“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” – Aristotle (384-322, BC)

Another school year filled with projects and activities has come to a close. The students outdid themselves again this year at our Winter Performance featuring an adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the publishing of our very first book based on artwork inspired by words relevant to our Canadian heritage. The whole project was made possible by a generous and much-appreciated grant from ArtStarts, which enabled us to hold a week-long painting workshop with Aboriginal artist Kim Soo Goodtrack. The beautiful book came together with special thanks to Katie Reynolds (mom to Mina) for her graphic and layout work as well as Tony Pantages (dad to Tallulah and Spiro) for photography.

Despite our tremendous intellectual leaps in the realm of science and technology, the great wealth and wisdom that rests at the heart of who and what we are, remain unexplored. For this reason, Montessori declared, “An education capable of saving humanity is no small undertaking; it involves the spiritual development of man, the enhancement of his value as an individual, and the preparation of young people to understand the times in which they live.” Knowing oneself thoroughly, in all of our highs and lows, allows one to empathize with others. This empathy is the stepping stone upon which we begin our moral journey: To do unto others as we wish others to do unto us. It is that moral obligation, based on deep compassion for others, that propel us to serve one another, and contribute to society. From the Montessori point of view, instilling values of basic human kindness in our children lays the foundation critical for building a peaceful society.

Each year, new members join our community. Through this, our students learn to extend their hearts and minds to those with whom they have not yet established a relationship. This, perhaps, is one of the most important aspects of Montessori education. Our students, with their willingness to help, share, and forgive is evidence that the seeds of harmony and goodwill exist in all of us. Those seeds are just waiting to be nurtured and brought to maturity. When I observe their process of self-construction at work in our social community, I see them fulfilling the task of making peace. It is this that allows me to remain confident in Montessori’s insight that “the child is both a hope and promise for mankind.”

On behalf of all our staff, I’d like to extend warm thanks to all families for entrusting your children to our care and sharing their journey with us. Heartfelt thanks as well to our Parent Support Group executive (President, Alison Courage; Vice President, Katie Reynolds; Secretary, Amanda Fairweather; Treasurer, Phyllis Ginn; Members At Large, Helen Ghabel, Sandra Cheng, and Cynthia Liu) as well as our many other parent volunteers. Your steadfast dedication to the school, its vision and mission have been invaluable!

Wishing you a joyful summer filled with delight,
Riza Weinstein

GENERAL NOTICES

Upcoming Dates to Remember
Monday, July 11 │ Summer Session 1 starts
Tuesday, August 2 │ Summer Session 2 starts
Tuesday, September 6 │ First Day Back at School for Returning Students
Wednesday, September 7 │ First Day of School for New Preschool Students

Yearbook Update: Thank you for your pre-orders and patience. The yearbooks are now being printed and will be ready for pick up during the Summer Program. We will send out an email once they have arrived.

2017 MMUN (Montessori Model United Nations Program), 4th to 7th Year Students: Kind thanks to those who attended our initial  MMUN meeting! Please take some time to visit the MMUN website and do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. As discussed, we’ll be sending out updates as we receive them from the organizers.

COMMUNITY NOTICES Wondering what to do with your family over the weekend? Check these out!

ArtStarts on Saturdays presents Fana Soro: West African Music for Kids│Saturday, June 25 11am and 1pm (2 sessions): Through interactions with individuals of diverse cultures, Fana Soro believes that young people build their understanding and appreciation for art and culture. Join Fana for an interactive workshop to explore the social and cultural significance of West African instruments and music. Sessions start at 11am and 1pm. Free! No pre-registration necessary. ArtStarts on Saturdays is a monthly series for families, featuring free, fun, 45-minute creative arts workshops with some of the best children’s artists.

Canada Day│Friday, July 1: Spending Canada Day in Vancouver? Here are 2 great options:
1) Granville Island: Granville Island’s huge Canada Day celebration includes a parade, an official Canada Day Ceremony with cake, a Lobster Man Cookout, live jazz, performers, and a South Asian cultural fair. This is the best venue for families with young kids: bring a picnic blanket and take breaks to let the kids run at the free Granvilla Island water park. From 8am to midnight.

2) Canada Place: Canada Place hosts Downtown Vancouver’s biggest Canada Day celebration with a free Waterfront Party that includes live music and entertainment on three stages, followed by the annual Canada Day Parade. The Waterfront Party features performers Hannah Georgas, Hairfarmers and Watasun, kids’ activities, street hockey, a circus show, and food carts. Waterfront Party: 10am – 6pm; Parade starts at 7pm

Rockin’ in the Park @ Coal Harbour Park │Saturday, July 9 from 11am to 2pm: Join Rockin’ in the Park for free entertainment and loads of family fun!
-Bouncy Castle, Mini Golf, Face Painting, Caricature Artist, Balloon Twister, Arts & Crafts, Vancouver Puppet Theatre (12:30pm), Live Entertainment (1:15pm), Vancouver United Soccer Station, Youth Fundraiser BBQ, Program Demos & More. All ages welcome. Parent participation required. Event takes place in Coal Harbour Park (on top of Coal Harbour Community Centre).

Honda Celebration of Light │Saturday, July 23 – Saturday, July 30: Vancouver’s beloved fireworks festival is returning for a 26th year at English Bay. This year’s festival includes the SHOREFEST concert series, the Concord Pacific Seawall Challenge and Vancouver’s largest Food Truck Festival in addition to the world’s longest-running offshore fireworks competition.
Saturday July 23rd, Royal Fireworks, Netherlands
Wednesday July 27th, Howard and Sons Fireworks, Australia
Saturday July 30th, Walt Disney Entertainment, USA

Playland │Until Sunday, September 18, 2016: The smell of Mini Donuts is in the air at Hastings Park! One of the surest signs that spring is in full swing and summer is right around the corner is the return of Vancouver’s most beloved family entertainment attraction, as Playland at the PNE is set to open its gates to the public for the 2016 season on May 7th.

Waterparks in Vancouver │ Summer is here and that means children are ready to splash and spray in the water! parks around Metro Vancouver. Here’s a comprehensive list of all the spray parks in Vancouver:
Chaldecott Park – 4175 Wallace Street; daily from 10am – 8pm
CRAB Park at Portside – 101 E Waterfront; daily from 10am – 8pm
Garden Park – 1851 Garden Drive; daily from 10am – 8pm
Grandview Park – 1657 Charles Street; daily from 10am – 8pm
Granville Island Water Park – 1318 Cartwright Street;  Full water park open weekends & Victoria Day (May 21 – June 26) I Spray Park only (no waterslide) open weekdays (June 20 – 24) I Full water park open 7 days a week (June 27 – September 5)
Hastings Community Park – 3000 E Pender Street; daily 9am – 8pm
Kitsilano Beach Park – 1499 Arbutus Street; daily from 10am – 8pm
MacLean Park – 710 Keefer Street; daily from 10am – 8pm
Norquay Park – 5050 Wales Street; daily from 10am – 8pm
Oak Park – 900 West 59th Avenue; daily from 10am – 8pm
Prince Edward Park – 3773 Prince Edward Street; daily from 10am – 8pm

Farmers Market │ Another upside of the summer months? The wonderful farmers markets! Summer Farmers Markets in Metro Vancouver:
East Van
When: Saturdays (May 7 – October 22, 2016)
Time: 9am – 2pm
Where: Trout Lake
Address: Lakewood Drive and 13th Avenue, Vancouver

Kitsilano
When: Sundays (May 8 – October 23, 2016)
Time: 10am – 2pm
Where: Kitsilano Community Centre parking lot
Address: 2690 Larch Street, Vancouver

Main St Station
When: Wednesdays (June 1 – October 5, 2016)
Time: 2pm – 6pm
Where: Thorton Park (across the from VIA Rail Station)
Address: Terminal Avenue & Station Street, Vancouver

Mt Pleasant
When: Sundays (June 12 – October 9, 2016)
Time: 10am – 2pm
Where: Guleph Street
Address: between 7th & 8th Avenues, Vancouver

West End
When: Saturdays (May 28 – October 22, 2016)
Time: 9am – 2pm
Where: across from Nelson Park
Address: 1100 block of Comox Street, Vancouver

Downtown (previously called Yaletown)
When: Thursdays (May 5 – October 27, 2016)
Time: 2pm – 6pm
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza
Address: corner of Georgia & Hamilton, Vancouver