We look forward to seeing new and familiar faces back at school Tuesday, September 8!

FIRST WEEK INFORMATION – PRESCHOOL STUDENTS: On the first day back, returning morning preschool students will attend class from 8:45am to 10:45am and returning afternoon preschool students will attend class from 12:45pm to 2:45pm only. The regular schedule (8:45am to 11:45am for morning students/ 12:45pm to 3:45pm for afternoon students) will commence Wednesday, September 8th. French Mandarin, and Yoga lessons will begin the following week.

The first day of school for new first year students is Wednesday, September 8th. Please refer to your child’s individual Gradual Entry Schedule for further information. 

FIRST WEEK INFORMATION – ELEMENTARY STUDENTS: Tuesday, September 8th. That day, students will attend class from 9:00am to 12:00pm only. The regular schedule of 9:00am to 4:00pm, as well as the after-school club programs will commence the following day on Wednesday, September 9th. French, Mandarin and yoga lessons will begin the following week.

How Montessori Elementary Meets the Needs of the Child in the 2nd Phase of Development, Tuesday, September 8th, 1:30pm – Parents of first year elementary students: Did you know that as your child enters Montessori elementary, he/she is also transitioning from the First Phase of Development to the Second Phase? Join us in learning more about how the elementary program complements and meets the growing needs of students in this new phase of development.

While this presentation is geared for new parents to the elementary program, all interested parents are welcome to attend. Childcare will be provided at Anchor Point. Kindly RSVP office@lionsgatemontessori.org with Elementary 2nd Phase Talk on the subject line to confirm your attendance by Friday, September 4th. Please also let us know if you require childcare that afternoon.

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. Samples of various sizes will be available at all facilities for your children to try out. For an easy way to ensure your child attends school following our dress code, please visit www.landsend.com where you’ll find great deals!

Lunch: Students are required to pack lunch for school starting Wednesday, September 8th. 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. Menu information from Choices Market for Hot Lunch orders and will be sent out on our first week back.

Wishing all a fun and restful summer!​

One more incredible year is coming to a close and the summer holiday is here! It has been a very positive and successful year at the Lions Gate Montessori community.

To those students and families who are moving, we wish you all the best for success at your new schools. We’d love to hear how you are doing, so please do keep in touch!

The summer will be a period of continued growth for the children and we look forward to seeing those positive changes in just a few short months. Thank you, parents, for your amazing children and your support. We wish all of you a fun and relaxing summer and look forward to seeing returning families back​ in September!

– Ms Ana Fleming, Vice-Principal

YEARBOOKS – These were delivered to the school yesterday afternoon. If you did not receive yours today, please come by to pick them up at North Creek the last week of June on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday from 10am to 3pm or during our Summer Session hours of operation.

ADOLESCENTS – Thank you! ​​ It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to some of our adolescents (and their parents/families). Most have been with us since they were 30 months of age! We’ve so enjoyed the many years with you – watching each blossom into fine young adults.  We simply can’t thank your parents enough for the opportunity to be a part of your lives. We will miss each and every one of you! We hope you have a wonderful summer and much success as you move on to the next step of your education journey. Heartfelt thanks to all our families who have been so giving and supportive. We look forward to our adolescents returning with stories of new adventures and accomplishments! ​
​​
ANCHOR POINT​​
​
​Elementary Summer Program Update: Due to the restoration at Anchor Point, the July session will be now held at the North Creek upstairs environment. The address of that location is #107-1500 Howe St. Thank you for your understanding. ​

Join us in sending warm farewells to Ms. Lynn, who will be returning to Ontario and Ms. Christine, who plans to further her studies in education, but promises to visit whenever she’s able!

NORTH CREEK

​Friday, June 26th at 9:00 AM  – The Lions Gate Montessori community garden volunteers meeting at North Creek Montessori. If you are available to help out in weeding and watering over the summer, please drop-by and join us.

Primary Summer Program Update: Due to the restoration at Anchor Point, the July session will be now held at the North Creek downstairs environment. Thank you for your understanding. ​

Happy Summer Break – Enjoy the outdoor activities for the Summer Break. May all of you stay in a good shape and enjoy a healthy dose of quality family time! See you back in September!

MESSAGE FROM THE PARENT SUPPORT GROUP PRESIDENT, KATHERINE McCoy

As another extraordinary year comes to a close, it seems an appropriate time to reflect on the people and events that make our school exceptional.

Our children – I will speak for all the parents when I say how proud we are of your accomplishments. You are the fabric through which our community is woven. Each one of your has a bright future ahead. Continue to work hard and enjoy our days as students of life.

Our teachers and staff – Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to our children. As a parent, I appreciate your guidance, care, and support in making our children’s educational experience inspiring and meaningful. I feel grateful for all the wonderful gifts you offer or community.

Our parents and families – Thank you for supporting our school community. From bake sales to parent workshops to chaperoning field trips, the true beneficiaries of your efforts are our students at LGMS.

It takes a very special group of teachers, parents, staff and volunteers to nurture our students to reach their potential. LGMS is a special place where wonderful things happen everyday.

I wish you all a relaxing and restful summer,
Katherine McCoy, NC & AP Parent and President of the Lions Gate Montessori Parent Support Group

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Wondering what to do on weekends with your children? Here are some ideas below​:​

​​​​​LEGO is back at the Surrey Museum! – until Saturday, September 19th: Worlds collide when they set the masterminds of the Vancouver LEGO Club loose in the Surrey Museum. Thousands of LEGO bricks tell tales of the Fraser Valley’s past, present and future, when mammoths trudge through Cloverdale and spaceships moor at the Fraser Surrey Docks. Unleash your own mad genius as you dream up creations with our LEGO stash. For more information, click here.

Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival – until Saturday, September 26th: This year, Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival’s 26th season runs until September 26th. The BMO main stage offers the hilarious audience favourite, The Comedy of Errors, directed by Scott Bellis, alternating with the epic tragedy King Lear, a Theatre Calgary co-production starring Stratford Festival veteran Ben Campbell and directed by Dennis Garnhum. In the intimate Douglas Campbell tent, a world premiere of a new play based on C.C. Humphreys’ historical novel Shakespeare’s Rebel, directed by Christopher Gaze, alternates with a music-filled Jazz Age staging of Love’s Labour’s Lost, directed by Daryl Cloran. More info here.

Dragon Boat Festival – Friday, June 19th to Sunday, June 21st: A full range of entertainment, interactive art, culinary discovery and of course, world-class dragon boat racing again this year at Creekside Olympic Village. Please explore the site – you can find delicious food at the Spice Islands Food Festival, learn about tea at the Global Tea Lounge then take in some music at our World Beat Stage. If your children have energy to burn visit the Dragon’s Den. Meantime on the water, the festival welcomes participants from all over North America including paddlers with different physical and mental abilities, those facing health issues and children and youth from challenging backgrounds. The races give everyone a chance to compete and have fun in a weekend of races, entertainment and friendship. More information here.

Vancouver International Jazz Festival – Saturday, June 20th to Wednesday, July 1st: With 1800 artists, 300 concerts and 35 venues, the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival is Vancouver’s signature festival and British Columbia’s biggest music and arts presentation. Over twelve days the world’s best jazz, funk, Latin, fusion, and world music artists perform at venues big and small, indoor and outdoor across the city. There are many free events including Downtown Jazz at the historic grounds of the Vancouver Art Gallery and Robson Square during the opening weekend, Canada Day on Granville Island, and David Lam Park Jazz Weekend on closing weekend. The Festival is praised as one of the leading music festivals in the world and draws over 565,900 people. For more information, click here.

Point Grey Fiesta – Friday, June 19th to Sunday, June 21st: The Point Grey Fiesta is the community’s not-for-profit annual start-of-summer event for families and friends. Starting with a Saturday parade on West 10th avenue, the Saturday celebration continues in Trimble Park with stage performances, activities and exhibitors. Carnival rides in Trimble Park operate from Friday to Sunday. With the exception of the carnival rides and midway games, Fiesta entertainment and children’s activities are free of charge. For more information and schedule, please click here.

National Aboriginal Day at Trout Lake – Sunday, June 21th: ​Celebrate First Nations in Canada with a pancake breakfast at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre (1607 East Hastings Street) followed by an 11 AM friendship walk at Trout Lake​ followed by performances and exhibits. ​​For more information, click here .​
​​
​Greek Day on Broadway – Sunday, June 28th: Experience Hellenic dance, music, cuisine and much more from 11 AM to 9 PM. join the fun on Broadway (from MacDonald to Blenheim)! ​
​For more information, click here .​

Sea Monsters Revealed, Vancouver Aquarium (through September 7th): Have you checked out the Canadian premiere of the groundbreaking exhibition Sea Monsters Revealed? This highly anticipated exhibition will take you on an exciting journey to discover some of the world’s most amazing sea creatures. Like the human anatomy exhibits that now circle the globe, Sea Monsters Revealed uses the revolutionary polymer preservation technique, commonly called plastination, to reveal dissected bodies of these fascinating creatures from the deep sea. For more information, click here.

FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada, June 6 – July 5: The City and FIFA invite you and your family to join us at the Fan Zone in downtown Vancouver at Larwill Park during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015TM, June 6 – July 5.  This free, family-friendly soccer-celebration destination has been created to welcome the world and share the spirit of the World Cup with Vancouverites and visitors alike. For more information, click here.

Saturn-5 Saturdays: The Space Centre offers a series of family activities on the 3rd Saturday of the month 12:30pm – 3:30pm. Each activity will have a different space theme. On June 20th, check out Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors . . . oh my! Discover more about the difference between asteroids, comets, and meteors. Watch us make a comet out of dry ice, and participate in our meteoric activities . Free with Admission. For more information, click here.