A cheerful back-to-school welcome to all our families! Many thanks to parents who took the time to attend our Phases of Development presentation this past Tuesday. We hope it was a helpful introduction to Montessori pedagogy.

The first week of school has been busy and filled with engaging activities. New preschool students are learning to adapt to their newfound independence away from parents while returning students are re-kindling friendships and establishing new ones. Our teaching staff members, too, have been busy assessing the students’ interests and paths of development in order to give appropriate reviews of old lessons as well as to present new ones.

Extended-day and elementary will participate in the Terry Fox School Run on Friday, September 28th at Sunset Beach. Parents are most welcome to join us! We’ll also be kicking off the Harvest Season with our annual school-wide outing to a local farm on Friday, October 12th. This year, we’ll be visiting Westham Island Herb Farm where we’ll pick our own pumpkins and learn about local farm life.

Below are important dates to keep in mind. Details can be found in our Weekly Email Memos.

Looking forward to having a great year filled with joyful learning adventures!
Riza Weinstein

UPCOMING DATES AND NOTICES

Monday, Sept 10 | Upper Elementary (Grades 4 to 7) trip to the library
Friday, Sept 15 | Lower Elementary (Grades 1 to 3) trip to the library
Wednesday, Sept 19 | Upper Elementary Field Trip to the Museum of Vancouver (Forms were sent home this week.)
Friday, Sept 21 | PD Day – No school for students
Tuesday, Sept 25 | Lower Elementary Stanley Park Leaf Album Project
Friday, Sept 28 | Terry Fox School Run
Tuesday, October 2 | MMUN (Montessori Model United Nations) Meeting for Grades 4 to 7 Parents @ 4:15 PM.
Wednesday, Oct 10 I National Geographic Live: Spinosaurus: Lost Giant of the Cretaceous @ the Orpheum. Permission forms due on Oct. 1.
Friday, Oct 12 | Westham Island Herb Farm Visit for all Students. Permission forms due on Oct. 1. (Families will receive refunds for hot lunch ordered for that day.)
Monday, Oct 22 | Upper Elementary trip to the Port of Vancouver (Hard copies of permissions have been handed out.)
Wednesday, Oct 24 | Lower Elementary trip to the Pacific Museum of Earth, UBC
Thursday, Nov 22 I Upper Elementary participation at WeDay Vancouver

COMMUNITY NOTICES Wondering what to do with your family this week? Check these out!

Day At The Farm | Sept 8 | 10AM –4PM Bring your family and learn about the nature and importance of agriculture and non-market environmental services that it provides. The event will feature the very popular hay-wagon farm tours (led by 3rd generation farmer Gordon Ellis), as well as live local music talent show, live mini-auction, homemade food contest and much more!

ArtsStarts Gallery | Sept 8 | 11AM-12PM  This month is exploring to make our own dances. You can improvise entire dances with just a few rules that you decide for your dancing! 

Stanley Park Ecology Society | Sept 9 | 10AM-12PM Scouting the seaside: Enjoy long walks on the beach? Let it take on a new dimension as you meet the life forms along their shoreline home. Learn about the intertidal zone and how tides, sun exposure, and beach walkers like yourselves might affect this fascinating habitat! 

Coho Salmon Festival | Sept 9 | 11AM-6PM  The festival features famous Coho Salmon Barbecue, the Coho Garden, Stewardship Zone, Kids Park, Main Stage, the Squamish Nation Village. Come join the day starting with a Coho Run, Coho Swim, pancake breakfast and much more!

Petey’s Pumpkin Patch | Sept 1 – Oct 31 Over 5,000 square feet of indoor activities in addition to a covered wagon and train ride, perfect for rain or shine! New this year is authentic Southern style BBQ Ribs, brisket, pulled pork and more, so bring your appetite! Discover all the farm activities which include the fun maze, family fun zone with bounce rides including Petey the giant pumpkin, train or wagon ride out to one of the most picturesque Pumpkin Patches in the valley. For the brave of heart, one can do the boo tour of Reapers (lights on no scaring)

Bard on the Beach June 6 – Sept 28 The BMO Mainstage will host a joyous new production of As You Like It, set in Vancouver and filled with Beatles music; it will alternate with a powerhouse classic production of Shakespeare’s epic drama Macbeth.

We hope you’re enjoying a fabulous summer! Fall is right around the corner and we look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Tuesday, September 4th. Please note that new preschool students start school on Wednesday, September 6 as per your child’s individual gradual entry schedule. We are privileged to be able to work with our families to support the education journey for all our students at Lions Gate.

Please find below, some pertinent information for your review and do not hesitate to let us know if you have any questions!

See you back in September!

MEET & GREET
Thursday, August 30th for the opportunity to meet our staff and other families prior to the first day of school. Kindly confirm your attendance by emailing your RSVP us with “Meet and Greet” on the subject line by Friday, August 24th, 5 PM

FIRST DAY SCHEDULE – TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH

Grades 1 and Up: Returning elementary students will attend class from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM only. If you plan to attend our Elementary Second Plane Presentation, please pick up your child at dismissal and return to Anchor Point at 1:30 PM. Childcare will be provided for your child, if needed. The regular schedule as well as the after-school club programs (see attached form) will commence the following day on Wednesday, September 5th. French, Mandarin, Music, Physical Education and Yoga lessons will begin the following week.

AM Extended-Day/Kindergarten: Students will attend class from 12:45 PM to 3:45 PM only. Please drop off and pick up your child at Anchor Point, 1351 Hornby Street. The regular schedule (8:45 AM to 3:45 PM) will commence the following day with drop-off at North Creek and pick-up at Anchor Point. French, Mandarin, and Yoga will begin the following week.

PM Extended-Day/Kindergarten: Students will attend class from 8:45 AM to 11:45 AM only. Please drop off and pick up your child at Anchor Point, 1351 Hornby Street. The regular schedule (8:45 AM to 3:45 PM) will commence the following day with morning drop-off at Anchor Point and pick-up at North Creek. French, Mandarin, and Yoga will begin the following week.

North Creek AM Preschool: Students will attend class for 2 hours from 8 45 A M to 10:45 AM only. The regular schedule (8:45 AM to 11:45 AM) will commence the following day. French, Mandarin, and Yoga will begin the following week.

North Creek PM Preschool: Students will attend class for 2 hours from 12:45 PM to 2:45 PM only. The regular schedule (11:45 AM to 3:45 PM) will commence the following day. French, Mandarin, and Yoga will begin the following week.

Second Plane of Development Talk: According to Dr. Maria Montessori, children ages 6 to 12 operate in the Second Plane of Development. Join us in learning more about this and how our elementary program complements and meets the growing needs of your child in this phase of development on our first day back at school (Tuesday, September 4) at 1:30 PM. Childcare will be provided at Anchor Point. Kindly RSVP office@lionsgatemontessori.org with Elementary 2nd Plane Talk on the subject line to confirm your attendance by Friday, September 1st and do let us know if you require childcare that afternoon.

Note for Returning Families: To ensure we have the most up-to-date information for your child, kindly fill out an updated version of your child’s Emergency Consent and Health Form as well as Emergency Consent Card and return it to the school by Friday, September 7th.

Physical Education: In addition to teacher-led daily physical activities and yoga, students will also participate in specialized physical education lessons every Friday beginning September 15 at Dynasty Gym (1449 Hornby St.). This year, students will participate in a variety of lessons taught by trained professionals with the ability to adjust their program to fit our students’ needs and abilities. Dynasty Gym aims to improve the quality of life for their members with the goal of helping children become the best possible version of themselves and aim to teach children to become successful leaders while promoting the importance of health and fitness in a safe and positive learning environment. Kindly fill out and submit your the  permission form for your child to school by Monday, September 10th.

Lunch: Full day students are required to pack lunch for school starting Wednesday, September 6th. Lunch for your child should consist of healthy foods, so please leave candies and other “junk” food at home. The school has a refrigerator, an oven, and microwaves for the storing and warming of lunch. Napkins, dishes, cutlery and snack (organic wherever possible) will be provided by the school.

Clothing: Changes of clothing and indoor shoes were sent home at the end of the last school year. All students are welcome to keep an extra set of clothing at school. So please bring indoor shoes and a new set of clothing (should you wish to have extra clothing for your child(ren) kept at school) with your child’s name clearly marked on all items when you return this September. The change of clothes should be placed in a large Ziploc bag with your child’s name written clearly in front.

School Spirit Wear: We encourage all families to order the School Spirit wear for all members of their family. It’s a great way to easily identify members of the school community, particularly outside of the classroom, at the park, or on field trips.

French and Mandarin Lessons: According to the BC Ministry of Education’s curriculum guidelines, participation in second language programs is not mandatory for students in grade 4 and under. The school provides these classes as an added benefit for our students in those grades. Students in grades 5 and up are required to participate in one or both second language classess. If you would like to your child to participate/continue in French and/or Mandarin, kindly email us with Language Lessons in the Subject Line. 

Keyboard, Band, & Ukulele Lessons: We are pleased to introduce band & ukulele lessons to our students one afternoon each week! Students will continue to have the opportunity to participate in the keyboard as well as practicing the guitar. If you wish for your child to join/continue these lessons, kindly email us with Music Lessons on the Subject Line and be sure to let us know which instrument(s) you would like him/her to play. Tom Lee Music (728 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1E4) is a music store that rents band instruments for the school year. They also sell music books, as well as portable music stands. Some instruments to choose from are flute, clarinet, trumpet, alto saxophone. Along with renting your instrument, please purchase a portable music stand and the beginner band book, ‘Standard of Excellence book 1’ (Comprehensive Band Method). Please make sure it is for the same instrument that you rent.