Cheerful Holidays!
Thank you all so much for attending our Winter Performance and Craft Fari! We hope you had a great time watching your child/ren and supporting our community. Our Silent Auction and Craft Fair raised close to $3,000 that day! Proceeds from these fundraising efforts go to our Students’ Enrichment Fund and our Montessori Model United Nations trip to New York.
Wishing everyone blessings of joy and good cheer this holiday season,
The Staff at Lions Gate Montessori
GENERAL NOTICES
Upcoming Dates to Remember
Friday, December 16 │Arts Umbrella Dance Company: Mixed Nuts for Extended-day/Kindergarten Students
Friday, December 16 │After School Club Winter Session Payment Due
Monday, December 19 to Monday, January 2│ Winter Break (no school for students)
Tuesday, January 3│ Back to School!
Monday, January 9│ MMUN After School Club commences
Thursday, January 19│Re-registration 2017/2018 School Year Deadline
Re-registration 2017/2018 School Year: Re-Registration packages for the 2017/2018 School Year are due Thursday, January 19th. Forms can be downloaded here.
BC New Curriculum Update: Dear Kindergarten and Up Parents, You may have noticed that the reports you received this term had slightly different Subject categories due to the province’s new curriculum implementation. Together with educators, the government is also developing a new reporting approach for students in order to give parents a deeper understanding of their child’s progress at school. With the new curriculum being implemented in B.C. classrooms this school year, the way students’ progress is reported must also reflect this change as well. To this end, parents are being asked for their opinions on student progress reports by February 28, 2017.
Now that you’ve received your first term reports, please review them and provide feedback to us. Any suggestions you may have for improvements to our progress reports are welcome. You may also send feedback to the BC government directly. A summary report on what was heard from parents during the engagement will be produced and posted publicly online in June 2017. For more information about this, please click here.
Food Drive: Thanks to all who contributed to another successful Food Drive for the Food Bank!
Silent Auction│Update: Thank you to all the parents who participated in our Silent Auction. Please find below our winners. We’ll contact each one individually to schedule a pick up of the item itself or a certificate confirming their winning bid for the services auctioned.
ELEMENTARY & ADOLESCENT COMMUNITY
MMUN After School Clubs│Mondays, Starting January 9: MMUN After School Club led by Ms. Leah and Ms. Riza will begin when we return from Winter Break, meeting every Monday, starting January 9. There is no extra fee to attend the club and attendance is mandatory for all MMUN participants.
MMUN Team Contracts │ January 3: These were due today! To ensure safety and success, we ask that both students and parents/guardians acknowledge and sign the attached MMUN Team Contract. Also attached is a Medical Release for all participants to fill in. Kindly returned the signed forms back to the school when we return back to school on January 3 if you haven’t done so already. Forms can be found here.
Physical Education│Functional Fitness Training│Wednesdays, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm: Our first session will begin January 11th when we return from Winter Break. The classes use a combination of skill practice, workouts, and games to build strength and conditioning in children. They will include elements of gymnastics, weightlifting, body weight movements, running, jump roping, and more. Using activities that kids naturally enjoy, the program provides a fitness training that is safe, fun and energetic. Following their gym’s mission statement to improve the quality of life for their members, their goal is to help children become the best possible version of themselves. They aim to teach children to become successful leaders while also promoting the importance of health and fitness in a safe and positive learning environment. The lessons will take place at the Dynasty Gym (1449 Hornby St.) by professionals equipped to teach students and to adjust their program accordingly to our age group. Although the groups are not yet divided, our meeting dates are the following Wednesdays: January 11th, 18th, and 25th; February 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and March 1st.
CASA COMMUNITY (PRE-SCHOOL & EXTENDED-DAY)
Kindergarten Vision Screening│Wednesday, January 18th: A letter has been sent home this week to inform each family that a Public Health Staff will be visiting our school to provide vision screening. If you have not received it, please notify your child’s teachers. If you have any questions or do not wish your child to participate, you may contact Vancouver Community Early Childhood Vision Screening Program directly for Belva See at 604-654-2643 or belva.see@vch.ca
ANAPHYLAXIS ALERT! We have been notified that a child has a life-threatening allergy (anaphylaxis) reaction to dairy in our community. The school is following the VCH guidelines, the family is working with the school, and the child is learning about it. Starting in January 2017, teachers and students will be asked to wash their hands vigilantly and regularly. Please refrain from bringing dairy to the school environment and introduce your child to anaphylaxis awareness. For more information, please visit www.foodallergycanada.ca.
Staff Update: We look forward to welcoming Ms. Rosamay Conejos as a new staff member at North Creek. She will be working with morning session students alongside Ms. Julia, Ms. Yukimi, and Ms. Priscilla when we return from Winter Break. (Ms. Betty will remain at North Creek working with afternoon session students.) Ms. Rosamay holds a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and an MA Certificate of Proficiency in English Language Teaching. She earned her AMI Primary Diploma and Early Childhood Certificate in 2015 from the Montessori Training Centre of BC. Born in the Philippines, Ms. Rosamay has worked with children at all levels including high school and university students. Education has always been her passion. She believes that learning is a lifelong interactive process where every day is a unique learning experience. Ms. Rosamay devotes most of her time with her family and draws great inspiration from her beautiful daughters whom she dotes upon!
COMMUNITY NOTICES Wondering what to do with your family over the weekend? Check these out!
Super Volcanoes Family Weekend at HR MacMillan Space Centre I December 26, 2016 – January 2, 2017: During the second week of the winter break the Space Centre will be consumed by volcanoes. All week they’ll be doing activities and crafts related to volcanoes. The family fun activities include making model volcanoes complete with lava, volcanoes of the world scavenger hunts, and demos to show how volcanoes erupt in the ocean! For more information, click on the link above.
Watch Out Below! Fabulously Fun Sledding Hills Around Metro Vancouver:
Dare we utter our wishes aloud? Do we risk believing the snowy forecast for 2016/17? Could Metro Vancouver actually get a real dump of snow this winter? Just in case, grab your toques, mitts, pack some hot chocolate and get ready to fly down hillsides:
West Point Grey Academy (Trimble Park): 4125 West 8th Avenue
Kensington Park: Knight Street and East 37th Avenue
Falaise Park: 3434 Falaise Avenue
Queen Elizabeth Park: 4600 Cambie Street at West 33rd Avenue
Douglas Park: 801 W 22nd Avenue @ Heather Street
Sutcliffe Park: 1318 Cartwright Street @ Granville Island Park Walk
China Creek Park: 1255 E 10th Avenue @ Clark Drive
Vancouver Aquatic Centre: 1050 Beach Avenue
Coal Harbour Hill: 1525 Coal Harbour Quay
Rupert Park: 3402 Charles Street
Christmas Light Displays All Over Vancouver:
• Bright Nights at Stanley Park
• Lights of Hope at St Paul’s Hospital
• UBC Robson Square
• Festival of Lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden
• Sheraton Wall Centre
• Lost Lagoon Fountain in Stanley Park (visible from the Georgia Street causeway)
• Elm Grove at English Bay (Beach Avenue at Bidwell Street)
• George Wainborn Park (on False Creek at the foot of Richards Street)
• 1690 Matthews Avenue, Vancouver Canuck Place
• 450 Beach Ave Jervis Street @ Beach Avenue George Wainborn Park
• 999 Canada Place St Christmas at Canada Place
• Bloedel Conservatory, Queen Elizabeth Park
• E 12th Avenue & Semlin Drive
• 1803 E 12th Avenue
• 3288 E 27th Avenue
• Joyce Street & Monmouth Avenue
• 2253 E 6th Avenue
• 4399 Prince Edward Street
• Sophia Street & E 17th Avenue
• George Wainborn Park
• 1412 Laurier Avenue
• 1690 Matthews Avenue
• 2175 W 16th Avenue
• 3236 W 1st Avenue
• 3224 – 3228 37th Avenue
• Aberthau Mansion (4397 W 2nd Avenue)
• 2400 – 2900 Trinity Street
Capilano Canyon Lights │Thursday, November 24, 2016 – Sunday, January 8, 2017: Be amazed by the hundreds of thousands of lights throughout the park. The suspension bridge, Treetops Adventure, Cliffwalk, the rainforest, and the canyon are transformed into a world of festive lights and visual enchantment. See the world’s tallest living Christmas tree (153 feet tall!), go on a Snowy Owl Prowl, decorate gingerbread cookies and make your own Christmas card (by donation) in the Winter Pavilion, and sing-along with the holiday band. New this year is ‘Fireflies’, an interactive lighting display in the rainforest. Using giant flashlights, guests can magically awaken waves of tiny lights that glimmer and twinkle like fireflies.
Skate at Robson Square Ice Rink │Thursday, December 1, 2016 – Tuesday, February 14, 2017: This winter, renew a classic Vancouver tradition and enjoy some old-fashioned fun. Robson Square’s outdoor skating rink is open, so celebrate winter in style with skating in the heart of downtown Vancouver. It’s a magical place to enjoy the holidays with your friends, family and loved ones.
Hours of Operation:
SUNDAY to THURSDAY: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
FRIDAY and SATURDAY: 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM
*Skate rental ends 30mins prior to close
Rates
$2.00 Admission Fee
$4.00 Skate Rental Fee
Cash only
Snow Tubing at Mt Seymour │Saturday, December 3, 2016 – Tuesday, January 31, 2017: The Snow Tube Park guarantees fun and laughter with your friends and family. Besides the thrill of sliding down a hill in one of our specially designed tubes, you’re sure to enjoy the easy ride back up by our custom tube tow. Enjoy the best tubing Vancouver has to offer at Mt Seymour! New to Snow Tube Park is the Enquist Lodge. The Lodge offers a warm seating area where you can relax by the fireplace, take in the views, or enjoy a light snack in Harold’s Cafe. Please note: Participants must be 48″ (122cm) or taller to use the SnowTube Park. Please note: Hours of operation are subject to change based on weather conditions. Call Guest Services at 604.986.2261 to confirm our hours of operation.
The 23rd Annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival │Wednesday, December 21, 2016: The dance of the sun and earth has inspired celebrations of the human spirit, expressed through art and music, throughout the ages. Honouring many cultural traditions, the annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival illuminates the darkest night of the year with lanterns, fire, singing, drumming, music and dancing!Come celebrate this free community event with a glowing constellation of lanterns shining in four Vancouver neighbourhoods. These four little festivals are community-based and reflect the unique nature of each neighbourhood. Intimate and accessible, each invites your participation. Wherever you wind up, we hope you feel connected to your community and to the universal spirit of celebration!
The event begins at 6:00 PM with lantern processions in each neighbourhood followed by multicultural performances and activities in a variety of indoor venues. These include: Yaletown, Granville Island, and Chinatown/Strathcona.
New Year’s Eve Family Vancouver Fireworks │Saturday, December 31, 2016: Celebrate at the first free New Year’s Eve Vancouver celebration in more than a decade, at various downtown locations. The family-friendly countdown celebration will take place from 6:00pm – 12:20am along Canada Place Way between Howe and Burrard Streets. The highly anticipated celebration will have free programming, which includes live music, and entertainment, a countdown for families at 9pm and the midnight countdown, complete with fireworks. The fireworks will be launched from a barge in Coal Harbour just west of the Canada Place pier. The best community viewing locations are:
Vancouver Convention Centre East Plaza
Coal Harbour Seawall
Stanley Park Seawall facing Coal Harbour between the Rowing Club and 9 O’Clock Gun
Important: Please note that the fireworks are not viewable from English Bay or Kitsilano.
Polar Bear Swim at English Bay │Sunday, January 1, 2017: This famous swim has grown from around 10 swimmers in 1920 to the new record of 2,550 official entries set in 2014. The swim generally takes place at 2:30pm on the first day of each new year. Costumes and the Peter Pantages Memorial 100 yard swim race are the highlights of this event.
Swim tips
If you have a heart problem – just watch!
Children must swim and stay with an adult.
Please leave your dog at home.
Do not drink – alcohol does not warm you up – it accelerates hypothermia.
Do not stay in the water longer than 15 minutes. Body heat is lost 25 times faster in water than in air.
Do not remove your clothing until swim time. The swim will be started by a flag and siren.
Entrants in the 100 yard race – meet in the front line on the north side (Stanley Park side) of the enclosure.
First 3 swimmers to touch the marker buoy by the lifeguard boat – give your names to the lifeguard.
After you swim, pick up your commemorative button at the large polar bear or at the registration table.
Warm up with coffee or hot chocolate.