Ms. Riza and Mr. Lyle attended the recent conference celebrating the 50th anniversary of FISA (Federation of Independent Schools) with professional development sessions focused on addressing educational concerns facing our children today and how best to prepare them for the future. One common theme throughout was the need to develop Renaissance individuals – culturally literate deep thinkers with an appreciation for wide ranging subjects. Our staff will be discussing how best to address these challenges within the Montessori and BC curriculum context in the coming weeks. Highlights included:
Presentation by Charles Fadel – What Should students learn for the 21st century? Knowledge, Skills, Character, Meta-cognition: Mr Fadel addressed how most curriculum was developed as a response to the sudden growth in societal and human capital needs in the previous century, which in many ways, has little relevance to our current and future needs. He posed challenging questions and scenarios, arguing for the redesigning of education curricula to meet the four dimensions of Knowledge, Skills, Character and Meta-cognition while expressing concern about dangers inherent in the promotion of virtual reality over the real world.
Presentation by Colonel Chris Hadfield – An Astronaut’s Guide To Life On Earth: Mr. Hadfield shared the useful and practical lessons he’s learned throughout his remarkable career in the fields of aerospace, leadership, teamwork, and collaboration. He presented extraordinary tips on how we too, can help our students reach their potential starting with “big goals” while demonstrating the power and importance reaching out inclusively to others.
Presentation by Alan November – Creating a New Culture of Teaching and Learning: Mr. November presented clear examples of how a new culture of teaching and learning is emerging with the use of technology, and how to implement these tools so as to lead to more collegiality, build stronger community relationships and empower students to be more self-directed.
Presentation by Prof. Yong Zhao – Who’s Afraid of the Big, Bad Dragon: Prof. Zhao discussed the need for education to be more than the mere instruction of course content in a number of limited subjects found in today’s traditional class settings. He emphasized the need for developing students’ strengths rather than just fixing “deficiencies”, the serious negative consequences with standardized testing, and how to prepare our students to succeed in a globalized world.
We look forward to sharing more of these inspiring ideas with our parent community in our blog as well as upcoming Parent Discussions!
Warm regards,
The Staff at Lions Gate Montessori
GENERAL NOTICES
Upcoming Dates to Remember
Monday, February 8, BC Family Day – Statutory Holiday, NO SCHOOL
Thursday, February 11 – Vancouver Symphony Orchestra for Kindergarten and Lower Elementary
Wednesday, February 24 – Join us for Pink Shirt Day!
Friday, February 26 – PD Day (NO SCHOOL for Students)
Hot Lunch – March: March’s hot lunch order is due on Wednesday, February 24 deadline above must be followed without exception in order for Choices to organize themselves and deliver the correct number of lunches. There is, however, flexibility when ordering pizza. Please let us know by Thursday of any week for an upcoming Pizza Monday and we’ll be happy to add/modify your child’s/children’s orders. Kindly let us know if you are ordering a small (single slice) or a large (2 slices) for your child as well as the type he/she would like (pepperoni or mozzarella).
ELEMENTARY COMMUNITY
Drop off reminder: A gentle reminder that a successful day at school often begins with prompt arrivals to school as those who are tardy often miss important lessons with their friends and begin their days harried. Please note that our door opens at 8:45 am for arrival. Staff members are always here at 8:15am should you need to drop off your child earlier than 8:45am.
Please call us to let us know if your child will be late as well as the approximate arrival time. This will allow our staff member to listen for the doorbell to greet your child and to help him/her settle in. Kindly note that as staff members will be working with the students both indoors and out, they may not be readily available to open the door as soon as the bell is rung. Your patience is greatly appreciated if we are unable to get to respond immediately.
Starting this coming week, we will offer exercise first thing in the morning as we have noticed from our morning gym and karate classes that this yields great benefit for some students. As such, students will now have a choice of taking their outdoor time in the morning (from 9:00-9:30 am) or, as usual, in the afternoon. This also provides a great opportunity for children to bond and socialize with their friends earlier in the morning.
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions.
Physical Education Update: Upper Elementary Group B students will participate in their last 4 sessions of Gymnastics with Ms. Kayla starting Monday, February 15th. Please note that parents of these students will receive an email asking to kindly drop off your child directly at the Scotiabank Dance Centre (677 Davie Street) at 9:00AM on the following dates: February 15th, February 22nd, February 29th and March 7th . If this is inconvenient for your family, please drop off your child no later than 8:45am at Anchor Point and a teacher will walk with them to the Dance Centre. Families who have not received an email should drop off their child at Anchor Point at the regular time.
Students have been participating in organized group activities and games every Thursday afternoon as part of our Physical Education curriculum. This term, we’ve enjoyed some exciting dodge ball and California kickball games. These activities help students develop their sportsmanship and teamwork skills while refining their gross motor abilities. To ensure your child’s comfort and safety, please send your child to school on Thursdays dressed appropriately for these activities (running shoes and activewear). Students may also keep a set of PE attire (running shoes and activewear) at school for their convenience. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions.
Thursday, February 11th, 10 AM – VSO Concert Magnificent Melodies: We look forward to learning more about about musical elements that make a melody magnificent through the works of master orchestral composers including Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, Wagner, and Ravel. Students will be walking to the Orpheum Theatre, so please dress appropriately for the weather.
Friday, February 12th – Valentine’s Day: Students at Anchor Point are invited to celebrate Valentine’s Day through an exchange of cards collected in beautiful boxes that they have made for their friends. Each student participating in the event is responsible for decorating one box to present to another classmate that has been chosen from a random draw. The boxes are presented to their recipients in a special ceremony, and they are designed to hold students’ Valentine’s cards. Students are invited to bring Valentine’s cards for their classmates. In order to promote inclusion and acceptance, we request that students bringing in cards make sure they create a card for each of his/her peers. Please feel free to refer to our School Directory found on our school website for names of students should you wish to hand out personalized cards.
Upper Elementary Puberty Lessons: Students in grades 4-7 have the opportunity to learn about the natural stages of development that are part of their transformation from children to adults. If your child is part of our grades 4-7, please read the puberty lesson permission form, and return to your child’s teacher by Friday, February 12th.
Hamelin – Friday, February 19th: Permission slips and payment for this field trip are now overdue. Please let us know if your child is still planning to attend if you haven’t done so already.
Farm School Update: As the weather starts to warm, Mr. Lyle will begin farm lessons with the students. We will begin with indoor seed starts and orchard planning. The students will be considering additional tree planting options. Our site visits will begin once the ground dries out just a bit more, probably just before or just after March break. Some of our bees have made some exploratory excursions outside the hive and our fingers remain crossed that the hive will successfully survive the remainder of their overwintering cycle.
CASA COMMUNITY (PRE-SCHOOL & EXTENDED-DAY)
Thursday, February 11th, 10 AM – VSO Concert Magnificent Melodies: We look forward to learning more about about musical elements that make a melody magnificent through the works of master orchestral composers including Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, Wagner, and Ravel. Students will be walking to the Orpheum Theatre, so please dress appropriately for the weather.
Friday, February 12th – Valentine’s Day: Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and we appreciate the generosity from all parents and children during this time. Kindly note that we would like to try and limit the amount of sugary snacks given to students at North Creek. Students are invited to bring Valentine’s cards for their classmates. In order to promote inclusion and acceptance, we request that students bringing in cards make sure they create a card for each of his/her peers. Please feel free to refer to our School Directory found on our school website for names of students should you wish to hand out personalized cards. Thank you for your co-operation and Happy Valentine’s Day!
Wednesday, February 17th, 9:30 AM – Hearing Screening: Hearing screening is scheduled for Kindergarten students.
Hamelin – Friday, February 19th: Permission slips and payment for this field trip are now overdue. Please let us know if your child is still planning to attend if you haven’t done so already.
Emergency Cards: A gentle reminder to please return emergency cards along with a photo of your child. This is quite important from a safety point of view so please bring these in as soon as possible!
Montessori Practicum Students: Ms. Vicky Liu and Ms. Soma Keo from the Montessori Training Centre of BC completed their first assigned practicum session in the classrooms under the supervision of Ms. Julia and Ms. Priscilla. Their next practicum session will be from February 22 to March 4.
COMMUNITY NOTICES Wondering what to do with your family over the weekend? Check these out!
Family Day at VanDusen Gardens: Bring Your Kids to Explore VanDusen: It’s free for Family Day! On Monday February 8, get active with your family and enjoy 55 acres of outdoor fun in the middle of the City. Spot local wildlife, enjoy a family picnic and discover over 7,000 different plants from around the world! Celebrate Family Day at VanDusen Botanical Garden with this special free admission offer on Monday, February 8 from 10am to 4pm.
Family Day at Bloedel Conservatory: Warm Up and Enjoy the Exotic Plants and Birds inside Bloedel Conservatory, it’s free! Gather your loved ones for a colourful exploration of our tropical lush paradise located in Queen Elizabeth Park, atop Vancouver’s highest point! Spot over 200 free-flying exotic birds, 500 exotic plants and flowers thriving within our temperature-controlled environment. Take advantage of free admission at Bloedel Conservatory on Family Day, Monday, February 8 from 10am to 5pm!
Year of the Monkey Temple Fair at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden – Sunday, February 14, 2016: To celebrate traditional Chinese New Year, the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden presents The Year of the Monkey Temple Fair, a one-day festival on Sunday February 14th, 2016. This is a community event based on the 4000-year-old Chinese tradition of the Spring Festival, the largest and most important festival of the year in the Chinese tradition. The Garden will present dynamic and engaging Chinese and multicultural events, including music and dance performances, martial arts demonstrations, traditional Chinese New Year customs, games and activities for the whole family. The festival is the opportunity for the Chinese community to share its cultural traditions and invite the wider public to participate in them. As for the sign of Monkey – it’s been said that people born under the sign of Monkey are highly adaptable and versatile. Enthusiastic about everything, they spend their time broadening their minds and are especially fascinated with art. They like refinement, originality and luxury. Inventive and intelligent, those born in these years can solve most problems quickly and skillfully, and are able to accomplish much in business.