive app https://www.flipgive.com
2. Join online at https://www.flipgive.com/ teams/join?fundraiser_name= Lions+Gate+Montessori& joincode=VQOJ9E
As an added bonus, each team member can earn an extra $5 by making a purchase within 7 days of joining.* Note that FlipGive will NOT issue donations if you use sale/discount codes for your online store. Instead, purchase a gift card from that brand/store and shop as usual with the sale/discount code.

3) Please continue to join us on Virtual Food Drive in support of the Greater Vancouver Food Bank! For every dollar donated here, GVFB is able to purchase $3 worth of food supplies.

NORTH CREEK COMMUNITY (PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN)
A friendly reminder that tardiness is very important in our classrooms. Arrival time for morning Preschool and Extended-Day/Kindergarten students is at 8:45 AM! We start giving lessons at 8:45 am and it is important that your child is involved from the beginning of the day together with his/her group.

Thursday, March 5 | Kindergarten Vision Screening | Letters from Vancouver Coastal Health has been sent home. Please follow the instructions on the letter if you do not wish your child to participate in the screening.

ANAPHYLAXIS ALERT! We have been notified that a child in our Casa community has life-threatening allergy (anaphylaxis) reactions. The triggers are walnut, pecan, and egg. Sensitive reactions alert on tomatoes, certain kinds of fruits, and lactose intolerance. Some children have gluten and dairy-free diets. The school is aware of each child’s needs. We are following the VCH guidelines. All AM and PM Preschool and Extended Day are learning about it. North Creek is a peanut and 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 take this opportunity to introduce your child to anaphylaxis awareness. Kindly inform the teachers of particular items or needs at the door. It will help us coordinate the classroom to protect all the children. For more information, please visit Food Allergy Canada. Thank you very much for your attention and assistance.

ANCHOR POINT COMMUNITY (GRADE 1 & UP)
A friendly reminder that tardiness is important in our classrooms. The children must be at school by 9:00 AM.

Please provide a change of clothes and a pair of indoor shoes for your child in case you haven’t done so yet. Thanks!

Taekwondo Lessons: Students have Taekwondo lessons on Tuesdays. The coming lessons are on: March 3, and March 10. These are mandatory Physical Education lessons that all students are expected to participate in. Students who do not participate must submit an excuse note from a parent/guardian.

COMMUNITY NOTICES Wondering what to do with your family during the Winter Break? Check these out!

The Robson Square Ice Rink | Nov 30 to Feb 29 | Renew a classic Vancouver tradition and enjoy some old-fashioned fun. Robson Square’s outdoor skating rink is open, so celebrate winter in style with skating in the heart of downtown Vancouver. It’s a magical place to enjoy the winter season with your friends, family and loved ones.

The House at Pooh Corner | Feb 28-Mar 29 | Take a magical trip into the Hundred Acre Wood and discover the wonderful world of Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends. Music and puppetry without strings make this a very special treat for family audiences.

Métis Fair | Feb 29 | This is an all-age day of music, dance, food and more to celebrate Métis culture! at Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre.

Science of Superheroes Family night | Feb 29 | This Leap Day H.R. MacMillan Space Centre celebrates Superheroes, their superhuman powers, and the planets they come from. Come dressed as your favourite superhero!

CAG family day, Block Mapping Movement | Feb 29 | This February, CAG and ArtStarts invite you to a unique Family Day that translates movement across science, dance and the visual arts.

Nature Club Family day at the Beaty museum | Feb 29 | Drop in between 10:30 am – 1:00 pm the first Sunday of the month to enjoy a special ecosystem activity for families plus all of their regular Beaty Museum programming: Raising Big Blue movie, museum tours, and more!

VBT Japan Food Fair | Mar 1 | Come join us at Vancouver Buddhist Temple for some great Japanese Food.