Summer Program Registration: The preschool program will be held at North Creek from 9am to 12pm. The Elementary program will be held at Anchor Point from 9am to 4pm. The preschool extended-day program (only eligible for children turning 5 by December 31st 2015) will be held at North Creek in the morning, and Anchor Point in the afternoon. Thus, extended-day students will be dropped off at North Creek and picked up at Anchor Point. As usual, we will offer two three-week sessions when children will continue to work in the Montessori environment with enriched activities in Arts and Crafts; Music and Drama; and Science and Nature. The children will also participate in excursions to places and events that are related to the above themes.
If you are interested in registering your child/ren in our Summer Program, please fill out the registration form and submit it to school by May 1st, 2015.
Mother’s Day Orchids Fundraiser: Out traditional Mother’s Day celebration will be held at your child’s respective school on Friday, May 8th. The LGMS Parent Support Group is organizing an Orchid Fundraiser for that special date. Orchids will come in 6″ ceramic pots for $20 each. All net proceeds from sale will go towards enrichment activities at North Creek and Anchor Point. More information and details about the event coming soon!
Aiming Towards a Waste-Free Lunch
Did you know that a typical lunch brought to school by a North America child today contains far more packaging than ever before? With families relying on the convenience of pre-packaged lunch items and single-use wrappings such as aluminum foil and plastic wraps, it is no surprise that lunchtime trash is second only to office paper as the leading source of school waste.
The good news is that Lions Gate students and families are already ahead of the curve, and we’ve reduced school lunch waste considerably! However, we can always aim to do better. With Earth Day (Wednesday, April 22) fast approaching, we’d like to take this opportunity to encourage all students and families to strive towards meeting the highest standards for a wast-free lunch. Our aim is not only to reduce campus waste, but also to encourage students that small changes in their daily routine can have a very large impact on the environment and on their personal health.
What is a waste-free lunch program? It’s lunch that contains no throwaway packaging and produces little or no food waste. The typical homemade waste-free lunch is packed in a lunch box or backpack. The food is put in reusable containers rather than wrapped in disposal packaging. A drink is packed in a refillable bottle. Cloth napkins and stainless steel utensils replace disposables. All containers are resealable, so that left over food and drink can be saved for later.
The students will start the program by performing an initial trash audit to determine the type, amount, and sources of school waste, and additional audits will happen at regular intervals to assess the effect of any changes that have been implemented. Students will then compare their data results and will post the audit results in the school, on the school website, and in the school newsletter.
We will send a follow up note with the results of our first trash audit as soon as we have the data and a list of Waste-Free Lunch Tips for parents (since parents usually make the lunch decisions). So, it”s essential that we have your support!
Teaching young people the knowledge, skills, and values of active environmental citizenship is a crucial component of education in the 21st century. The challenge is to teach basic concepts while nurturing children`s respect for and stewardship of the natural world. For more information please visit www.wastefreelunches.org .
ADOLESCENTS
Hip Hop Lessons – Adolescents: Students will begin their dance lessons on Monday, April 20th. They walk together to the Scotiabank Theatre (677 Davie Street, at Granville). Please drop off your child/ren no later than 8:45am to ensure a full hour of class with Mr. Yoshi. If you cannot make it to the school by 8:45am, kindly drop off your child/ren at the Scotiabank Theatre directly. Please be sure to send a water bottle with your child/ren and ensure they dress appropriately as it is quite warm inside the dance center.
Tennis Lessons: We are pleased to offer the adolescents students the opportunity to participate in Tennis Lessons, commencing May 5th, to be held at the David Lam East Tennis Courts. The lessons are scheduled on the following Tuesdays: May 5th, May 12th, May 19th May 26th, June 2nd and June 9th, from 2pm to 3pm. Please note that some racquets are available, but it is recommended that children bring their own. Please ensure tour child/ren is dressed appropriately for the event and prepare a water bottle. Please submit your child’s permission form by Friday, May 1st. In the event of rain, tennis will be cancelled.
Basketball Lessons: We are pleased to offer the Anchor Point students the opportunity to participate in Basketball Lessons, commencing May 7th, to be held at the David Lam Park Courts. The lessons are scheduled on the following Thursdays: May 7th, May 14th, May 21st, May 28th, June 4th and June 11th, from 12pm to 3pm. Kindly note that some balls are available, but students may also bring their own if they have it. Please ensure tour child/ren is dressed appropriately for the event and prepare a water bottle. The adolescents lessons are scheduled for 12:45pm to 1:30pm. Please submit your child’s permission form by Friday, May 1st.
Adolescents Field Trip to Science World – Wednesday, May 6th: The students will be visiting Science World on Wednesday, May 6th to attend the Neuro Adventure workshop. Students will discover how neurons communicate with each other and will work together to test balance and hand-eye coordination, challenge each other in memorizing tasks and manipulate their heartbeat! We will aim to eat lunch at the park, weather permitting. Please ensure your child have a picnic bagged lunch that doesn’t require heating up. Weather conditions can change quickly and are often unpredictable regardless of the time of year. As a rule, prepare for all weather conditions. This field trip is partially being funded by the School’s Enrichment Fund. Please submit your child’s permission slip and payment no later than Friday, May 1st 2015.
Pizza Mondays: Please find the order form attached and submit it at your earliest convenience.
At this time, we are only taking orders from April 27th onward. Thank you!
Extending Waste-Free School Lunches – Starting Wednesday, April 21st, we’ll begin cooking group lunches with our adolescents at the farm. Students will plan their menus on Mondays, and bring ingredients to contribute to the making of the group lunch on Wednesdays and Fridays.
ANCHOR POINT
Lower Elementary Field Trip to the Beaty Biodiversity Museum – Thursday, April 23rd: The LE students will be taking transit to visit the Beaty Biodiversity Museum on Thursday, April 23rd where they will take part in the Sketching Program. During this program, the children will have the opportunity to touch and observe museum specimens while practicing sketching and drawing skills. They will pull out specimens and stories focused on BC Biodiversity, including familiar neighbours from the lower mainland! We might be eating lunch in the park. Children who are in Anchor Point for half-day are eligible to participate in this field trip. Please ensure your child have a picnic bagged lunch that doesn’t require heating up. Please submit your child’s permission slip no later than Friday, April 17th.
Upper Elementary Field Trip to the Maritime Museum – Thursday, April 30th: The UE Anchor Point students will be visiting the Maritime Museum on Thursday, April 30th to attend the Arctic Explorer’s Program. The students will discover what it takes to become a successful Arctic explorer by examining explorers that were not successful and comparing them to those that were. Students will examine the experiences of Captain Henry Larsen and his crew aboard the famous RCMP vessel St. Roch and learn how the traditional knowledge and lifestyle of the Inuit could improve your chance of survival.Students will be eating lunch in the park, so please ensure your child/ren have a picnic bagged lunch that doesn’t require heating up. Weather conditions can change quickly and are often unpredictable regardless of the time of year. As a rule, prepare for all weather conditions. Please submit your child’s permission slip and payment no later than Monday, April 27th 2015.
Lower Elementary Field Trip to the Maritime Museum- Tuesday, May 5th: The LE Anchor Point students will be visiting the Maritime Museum on Tuesday, May 5th to attend the Mountie Sailors and Arctic Communities Program. From 1928 to 1944 the RCMP vessel St. Roch spent much its time in the Arctic acting as a floating police station visiting remote Inuit communities. This famous vessel and her crew of Mounties were successful in their mission because of the skills, teamwork and relationships with the Inuit. While exploring the fully restored St. Roch, students will analyze the relationships between the Mounties, the Inuit and the animals in the Arctic that led to their successful voyage and their famous accomplishments. Please note that the Anchor Point half-day students (both am and pm) are eligible for this field trip.Students
will be eating lunch in the park. Please ensure your child/ren have a picnic bagged lunch that doesn’t require heating up. Weather conditions can change quickly and are often unpredictable regardless of the time of year. As a rule, prepare for all weather conditions. This field trip is being sponsored by the Parent Support Group so no payment is needed. However, please submit the permission slip attached no later than Friday, May 1st 2015.
Tennis Lessons: We are pleased to offer Anchor Point students the opportunity to participate in Tennis Lessons, commencing April 10th. There are held at David Lam Park, East Tennis Courts. The lessons are scheduled on the following dates: April 17th, April 24th, May 1st, May 22nd, and May 29th, from 12pm to 2pm.
Please note that some racquets are available, but it is recommended that children bring their own. If your child is attending the half-day program at AP (both am and pm) and wish to participate, we will be able to accommodate them. Please ensure tour child/ren is dressed appropriately for the event and prepare a water bottle. We are also planning to have a picnic with the children at the park, so please pack a lunch that doesn’t require heating up. The morning half day children will stay with the Anchor Point students for the whole day and should picked up at that location at dismissal. The afternoon half day children will be picked up from North Creek after lunch and walk to the park to join the lessons. Dismissal will be as usual at Anchor Point. In the event of rain, tennis will be cancelled.
Basketball Lessons: We are pleased to offer the Anchor Point students the opportunity to participate in Basketball Lessons, commencing May 7th to be held at the courts David Lam Park courts. The lessons are scheduled on the following Thursdays: May 7th, May 14th, May 21st, May 28th, June 4th and June 11th, from 12pm to 3pm. Please note that some balls are available, but it is recommended that children bring their own if they have it. Please ensure your child/ren is dressed appropriately for the event and prepare a water bottle. The lessons will be given as schedule below. Should you wish to enroll your child in this lesson, please fill in the attached form and submit it back to the school by Friday, May 1st.
Upper Elementary ► 12pm to 12:45pm
Lower Elementary (Grades K-1) ► 1:30pm to 2:15pm
Lower Elementary (Grades 2-3) ► 2:15pm to 3pm
Band Students: Just a reminder that Band Class is held every Thursday afternoon. Please ensure that your child remembers to bring their instrument to school on those days, as well as their music stand, book, and cleaning kit.
Talent Show - Wednesday, June 17th, 2015: We are pleased to announce our annual Talent Show, to be held on the evening of Wednesday, June 17th, at the Roundhouse Community Centre. In the weeks to come, Anchor Point students will be busy preparing for this student-led event. Students wishing to perform should fill out a submission form and hand itin as soon as possible. Performances should be no more than 4 minutes in length. Students may wish to collaborate on group performances, or combine shorter performances to create “medleys”. Students who do not wish to perform are encouraged to take on other roles, such as host, usher, photographer, audio-visual crew, etc. Sign-up sheets for these positions have been posted at school.
Pizza Mondays: At this time, we are only taking orders from April 27th onward. Thank you!
NORTH CREEK
Hot Lunch Program for Extended-Day Students: Extended-day students will make hot lunch together once a week, every Wednesday in April. Children who attend the half-day program at AP (both am and pm) can order! *Note: The hot lunch day will be changed to Thursday from May onward in order to accommodate children’s availability.
Scholastic Order: The Forms for the Scholastic Order for May is in front of the school door. If you are interested, please hand in the form by April 24th, Friday. Thank you.
Hot weather: As the weather gets warmer, please remember to send your child with applied sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
Update for Garden Volunteers: Students at North Creek have started to grow seedlings for Spring! Kale, broccoli, sweet corn, basil, and pepper seeds have been planted. Kindly email us at northcreek@ lionsgatemontessori.org if you are interested in helping us prepare the garden. We’ll be sharing our volunteer rota with you shortly.
Work Folders: Kindly return your child’s work folders to school.
We’d love to ensure work is taken home for your viewing pleasure in your child’s personal waterproof sleeve.
Punctuality Reminder: Please ensure punctual arrival during drop-off as
late arrivals are very disruptive to the work of the whole class which becomes a huge obstacle for our children’s development. Thank you for your cooperation.
Safety Reminder: For safety reasons, please be cautious during drop-off and pick-up and encourage your child to walk and not run on the sidewalk.
General Parking Reminder: Please be alerted that parking in front of the school is metered. Ticketing officers are quick in giving out tickets during drop-off and pick-up times!
Labeling Reminder: This is a friendly reminder to please label all of your child’s clothing, including scarves, hats, jackets, and shoes. Thank you!
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Wondering what to do on weekends with your children? Here are some ideas below:
Free Family Day’s at the Contemporary Art Gallery – Saturday, April 25th and May 30th: Join the Contemporary Art Gallery (555 Nelson St, Vancouver) for all ages drop-in for short exhibition tours and free art making activities that respond to our current exhibitions.
Earth Day Vancouver – April 25th: Earth Day Volunteers will plant 1000 native trees and shrubs at Everett Crowley Park (entrance at Kerr Street and 64th Avenue) in Southeast Vancouver on Saturday, April 25th – from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Earth Day at Everett Crowley Park offers a wide range of free family-oriented fun including professional performers, cultural and ecological exhibits, and very special children’s activities.
Keep Vancouver Spectacular’s 20th Anniversary – April 25th: Enjoy the 20th Anniversary celebration of Keep Vancouver Spectacular, the City’s litter clean-up program. Join from (12pm to 2pm) at the north plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery for family-friendly activities including live music, trash puppetry, gardening 101, larger than life owls, and soccer activities featuring elite FIFA women’s soccer players! Celebration is open to everyone.
Science World New Exhibition: Animation – February 7th to April 26th: Explore how art, math, science and technology come together in the excicinting work of animation. In Animation’s stimulating and fun environment, visitors will explore the process of animation from concept to finished product – from storyboarding, character design and drawing techniques to movement, timing, filming and sound. Larger-than-life graphics of popular Cartoon Network characters provide a colourful backdrop to the exhibition, which also explores the history of animation and features a screening room and a cartoon museum.
Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival 2015 – Thursday, April 2nd to Wednesday, April 29th: The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival story is one of romance. It is an annual celebration that marks the reawakening in our community of all that makes us alive and human. Please refer to the detailed event calendar on the website to see what is happening this year.