What a wonderful first week! It’s our pleasure to officially welcome new and familiar faces back to school. We would like to extend our warmest welcome to all of our families and children who make up our unique community, and look forward to a year filled cooperation, mentorship, and exciting activities.

September is literacy month, so start the school year by implementing regular reading activities with your child. If you’re looking for tips or are at a loss for books to read, check out the links on our Facebook page.

The Parent Support Group cordially invites all LGMS families and teachers to a Back-to-School Picnic at David Lam Park by the tennis and basketball courts on our upcoming PD Day (Friday, September 22 from 11 AM to 2 PM for the opportunity to meet, mingle, and connect. Bring your picnic lunch and blanket as well sports equipment/games! This is not a potluck but you are welcome to bring a snack to share if you wish. This event is weather permitting. Emails will be sent the morning of the event if it is canceled.

Please find below our general notices for all families, followed by reminders for specific facilities and community notices.

Enjoy your weekend,
The Staff at Lions Gate Montessori

DATES & NOTES TO REMEMBER
Thursday, September 21 │ Extended-day & Elementary Students
Friday, September 22 │ PD Day NO SCHOOL for Students
Friday, September 22 │ School-wide Back-to-School picnic hosted by the LGMS Parent Support Group
Monday, October 9 │ Thanksgiving Public Holiday NO SCHOOL

Annual Terry Fox Run│Thursday, September 21st: Extended day and elementary students will be participating in the annual Terry Fox Run beginning at 9:30 am on Sunset Beach. Students should arrive at their respective school per the usual drop-off time and will depart for the Run from there. Parents who would like to participate in the Run are welcome to meet us 9:30 am at Sunset Beach. Please ensure that your child is dressed in appropriate running attire and for the prevailing weather conditions. Donations can be made by clicking here.

Hot Lunch (Elementary and Extended-day Children Only): Orders for September is closed and our first order will be served this coming Tuesday, the 12th. Cut-off dates and times for upcoming months are as follows:
October Cut-Off: Thursday, September 28, 3:00 PM
November Cut-Off: Thursday, October 26, 3:00 PM
December Cut-Off: Thursday, November 30, 3:00 PM

CASA COMMUNITY (PRE-SCHOOL & EXTENDED-DAY)
Monday, September 11th: French lessons commence for students who have French Language Program (Mondays and Wednesdays).

Tuesday, September 12th: Mandarin lessons commence for students who have Mandarin Language Program (Tuesdays and Thursdays).

Friday, September 15th: Yoga lessons commence for all students.

ANAPHYLAXIS ALERT! We have been notified that two children in our Casa community have life-threatening allergy (anaphylaxis) reactions. The triggers are dairy, eggs, tree nuts, and hummus. The school is following the VCH guidelines, the families are working with the school, and all AM and PM Preschool and Extended Day are learning about it. Starting in September 2017, North Creek is a nut free environment. Teachers and students will be asked to wash their hands vigilantly and regularly, both at North Creek and in the Extended Day classroom at Anchor Point. Please refrain from bringing these foods and see it as an opportunity to introduce other foods for snacks and lunches to the school environment as you introduce your child to anaphylaxis awareness. If dairy, eggs, and hummus is not avoidable, please inform the teachers of the items at the door. It will help us coordinate the classroom to protect all the children. For more information, please visit www.foodallergycanada.ca . Thank you very much for your attention and assistance.

ANCHOR POINT COMMUNITY (GRADES 1 & UP)
FSA: This year, all schools will administer the BC Ministry of Education’s new Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) from October 2 to November 10, 2017. The school is currently awaiting the arrival of the test package from the ministry. In the meantime, Grade 4 students will begin familiarizing themselves with the Foundation Skills Assessment(FSA) starting this coming week.

Emergency Consent & Health Form and Emergency Consent Card: Many thanks to all returning families who re-submitted these forms for this new school year! If you haven’t submitted yours yet, please do so this Monday.

Physical Education for Grades 1 & Up: In addition to teacher-led daily physical activities and yoga, students will also participate in specialized physical education lessons every Friday beginning this week at Dynasty Gym (1449 Hornby St.). This year, students will participate in Dance, Functional Fitness, and Capoeira 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 the attached permission form for your child to school this Monday, the 11th.

Band Message from Ms. Karla: I am excited to work with new and returning band students again and welcome those who wish to start the journey of learning an instrument for the first time! Students in grade 3 and up are encouraged to choose an instrument and partake in the band program. If your child is interested in learning an instrument this year and do not have an instrument, please visit Tom Lee Music (728 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1E4), a music store that rents band instruments for the school year. They also sell music books and 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) and make sure it is the same instrument that you rent. Band lessons beginning this coming Tuesday Tuesday from 1:30 to 2:30 PM. -Ms. Karla

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

West End Fest 2017 –  Saturday, September 9th: Come and celebrate West End Fest 2017 at West End Community Centre Association! We will have activities for the whole family with community booths, crafts, bouncy castles, face painting, balloon twisting, have your caricature drawn or just come and enjoy the live music! Gates open at 11AM at the grass field behind the community centre and there’s a youth BBQ fundraiser!!

Touch A Truck –  Saturday, September 9th: Touch a Truck is a fun, hands-on, educational event for the whole family. Vehicles and interactive displays from Jack’s Towing, Recycling Abbotsford, Quiring Towing, Eagle West Cranes, and the JRFM’s JR Joe are among the many companies and vehicles that will be on-site and available for photo opportunities. Machine operators will also be on hand to talk to children about the machines and to answer questions!

Day At The Farm – Saturday, September 9th: The 2017 event boasts tons of fun activities for people of all ages. Learn how to milk a cow, see a live auction with a farm auctioneer, dig your own potatoes at the BC Fresh Potato Dig and much more! Take a hay wagon farm tour with local farmers to learn how crops are grown in BC, and sample farm-fresh fare prepared by BC Agriculture in the Classroom student chefs!

Coho Festival – Sunday, September 10th: The Coho Festival is held the second Sunday in September and features our famous Coho Salmon Barbecue, the Coho Garden, Stewardship Zone, Kids Park, Main Stage, the Squamish Nation Village. The day starts with a Coho Run, Coho Swim, pancake breakfast and much more.

Fall is right around the corner and we look forward to seeing new and familiar faces back at school when we return on Tuesday, September 5. We are privileged to be able to work with you again to support the continuing education journey for all our students at Anchor Point.

New preschool students start school on Wednesday, September 6 as per your child’s individual gradual entry schedule.

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
Wednesday, August 30th (3 to 4 PM at North Creek; 4 to 5 PM for Anchor Point) 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 to office@lionsgatemontessori.org with “Anchor Point Meet and Greet” on the subject line by Friday, August 25th, 5 PM

FIRST DAY SCHEDULE – TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH

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 6th. French, Mandarin, Band, Physical Education (see attached form) 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 5) 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 afternoonn.

Thursday, September 7th – Apple Picking Excursion: We look forward to welcoming Anchor Point students back to school with an apple picking field trip! There is no fee for this except transit costs – $5.60 exact change (two-way concession bus fare) or a loaded Compass Card. Students will also press their own cider, so please also send your child to school with a bag for collecting apples and a bottle for cider. Students are also required to bring a bagged lunch to school for this excursion. Kindly check the weather on the day of the field trip and send your child to school with the appropriate clothing, footwear, and accessories (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen). Permissions are due Wednesday, September 6th.

Note for Returning Families: To ensure we have the most up-to-date information for your child, kindly fill out the attached Emergency Consent and Health Form as well as Emergency Consent Card and return it to the school by Friday, September 8th.

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 Dance, Functional Fitness, and Capoeira 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 11th.

Band Message from Ms. Karla: I am excited to work with new and returning band students again and welcome those who wish to start the journey of learning an instrument for the first time! Students in grade 3 and up are encouraged to choose an instrument and partake in the band program. If your child is interested in learning an instrument this year and do not have an instrument, please visit Tom Lee Music (728 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1E4), a music store that rents band instruments for the school year. They also sell music books and 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) and make sure it is for the same instrument that you rent.- Ms. Karla

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.

HotLunch will be served starting Tuesday, September 12. September’s menu is now online and will be closed for orders on Thursday, September 7, 3 PM. A new ordering system is now in place so all returning families must re-register.

1. To register, click here to sign up for an account. An activation code will then be sent out to you. After you activate your account, click on the “ADD CHILD” button at the top right of the screen to enter your child in the system. You must also enter your child’s school code as follows:
Extended-Day Students: 1a5
Anchor Point Students in Grades 1 and Up: d0

2. Click on the “Order” tab on the left of the screen, and select “New Order” on the drop down button. Click on the blue “ORDER” button to reveal monthly menus.

3: Click on blue “ORDER” button for the month you wish to order to reveal lunches on a calendar screen. Note that the following lunches provide a choice for “Regular” or “Large” orders: Lasagna, Pizzas, Quesadillas, and Mac & Cheese.

4. Payment is by credit card only and is due when you complete your order. No order is complete without payment. A convenience fee of 3.25% will be automatically applied to your payment. Once a lunch order is submitted, it is non‐refundable.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please go to http://support.hotlunch. com/ for help in making this ordering experience easier and faster. We thank you for your help in getting this implemented and look forward to assisting you in any of your needs!

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.