Another year has come and gone here in the Lions Gate Montessori School Community. It is magical to see the miracle of education unfolding in the connection of the students to their peers, interests, and their world. This miracle has been happening here for quite a long time, it seems, but each time it is fresh and joyous.
How long has it been happening? It is somewhat shocking to know that we will be celebrating our 20th anniversary during our next school year. We have gone in this first 20-year cycle from welcoming 2 ½-year-old students to where we have welcomed some of those same students who are now college graduates, sometimes even our employees!
As we fondly think about our past and take delight in our present, it seems appropriate to contemplate where we might be heading for our next 20 years. We invite all our committed families to join us in extending our vision for the next 20 years. It is a process we will be engaging in with our whole community – parents, students, graduates and teachers. We look forward to this process and, in these next 20 years, seeing how our graduates will impact our world – personally, locally, nationally and, perhaps internationally. No doubt there are more delights to come!
So much of what we’ve accomplished is due, in part to the dedicated support from our parents. On behalf of our community, I’d like to extend warmest thanks to this past year’s Parent Support Group Executive (President Sandra Cheng; Vice-President, Katie Reynolds; Treasurer, Alexandra Kutrovits, Secretary, Marijke Wortman; and Members-at-Large, Erika Pantages, Amanda Bray, Jenny Koning, Peggy Nohdomi, Hima Sagar, and Negar Ziaie) as well as many of our other parent volunteers. Their steadfast commitment to Montessori at our school has been invaluable!
Please join us in sending fond farewells to Ms.Yukimi. We wish her all the best as she furthers her Early Childhood Educational journey. We’d also like to extend warm goodbyes to families who are moving on and invite everyone to keep in touch and visit us whenever possible!
Back-to-School reminders will be sent out to returning families in early August. We’ll also continue to add new posts on our Facebook page and Full Monte blog over the summer, so please keep in touch with us by logging in.
Wishing everyone a safe and joyful summer,
Riza Weinstein
UPCOMING DATES AND NOTICES
Tuesday, July 9 – July 27 | Summer Session 1
Monday, July 16 | MMUN (Montessori Model United Nations) Participation Form Due for Returning Students Entering Grades 4 to 7 (see note below)
Monday, July 30 – August 17 | Summer Session 2 (no school on Monday, August 6th)
Thursday, August 30 | Meet & Greet for New & Returning Students
Tuesday, September 4 | First Day Back to School for Returning Students (half-day)
Wednesday, September 5 | First Day of School for New Preschool Students | First Full-Day of School for students in K and Up
2019 MMUN (Montessori Model United Nations) PROGRAM INFORMATION: Thank you to those families who attended our Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN) information session yesterday! We deeply appreciate your questions, thoughts, and concerns. To help us finalize planning for this extraordinary opportunity, please fill out the information form indicating your preference for attending the conference either in New York City, USA or Rome, Italy. Please discuss this with your child prior to the deadline, and confirm your child’s to participation in the program by by Monday, July 16th. The school will confirm which program will be chosen upon receiving this information.
COMMUNITY NOTICES Wondering what to do with your family this summer? Check these out!
National Indigenous People’s Day | Saturday, June 23 Discover the Indigenous peoples’ role in Fort Langley’s history and today. Hear First Nations stories and challenge your motor skills with the Salmon Run Relay. Witness drumming and weaving demonstrations. If you are interested in learning more about Indigenous culture, this is a great day to visit!
Canada Day Celebrations – July 1
Canada Day BC Summer Warm Up 10am – 4pm
Canada Day at Burnaby Museum and Carousel 11am – 4:30pm
Canada Day at Swangard Stadium 5pm – 10:30pm
Canada Day at Edmonds Plaza and Park 11am – 2:30pm
Canada Day at Castle Park 8am – 10pm
Canada Day Parade 10am – 3pm
Canada Day in Steveston Village 9am – 10:30 pm
North Vancouver Canada Day Celebration 12am – 4pm
Canada Day by the Bay 10am – 10pm
Richmond Night Market | May 11 – Oct 8 Reminiscent of the all-night shopping extravaganzas seen across Asia, the Richmond Night Market offers a food and retail experience unmatched anywhere else in Canada. The Richmond Night Market boasts authentically Asian snacks and street food, like tornado potatoes, grilled squid, fresh mango desserts, dragon’s beard candy, bubble waffles, and so much more. Between food and shopping, there’s a diverse array of nightly live entertainment ranging from music and dance performances to carnival games and rides.
Surrey Rides | May 5 – Sept 8 Grab your skateboard, scooter or bike and head to the Surrey Rides Event Series.At Youth Parks throughout Surrey, riders 21 years of age and under collect points in each competition. Those with the most points will compete in the Finals. Stop by to enjoy a live DJ, BBQ and the impressive skills and energy these young riders bring.
Playland | May 5 – Aug 17 Get prepared for a summer of fun at Playland! Enjoy over 35 rides and attractions, including three of the newest family rides!
Shipyards Night Market | May 4 – Sept 28 The festivities in the Square kick off at 5pm every Friday night all summer long! The Shipyards Night Market believes in a local lifestyle, showcasing BC’s artisans, bakers and farmers. Don’t eat dinner before you come to the Night Market, as there are at least 35 food trucks selling unique and delicious locally made food. Dogs are allowed!
Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival | June 6 – Sept 22 Bard on the Beach was established in 1990 with a mandate to provide Vancouver residents and tourists with affordable, accessible Shakespearean productions of the finest quality. Bard’s primary focus is its annual festival in Vanier Park, which annually attracts over 100,000 people! Theater the whole family can enjoy.