Statement from the Public Health Agency of Canada on Measles: The Public Health Agency of Canada is again reminding Canadians of the importance of ensuring their immunizations are up to date, following the confirmation of additional cases of measles in the Vancouver region.
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) region has reported additional cases of measles linked to a March 21 Air China Flight from Beijing CA 991. The patients were either on the flight, or were in contact with someone on the plane. Additionally, a person diagnosed with measles over the weekend exposed people on Air China/Air Canada Flight #CA 991/AC 6601 arriving at Vancouver International Airport on Saturday, April 4. Travelers on these flights are being advised to confirm they are fully immunized and, if not, to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Staff Update: Join us in welcoming Ms. Rosa Barcotti, Forest and Nature Educator, to our school community. Ms. Barcotti has recently relocated to Vancouver from Ottawa, where she has been working as an Outdoor Education Specialist for the Ottawa Board of Education. We look forward to her assistance in expanding our permaculture and outdoor education curriculum!
MMUN: Our MMUN NYC and Washington, DC trip was a great success! Students proudly fulfilled their role as delegates, and it was a wonderfully inspiring experience for all involved. We were thrilled to have had the rare opportunity for a pizza and bowling party in the Truman Lanes at the White House. We’d like to extend warmest thanks to all parents for their support and cooperation every step of the way, and special thanks to parent chaperones – your
onsite participation was greatly appreciated!
Uniforms: We ask that students please have their uniforms dry-cleaned before returning them to the school.
Scrapbook: We are putting together a scrapbook of this year’s MMUN trip, to document the students’ experience as delegates and the fun times they had exploring New York and DC. Please let us know if you have any pictures you would like to share, or paper mementos (ticket stubs, pamphlets, etc.) that you would be willing to lend for this project. Photos can be handed in on a usb drive, or emailed to coordinator@lionsgatemontessori.org.
ADOLESCENTS
Hip Hop Lessons – Adolescents: Students will begin their dance lessons on Monday, April 20th. They walk together to the Scotiabank Theatre (677 Davie Street, at Granville). Please drop off your child/ren no later than 8:45am to ensure a full hour of class with Mr. Yoshi. If you cannot make it to the school by 8:45am, kindly drop off your child/ren at the Scotiabank Theatre directly. Please be sure to send a water bottle with your child/ren and ensure they dress appropriately as it is quite warm inside the dance center.
Reel 2 Real: International Film Festival for Youth: Our students will have the opportunity to attend Reel 2 Real: International Film Festival for Youth which holds its festival at venues in the downtown area at the VanCity Theatre and Roundhouse Community Centre. Kindly submit the permission form no later than Friday, April 10th. Cost: $10.00 (The fee is reduced with thanks to the Enrichment Fund.)
Tuesday, April 14th |12:20pm | Vancity Theatre | Talent Lab
This screening is an excellent opportunity for students to develop media literacy skills and cultural awareness. Students watch a film followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers, producers and actors for further in-depth discussion about content, message and aesthetic.
Wednesday, April 15th |9:45am – 1:00pm | Roundhouse Community Centre | Reel Focus
ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD|Suzanne Crocker | Canada (Yukon) During Reel Focus Documentaries: NOT MY OWN: The protagonists in these films discover that sometimes all you need is a little help from your friends.
Workshop: PIXILATION (special effects and stop-motion animation)
Thursday, April 16th |9:30am – 3:00pm | Vancity Theatre | Youth Media Conference
A day-long conference of screenings, interactive presentations, and activities, the Youth Media Conference inspires and equips students to explore, appreciate, analyze, create and share screen media. The conference will promote youth participation and representation in the media as a way to build community strength, encourage dialogue, and empower youth to be creative an innovative. Students will attend the following events: EXPO & SHOWCASE, DIGITAL LITERACY PANEL, and BEHIND THE SCENES EXPO. *** Lunch: We will be eating lunch at the venue or a park nearby. Please ensure your child have a picnic bagged lunch that doesn’t require heating up or money to purchase lunch. Weather conditions can change quickly and are often
unpredictable regardless of the time of year. As a rule, prepare for all weather conditions.
Pizza Mondays: Please note there will be no Pizza delivery on April 13th as per Order Form.
As usual, pizza will be ordered from Rocky Mountain Flatbread Co. All of the flatbread pizzas as 100% organic, made fresh daily with a blend of organic, unbleached white and whole wheat local flours, and sweetened with a touch of maple syrup. Pizza will be served with a side of salad or veggies, prepared by the children. For more dates, please see the attached form. If you haven’t done so, please submit your order asap. At this time, we are only taking orders from April 27th onward.
Farm Schedule: Visits to the Richmond facility will resume Wednesday, April 8th and continue every Wednesday and Friday until the end of the school year. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions.
ELEMENTARY
Tennis Lessons: We are pleased to offer Anchor Point elementary students the opportunity to participate in Tennis Lessons, commencing April 10th. There are held at David Lam Park, East Tennis Courts. The lessons are scheduled on the following dates: April 10th, April 17th, April 24th, May 1st, May 22nd, and May 29th, from 12pm to 2pm. Please note that some racquets are available, but it is recommended that children bring their own. If your child is attending the half-day program at AP (both am and pm) and wish to participate, let us know, and we’ll be happy to accommodate them. Should you wish to enroll your child in this lesson, please fill in the attached form. Please submit the signed permission back to the school by Wednesday, April 8th.
Upper Elementary Field Trip to Richmond Olympic Oval – Thursday, April 16th: Upper Elementary students will be skating at the Richmond Olympic Oval in the morning of April 16th. During this field trip, students will have the exciting opportunity to watch Olympic Silver Medalist Patrick Chan skate! Drop off your child at Anchor Point at 7:45am that day. Children will transit to the Richmond Oval. Please find the event rundown on the Permission Form and submit it no later than April 13th. Big thanks to the PSG for funding the transportation for our students and LInh Quinn (mom of Avery) for arranging this very special opportunity!
Upper Elementary – Reel 2 Real: International Film Festival for Youth: This is a friendly reminder that the permission slip and payment for this field trip are overdue. If your your child/ren wish to participate, please submit the permission slip attached at your earliest convenience. Cost: $5.00 (The fee is reduced with thanks to the Enrichment Fund.)
Tuesday, April 14th |12:20pm | Vancity Theatre | Talent Lab
This screening is an excellent opportunity for students to develop media literacy skills and cultural awareness. Students watch a film followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers, producers and actors for further in-depth discussion about content, message and aesthetic.
Wednesday, April 15th |9:45am – 1:00pm | Roundhouse Community Centre | Reel Focus
ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD|Suzanne Crocker | Canada (Yukon) During Reel Focus, Elementary classes attend a film program and a workshop. Instruction is tailored for your age group. Documentaries: NOT MY OWN: The protagonists in these films discover that sometimes all you need is a little help from your friends.
Workshop: PIXILATION (special effects and stop-motion animation)
Lower Elementary Field Trip to the Beaty Biodiversity Museum – Thursday, April 23rd: The LE students will be taking transit to visit the Beaty Biodiversity Museum on Thursday, April 23rd. The students will take part in the Sketching Program. During this program, the children will have the opportunity to touch and observe museum specimens while practicing sketching and drawing skills. They will pull out specimens and stories focused on BC Biodiversity, including familiar neighbours from the lower mainland! We might be eating lunch in the park. Children who are in Anchor Point for half-day are eligible to participate in this field trip. Please ensure your child have a picnic bagged lunch that doesn’t require heating up. Please find more information and the permission slip; submit it no later than Friday, April 17th.
NORTH CREEK
Hot Lunch Program for Extended-Day Students: Extended-day students will make hot lunch together once a week, every Wednesday in April. Children who attend the half-day program at AP (both am and pm) can order! *Note: The hot lunch day will be changed to Thursday from May onward in order to accommodate children’s availability.
Switch of date in Mandarin lesson for Preschool on Thursday, April 16th: The Mandarin lesson on this day for Preschool will be rescheduled for Friday, April 17th (11:45am to 12:45pm). Kindly note that students enrolled in French will not be affected by this change.
Hot weather: As the weather gets warmer, please remember to send your child with applied sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
Update for Garden Volunteers: Students at North Creek have started to grow seedlings for Spring! Kale, broccoli, sweet corn, basil, and pepper seeds have been planted. Kindly email us at if you are interested in helping us prepare the garden. We’ll be sharing our volunteer rota with you shortly.
Children who bring snack or lunch to school: According to Child Care Licensing guidelines, food such as boiled eggs and grapes eaten by children should be cut into bite-sized pieces to prevent choking. Please ensure you send your child to school with snack prepared in this manner. Thank you for your understanding.
Work Folders: Kindly return your child’s work folders to school. We’d love to ensure work is taken home for your viewing pleasure in your child’s personal waterproof sleeve.
Punctuality Reminder: Please ensure punctual arrival during drop-off as
late arrivals are very disruptive to the work of the whole class which becomes a huge obstacle for our children’s development. Thank you for your cooperation.
Safety Reminder: For safety reasons, please be cautious during drop-off and pick-up and encourage your child to walk and not run on the sidewalk.
General Parking Reminder: Please be alerted that parking in front of the school is metered. Ticketing officers are quick in giving out tickets during drop-off and pick-up times!
Labeling Reminder: This is a friendly reminder to please label all of your child’s clothing, including scarves, mittens, hats, jackets, and shoes. Thank you
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Wondering what to do on weekends with your children? Here are some ideas below:
Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival – Saturday, April 11th and Sunday, April 12th: The 9th annual Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival (VCBF) presents Sakura Days Japan Fair on the second weekend of April when the cherry trees will be in fuller bloom! Experience culinary demonstrations, Tree Spirit Fairies, DIY musical instruments and Kite Making workshops! Purchase tickets at VanDusen’s Admission Desk or online.
UBC Farm Summer Day Camps – June 22nd to August 28th: Registration is now open! UBC offer 10 one-week camps that run Monday to Friday, from 9am to 4pm and are suitable for ages 6-12. While the camps have themes, all camps offer similar outdoor educational fun experiences. They expose children to what it’s like to plant and take care of a garden – and a farm! The theme of each of the one-week camps are learned through a variety of exciting recreational activities, crafts and hands-on experiences. Each week included a forest hike, visits with the farm chickens and having a chance to cook and eat what is harvested very locally! For more information on this year’s camps and to register click here. The camps fill up fast! Questions? Contact Farm Wonders.
Science World New Exhibition, Animation – February 7th to April 26th: Explore how art, math, science and technology come together in the excicinting work of animation. In Animation’s stimulating and fun environment, visitors will explore the process of animation from concept to finished product – from storyboarding, character design and drawing techniques to movement, timing, filming and sound. Larger-than-life graphics of popular Cartoon Network characters provide a colourful backdrop to the exhibition, which also explores the history of animation and features a screening room and a cartoon museum. For more information, click here.