First Week of April

For those of you who are interested, the 2010-2011 calendar has been published and can be found on our website and the TDSB website. Please remember the calendar is draft and is pending Ministry approval. We will post the final calendar when it is published from the Board.

It looks like April will continue to be a busy month. We are really looking forward to the school play, 'Beauty and the Beast' and the Parent Council Fundraising Gala. Both should be prove to be great for our community spirit! Beauty and Beast tickets will be on sale next week before and after school.

As part of the process to improve parent engagement, a Parent Satisfaction Survey is being conducted across the TDSB. This is an opportunity for parents to provide feedback about our schools. The survey will be available online only in 22 languages
beginning on Tuesday April 6 and can be accessed at: www.tdsb.on.ca/parentsurvey.

I hope you have a great long weekend.

* The attached photograph was taken from a grade 8 student for an assignment on the 'environment'.

April
2nd & 5th-Good Friday and Easter Monday-no school
8th and 9th-Grade 5 Badminton and Grade 7 Badminton
12th-Parent Council Meeting @ 7:00 in Library; Beauty and Beast Dress Rehearsal
13th-Beauty and Beast Matinee (1:30) and Evening Performance @ 7:00 p.m.
14th- Beauty and Beast Performance @ 7:00 p.m.
17th-LKS Fundraising Gala 2010
19th-Grade 5 classes visit Queen's Park; Earth Week Assembly @ 9:00
20th-Grade 8 Badminton
22nd-Earth Day
26th-Sharing Assemblies

May
4 and 5th-SW1 Equity Conference (for some junior and intermediate students)
10th-Parent Council Meeting in Library @ 7:00 p.m.
11th-Puppet Show for K-6
14th-Mr. Blais and Ms. Caddel at photography exhibition with students at AGO
15th-Springfest
17th-Safety Rep Meeting at lunch
25th-Book Fair Begins
26th-Safety Officer visits Grade 4 and Grade 5
27th-Sharing Assemblies
31st-June 11-Grade 3 and Grade 6 EQAO tentative dates

June
Dental Screening throughout June
3rd-Middle School Concert @ 7:00 p.m.
9th-Grade 4 White Elephant Sale
11th-Sharing Assemblies
14th-Parent Council Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.
25th-Grade 8 Grad
29th-Last Day for Students; Lunch on the Lawn; Year End Assembly

Earth Hour at LKS!

Welcome back to the beginning of third term. I do hope you all had a great break! This week seemed to pass by so quickly as we all got back into the swing of things. I hope the remainder of the year doesn't go by so fast!

Congratulations to all the students who participated in the swim meet on Thursday. We are looking forward to the City Finals in a couple of weeks.

We've had a very productive week for staff development. Ms. Moser and Mrs. Shklar both attended a Family of School Workshop where they had the opportunity to share the good things the grade 3 and 6 teachers have been working on in literacy with their students. The focus in writing has been on writing 'summaries'. This was a great opportunity to network with other teachers and to participate in extended professional development. Ms. Moser, Mr. Ourique, Mr. Littlejohn and Mrs. Iafrate also had the opportunity to work with our assigned math instructional leader to develop more opportunities for using manipulatives in the classroom. It proved to be a practical experience as the teachers were able to use some of the suggestions already. Our primary math reps (Mrs. Olson, Mr. Ross, Ms. Kim, Ms. vanSchoor and Mrs. Hall) were also given time to explore more math lessons using the Smart Board and new math resources on the market. Finally, Mrs. Raymond and Mrs. MacPherson also worked with our instructional leader to further introduce more hands-on practical experiences with the kindergarten students.

Mr. Samotowka would like to remind you that applications for the Toronto Summer Music Camp at Albion Hills and Mono Cliffs were handed out just before March Break. The camp is open to any grade 5-8 band or strings student in the TDSB.

Camp 1 – July 3rd – July 11th
(Band Camp at Albion Hills & Orchestra Camp at Mono Cliffs)
Camp 2 – July 13th – July 18th
(Band Camp at Albion Hills & Orchestra Camp at Mono Cliffs)
Camp 3 – July 20th – July 25th
(Orchestra Camp at Mono Cliffs)

For more information, go to : www.tdsbsummercamps.ca or contact Mr. Samotowka directly at: toronto_summer_music_camp@yahoo.ca

Have a great weekend!

P.S. The amazing shot of the stingray was taken from Christian (Grade 8) on his family vacation!

Dates to Remember
March 29th-Sharing Assemblies

April
2nd & 5th-Good Friday and Easter Monday
8th and 9th-Grade 5 Badminton and Grade 7 Badminton
12th-Parent Council Meeting @ 7:00 in Library; Beauty and Beast Dress Rehearsal
13th-Beauty and Beast Matinee and Evening Performance @ 7:00 p.m.
14th- Beauty and Beast Performance @ 7:00 p.m.
17th-Parent Council Gala
19th-Grade 5 classes visit Queen's Park; Earth Week Assembly @ 9:00
20th-Grade 8 Badminton
22nd-Earth Day
26th-Sharing Assemblies

May
4 and 5th-SW1 Equity Conference (for some junior and intermediate students)
10th-Parent Council Meeting in Library @ 7:00 p.m.
11th-Puppet Show for K-6
14th-Mr. Blais and Ms. Caddel at photography exhibition with students at AGO
15th-Springfest
17th-Safety Rep Meeting at lunch
25th-Book Fair Begins
26th-Safety Officer visits Grade 4 and Grade 5
27th-Sharing Assemblies
31st-June 11-Grade 3 and Grade 6 EQAO tentative dates

June
Dental Screening throughout June
3rd-Middle School Concert @ 7:00 p.m.
9th-Grade 4 White Elephant Sale
11th-Sharing Assemblies
14th-Parent Council Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.
25th-Grade 8 Grad
29th-Last Day for Students; Lunch on the Lawn; Year End Assembly

Happy March Break!

Congratulations to the Senior Boys' Hockey Team as they played in the City Finals at Varsity on Thursday. The boys lost to Joseph Howe in an exciting game. The grade 4-8 classes were very supportive from the bleachers. Thanks for showing great spirit LKS!

As second term comes to an end, staff continue to work on their team goals. More staff have been trained on the Smart Boards and we will continue this over the next few years. Currently, we have two portable and two fixed Boards. We hope to build on this number with the help of Parent Council. Over the next month our math grade reps will be participating in workshops that focus on using manipulatives and problem solving and the grade three and six teachers continue to work with our literacy coach on their writing programs. Please look at our website to read more on our LKS School Improvement Plan.

In late Spring, we will also be completing student placements. As in previous years, staff work together in teams to place the students in classes for the following September. Gender, academic achievement, social needs, and ministry caps are among the list of things that we consider when placing children. The goal of student placements is to have 'balanced' classes. As most of you know, we do not take 'teacher' requests from parents and we ask that you honour this part of the process. By the end of the year, teachers have a good understanding of their students and place the children accordingly. In most cases, staffing hasn't fully been completed until the end of the year, and as most of you know, changes happen all the way into September. We thank you in advance.

We hope you have a wonderful break with your families and friends over the holidays and we will see you on the 22nd.

March Dates to Remember
15th-19th-Happy March Break!
22nd-Student Safety Rep Meeting @ Lunch-postponed
25th-Grade 8 Grad Photo
26th-Pizza Lunch; Earth Hour-LKS shuts off lights in the afternoon
29th-Sharing Assemblies

April
2nd & 5th-Good Friday and Easter Monday
12th-Parent Council Meeting @ 7:00 in Library; Beauty and Beast Dress Rehearsal
13th-Beauty and Beast Matinee and Evening Performance @ 7:00 p.m.
14th- Beauty and Beast Performance @ 7:00 p.m.
17th-Parent Council Gala
22nd-Earth Day
26th-Sharing Assemblies

May
4 and 5th-SW1 Equity Conference (for some junior and intermediate students)
10th-Parent Council Meeting in Library @ 7:00 p.m.
14th-Mr. Blais and Ms. Caddel at photography exhibition with students at AGO
15th-Springfest
17th-Safety Rep Meeting at lunch
27th-Sharing Assemblies
31st-June 11-Grade 3 and Grade 6 EQAO tentative dates

June
3rd-Middle School Concert @ 7:00 p.m.
11th-Sharing Assemblies
14th-Parent Council Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.
25th-Grade 8 Grad
29th-Last Day for Students; Lunch on the Lawn; Year End Assembly

March 5th-March 12th

Congratulations to our Senior Boys Hockey Team as they will be playing in the City Finals at Varsity on the 11th. Good luck to you and Mr. Bracht; we will be supporting you from the seats! Congratulations also goes to our Junior Girls Volleyball Team as they won the Semi-Finals in the West, but lost in the Conference Finals. We are very proud of you girls as you played your best and showed LKS spirit. Thank you to Mr. Littlejohn and Mrs. Moser for coaching this season. In addition, a big thank you to all the parents who drove the boys and girls this year.

Just a reminder to please inform your classroom teacher and the office if your child will be away this week.

Have a nice weekend.

March
8th-Grade 1 & 2 Classes to Theatre
9th-South West ARTS Festival at Islington-Mrs. Hoffman, Mrs. Adair Mr. Blais and Mrs. Mandel
10th-Some grade 8 students and Dr. deBraga off to Skills Canada
11th-Grade 4-8 Classes support Sr Hockey at City Finals
15th-19th-Happy March Break!
22nd-Student Safety Rep Meeting @ Lunch
26th-Pizza Lunch
29th-Sharing Assemblies

April
2nd & 5th-Good Friday and Easter Monday
12th-Parent Council Meeting @ 7:00 in Library; Beauty and Beast Dress Rehearsal
13th-Beauty and Beast Matinee and Evening Performance @ 7:00 p.m.
14th- Beauty and Beast Performance @ 7:00 p.m.
17th-Parent Council Gala
22nd-Earth Day
26th-Sharing Assemblies

May
4 and 5th-SW1 Equity Conference (for some junior and intermediate students)
10th-Parent Council Meeting in Library @ 7:00 p.m.
14th-Mr. Blais and Ms. Caddel at photography exhibition with students at AGO
15th-Springfest
17th-Safety Rep Meeting at lunch
27th-Sharing Assemblies
31st-June 11-Grade 3 and Grade 6 EQAO tentative dates

June
3rd-Middle School Concert @ 7:00 p.m.
11th-Sharing Assemblies
14th-Parent Council Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.
25th-Grade 8 Grad
29th-Last Day for Students; Lunch on the Lawn; Year End Assembly