We braved through the rain and wind in our school-wide pumpkin patch field trip to the Westham Island Herb Farm on Friday! It was very lovely to see many parents and grandparents who joined us in this memorable outing.
As we strive to build strong and connected communities among ourselves, we encourage each other to reach out too. Elementary students will be participating in the WeScare Hunger Campaign for Halloween (see Anchor Point note below) and our school has also set up a Virtual Food Drive in support of the Greater Vancouver Food Bank! Please join our fundraiser here. For every dollar donated, GVFB is able to purchase $3 worth of food supplies. Today, the GVFB serves 28,000 people weekly through their 13 Community Food Hubs, and 74 Community Agency Partners, with 25% of their clients are children/youth and 35% are seniors.
Wishing you all a very wonderful weekend,
The Staff at Lions Gate Montessori
UPCOMING DATES AND NOTICES
Tuesday, Oct 22 | LE Library Outing I Student library card required
Wednesday, Oct 23, 10:15 am I Lower Elementary Writer’s Festival Outing I Permission and payment was due on Oct 18th.
Thursday, Oct 24, 10:15 am I Upper Elementary Writers Fest Outing I Permission and payment was due on Oct 18th.
Thursday, Oct 24 | 4:20 – 6:00 pm | North Creek Parent-Child Workshop
Friday, Oct 25 | PD Day | No school for students
Friday, Oct 25, 5 PM I November Hot Lunch Order Deadline
Monday, Oct 28 | 4:15 – 4:30 pm | Make Up Session for North Creek Parent-Child Workshop
Tuesday, Oct 29 | LE Queen Elizabeth Park Outing | bring loaded compass card and bagged lunch | (LE should not order hot lunch) Please see attached form and return it by Monday, October 21st
Thursday, Oct 31 | Anchor Point Halloween Celebration | students can wear costumes, see note below
Monday, Nov 4 | North Creek Photo Day
Tuesday, Nov 5 | LE Library Outing I Student library card required
Thursday, Nov 7 | Anchor Point Photo Day
Friday, Nov 8 | PD Day | No school for students
Monday, Nov 11 I Remembrance Day I NO SCHOOL
Friday, Nov 15 | UE VSO Elementary School Concert
Friday, Nov 15 | LE Trip to the Museum of Anthropology, Cedar Stories program | loaded compass card and bag lunch required | Permission and payment was due on Oct 18th
Tuesday, Nov 19 | UE field trip to We Day | bagged lunch required | Form and payment due by October 30th
Friday, Nov 22 | Parent/Teacher Conferences
Monday, Nov 25 | LE Library Outing I Student library card required
Wednesday, Nov 27- 28 | Elementary Parents workshop in the morning | see note below
Wednesday, Dec 4 | UE Field trip to Science World | bagged lunch required | Online payment will open Nov 1.
Thursday, Dec 12 | Ex-d/K & LE | Mixed Nuts, a performance by Arts Umbrella at Vancouver Playhouse
Thursday, Dec 19 | Winter Performance Party @ the Roundhouse
Dec 23 to Jan 3 I Winter Break
Monday, Jan 6 I Back-to-school from Winter Break
HOT LUNCH | Elementary, Extended-Day/Kindergarten, Pre -school Language Students
November Hot Lunch orders are due October 25, 5 PM. Pizza Wednesdays from Rocky Mountain Flatbread are a student-led fundraiser. Net proceeds are retained by the Students’ Enrichment Activities Fund and are used to supplement costs for field trips and workshops.
NORTH CREEK COMMUNITY (PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN)
Thursday, October 24th | Parent/Child Workshop: Your child has brought home an invitation to this special event. Please RSVP here. We look forward to your attendance. If you are unable to come during the evening on October 24th, the make-up session is scheduled for Monday, October 28th, from 4:15 pm to 4:30 pm. Please do not hesitate to contact us here if you have any questions.
Thursday, October 31 | The fun-filled tradition of Halloween is coming up! North Creek will observe with activities and lessons related to the cultural, geographical and history of Halloween. So please refrain from wearing costumes to school or bringing sugary treats, as we would like to focus on the subject of people, land, and their stories that bring us together. We deeply appreciate your attention. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about this.
SENSITIVITY ALERT! We have been notified that some children in our Casa community have a sensitivity reaction. The triggers are tomatoes, eggs, certain kinds of fruits, and lactose intolerance. Some children have a gluten and dairy-free diet. The school is aware of each child’s needs. We are following the VCH guidelines. All AM and PM Preschool and Extended Day are learning about it. 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 take this opportunity to introduce your child to anaphylaxis awareness. Kindly inform the teachers of particular items or needs at the door. It will help us coordinate the classroom to protect all the children. For more information, please visit Food Allergy Canada. Thank you very much for your attention and assistance.
ANCHOR POINT COMMUNITY (GRADE 1 & UP)
Wednesday, Oct 23- 24 | LE and UE Writer’s Festival: Students will be taking the Ferry Taxi to and from the venue. Round-trip Ferry Taxi fees are NOT included in the price for this outing. Please ensure your child attends this outing with $3.50 in EXACT CHANGE or AQUABUS tickets. Please check the weather on the day of the field trip and send your child to school with the appropriate clothing, footwear and accessories (hat, scarf, gloves).
WeScare Hunger: As part of our community work, elementary students will be asked to look at what they have at home and come up with contributions on their own as to what types of healthy food their respective families may be able to contribute. Please include your child in the gathering items for donation and also discuss the option of donating funds online to our drive. Please drop off donations by November 1.
Wednesday, Nov 27- 28 | Parents’ Workshop: Come and let your child show you how we learn at Lions Gate Montessori! Students will decide on a specific work they want to present and you can just sit down and let your child be your teacher for a little while… sign up sheets will be posted at the door by November 4th so you can register for a time slot that fits conveniently in your schedule. The workshop session will last 15 minutes and you will have sessions available from 9am to 11.30am on both mornings.
Thursday, Oct 31st | Halloween Celebration: Elementary students will be celebrating Halloween and are allowed to come to school dressed up either as a historical character or a character from a book. They can also prepare a small presentation about their character explaining who they are and why they chose them.
Dance Lessons: Students have participated in their first dance lessons already. These are mandatory Physical Education lessons that all students are expected to participate in. Students who do not participate must submit an excuse note from a parent/guardian. Upcoming lessons are on: November 1st, November 15th, November 29th, December 6th, and December 13th.
ANAPHYLAXIS ALERT! We have been notified that a child in our elementary community has life-threatening allergy (anaphylaxis) reactions. The triggers are walnuts and pecans. The school is following the VCH guidelines, the families are working with the school, and all Extended Day and Elementary students are learning about it. Teachers and students will be asked to wash their hands vigilantly and regularly at Anchor Point. Please refrain from sending these foods to school. Instead, this is an opportunity to introduce other foods for snacks and lunches to the school environment as you introduce your child to anaphylaxis awareness. For more information, please visit Food Allergy Canada. Thank you very much for your attention and assistance.
COMMUNITY NOTICES Wondering what to do with your family this week? Check these out!
Apple Festival | Oct 19 & 20 | A family event for all ages, UBC Apple Festival celebrates one of BC’s favourite fruits. From learning about the diversity of apples to tasting rare and unusual varieties, Apple Festival is a great opportunity to discover more about this delicious fruit.
Harvestland | From Oct 10 to Oct 20 | This ‘All Things Harvest’ with a German Oktober Fest bent has plenty of fun for families including a Bavarian village, a woodland maze (including axe throwing and a lumberjack show) a Kinder Farm (can you say pony rides and tractor pull?) and amusement rides with a harvest twist.
VSO School Of Music | West African Music and Movement sessions | Oct 20, 3:30-5:00 pm | As a celebration of Dr. Kofi Gbolonyo joining the Faculty, VSOSoM is opening this inaugural session to the public free of charge. Come join them in an immersive experience of West African music and dance. To register for this Sunday’s event please email Louise Ironside at: louise@vsoschoolofmusic.ca
The Halloween Pumpkin Express I Oct 5 until Oct 31 on Saturdays | This is a kid-friendly ride that runs during the day at Bear Creek Park until Halloween and includes craft activities and a Halloween treats and a pumpkin for each child.
Go for a walk! Below is a list of 5 places to go for a fall walk with your family in Vancouver and enjoy nature.
Fun on the Farm | Fall 2019 | Here is a listing on the many options across the Lower Mainland for taking the children out to the pumpkin patch, winding your way through the mile-high corn fields, picking apples, and saying hello to the animals.
Halloween flight with flyover Canada | Oct 17 to Nov 3 | Join Broomelda at the Haunted Witches Academy for a spellbinding virtual flight across Canada. This event includes the following activities: Broomelda’s Witches Academy Themed Pre-Show, your very own Official Witch Academy Diploma to take home, Halloween theming and spine-tingling decorations, witches and Wizards of all ages are encouraged to dress up!
12 rainy day activity for under $10 in Vancouver | With the rain being part of our routine this week here is a list of places and things you can do during those wet days.
Vandusen Glow in the Garden | Oct 17 to Oct 27 | Another season of festive enchantment with a walk through a new light show with unique features and magical moments.